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thebooknerdscorner's reviews
1451 reviews
The Diablo's Curse by Gabe Cole Novoa
5.0
A young demon is desperate to become human again, but they are tethered in the world of death by all the bargains they've struck with desperate humans throughout the years.
After helping out Mar and Bas, Dami is now free to live their life as a human again. Or so they thought. It turns out that Dami will actually revert to their full status as a demonio if they don't resolve all of the bargains they have struck up in their lifetime as a demon. This turns out to be more complicated than they expected when a certain cursed boy by the name of Silas refuses to dissolve their deal. A year ago, Dami gave Silas the ability to be reborn again and again after each death. On top of that, Silas' entire family has been cursed to die young, so if their bargain is dismissed, Silas will most certainly die within the week. That is, unless the curse is broken. Dami reluctantly finds themselves going on a dangerous treasure hunt to help Silas break the curse that plagues the Cain family. But being human is a lot harder than Dami anticipated. And curses aren't supposed to be easy to break.
I read "The Wicked Bargain" months ago, but I only recently became aware that Dami had their own companion novel. Honestly, I felt a little lied to that I didn't know this one existed, but I guys this goes to show that there are perks to following authors on social media. Dami the genderfluid demonio was one of my favorite parts about "The Wicked Bargain," so I was psyched to learn that they got their own story and I got my hands on this one as soon as I reasonably could.
This book picks up right where "The Wicked Bargain" left off, just from Dami's perspective. They have been living their human life to the fullest and discovering all the benefits of having a corporal form. The premise of this book with Dami having to resolve all of their demon bargains in order to become fully human is great and led to an amazing story when their path is finally blocked by Silas' refusal. And the fact that these two have to find Captain Kidd's treasure together? What a comical and entertaining quest!
Silas was so loveable from the moment that he first entered the page. He's funny, charming, and his unlucky streak that is brought about by his family curse is so endearing. I must say, it is not often that one sees a character die as many times as Silas does during the course of a single book, but Silas is truly one unlucky guy.
I love Dami and their banter with Mar, but oh my goodness, their banter is even more superior with Silas! It is no surprise that Silas doesn't exactly like nor trust Dami after making a flawed deal with them that has led to Silas dying a painful death at least once a week. Silas is constantly calling them "demon" and looking down on them at the start. This is funny, but the banter gets even better when the two start to rely on each other more. And it obviously becomes even more so once they fall for one another and the flirting ramps up even more. These two's reluctance to fall for one another was quite cute; I definitely ship it!
While the first book deals a ton with Mar and his gender dysphoria, Dami is confident in their transgender ways and changes their appearance based on how they feel on any given day. Dami does have to grapple with his desire to be a human and his reality as a demonio though, so there's is still plenty of self-inflicted angst in this one.
Another thing that I loved about this one is all the backstory it revealed about Dami. I remember never trusting Dami in the first book and was so curious to what their motivations are. Let's just say, this book does a stellar job at enlightening the reader about Dami's past, which I found to be both very insightful as well as made my heart go out to Dami immensely.
The pirate vibes aren't as heavy in this one because Dami isn't part of a pirate crew, but Dami and Silas are treasure hunting for the entirety book, so this certainly keeps them alive. The clues that they find and the riddles they have to decipher are really fun to follow along with. And the cursed island that they find themselves deserted on is a great setting for a thrilling treasure hunt. I suppose I should also mention Marisol. She's the brains as well as the one with the local intel on the island when it comes to their treasure hunting group. She's a fun addition to the group that Dami and Silas definitely needed for their goals to be met. After all, quests are best completed in groups of three.
I need to take a moment to mention Novoa's writing style. He is truly hilarious, and this book had me cracking up so many times. The way that he pens things is super witty and I applaud him so much for the way that he combines serious situations with humor so eloquently.
Overall, I am quite happy to report that "The Diablo's Curse" was just as good as "The Wicked Bargain." Dami and Silas are such lovable characters; I adore their banter, their flirtatious natures, and all the ways they interact with one another. This book deals with demon bargains, curse breaking, and treasure hunting, so it is filled with magical thrill and adventures. This book is truly a good time from start to finish. Novoa's writing style is so witty and eloquent; I can't wait to read more of his work going forward. I truly can't recommend these books enough!
After helping out Mar and Bas, Dami is now free to live their life as a human again. Or so they thought. It turns out that Dami will actually revert to their full status as a demonio if they don't resolve all of the bargains they have struck up in their lifetime as a demon. This turns out to be more complicated than they expected when a certain cursed boy by the name of Silas refuses to dissolve their deal. A year ago, Dami gave Silas the ability to be reborn again and again after each death. On top of that, Silas' entire family has been cursed to die young, so if their bargain is dismissed, Silas will most certainly die within the week. That is, unless the curse is broken. Dami reluctantly finds themselves going on a dangerous treasure hunt to help Silas break the curse that plagues the Cain family. But being human is a lot harder than Dami anticipated. And curses aren't supposed to be easy to break.
I read "The Wicked Bargain" months ago, but I only recently became aware that Dami had their own companion novel. Honestly, I felt a little lied to that I didn't know this one existed, but I guys this goes to show that there are perks to following authors on social media. Dami the genderfluid demonio was one of my favorite parts about "The Wicked Bargain," so I was psyched to learn that they got their own story and I got my hands on this one as soon as I reasonably could.
This book picks up right where "The Wicked Bargain" left off, just from Dami's perspective. They have been living their human life to the fullest and discovering all the benefits of having a corporal form. The premise of this book with Dami having to resolve all of their demon bargains in order to become fully human is great and led to an amazing story when their path is finally blocked by Silas' refusal. And the fact that these two have to find Captain Kidd's treasure together? What a comical and entertaining quest!
Silas was so loveable from the moment that he first entered the page. He's funny, charming, and his unlucky streak that is brought about by his family curse is so endearing. I must say, it is not often that one sees a character die as many times as Silas does during the course of a single book, but Silas is truly one unlucky guy.
I love Dami and their banter with Mar, but oh my goodness, their banter is even more superior with Silas! It is no surprise that Silas doesn't exactly like nor trust Dami after making a flawed deal with them that has led to Silas dying a painful death at least once a week. Silas is constantly calling them "demon" and looking down on them at the start. This is funny, but the banter gets even better when the two start to rely on each other more. And it obviously becomes even more so once they fall for one another and the flirting ramps up even more. These two's reluctance to fall for one another was quite cute; I definitely ship it!
While the first book deals a ton with Mar and his gender dysphoria, Dami is confident in their transgender ways and changes their appearance based on how they feel on any given day. Dami does have to grapple with his desire to be a human and his reality as a demonio though, so there's is still plenty of self-inflicted angst in this one.
Another thing that I loved about this one is all the backstory it revealed about Dami. I remember never trusting Dami in the first book and was so curious to what their motivations are. Let's just say, this book does a stellar job at enlightening the reader about Dami's past, which I found to be both very insightful as well as made my heart go out to Dami immensely.
The pirate vibes aren't as heavy in this one because Dami isn't part of a pirate crew, but Dami and Silas are treasure hunting for the entirety book, so this certainly keeps them alive. The clues that they find and the riddles they have to decipher are really fun to follow along with. And the cursed island that they find themselves deserted on is a great setting for a thrilling treasure hunt. I suppose I should also mention Marisol. She's the brains as well as the one with the local intel on the island when it comes to their treasure hunting group. She's a fun addition to the group that Dami and Silas definitely needed for their goals to be met. After all, quests are best completed in groups of three.
I need to take a moment to mention Novoa's writing style. He is truly hilarious, and this book had me cracking up so many times. The way that he pens things is super witty and I applaud him so much for the way that he combines serious situations with humor so eloquently.
Overall, I am quite happy to report that "The Diablo's Curse" was just as good as "The Wicked Bargain." Dami and Silas are such lovable characters; I adore their banter, their flirtatious natures, and all the ways they interact with one another. This book deals with demon bargains, curse breaking, and treasure hunting, so it is filled with magical thrill and adventures. This book is truly a good time from start to finish. Novoa's writing style is so witty and eloquent; I can't wait to read more of his work going forward. I truly can't recommend these books enough!
Life of Melody by Mari Costa
Razzmatazz is a fairy, and fairies are tasked with making fairy tales come true. However, he is not the greatest at his job and has failed to do so thus far. Desperate to succeed, Razzmatazz decides that he is going to raise a human child in the hopes that he'll be there for them whenever their story needs fixing. What he didn't expect was to meet a grumpy beast by the name of Bon who also wants to get his hands on the same baby. Razzmatazz and Bon embark on a reluctant partnership where they pretend to be a human couple so that they can raise the human child together and both achieve their goals. However, it's hard to keep feelings at bay when one is involved in a fake marriage and the two soon find that they have bitten off more than they originally anticipated.
I didn't have high expectations going into this one, but it ended up being a really cute read that was actually quite funny. Razzmatazz and Bon have such fun exchanges of dialogue, and it is so hilarious following their misadventures as new parents that are also trying to blend into the human realm. Razzmatazz's eccentric nature pairs quite well with Bon due to the fact that he is a very down-to-earth kind of guy, which leads to them having great chemistry together.
The world building isn't the most in depth, but it is easy to follow regardless of this. This book reads like a rom com that just happens to feature a fairy and beast, which adds to the comedy immensely. Watching these two pretend to be human is quite comical (though honestly, Razzmatazz is the one that struggles with this fact), and I found myself giggling constantly.
I honestly didn't feel any attachment to Melody herself, but I was totally willing to watch her goofy parents learn to grow to tolerate (and then love) one another. This is certainly a feel-good comedy featuring two mythical gay dads doing their best to raise a human baby.
Overall, "Life of Melody" wasn't that special of a graphic novel, but it is certainly funny and sweet. Watching Razzmatazz and Bon interact was so wholesome and hilarious; it's truly the reason to read this book. I wasn't the most invested in the other aspects of this story, but this novel is truly just a feel-good, queer romantic comedy that gives a quick dose of dopamine for those who indulge in it.
4.0
When a fairy and a beast encounter a baby in the woods and each want to have it as their own, they embark on a less than amicable arrangement in which they pretend to be a married human couple in this cozy, queer fantasy graphic novel.
Razzmatazz is a fairy, and fairies are tasked with making fairy tales come true. However, he is not the greatest at his job and has failed to do so thus far. Desperate to succeed, Razzmatazz decides that he is going to raise a human child in the hopes that he'll be there for them whenever their story needs fixing. What he didn't expect was to meet a grumpy beast by the name of Bon who also wants to get his hands on the same baby. Razzmatazz and Bon embark on a reluctant partnership where they pretend to be a human couple so that they can raise the human child together and both achieve their goals. However, it's hard to keep feelings at bay when one is involved in a fake marriage and the two soon find that they have bitten off more than they originally anticipated.
I didn't have high expectations going into this one, but it ended up being a really cute read that was actually quite funny. Razzmatazz and Bon have such fun exchanges of dialogue, and it is so hilarious following their misadventures as new parents that are also trying to blend into the human realm. Razzmatazz's eccentric nature pairs quite well with Bon due to the fact that he is a very down-to-earth kind of guy, which leads to them having great chemistry together.
The world building isn't the most in depth, but it is easy to follow regardless of this. This book reads like a rom com that just happens to feature a fairy and beast, which adds to the comedy immensely. Watching these two pretend to be human is quite comical (though honestly, Razzmatazz is the one that struggles with this fact), and I found myself giggling constantly.
I honestly didn't feel any attachment to Melody herself, but I was totally willing to watch her goofy parents learn to grow to tolerate (and then love) one another. This is certainly a feel-good comedy featuring two mythical gay dads doing their best to raise a human baby.
Overall, "Life of Melody" wasn't that special of a graphic novel, but it is certainly funny and sweet. Watching Razzmatazz and Bon interact was so wholesome and hilarious; it's truly the reason to read this book. I wasn't the most invested in the other aspects of this story, but this novel is truly just a feel-good, queer romantic comedy that gives a quick dose of dopamine for those who indulge in it.
About Bliss: Fighting for My Trans Son's Life, Joy, and Fertility by Cristina Olivetti
5.0
A thought-provoking memoir that explores one supportive mother and the lengths that she goes to show her trans son that she is on his side no matter what.
When I got an email asking if I wanted to read and promote "About Bliss," I was instantly intrigued. It's not often that a trans memoir hits my inbox, so I instantly hit the apply button. I'm glad that I was approved, because this is the type of LGBTQIA+ resource that I'm happy to know exists. It's written by one of the most supportive mothers I have ever encountered and will make a great resource for parents of transgender teens or other individuals who are wanting to learn more about life as a trans kid in the United States during a tumultuous era (that we are still living through today in 2025).
This book was written for two main reasons, as far as I understand. One, to help Cristina's son, Jake, better comprehend his own journey as a trans child in which his parents had control over many important decisions involving his future and the healthcare that he would receive. And two, to help other parents of trans children learn to better understand their own children and provide them with resources to help them be better, more supportive parents of trans kids. I think that this is an imperative resource for many other people, not just parents of trans and gender nonconforming children. The reflection questions may not be as helpful to other individuals, but that doesn't mean that this book won't help others gain empathy for their fellow humans and help enlighten them on many things that they've probably never stopped to think about before.
Olivetti's memoir dives deeply into the politics, healthcare treatments, and other news centered around trans teens in the United States. The subject matter in this book occurred during the end of the Obama legislation into the beginning of the Trump legislation (and COVID, yippee), so these are certainly trying times for trans kids. I am sad to say that we are regressing in many ways since the events of this book happened, and I am wishing the best to Jake and all the other trans people who are being so poorly mistreated in this day and age.
Throughout the course of this novel, Cristina interviews many different leaders that are standing up for trans rights, equality, and safe healthcare practices. These segments take a break from Jake's personal plight and showcase the many positive ways that people are standing up for the LGBTQIA+ community and putting up a fight for equal human rights.
This book is written in second person, which I think is such a powerful tool to use when talking about trans and gender nonconforming people. I've seen this done once in the past, so I was quite used to this method that enhances the ease of telling a story featuring someone who has gone by various pronouns throughout their life.
I think my biggest concern about this book is how quickly the information in it will (and already has) changed and become inaccurate. It took this story over five years to make its way into the world in a traditionally published format, and I can already see how this book has aged. Luckily, it is still a great historical piece logging Jake's journey and offers a great snapshot of trans life in 2019-2020. And many of the same political issues and notoriously disgusting mindsets still exist, so this book is still as prevalent as the moment Olivetti first penned it.
I would love it if Olivetti would write more about her other life experiences that don't surround her child. In the acknowledgements, she talks about so many things that really intrigue me. I mean, she's met Cheryl Strayed, for Pete's sake! But what I would most love to hear more about is her experience being a caretaker for her husband who has ALS (AKA Lou Gehrig's Disease). This is another super personal topic, so I understand if she wouldn't want to share all of this with the world. She handled this book with such grace and nuance, though, so I feel many could benefit from her take on that experience, too.
Overall, "About Bliss" is an enlightening memoir that is both moving and educational. This book is the perfect role-model for parents of transgender and gender nonconforming children, but it is a book that most people could learn a ton from. I feel that this book could teach anyone a bit more about the unfortunate circumstances that trans people in the United States (and around the world) are being forced to fight against on a daily basis. Cristina is a S-tier mother, and I am so grateful that people like her exist to stand up for our children and make the world a better place one day at a time. I would love to read more of her work in the future!
When I got an email asking if I wanted to read and promote "About Bliss," I was instantly intrigued. It's not often that a trans memoir hits my inbox, so I instantly hit the apply button. I'm glad that I was approved, because this is the type of LGBTQIA+ resource that I'm happy to know exists. It's written by one of the most supportive mothers I have ever encountered and will make a great resource for parents of transgender teens or other individuals who are wanting to learn more about life as a trans kid in the United States during a tumultuous era (that we are still living through today in 2025).
This book was written for two main reasons, as far as I understand. One, to help Cristina's son, Jake, better comprehend his own journey as a trans child in which his parents had control over many important decisions involving his future and the healthcare that he would receive. And two, to help other parents of trans children learn to better understand their own children and provide them with resources to help them be better, more supportive parents of trans kids. I think that this is an imperative resource for many other people, not just parents of trans and gender nonconforming children. The reflection questions may not be as helpful to other individuals, but that doesn't mean that this book won't help others gain empathy for their fellow humans and help enlighten them on many things that they've probably never stopped to think about before.
Olivetti's memoir dives deeply into the politics, healthcare treatments, and other news centered around trans teens in the United States. The subject matter in this book occurred during the end of the Obama legislation into the beginning of the Trump legislation (and COVID, yippee), so these are certainly trying times for trans kids. I am sad to say that we are regressing in many ways since the events of this book happened, and I am wishing the best to Jake and all the other trans people who are being so poorly mistreated in this day and age.
Throughout the course of this novel, Cristina interviews many different leaders that are standing up for trans rights, equality, and safe healthcare practices. These segments take a break from Jake's personal plight and showcase the many positive ways that people are standing up for the LGBTQIA+ community and putting up a fight for equal human rights.
This book is written in second person, which I think is such a powerful tool to use when talking about trans and gender nonconforming people. I've seen this done once in the past, so I was quite used to this method that enhances the ease of telling a story featuring someone who has gone by various pronouns throughout their life.
I think my biggest concern about this book is how quickly the information in it will (and already has) changed and become inaccurate. It took this story over five years to make its way into the world in a traditionally published format, and I can already see how this book has aged. Luckily, it is still a great historical piece logging Jake's journey and offers a great snapshot of trans life in 2019-2020. And many of the same political issues and notoriously disgusting mindsets still exist, so this book is still as prevalent as the moment Olivetti first penned it.
I would love it if Olivetti would write more about her other life experiences that don't surround her child. In the acknowledgements, she talks about so many things that really intrigue me. I mean, she's met Cheryl Strayed, for Pete's sake! But what I would most love to hear more about is her experience being a caretaker for her husband who has ALS (AKA Lou Gehrig's Disease). This is another super personal topic, so I understand if she wouldn't want to share all of this with the world. She handled this book with such grace and nuance, though, so I feel many could benefit from her take on that experience, too.
Overall, "About Bliss" is an enlightening memoir that is both moving and educational. This book is the perfect role-model for parents of transgender and gender nonconforming children, but it is a book that most people could learn a ton from. I feel that this book could teach anyone a bit more about the unfortunate circumstances that trans people in the United States (and around the world) are being forced to fight against on a daily basis. Cristina is a S-tier mother, and I am so grateful that people like her exist to stand up for our children and make the world a better place one day at a time. I would love to read more of her work in the future!
Love Letters & Lemon Drops by Laura Greenwood
4.0
A cozy romantasy novella featuring an arranged marriage between two royals, swoonworthy love letters, and an ample helping of spice.
Princess Solana of Someil is finally moving in with her betrothed, Prince Arthur of Falhaven. They've only met once, but they feel as though they've spent a lifetime together through all the love letters they have exchanged with one another. But falling in love in person is much different than maintaining a long-distance courtship. With only weeks until the wedding, Arthur will do anything he can to make Solana feel at home in his kingdom.
This is the first novella featuring one of Princess Evie's siblings in the Falhaven Castle series, and the second glimpse we've gotten into this world. I completely adored all of the siblings in "Dragons & Dumplings," so I was very happy to dive into Prince Arthur's happily ever after in this book.
Solana is from a rather conservative kingdom in which princesses are expected to act a certain way and are constantly being chaperoned by their elders. It was really fun seeing Solana come out of her shell once she arrived in Falhaven and was introduced to their more chill ways of existing. I was quite pleased with Solana's character and am happy to add her to the group; I look forward to seeing more of her in future installments!
Arthur has a way with animals and a compassionate heart that he uses to care for others. It was so sweet watching him go the extra mile for Solana's pet cat, Felicia. He is truly a proper gentleman, but also highly adept at picking up just what his girl desires.
Pairing Solana and Arthur together is quite adorable! They are both a bit timid yet super passionate towards one another, so they blend quite well together. The love letters that they write one another are honestly the sweetest. I myself love writing (and receiving) letters penned with love, so I found this to be a great part of the story as well as their romantic relationship.
I must say, this novella is quite heavy on the spice. Usually I prefer my romances to have a little more time before the steamy scenes start, but if you are a fan of open door romances that get right down to business, I'm sure this will fit nicely into your reading taste. None of the scenes made me uncomfortable in any way, though, meaning that I found them to be done quite tastefully despite the fast nature of Solana and Arthur's physical relationship.
Overall, "Love Letters & Lemon Drops" is a cozy romantasy novella with lovable characters, a sweet romance, and plenty of animal companions. It can easily be read in a single sitting, which makes it a perfect read for those crunched on time. I already had an attachment to the world and characters going into this one, but it would also make a great introduction to the series. I look forward to all the future installments taking place in Falhaven Castle and seeing my favorite characters grace the page once more!
Princess Solana of Someil is finally moving in with her betrothed, Prince Arthur of Falhaven. They've only met once, but they feel as though they've spent a lifetime together through all the love letters they have exchanged with one another. But falling in love in person is much different than maintaining a long-distance courtship. With only weeks until the wedding, Arthur will do anything he can to make Solana feel at home in his kingdom.
This is the first novella featuring one of Princess Evie's siblings in the Falhaven Castle series, and the second glimpse we've gotten into this world. I completely adored all of the siblings in "Dragons & Dumplings," so I was very happy to dive into Prince Arthur's happily ever after in this book.
Solana is from a rather conservative kingdom in which princesses are expected to act a certain way and are constantly being chaperoned by their elders. It was really fun seeing Solana come out of her shell once she arrived in Falhaven and was introduced to their more chill ways of existing. I was quite pleased with Solana's character and am happy to add her to the group; I look forward to seeing more of her in future installments!
Arthur has a way with animals and a compassionate heart that he uses to care for others. It was so sweet watching him go the extra mile for Solana's pet cat, Felicia. He is truly a proper gentleman, but also highly adept at picking up just what his girl desires.
Pairing Solana and Arthur together is quite adorable! They are both a bit timid yet super passionate towards one another, so they blend quite well together. The love letters that they write one another are honestly the sweetest. I myself love writing (and receiving) letters penned with love, so I found this to be a great part of the story as well as their romantic relationship.
I must say, this novella is quite heavy on the spice. Usually I prefer my romances to have a little more time before the steamy scenes start, but if you are a fan of open door romances that get right down to business, I'm sure this will fit nicely into your reading taste. None of the scenes made me uncomfortable in any way, though, meaning that I found them to be done quite tastefully despite the fast nature of Solana and Arthur's physical relationship.
Overall, "Love Letters & Lemon Drops" is a cozy romantasy novella with lovable characters, a sweet romance, and plenty of animal companions. It can easily be read in a single sitting, which makes it a perfect read for those crunched on time. I already had an attachment to the world and characters going into this one, but it would also make a great introduction to the series. I look forward to all the future installments taking place in Falhaven Castle and seeing my favorite characters grace the page once more!
I Bet You Think About Me by Laurel Osterkamp
Annabelle Elliot loves her job as an archeologist at the local research center in her hometown of Sugar Pine Springs. Unfortunately, things get complicated when her ex-boyfriend, Weston Cruz, returns with a plan to save the research center. Unable to escape the past, Annabelle must decide whether she is finally ready to let Weston go. . . or if she is willing to put her heart on the line and give Weston a second chance.
This is a sweet romantic comedy that can easily be read in a single afternoon. I must say, I have yet to read Austen's "Persuasion," so I can't tell how much of a retelling this is, but the plot definitely had an Austen-esque feel with a ton of rom com elements thrown in.
I think that it is neat that Annabelle and Weston both are employed in the field of archeology. This isn't a field that I often see represented in literature, so I found this to be a cool decision on the author's part. I didn't have a ton of time to get to know either of the main characters due to the short nature of this novella, but I liked them based solely on the surface level impressions I got of them. The dialogue between these two is one of my favorite parts about reading this novella.
Laurel Osterkamp gives this novella away if one subscribes to her newsletter. This little novella did a great job of introducing me to Osterkamp's writing style. It is also the first in a series that she intends to write, so that also has me intrigued. For these two reasons, I think this is a great selection for a newsletter freebie. I will certainly be checking out more of her work in the future.
Overall, "I Bet You Think of Me" isn't the most unique story, but I found it engaging and I enjoyed following Annabelle and Weston's journey as archeologists going through their second chance romance arc. Jane Austen remixes tend to go over wonderfully in this day and age, so I'm glad that I can add this to the list of ones to recommend to others. If you are looking for that rom com dopamine rush but are crunched for time, I feel this would be a great novella to look into. And plus, it's free as long as you subscribe to Osterkamp's newsletter!
3.0
A sweet rom com novella inspired by Jane Austen's "Persuasion," featuring two archeologists and their second chance romance.
Annabelle Elliot loves her job as an archeologist at the local research center in her hometown of Sugar Pine Springs. Unfortunately, things get complicated when her ex-boyfriend, Weston Cruz, returns with a plan to save the research center. Unable to escape the past, Annabelle must decide whether she is finally ready to let Weston go. . . or if she is willing to put her heart on the line and give Weston a second chance.
This is a sweet romantic comedy that can easily be read in a single afternoon. I must say, I have yet to read Austen's "Persuasion," so I can't tell how much of a retelling this is, but the plot definitely had an Austen-esque feel with a ton of rom com elements thrown in.
I think that it is neat that Annabelle and Weston both are employed in the field of archeology. This isn't a field that I often see represented in literature, so I found this to be a cool decision on the author's part. I didn't have a ton of time to get to know either of the main characters due to the short nature of this novella, but I liked them based solely on the surface level impressions I got of them. The dialogue between these two is one of my favorite parts about reading this novella.
Laurel Osterkamp gives this novella away if one subscribes to her newsletter. This little novella did a great job of introducing me to Osterkamp's writing style. It is also the first in a series that she intends to write, so that also has me intrigued. For these two reasons, I think this is a great selection for a newsletter freebie. I will certainly be checking out more of her work in the future.
Overall, "I Bet You Think of Me" isn't the most unique story, but I found it engaging and I enjoyed following Annabelle and Weston's journey as archeologists going through their second chance romance arc. Jane Austen remixes tend to go over wonderfully in this day and age, so I'm glad that I can add this to the list of ones to recommend to others. If you are looking for that rom com dopamine rush but are crunched for time, I feel this would be a great novella to look into. And plus, it's free as long as you subscribe to Osterkamp's newsletter!
That Last Carolina Summer by Karen White
2.0
A touching story about complex family relations, unexpected connections, and cherishing one's hometown.
In her youth, Phoebe Manigault was struck by lightning which left her with prophetic dreams about people she encounters. Plagued by a reoccurring nightmare and the beauty of her older sister, Addie, Phoebe moves to the West coast to escape all the stress. When their mother develops dementia, Addie implores Phoebe to return home to help out and the sisters are once more at each other's throats. Back in her hometown, Phoebe meets an elderly woman by the name of Celeste whose granddaughter disappered years ago. Celeste hopes that she can befriend Phoebe in the hope that she can solve the disappearance of her beloved Julia. The longer Phoebe remains in South Carolina, the worse that her premonitions get but the closer she gets to reconciling her differences with her elder sister.
Personally, this one was just okay to me. Dementia is a brutal thing to deal with, so my heart goes out to Phoebe and Addie's plight, but I wasn't overly connected to either of them. I was even less invested in Celeste's story due to the fact that I found what happened to Julia to be pretty obvious despite not knowing all of the details.
Phoebe's gift added an element of magical realism that snuck in an interesting twist to this rather mundane slice of life story. It is neat that she developed "thunder powers" but I still found them to be mostly underwhelming.
Phobe and Liam's romantic arc was also pretty mid in my opinion. I always find the savior trope to be rather cringe, but it was okay in this case. Liam saved Phoebe's life when they were really young and they only met each other for real as midlife adults, so I found their blossoming romance to be cute. Once again, I wasn't overly invested in any of the characters, so it was just okay.
This book is told in uneven dual PoV between Phoebe and Celeste. Personally, I found both of their voices to be really similar and often forgot whose perspective I was in and had to constantly turn back to the chapter heading to verify.
Phoebe is a birder, which was honestly one of the most interesting parts about this book. However, I'm not super invested in birds either, so that still didn't do a whole lot to keep me engaged, especially because it wasn't a huge part of the book.
Overall, "That Last Carolina Summer" was a pretty lackluster read for me. It hits on some emotional subjects such as taking care of a relative with dementia, reconciling with guilt from the past, and learning to work with others despite not getting along with them. I wish I would have been slightly more invested in any aspect of this book, but I mostly found myself reading this one just to get it over with rather than actually enjoying it.
In her youth, Phoebe Manigault was struck by lightning which left her with prophetic dreams about people she encounters. Plagued by a reoccurring nightmare and the beauty of her older sister, Addie, Phoebe moves to the West coast to escape all the stress. When their mother develops dementia, Addie implores Phoebe to return home to help out and the sisters are once more at each other's throats. Back in her hometown, Phoebe meets an elderly woman by the name of Celeste whose granddaughter disappered years ago. Celeste hopes that she can befriend Phoebe in the hope that she can solve the disappearance of her beloved Julia. The longer Phoebe remains in South Carolina, the worse that her premonitions get but the closer she gets to reconciling her differences with her elder sister.
Personally, this one was just okay to me. Dementia is a brutal thing to deal with, so my heart goes out to Phoebe and Addie's plight, but I wasn't overly connected to either of them. I was even less invested in Celeste's story due to the fact that I found what happened to Julia to be pretty obvious despite not knowing all of the details.
Phoebe's gift added an element of magical realism that snuck in an interesting twist to this rather mundane slice of life story. It is neat that she developed "thunder powers" but I still found them to be mostly underwhelming.
Phobe and Liam's romantic arc was also pretty mid in my opinion. I always find the savior trope to be rather cringe, but it was okay in this case. Liam saved Phoebe's life when they were really young and they only met each other for real as midlife adults, so I found their blossoming romance to be cute. Once again, I wasn't overly invested in any of the characters, so it was just okay.
This book is told in uneven dual PoV between Phoebe and Celeste. Personally, I found both of their voices to be really similar and often forgot whose perspective I was in and had to constantly turn back to the chapter heading to verify.
Phoebe is a birder, which was honestly one of the most interesting parts about this book. However, I'm not super invested in birds either, so that still didn't do a whole lot to keep me engaged, especially because it wasn't a huge part of the book.
Overall, "That Last Carolina Summer" was a pretty lackluster read for me. It hits on some emotional subjects such as taking care of a relative with dementia, reconciling with guilt from the past, and learning to work with others despite not getting along with them. I wish I would have been slightly more invested in any aspect of this book, but I mostly found myself reading this one just to get it over with rather than actually enjoying it.
The Chosen Queen: A Novel of the Pendragon Prophecy by Sam Davey
3.0
A novel penned from the perspective of Lady Igraine, the woman who will one day become the mother of King Arthur, that tells her little-known story.
Igraine is content with her life married to Duke Gorlois of Cornwall. One day when they are visiting King Uther of Britain, the King makes it clear that he favors Igraine despite the fact that she is already married. Igraine tries to politely decline his advances, but Uther is a persistent man who will not take no for an answer. Gorlois and Uther engage in a heated battle for the hand of the fair Lady Igraine. Meanwhile, Igraine is doing everything in her power to please the Goddess despite her husband's lack of faith. In doing so, she begins to train her young daughters Morgause and Morgan in the arts of the mystic. Everyone tries to control her life, but in the end, Igraine will pave her own path to peace and freedom.
I am always up to reading more stories about King Arthur and the kingdom of Camelot, so when this one popped up on my radar, I figured I might as well apply for it. My request to read this one was granted and I found myself on an educational deep dive into the life of Igraine and the beginning of a classic legend.
I didn't find this one to be super entertaining, but I did find that it shone a light on many aspects of the legend that I knew little about. I knew nothing about Igraine except her name going into this one, so it is no surprise I learned a ton. One of the things that this one cleared up is Morgan's existence and how she comes to one day fall in love with her half-brother, Arthur. This book also gave me some background on King Uther and how Arthur was taken by Merlin and hidden away from the world.
This one reads a bit like a textbook, which wasn't the worse thing due to the subject matter. It is certainly slow paced and got a bit repetitive at times though. All of the war politics were super boring to me and I found myself skimming through many of these parts of the book. The dialogue was a bit stilted too, which really reminded me of reading a textbook rather than a fictional story.
Igraine's relationship with her daughters was my favorite part of this book by a landslide. Baby Morgan is honestly quite frightening, and it was fun to see just how powerful she is as a young girl. The magic of Avalon is cool, so I was the most absorbed by the parts of the book that featured it.
I have to take a moment to mention just how creepy both Gorlois and Uther are. I pity the fact that Igraine is forced to be with either of them. Gorlois is a controlling husband and Uther is a freak who sticks his tongue between people's knuckles. I'm glad that Igraine eventually gets to escape these two, but I shudder to think she had children with both of them.
Overall, "The Chosen Queen" was an educational read that taught me a ton about Camelot and the origin of King Arthur. I knew nothing about Igraine at the start of this book, so I certainly learned a bunch. I'm not sure if I'm overly inclined to read the rest of the books in this series, but I'm also not opposed to learning more about Camelot either. If you are a fan of slow-paced historical fiction brimming with magic, war, and politics, this one might be a great fit for you.
Igraine is content with her life married to Duke Gorlois of Cornwall. One day when they are visiting King Uther of Britain, the King makes it clear that he favors Igraine despite the fact that she is already married. Igraine tries to politely decline his advances, but Uther is a persistent man who will not take no for an answer. Gorlois and Uther engage in a heated battle for the hand of the fair Lady Igraine. Meanwhile, Igraine is doing everything in her power to please the Goddess despite her husband's lack of faith. In doing so, she begins to train her young daughters Morgause and Morgan in the arts of the mystic. Everyone tries to control her life, but in the end, Igraine will pave her own path to peace and freedom.
I am always up to reading more stories about King Arthur and the kingdom of Camelot, so when this one popped up on my radar, I figured I might as well apply for it. My request to read this one was granted and I found myself on an educational deep dive into the life of Igraine and the beginning of a classic legend.
I didn't find this one to be super entertaining, but I did find that it shone a light on many aspects of the legend that I knew little about. I knew nothing about Igraine except her name going into this one, so it is no surprise I learned a ton. One of the things that this one cleared up is Morgan's existence and how she comes to one day fall in love with her half-brother, Arthur. This book also gave me some background on King Uther and how Arthur was taken by Merlin and hidden away from the world.
This one reads a bit like a textbook, which wasn't the worse thing due to the subject matter. It is certainly slow paced and got a bit repetitive at times though. All of the war politics were super boring to me and I found myself skimming through many of these parts of the book. The dialogue was a bit stilted too, which really reminded me of reading a textbook rather than a fictional story.
Igraine's relationship with her daughters was my favorite part of this book by a landslide. Baby Morgan is honestly quite frightening, and it was fun to see just how powerful she is as a young girl. The magic of Avalon is cool, so I was the most absorbed by the parts of the book that featured it.
I have to take a moment to mention just how creepy both Gorlois and Uther are. I pity the fact that Igraine is forced to be with either of them. Gorlois is a controlling husband and Uther is a freak who sticks his tongue between people's knuckles. I'm glad that Igraine eventually gets to escape these two, but I shudder to think she had children with both of them.
Overall, "The Chosen Queen" was an educational read that taught me a ton about Camelot and the origin of King Arthur. I knew nothing about Igraine at the start of this book, so I certainly learned a bunch. I'm not sure if I'm overly inclined to read the rest of the books in this series, but I'm also not opposed to learning more about Camelot either. If you are a fan of slow-paced historical fiction brimming with magic, war, and politics, this one might be a great fit for you.
Shark Heart by Emily Habeck
5.0
An emotionally devastating tale of a newly married couple in which the husband starts to gradually morph into a great white shark.
Lewis and Wren may be complete opposites, but their love will get them through anything. When Lewis gets diagnosed with a rare condition in which his physical body will quickly shift into the form of a great white shark, their devotion for one another is truly tested. With little time to achieve his life dreams, Lewis grapples with the turmoil of his condition with his diligent wife by his side. Wren tries to resist the truth of her husband's condition, but she soon finds herself alone with the memories of her tumultuous childhood. Can Lewis and Wren's love survive when life's conditions are determined to pull them apart?
Oh. My. Goodness! This book absolutely destroyed me in the best way! When I first heard of this book back in 2023, I thought that the premise of this book was so odd that I immediately added it to my TBR. When I saw it in person for the first time on a library run, I couldn't leave without it. And I'm so glad that I didn't! This is by far one of the best books that I've read this year, and I need to obtain a copy for my personal collection ASAP.
Wren and Lewis are both phenomenal characters; I loved and related to both of them immensely. Wren is a perfectionist as well as a diligent planner. She hates surprises, and she strives to do better than her best in everything that she does. Lewis, on the other hand, is a dreamer who shoots for the stars, no matter how many times he misses. He is also a stage actor and director, which made me love him even more. These two are complete opposites in many ways, but they mesh so well together as a couple.
This book is mainly literary, with a touch of magical realism. I think the animal mutations are such a unique idea. In this version of the world that Habeck lays down, people shift into sharks is rare, but not abnormal. People also give birth to falcons, mutate into giant lizards, and lose their brothers to the animalistic urges of zebras. This sounds so bizarre, but in the setting of this book, it all felt so natural, which is quite a feat.
The formatting of this book also greatly added to the appeal. Many segments are told in scripts, poetry, and vignettes of the most magnificent prose. The writing in this one is so powerful and it sucked me in from the very beginning.
Act I—or the first part of the book—which stars Wren and Lewis as he shifts into a shark, absolutely destroyed me! By the time I finished this segment, I was actually sobbing. Tears were streaming down my face leaving a puddle on my blanket and my body was physically heaving. It honestly felt like I was reading someone's memoir who had personal dealt with taking care of someone terminally ill and coping with grief in the aftermath. I would be absolutely destroyed if this entire ordeal ever happened to me. Despite knowing the inevitable was coming, it had me absolutely shook. This is the type of writing that had me whipping out my phone and telling my boyfriend that I love him over and over again.
Act II then shifts into the past and explored Wren's mother's life. I was a bit confused at first how this was relevant to the overall story, but I soon found that Angela's history explained so much about Wren's behavior and the way that she handled the situation with Lewis. By the end of this section, I was once again crying my eyes out. I truly wasn't expecting to be wrecked so thoroughly twice by the same book, but this was totally worth it!
Act III showcases the aftermath of both parties. Seeing Lewis' life in the ocean depths was super interesting and the most fantastical part of this whole book. Watching Lewis adapt to life as a shark was brutal; he was so alone and he had all of these beautiful memories of Wren that he couldn't act upon. Witnessing Wren living through this departure from the love of her life was so emotionally draining, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Wren and Lewis both have to learn to cope with their new lives and work through all the regrets that they are left with. The ending was quite hopeful, despite all the devastation that this book contains, which was a bit of a relief honestly.
Overall, "Shark Heart" was one of those books that I didn't know I needed but moved me so immensely that I will never forget it. It is fabulously heartbreaking in the best way possible. I love Wren and Lewis so much and my heart goes out to everything that they go through together and apart. I need to own "Shark Heart" in my personal library because it touched me so vividly. I sincerely hope that I can convince many a person to read this one, because it is quite literally one of the most powerful books that I have ever read. If you like emotionally stories that dive into complex topics such as grief, reconciling with regret, and learning to live anew after heartbreak, I implore you to pick up this book as soon as you are able to!
Lewis and Wren may be complete opposites, but their love will get them through anything. When Lewis gets diagnosed with a rare condition in which his physical body will quickly shift into the form of a great white shark, their devotion for one another is truly tested. With little time to achieve his life dreams, Lewis grapples with the turmoil of his condition with his diligent wife by his side. Wren tries to resist the truth of her husband's condition, but she soon finds herself alone with the memories of her tumultuous childhood. Can Lewis and Wren's love survive when life's conditions are determined to pull them apart?
Oh. My. Goodness! This book absolutely destroyed me in the best way! When I first heard of this book back in 2023, I thought that the premise of this book was so odd that I immediately added it to my TBR. When I saw it in person for the first time on a library run, I couldn't leave without it. And I'm so glad that I didn't! This is by far one of the best books that I've read this year, and I need to obtain a copy for my personal collection ASAP.
Wren and Lewis are both phenomenal characters; I loved and related to both of them immensely. Wren is a perfectionist as well as a diligent planner. She hates surprises, and she strives to do better than her best in everything that she does. Lewis, on the other hand, is a dreamer who shoots for the stars, no matter how many times he misses. He is also a stage actor and director, which made me love him even more. These two are complete opposites in many ways, but they mesh so well together as a couple.
This book is mainly literary, with a touch of magical realism. I think the animal mutations are such a unique idea. In this version of the world that Habeck lays down, people shift into sharks is rare, but not abnormal. People also give birth to falcons, mutate into giant lizards, and lose their brothers to the animalistic urges of zebras. This sounds so bizarre, but in the setting of this book, it all felt so natural, which is quite a feat.
The formatting of this book also greatly added to the appeal. Many segments are told in scripts, poetry, and vignettes of the most magnificent prose. The writing in this one is so powerful and it sucked me in from the very beginning.
Act I—or the first part of the book—which stars Wren and Lewis as he shifts into a shark, absolutely destroyed me! By the time I finished this segment, I was actually sobbing. Tears were streaming down my face leaving a puddle on my blanket and my body was physically heaving. It honestly felt like I was reading someone's memoir who had personal dealt with taking care of someone terminally ill and coping with grief in the aftermath. I would be absolutely destroyed if this entire ordeal ever happened to me. Despite knowing the inevitable was coming, it had me absolutely shook. This is the type of writing that had me whipping out my phone and telling my boyfriend that I love him over and over again.
Act II then shifts into the past and explored Wren's mother's life. I was a bit confused at first how this was relevant to the overall story, but I soon found that Angela's history explained so much about Wren's behavior and the way that she handled the situation with Lewis. By the end of this section, I was once again crying my eyes out. I truly wasn't expecting to be wrecked so thoroughly twice by the same book, but this was totally worth it!
Act III showcases the aftermath of both parties. Seeing Lewis' life in the ocean depths was super interesting and the most fantastical part of this whole book. Watching Lewis adapt to life as a shark was brutal; he was so alone and he had all of these beautiful memories of Wren that he couldn't act upon. Witnessing Wren living through this departure from the love of her life was so emotionally draining, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Wren and Lewis both have to learn to cope with their new lives and work through all the regrets that they are left with. The ending was quite hopeful, despite all the devastation that this book contains, which was a bit of a relief honestly.
Overall, "Shark Heart" was one of those books that I didn't know I needed but moved me so immensely that I will never forget it. It is fabulously heartbreaking in the best way possible. I love Wren and Lewis so much and my heart goes out to everything that they go through together and apart. I need to own "Shark Heart" in my personal library because it touched me so vividly. I sincerely hope that I can convince many a person to read this one, because it is quite literally one of the most powerful books that I have ever read. If you like emotionally stories that dive into complex topics such as grief, reconciling with regret, and learning to live anew after heartbreak, I implore you to pick up this book as soon as you are able to!
Youth Group by Jordan Morris
5.0
An urban fantasy graphic novel dealing with the complexities of religion while fighting demons along the way.
After Kay reluctantly agrees to join the youth group at her mother's church, she finds that her youth group leaders are more than what first meets the eye. Meg and Cortland are real life demon hunters who are fighting in a war against satanic creatures. At first, Kay wants nothing to do with it, but she finds herself caught up in the middle of everything when she discovers that she has unique powers that put her in extreme danger. Now, it's time to use the Holy Ghost to make some Holy Roast as Kay and the rest of the group kick some demon butt together.
This one is a really fun graphic novel with a unique premise. It's not terribly often that one comes across books that focus so heavily on religion, so I thought that was a fun tidbit. And the way that the youth group leaders act is pretty funny; it truly felt like stepping into a Bible camp for a bit with all their weird songs and group activities. Meg is especially pure, and it was so cute seeing her do things such as trying to make name tags with people at a rager of a party.
Another religious aspect that I'm glad this book explored is religious intolerance of different sectors. Almost every church in the city has their own group of demon hunters, but most of them refuse to do anything with one another due to the minor differences in the practices they use while hunting monsters. This is a great allusion to religious intolerance and showcases how different groups can't seem to play nice with one another despite how similar the messages they preach are. I am glad to say that exorcist groups of Orange County eventually start to learn to work together, but they (and religion in general) still have a long way to go before true acceptance is reached.
The art in this graphic novel is so stunning and truly adorable. Kay's and Meg's expressions were some of my favorite parts of reading this book. The art style was truly to my liking, and I appreciate all the colors that grace this one's pages.
The humor in this one is very strong. The way that it softly rips on religion while also praising it at the same time is peak and made me giggle so many times throughout the course of this book. The way that Meg speaks is also real adorable, which had me smiling to myself constantly.
Overall, "Youth Group" is a quick read that brings many discussions about religion and religious intolerance to the table in a fun urban fantasy setting. The use of smart allusions to talk about real world issues is much appreciated and super slick. The art style is gorgeous and I totally ate up all the facial expressions. This one also made me laugh, which is certainly an added bonus. Fans of urban fantasy, comical graphic novels, or books that bring up issues about religious politics will probably find this one to be an interesting read.
After Kay reluctantly agrees to join the youth group at her mother's church, she finds that her youth group leaders are more than what first meets the eye. Meg and Cortland are real life demon hunters who are fighting in a war against satanic creatures. At first, Kay wants nothing to do with it, but she finds herself caught up in the middle of everything when she discovers that she has unique powers that put her in extreme danger. Now, it's time to use the Holy Ghost to make some Holy Roast as Kay and the rest of the group kick some demon butt together.
This one is a really fun graphic novel with a unique premise. It's not terribly often that one comes across books that focus so heavily on religion, so I thought that was a fun tidbit. And the way that the youth group leaders act is pretty funny; it truly felt like stepping into a Bible camp for a bit with all their weird songs and group activities. Meg is especially pure, and it was so cute seeing her do things such as trying to make name tags with people at a rager of a party.
Another religious aspect that I'm glad this book explored is religious intolerance of different sectors. Almost every church in the city has their own group of demon hunters, but most of them refuse to do anything with one another due to the minor differences in the practices they use while hunting monsters. This is a great allusion to religious intolerance and showcases how different groups can't seem to play nice with one another despite how similar the messages they preach are. I am glad to say that exorcist groups of Orange County eventually start to learn to work together, but they (and religion in general) still have a long way to go before true acceptance is reached.
The art in this graphic novel is so stunning and truly adorable. Kay's and Meg's expressions were some of my favorite parts of reading this book. The art style was truly to my liking, and I appreciate all the colors that grace this one's pages.
The humor in this one is very strong. The way that it softly rips on religion while also praising it at the same time is peak and made me giggle so many times throughout the course of this book. The way that Meg speaks is also real adorable, which had me smiling to myself constantly.
Overall, "Youth Group" is a quick read that brings many discussions about religion and religious intolerance to the table in a fun urban fantasy setting. The use of smart allusions to talk about real world issues is much appreciated and super slick. The art style is gorgeous and I totally ate up all the facial expressions. This one also made me laugh, which is certainly an added bonus. Fans of urban fantasy, comical graphic novels, or books that bring up issues about religious politics will probably find this one to be an interesting read.
Brave Face by Shaun David Hutchinson
5.0
An empowering memoir that at times feels like it's ripping out your heart and at others feels as though it's embracing you in a hug of a friend you haven't seen in ages.
Every single book that I have read by Shaun David Hutchinson has been an absolutely brutal read. They've ripped out my heart and attempted to sew it back in. When I learned he wrote a memoir, I knew that this one would absolutely destroy me more than any of his novels has in the past, because this one all actually happened to him in the real world. And let me say, he destroyed me so brilliantly.
All of his books I've read deal with less than positive views concerning self-worth, suicide, depression, self-harm, sexual assault, and so many other devastating topics and I knew they had to be inspired by something. Despite this, I still wasn't prepared to read this account that is so raw and honest about literally all of those tough topics and so many more. Shaun approaches them all with such finesse and he does an amazing job at warning the reader when touchy subjects are about to grace the page (put self-care first, people!).
Beyond all the trying times, Shaun also talks about many of the nerdy communities that he was a part of throughout his early years as a high schooler and college student. Whether it was acting on stage, writing in his journal, or playing D&D with his friends, creative escapes from reality are the ones that appealed to him greatly. I can heavily relate to wanting to step out of one's own life and completely embody someone else for a while; it's one of the main reasons I have always enjoyed writing, acting, and roleplaying.
The very ending of this book had me tearing up; I'm an emotional girl and Shaun did such a good job of making me feel seen. I definitely don't struggle with depression and such as heavily as Shaun does, but as humans, we all deal with bouts of hopelessness and despair. The way that he affirms that everyone is good enough as they are and pleads that we ask for help when we need it is so powerful. This is definitely a reminder that one can never hear too many times, so I'm grateful for him giving it to us again. The final few chapters truly feel as though a friend you haven't seen in years is wrapping you up in a warm hug and whispering into your ear, "I love you despite all your flaws." I often find myself masking and putting on a brave face, too, so these words in the last few chapters really hit me in the feels.
Overall, "Brave Face" is such an extraordinary young adult memoir by a truly talented writer. I have eaten up Hutchinson's novels in the past, but dang, this book is truly a brilliant work of art. It talks about so many hard topics, but I truly believe that as humans, we all go through hard things, and it only helps to talk about them. Make sure to check out the trigger warnings though; there are many! The raw yearning that things get better eventually is so visceral, and I truly believe that one can never be reminded enough that they are worthy just as they are. I was desperately in the need of this reminder, so I hope that others will feel just as comforted by this book as I was.
Every single book that I have read by Shaun David Hutchinson has been an absolutely brutal read. They've ripped out my heart and attempted to sew it back in. When I learned he wrote a memoir, I knew that this one would absolutely destroy me more than any of his novels has in the past, because this one all actually happened to him in the real world. And let me say, he destroyed me so brilliantly.
All of his books I've read deal with less than positive views concerning self-worth, suicide, depression, self-harm, sexual assault, and so many other devastating topics and I knew they had to be inspired by something. Despite this, I still wasn't prepared to read this account that is so raw and honest about literally all of those tough topics and so many more. Shaun approaches them all with such finesse and he does an amazing job at warning the reader when touchy subjects are about to grace the page (put self-care first, people!).
Beyond all the trying times, Shaun also talks about many of the nerdy communities that he was a part of throughout his early years as a high schooler and college student. Whether it was acting on stage, writing in his journal, or playing D&D with his friends, creative escapes from reality are the ones that appealed to him greatly. I can heavily relate to wanting to step out of one's own life and completely embody someone else for a while; it's one of the main reasons I have always enjoyed writing, acting, and roleplaying.
The very ending of this book had me tearing up; I'm an emotional girl and Shaun did such a good job of making me feel seen. I definitely don't struggle with depression and such as heavily as Shaun does, but as humans, we all deal with bouts of hopelessness and despair. The way that he affirms that everyone is good enough as they are and pleads that we ask for help when we need it is so powerful. This is definitely a reminder that one can never hear too many times, so I'm grateful for him giving it to us again. The final few chapters truly feel as though a friend you haven't seen in years is wrapping you up in a warm hug and whispering into your ear, "I love you despite all your flaws." I often find myself masking and putting on a brave face, too, so these words in the last few chapters really hit me in the feels.
Overall, "Brave Face" is such an extraordinary young adult memoir by a truly talented writer. I have eaten up Hutchinson's novels in the past, but dang, this book is truly a brilliant work of art. It talks about so many hard topics, but I truly believe that as humans, we all go through hard things, and it only helps to talk about them. Make sure to check out the trigger warnings though; there are many! The raw yearning that things get better eventually is so visceral, and I truly believe that one can never be reminded enough that they are worthy just as they are. I was desperately in the need of this reminder, so I hope that others will feel just as comforted by this book as I was.