Review: Of Curses and Kisses

Of Curses and Kisses
by Sandhya Menon

Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: February 18th, 2020

Of Curses and Kisses by Sandhya Menon centers around the star-crossed romance between uptight and responsible Princess Jaya Rao, and the brooding, reserved, and introverted son of aristocrats, Grey Emerson. Jaya and Grey are both really interesting and realistic characters, and there are lots of relatable and funny moments in this book where I actually found myself laughing out loud. There’s also a lot of internal character monologues, but it ends up adding a hefty portion of depth to the characters. It’s super sappy, but as long as you’re ready for that, it’s a really fun read!

Review: Loveboat, Taipei

Loveboat, Taipei
by Abigail Hing Wen

Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Publication Date: January 7th, 2020

Loveboat, Taipei, by Abigail Hing Wen, was such a fun read. In it, Hing Wen describes the struggle of being the only Chinese girl in her town. However, everything changes when she is sent to a summer program in Taipei. In Taipei, she has the summer she will never forget full of love, friendship, and betrayal. Although it is not my typical read, I am glad I picked it up, and thoroughly enjoyed its fast-paced, engaging plot, and characters that will leave you wanting to learn more. I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a young adult book full of romance and interesting characters.

                                                          

Review: Only Love Can Break Your Heart

Only Love Can Break Your Heart
by Katherine Webber

Publisher: Scholastic
Publication Date: January 7th, 2020

Only Love Can Break Your Heart by Katherine Webber centers around the many relationships in protagonist Reiko Smith-Mori’s life. Webber explores the different people Reiko interacts with in great detail and dives into the reasons she keeps each relationship isolated from the others. The framework of the novel’s love story seems a bit cliché: the popular high school girl and the unknown boy. However, the story strays from cliché and gives readers only the idealized portion of high-school love. In doing so, Webber creates a novel that satisfies your cravings for good romance while writing incredible character development, giving you a first-hand look at a teenage girl struggling with loss, love, and her own self-discovery.                                                                         

Review: Wicked Fox

Wicked Fox
by Kat Cho

Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons/Penguin
Publication Date: June 25, 2019

Written in a fresh voice, WICKED FOX by Kat Cho is a book unlike many others in the urban fantasy genre. By combining the lushness of ancient Korean mythology with the innovation of modern Seoul, Cho spins a tale of both romance and action through Miyoung’s and Jihoon’s stories.

Miyoung would be just like any other girl… except she is a gumiho, a nine-tailed fox who must devour the energy of men in order to survive. Taking Seoul as her hunting grounds, she survives by tracking down the worst men she can find to kill every full moon. This sets her apart from other characters because even though she can be considered a “bad person” for doing this, she specifically kills vile men she knows deserve death, and relishes in it. A quality like this sets her up to be the antihero of the story, something which not many recent urban fantasy books have. Yet Cho makes readers question this judgment through Miyoung’s actions that set her far apart from the typical YA antihero.

One full moon while feeding, Miyoung finds Jihoon being attacked by a goblin in the forest. Deciding to save him from a certain death, she exposes herself to him and loses her fox bead in the process. By saving him, she breaks every rule she knows, but does it regardless. Now with her fox bead missing, the very thing that holds her gumiho soul, Miyoung must team up with Jihoon before a generation-old feud is reignited. This will interest readers because Miyoung didn’t save Jihoon and risk her life out of love, like most other fantasy characters. Without spoiling why, I found this to be a fresh aspect to the urban fantasy genre, especially since Jihoon doesn’t start the book in the most favorable way. Characterized from the start as a cocky and idiotic school boy, he is not at all what readers would typically root for. And yet, Cho is able to build both him and Miyoung up into something more than the stereotypes that people often have about characters like them.

Cho continues with the tradition of fighting urban fantasy stereotypes until the end of the book. Reestablishing what it means to be an urban fantasy writer, she gives readers a story of two people who were never meant for greatness. Though Miyoung’s stakes do sound similar to many other characters' as she must choose between her immortal life and Jihoon’s, her story is much more than just that. If you are looking for a diverse modern-day urban fantasy that puts a spin on typical YA elements, WICKED FOX is the book for you.

Review: I Love You So Mochi

I Love You So Mochi
by Sarah Kuhn

Publisher: Scholastic Press
Publication Date: May 28, 2019

Kimi Nakamura loves fashion and designing bold, beautiful outfits. But her mom has worked hard to be an successful painter and expects Kimi to follow in her footsteps as a “Great Asian American Artist.” After they have an explosive, emotional confrontation, Kimi gets a letter from her mother’s estranged parents inviting her to visit them in Kyoto and seizes the opportunity to escape for spring break. She is dazzled by Japan’s attractions, which include Akira, a part-time mochi mascot who dreams of being a doctor. By getting to know her grandparents, Kimi learns more about her mother and herself, and sees they are more alike than she thought.

I LOVE YOU SO MOCHI by Sarah Kuhn is full of personality. Kimi’s fun and creativity really come through in Kuhn’s writing, and her vivid descriptions of Japan made me want to hop on the next plane there! Kimi’s romance with Akira is adorable. I think it is a little fast-moving, but it can be forgiven considering Kimi’s limited time in Japan. The relationships in the book are well-written, especially those of Kimi, her mom, and her grandparents. I LOVE YOU SO MOCHI is an introspective yet sweet book about love for your family, your crush, and your passion.

Review: Missing, Presumed Dead

Missing, Presumed Dead
by Emma Berquist

Publisher: Greenwillow/HarperCollins
Publication Date: May 21, 2019

MISSING, PRESUMED DEAD is a thrilling murder mystery about high school dropout, Alexandra “Lexi” Ivanovich, who teams up with a recently killed ghost, Jane Morris. Jane was murdered at the bar Lexi works at, but doesn’t remember who killed her and why. What Lexi is surprised by, however, is that Jane is not the only stabbing victim who went missing in the last month: Urie, Lexi’s boss, worries that they have a serial killer on their hands, who’s using their bar club as a slaughtering ground.

However, Lexi’s abilities branch far beyond just seeing ghosts: she can also see how and when people die just at a touch. Overwhelmed with the guilt that she had seen Jane’s death before it actually happened and couldn’t stop it, Lexi tries to help Jane find her killer before he harms anyone else. What follows is an exciting mystery/ghost story with a hefty dose of honesty, humor, and romance.

I actually really enjoyed this book. It was extremely creative and the story flowed so well, I wasn’t even paying attention to how far along in the book I was. Berquist does an especially great job with the characters, as they were not only complex in their own ways, but very likable and fun to read about! I highly recommend this book to mystery, romance, and horror fans alike. (A slight gore warning, but nothing too severe.)

Review: I Wish You All the Best

I Wish You All the Best
by Mason Deaver

Publisher: Push/Scholastic
Publication Date: May 14, 2019

I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST is a charmingly honest romance that focuses on the conflicts of family struggles, self-acceptance, and love. The story follows 18-year-old Ben DeBacker, who is kicked out of their home after coming out to their parents as non-binary. Finding their life flipped upside down in less than an hour, Ben struggles to not only reconnect with their estranged older sister Hannah, but deal with newfound anxiety caused by their parent’s rejection. However, one thing that makes it all a bit easier is Ben’s outgoing friend, Nathan Allan. As the two grow closer at Ben’s new school, their feelings do as well, and Ben’s new life gives way to an opportunity for acceptance, paintings, and a first love.

This book was an emotional rollercoaster, one that kept me wrapped in the story right from the start. Though I have never had experience with being kicked out by my parents or being non-binary, I really empathized with Ben’s character, and was rooting for them to find their voice and find happiness in not only others, but themself as well. This book truly was written from the heart, and I cannot recommend it enough!

Review: Her Royal Highness

Her Royal Highness
by Rachel Hawkins

Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons/Penguin
Publication Date: May 7, 2019

Reading HER ROYAL HIGHNESS is like being offered a glass of water on a really hot day; you didn’t know you wanted it, but it hits the spot. Refreshing, light, sweet, simple, goes down quick, and leaves you wanting more. Our endearing protagonist, Millie, leaves Texas for her senior year of high school in Scotland when she finds that her kind-of girlfriend has gotten back together with an ex-boyfriend. Mille finds herself a bit overwhelmed by the extravagance of Gregorstoun, an exclusive boarding school where the elite of Scotland reside. After meeting her snide, arrogant, bratty roommate, Millie discovers that she is the Princess of Scotland. Numerous run-ins with the princess, Flora, bring Millie into bar fights, close to expulsion, and stranded in the wilderness, yet still Millie is drawn in by the short-tempered princess. Millie develops a crush and tries her best to ignore it, scared of the side effects of dating royalty. We can probably guess what actually ends up happening. At times, the pressure of constant scrutiny from tabloids and royal family members seems too much for Millie. Was their relationship doomed from the start?


I’d characterize Her Royal Highness as a fun spring/summer read. It reads as one would expect, but that doesn’t make it any less enjoyable. If you're looking for a sweet love story in Scotland then you’d love this book.

Review: Eleanor & Park

Eleanor & Park
by Rainbow Rowell

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Publication Date: February 26, 2013

Love stories are the hardest stories to write. The pitfalls are common, deadly, and all too easy for authors to stumble into: clichés, unrealistic dialogues, two-dimensional characters. Rainbow Rowell’s ELEANOR AND PARK is a love story of the highest order, and not just because she avoids the pitfalls. She succeeds because she draws characters so realistic that by the end you not only understand why they love each other—you love them too.

Eleanor is poor, heavyset, from a broken family, and “weird”—the kind of girl who was destined to be unpopular from the moment she stepped into the bus on her first day of tenth grade. Park is half-Korean, half-white, and at war with himself. It’s no surprise to any reader that they rescue each other; what’s by turns sweet, beautiful, and tragic is how they do it. The book is not about what happens to them, it’s about them. 

What I like most about ELEANOR AND PARK is that it’s no fairytale. It’s about 16-year-olds with adult problems. It’s gritty and at times vulgar. It’s real.

Review: The Meaning of Birds

The Meaning of Birds
by Jaye Robin Brown

Publisher: Harperteen
Publication Date: April 16, 2019

From the moment they met, Jess and Vivi were inseparable. Vivi helped Jess with her anger and taught her to channel it into art. Jess’s whole future was planned with Vivi. But in their senior year of high school, that all fell apart when Vivi suddenly died. Jess is lost in her grief and anger and falls into self-destructive patterns. She can’t turn to art, because it reminds her of Vivi. All that comes out is anger and pain. Luckily, Jess meets a mentor who helps her find a new outlet for her emotions. THE MEANING OF BIRDS tells Jess’s story in the present peppered with flashbacks to her past with Vivi in an emotional journey of grief and healing. 

Jess has anger issues and doesn’t always make smart choices, which is exacerbated by losing her girlfriend. This is nicely juxtaposed with scenes of how Vivi helped her with those flaws, which helps the reader empathize with Jess’s loss. Their relationship was really cute and sweet, although Vivi’s character seems a little flat to me. I like Jess’s stylish and fierce best friend Cheyanne, but it bothered me how Jess doesn’t always respect her disinterest in dating. After Jess pushes Cheyanne away in anger, Jess starts to hang out with their mutual friend Levi more. He’s nice and helps her with some issues, but his character annoys me. I don’t like how Jess knowingly leads him on, but after Vivi’s death, she makes some really stupid mistakes. Overall, I did enjoy reading this. I like Brown’s writing style and the pacing of the book. THE MEANING OF BIRDS is a sad but lovely story about grief, love, and ultimately, healing. 

Review: The Devouring Gray

The Devouring Gray
by Christine Lynn Herman

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Publication Date: April 2, 2019

While I was initially unsure due to the ridiculous name and the fairly standard cover of the book, THE DEVOURING GRAY by Christine Lynn Herman has impressed me beyond belief. Set in “Four Paths, New York,” the book follows three people from each of the town’s four founding families as they deal with “the Gray” 一a dimension that not only gives the founders their power but also imprisons a terrible monster一 and with a web of secrets and lies that will affect both their families and the entire town. Almost every aspect of the book is superb; the characters, with the exception being the terrifying presence of "the Beast" 一 the unseen creature trapped in the Gray一 all feel human, flawed yet unforgettable. The book's small town setting feels fully fleshed out, and in combination with the plot and the excellent writing, leaves you hungry for more. The writing does this the best of all, however, and the book never once left me bored. On the whole, I can’t recommend THE DEVOURING GRAY enough, and I’m eager to see not only a sequel, but also what Christine Lynn Herman writes after this amazing debut.

Review: Night Music

Night Music
by Jenn Marie Thorne

Publisher: Dial Books
Publication Date: March 19th, 2019

NIGHT MUSIC is the story of an unlikely romance set against the backdrop of race, family relations, and music during a summer in New York City. Ruby, the youngest in a family known globally in the classical music scene, has lost the love she once held for the piano and faces a newly uncertain future. The insecurity and jealousy Ruby feels when her father takes young prodigy Oscar under his wing, and into their house, fades into admiration and maybe even love. As Oscar becomes the poster child for a prestigious music school, he must deal with the historically white nature of the industry as unsettling truths come to light. Ruby and Oscar must fight these head on to ensure both her family’s reputation and his future. 

This is a delightful rom-com that tackles real issues, fleshed out enough that it's not just a “trashy” romance novel. The prejudice Oscar faces and expectations others have for him are grounded in the unfortunate truth of modern society and aren’t glossed over to further the plot. Rather, race relations and classism make up a large part of the story and feel integral to the novel as a whole. Ruby feels inadequacy and failure, but she is able to push forward to a degree, a rare presentation of such a storyline being told in a realistic and relatable manner. All the characters have personal flaws that are fleshed out, which is not often seen in this genre.

Review: Opposite of Always

Opposite of Always
by Justin A. Reynolds

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Publication Date: March 5, 2019

The charming and honestly written OPPOSITE OF ALWAYS by Justin A. Reynolds follows the story of Jack King, a high school senior living the exciting final few months before his graduation and transition to college. At a party with his buddy Jillian, Jack meets a witty and charming freshman college student named Kate. The two instantly hit it off, and as their friendship continues, Jack starts to fall in love with her. Unfortunately for the two, Kate falls ill only six months later, and dies! But when she does, Jack suddenly finds himself reliving the same six months over and over again, beginning the day that he first met Kate, and starting over every time she dies. Luckily, Jack realizes that this is the perfect opportunity to change things: an infinite time loop with infinite chances to save Kate. Unfortunately, everything has a price, and Jack has to be careful not to permanently sever his friendships, hurt his family, or lose himself in the process.

If you’re really into time-loop stories but are also a huge sap for romance, please take a look at this book. Jack and Kate’s relationship is really genuine and sweet, and let me just say that the friendship that Jack has with his two friends Jillian and Franny is so healthy. They always talk their problems out (even if sometimes I didn’t really understand a few of their conflicts) and support each other through tough times. Everything is told through Jack’s perspective, and seeing his character development throughout the book is really interesting and for some reason gives off some Scott Pilgrim vs. the World vibes? That’s cool though, because if Jack isn’t relatable, I don’t know what he is! 

So if you’re bored on a Saturday night and have the craving for a sensitive romantic comedy with meaningful messages, check out OPPOSITE OF ALWAYS! (Also, just a heads up for fans of John Green, Nicola Yoon, and Becky Albertalli, the back of the book mentions that OPPOSITE OF ALWAYS would be great for those who already enjoy works by those authors!)

Review: Imagine Us Happy

Imagine Us Happy
by Jennifer Yu

Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication Date: October 23, 2018

IMAGINE US HAPPY by Jennifer Yu tells the heartbreaking story of a teenage girl in high school as she battles depression, fighting parents, and her first true love. As she gets deeper and deeper into her relationship and learns more about him and herself, Stella must figure out how to win the internal battle with what she knows is right while trying to figure out what it is she deserves. From crazy house parties with her BFFs to scary fights to pained therapy sessions, this is not an easy topic to read about, but it is written beautifully and I could not put it down! The way the author flashed forward to the future and back to present throughout the story helped grasp the intricate backstory of Stella and her world, and the language was amazing. I loved this book and would definitely recommend it.

Review: Let Me List the Ways

Let Me List the Ways
by Sarah White

Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date: August 7, 2018

LET ME LIST THE WAYS by Sarah White is about Mackenzie Clark, a senior in high school who is in love with her best friend Nolan Walker. Of course he isn't aware of this fact. For their last summer together they decide to make a list of things they want to do together before it's over. Mackenzie has to decide whether she wants to jeopardize their friendship by telling Nolan her true feelings. I enjoyed reading this book. It was a fun light read.  I liked the author's writing style and the friendship development. I would recommend this book to romance novel lovers!

Review: The Year of Living Awkwardly

The Year of Living Awkwardly: Sophomore Year
by Emma Chastain

Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: July 10, 2018

THE YEAR OF LIVING AWKWARDLY: SOPHOMORE YEAR by Emma Chastain follows Chloe as she navigates her sophomore year of high school. Over the summer she works as a lifeguard with Grady, an incoming freshman, who she finds to be stupid and silly, not at all boyfriend material even though he has a massive crush on her. But when the school year begins and she’s trying to figure out her place, from theater to friends to boys, she starts to realize her cheating ex, Mac, maybe isn’t what she deserves. Throughout this relatable and hilarious novel, we see the importance of family and acceptance, the value of always sticking by your friends, and many more lessons. I thought this book was well written and a good easy light read. Written from Chloe's perspective, it feels like the reader is right there with her, making it fun!

Review: Invisible Ghosts

Invisible Ghosts
by Robyn Schneider

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Publication Date: June 5, 2018

INVISIBLE GHOSTS by Robyn Schneider is another cutesy high school romance starring your typical insecure relatable quirky teen and the hot boy who understands her, but this time, with ghosts! Rose spends her school days with girls she doesn't really like and her afternoons watching TV and hanging out with her older brother Logan, who coincidentally, died five years earlier. This has been her life for years, but when her childhood friend (and now a super cute guy) Jamie moves back to town, her world as she knows it changes. As her relationship with Jamie blossoms, she finds that the memory and ghost of Logan is holding her back. 

I loved Schneider's first book and have been eagerly awaiting this one. Though some plot points felt a bit rushed or not fully fleshed out, the concept was fresh and the characters felt real and supportable. This was a perfect combination of both cheesy romance and paranormal mystery, both managing to compliment without overshadowing the other. The story was consistent and believable throughout and never felt overdramatic or unrealistic. I would highly recommend this for high school fans of magical realism or those wanting to dip their toes into the paranormal waters.

Review: The Fragile Ordinary

The Fragile Ordinary
by Samantha Young

Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication Date: June 26, 2018

When I picked up THE FRAGILE ORDINARY by Samantha Young, I expected to read a light, fluffy romance without much substance (I'm definitely a sucker for those). But I was wrong. Though I probably would have been satisfied with a plot where main characters had met, fallen instantly in love, and then lived happily ever after, after finishing the novel, I appreciated that Young took a more thoughtful, realistic tone. Though the novel is first and foremost a romance, it also deals with heavier topics such as neglect, gang culture, and privilege. Even after I put the book down, I continued to think about the complicated relationships between characters. The one thing that felt a little off about the novel was the pacing; a consequential event happens in the last 30 pages in the novel and I wish that Young had spent more time unpacking it. Despite this, I would recommend this novel to anyone looking for a romance that will make them think. Because of sexual content and substance abuse, this book is probably best suited to older teens.

Review: Crossing the Line

Crossing the Line
by Simone Elkeles

Publisher: Harper Teen
Publication Date: June 12, 2018

CROSSING THE LINE by Simone Elkeles is a novel written from two different perspectives. One narrator, named Ryan, is a teen who crosses the border from Texas into Mexico to learn to box and to escape his family. The other narrator is named Delilah, the daughter of a wealthy lawyer. When the two meet, they become entangled in a dramatic tale of murder and betrayal set amidst the drug wars of the US/Mexico border.  

The double narrative was a pleasant change from the straightforward single narrator of most novels. The author captured both sides of the story well, and the plot was never stagnant. It was a fast-paced and exciting tale of life on the border.

Review: Summer of Salt

Summer of Salt
by Katrina Leno

Publisher: Harper Teen
Publication Date: June 5, 2018

SUMMER OF SALT is a surreal, yet very comforting novel about magic. Georgina and Mary are twins, daughters of Penelope Fernweh, but they could not be more different. Penelope owns the only inn on the island of By-The-Sea, and Georgina and Mary work there during the summers, when hobby ornithologists come, looking for a bird who may or may not be three hundred years old – it’s likely – and may definitely totally possibly be a long-lost family member. The bird’s name – it has a name, oh yes – is Annabella. Every single woman in the Fernweh family is magic, including Georgina’s mother (expert potion-maker) and sister (Mary can float). Except Georgina. 

Georgina has no idea what she can do. All the Fernweh women have discovered their powers by their eighteenth birthday at the latest, if there are any powers. Georgina is seventeen, and hasn’t felt or seen any ounce of her own magic in the world. And she feels worse knowing Mary’s kind is extremely obvious. Mary’s kind is so obvious, in fact, that she has to learn to control her powers, or risk floating a few inches of the ground as she introduces herself to her college roommate when she and Georgina leave after the summer is over. This is their last year on the island, and every year without fail, Annabella comes on a certain date of a certain month, and with her arrive the inn guests. But this year, Annabella is late. 

Oh, and, this is the year Georgina decides to fall in love. 

SUMMER OF SALT is so sweet, and so deep. Even with all the chaos that love brings, there is a strong innocence there too. When Georgina kisses Prue for the first time, I was practically willing it to last longer. Everything on the island of By-The-Sea is so quaint, I myself fell in love with the town, as well. Some books you read, you appreciate the story but don’t feel in the story, you feel connected but not empathetic. This book is rare, because it is not like that at all. I felt inside the story, inside their bodies and minds. Each time I read parts of it, in the comfort of my bed, on the sofa with light streaming onto the fabric, in the bath, even, I smelled the salt and the brine, heard the waves, felt the floods. To me, the ocean smells like gasoline, feels like wind, and sounds like birds, so I was able to project some of my senses onto the novel too. Even though I live far closer the beach than a Midwesterner might, Summer Of Salt induced ocean-related nostalgia in me as well. 

Not only did Katrina Leno write the descriptions well, she wrote the characters supremely. Mary was so many stereotypes and clichés all rolled into one, Peter was average and slightly pathetic, Vira seemed like Katrina was trying to hard to give our main character a “weird friend,” Prue seemed like the “perfect, dolled up” love interest, and Harrison was sort of useless and distant, but of course, when sh%t hits the fan, every single main character shows their true colors. Vira became, in a couple of choice words, effortless and bad%ss. Mary was more fragile and humane than I think any of us were expecting. Peter was anything but average, yet still pathetic, in the pitiful, troubled way. Harrison grew into one of the best friends Georgina could ever have. And we discovered Prue has motion sickness. 

This book was feminist and humanist, and ended strongly and gently. Simply put, I loved it.