Tag: Fiction

ARC Review: What Kind of Girl- Alyssa B. Sheinmel

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Title: What Kind of Girl

Author: Alyssa Sheinmel

Publisher: Sourcebooks

Pages: 384

Rating: 5/5

TW/CW: Self-harm, bulimia, homophobia, drug use, abuse
What kind of girl is one of those books that hits you hard and leaves you thinking about it long after you’ve read it. There were many times I needed to take a break and put the book down to gather my thoughts. The content was heavy and it really got the wheels turning in your head.

The book begins with a young lady going into the principal’s office at her school. She has a black eye. Who did it? her “golden boy” boyfriend Mike. Mike “the perfect boyfriend”, Mike “the one that would never do that”. Well..he did do it. It wasn’t the first time this has happened either. You read about everyone’s reaction towards the situation, their opinions, the finger pointing, the victim blaming, and more. It was really disgusting at times seeing people come up with justifications about why mike hit her.
Along the way you’ll meet more characters that are essential to tie the story up together. But I will not give out too many details because like I said the characters all tie up together. But there’s titles for the characters outlined in the book. The popular girl, the bulimic, the burnout, the activist. The book did an amazing job making you feel all these emotions while reading it and rightfully so. That’s what a good author and a good story does. By any way do not think this story is a fairytale, this novel, although fictional is the life of many people around the world. It’s an eye opening experience. Fantastic job by the author. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for a copy of this book in exchange fir an honest review.

ARC Review: Color Me In- Natasha Diaz

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Title: Color Me In

Author: Natasha Diaz

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Pages: 373

Rating: 5/5

Naveah Levitz is trapped in two different worlds. Her parents recently split up and she has to travel and stay in between two places. Her grandfather’s home in Harlem and her childhood home in White Plains with her dad. For a while Naveah has felt she didn’t belong anywhere. As a bi-racial kid it’s hard to feel any level of acceptance anywhere…including within her own family. Naveah has only been exposed to her white side (she’s half black and half white). Her cousins and her aunt are trying to connect her with her black heritage, while her bone head father tries to to show her her Jewish roots. Evening going as far as preparing her for Hebrew school and throw a bat Mitzvah (3 years too late). His purpose for it….so she doesn’t lose her head and act too “black”. It’s even worse because her cousin Jordan is consistently reminding her she isn’t welcomed into the black community. Especially since Naveah is too blinded about what’s going on within the black community. Things start to get even more tense between her and Jordan when Jesus, Jordan’s long time crush starts to fall for Naveah. With all this plus all the problems at her white preppy school, Naveah finds comfort in her poetry and her mother’s diary that she happens to find in her grandfather’s attic.

I want to thank the author for sharing her experiences a multi-racial individual through this book. She even explains it at the end of the book. It was really though provoking and insightful. There were numerous characters mentioned in the book. But it was easy to keep up with them and I didn’t feel feel overwhelmed by them.

*Stevie- Naveah’s best friend whose also bi-racial (White and Chinese). A talented dancer and performer. He’s an amazing friend overall.
*Abby- I hated this girl with everything in my soul. The things that she would say were disgusting and I often wanted to jump through my phone and wanting to punch her in the throat. I’ve dealt with a Abby at my previous job and let me tell you…I’m really starting to hate the name Abby.
*Jesus- Towards the beginning of the book I wasn’t really feeling Jesus. I thought he was going to be one of those guys and honestly I was anticipating him turning into a dog. I think I started to partially warm up to him towards the end of the book.
*Rabbi Sarah: At first she was annoying to me, but I warmed up to her once I saw that she was down to earth.

There were other characters in the novel. I think the two characters that I hated the most were Navaho’s dad and his new stupid girlfriend Ashleigh. Holy crap what a bunch of turds. I will warn you some of the content in the book will anger you. So be on the lookout for racism, name calling, and sexual assault. It was frustrating enough reading about, I can’t imagine someone going through it. The a book makes you feel all the feelings I did while reading it…you know you have a banger.

Overall the book was fantastic and I really enjoyed it. I devoured it in two days. A story that deals with the true meaning of friendship, love, and dealing with with a difficult family….and of course learning how to accept the true you. 5/5 for me. Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

ARC Review: Dear Haiti, Love Alaine- Maika and Maritza Moulite

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Title: Dear Haiti, Love Alaine

Author: Maika and Maritza Moulite

Publisher: Inkyard Press

Pages: 432

Rating: 5/5

When an incident at her school gets Alaine almost suspended, she is told to go back to her country and complete a internship at her aunt’s non-profit organization. Its called PATRONAL, which is an app created to help fund children in need in Haiti. While in Haiti she’s able to learn more about her country, and of course develop a cute crush on one of the interns. The book is full of lots of Haitian history and culture(I would’ve liked if this also talked about beautiful areas in Haiti). She learned quite a bit of her family history as well….especially when there’s a curse involved.

Follow Alaine as she takes you through her island, and some rather heart wrenching moments, especially those involved with her mom. I think it’s so important to see how she dealt with her moms dementia. That was honestly one of my fave parts of the story (not in a messed up way). Another great thing about this novel is that it’s written by two sisters. Kudos to Maika and Maritza Mountie. You created a beautiful story full of representation. Thank You to NetGalley and Inkyard Press for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I definitely need a copy of it on my shelf.

ARC Review: Tweet Cute- Emma Lord

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Title: Tweet Cute

Author: Emma Lord

Publisher: Wednesday Books

Pages: 368

Rating: 5/5

Big League Burger was a family owned restaurant that somehow blew up overnight in success. They quickly became popular and they started to open many more locations. Pepper is a normal kid. She goes to school, she’s on the swimming team, and is on social media…but not how some people make think or know about. She’s actually the mastermind behind her parents’s twitter account for their restaurant.

We meet Jack and his brother. Everyone praises Jack’s brother and Jack always seems to be in his brother’s shadow. He just wants to feel special too. He still however helps out his family in their deli. When he discovers that a family recipe for grilled cheese has been stolen by Big League Burger, he gets upset and begins a twitter war with BLB. But, what no-one knows is that Jack has invented an app where he talks to Pepper on and pretty soon….sparks start to fly between them.

It’s a cute read with lots of social media referencing and yummy treats mentioned. I am a total sucker for a good book with yummy treats. It’s pretty cool seeing a book with two restaurants going at it, when realistically you see it in today’s society as well.
Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Harlequin Blog Tour- ARC Review: Tigers, Not Daughters- Samantha Mabry

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Title: Tigers, Not Daughters

Author: Samantha Mabry

Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers

Pages: 288

Rating: 5/5

We Start off with all four Torres sisters trying to escape their hellhole home…away from their awful father. The Torres sisters consist of Anna, Jessica, Iridian, and Rosa. With no direction taking them anywhere, the Torres sisters decide to escape in the middle of the night and thanks to their nosey neighbors they were caught. A couple of months later Ana falls to her death from her window.

The family falls completely apart. Everyone stricken with grief…dealing with Ana’s death in their own destructive ways. Jessica is the only one whose really providing for the family, while at the same time dealing with her own grief issues and a abusive boyfriend. Iridian loves to write and just be alone with her thoughts, and Rosa is focusing on the more spiritual side of things…including a loose Hyena in town who she thinks could be Ana reincarnated. But, there’s something no-one was counting on..strange supernatural things have been happening in the Torres home since Ana’s death. Mysterious writings on the wall, mysterious shadows, and mysterious laughter. The Torres sisters think that it’s Ana trying to communicate with them. Even possibly try to run them out of the home they’ve known so they can finally be free of their fathers tyrannical behavior. 

Tigers, not daughters was so beautifully written. Amazing prose. Mary makes you feel the words with every sentence written. The book makes you really realize how much grief changes a person. To what extents they go through to fight the demons. I’ve been seeing ‘Tigers, Not Daughters’ to ‘Little Women’. I’ve never read ‘Little Women’ but, I will definitely put it on my TBR list. Thank You to NetGalley and Algonquin Young Readers for providing me with a physical copy of an ARC in a exchange for a honest review. 

Tigers, Not Daughters comes out March 24, 2020.

Harlequin Blog Tours-ARC Review: The Henna Artist- Alka Joshi

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Title: The Henna Artist

Author: Alka Joshi

Publisher: Mira Books

Pages: 368

Rating: 5/5

I never knew a book could take on such a magical journey. Everything about this book made me enamored for it. Taken place in the 1950’s in India, Lakshmi escaped her abusive marriage when she was a teenager. She headed to the city of Jaipur where she made a huge name for herself has a Henna artist. While other henna artist used basic lines, dots, and triangles, Lakshmi’s art spoke volumes and told stories about the women. The wealthy clients believed her art could bring back straying husbands and make the women have babies.

With her newfound stable income Lakshmi was able to afford her first home. Then the unthinkable happens and her ex-husbnd pops back into her life….and with a special guest. Her 13 year old sister Radha whom she had no idea even existed. This book takes you on a incredible journey of family traditions, secrets, revenge, and forgiveness. I loved how the author used her writing to give you a glimpse into the Indian Culture. I will admit, just like everyone has said in their reviews, the character list is quite intimidating at first. But, I had no problem keeping up. Oh, the author also provided an index in the back of all the words used in the book that were italicized.

I really enjoyed it and if you’re looking for an adventure to another world and country without having to fly in a airplane…this book is for you. Huge thanks to NetGalley, Mira Books, and Alka Joshi for a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Harlequin Blog Tours- ARC Review: The Sea Glass Cottage- RaeAnne Thayne

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Title: The Sea Glass Cottage

Author: RaeAnne Thayne

Publisher: Mills & Boon

Pages: 384

Rating: 5/5

I’m a sucker for cozy and generational stories. Reading: The Sea Glass Cottage felt like reading one of my other fave authors. Debbie Macomb, whose stories give you all the feels The Sea Glass Cottage has.
Olivia Harper is a entrepreneur that lives and makes a living in Seattle. She’s been trying to keep it together, especially because she’s dealing with PTSD. A while ago she was in a coffeehouse and a barista got brutally attacked. It weighs so heavily in her mind because she froze when everything happened and she wasn’t able to help the barista. She receives a call that adds on to her already stressed out life.
Her mother, whom she already has a rocky relationship with has fallen off a ladder and broken a few bones. She immediately drops everything and heads to her mother. In the back of her mind she’s hoping she can rekindle their relationship as mother and daughter. Three generations of women with baggage, secrets, teenage angst, men issues, and everything else you can imagine under the sun. Will they be able to leave the past behind them and turn over new leafs? Will they become a happy family?

I really enjoyed this book and I related a lot to Olivia. Even though she’s been treated like crap by her family, she still manages to be there for them…or maybe we’re just pushovers?
Thank you to NetGalley, Mills & Boon, ,and HarperCollins for a copy of this awesome book in a exchange for a honest review!

ARC Review: The Nightshade Cabal- Chris Patrick Carolan

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Title: The Nightshade Cabal

Author: Chris Patrick Carolan

Publisher: The Parliament House

Pages: N/A

Rating: 5/5

TW/CW: Abduction, Death and Murder and Gore

“The inspector always says there are two main motivations for money, love, or money”

We are taken on this brilliant steampunk adventure in 1880 Halifax, Novia Scotia. Issac Barrow is one of the last technomacers (magical abilities that affect technology or magical powers that are gained through the use of technology).Issac gives us some major Sherlock Holmes vibes. In a era where magic is a bit of taboo, its also very good and real in this story.

Dealing with Necromancy (the supposed practice of communicating with the dead, especially in order to predict the future), Issac Barrow goes on a adventure looking for Emily Skye. I find that if you enjoy magic and steampunk adventures this novel is for you. Especially with the chatter about different advanced gadgets. I’m looking forward to reading more from Carolan. He definitely has a way with descriptive words and telling a story. Thank you to the Parliament Press House for giving me a copy of the book for a honest review.

Review: I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter- Erika L. Sanchez

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Title: I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter

Author: Erika L. Sanchez

Publisher: Ember

Pages: 368

Rating: 5/5

“I don’t know why I’ve always been like this, why the smallest things make me ache inside. There’s a poem I read once, titled “The World is too Much with Us”, and I guess that is the best way to describe the feeling-the world is too much for me”-
Ericka L. Sanchez

Although many hated Julia (me too at times)I could definitely relate to her on so many levels. What caught my attention was definitely the opening scene. Granted for some it was triggering (including myself) but, I got pulled in because I too have lost someone in my life. My grandmother who raised me. Her death just like Julia’s sister Olga’s death changed me in dramatic ways. Julia’s sister Olga got ran over by a semi-truck. Olga was “The perfect Mexican daughter”. She stayed home, wore boring clothing, was obedient towards her parents. Something that always bothered Julia. Julia however is NOT the perfect Mexican daughter. She’s loud, she obnoxious. She doesn’t like the crazy rules her parents instill within her life. She smokes weed, drinks, and sneaks out to see her boyfriend. She’s tired of being in her town of Chicago. She wants something more from life. Julia is after all a poet and artist. I admire her love for books. She’s just this happy bubble of emotions when she thinks and talks about literature. She’s doing good in school and she can thank Mr. Ingman, her teacher, who gives her advice and pushes her to be all she can be. One of her greatest dreams is to go to college in NYC, something her parents frown upon. What with how strict and old fashion they are. While trying to cope with her sister’s death, and learning how to deal with her parents coldness towards her. Julia comes across some deep dark secrets of her sister. While she goes on a hunt for answers. She also starts to understand why her parents are the way they are. After a major issue that happened, Julia is shipped to Mexico to stay with her Mama Jacinta. When she gets there she understands how and why her mother sacrificed so much for her and her sister. She also realizes she doesn’t have to be like her sister, or act like something someone else wants; it’s okay to be different. 
I absolutely loved this book. It really hit me in my heart strings. Growing up in a strict spanish household, I myself couldn’t do much either I wasn’t allowed to go out or anything. So that I know her struggle and pain. Julia was a tough cookie. She was definitely a feminist as well; an advocate for rights . I admired her feistiness. This book deals with serious issues such as cringe old man issues, underage drinking, smoking weed, grief, mental illness, and crossing the border. I really enjoyed this book and think the author did an amazing job covering those issues.

Review: Queenie- Candice Party-Williams

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Title: Queenie

Author: Candice Carty- Williams

Publisher: Gallery/ Scout Books

Pages: 330

Rating: 5/5

CW/TW: Racism, “N” word, Harassment, rough sexual intercourse

I’ve never read Bridget Jone’s Diary but, I’ve seen so many people compare the two. I can get an idea why they would though. Queen is a hilarious, witty, and emotional novel that follows the life of Queenie, her bf’s (The Corgi’s), and her old school grandparents.
Queenie is dealing with a breakup with her white boyfriend Tom, as a result she’s been doing awful at work, she’s living in a crappy flat with weird roommates, and she’s sleeping around without using protection. Just overall destructive behavior. After being taken back into time in the book before Queenie’s and Tom’s breakup you see all the things that lead up to that moment. Many of the moments including his family being casually racist all the time. Tom never stood up for Queenie. He would just tell her how problematic she was. It seems all her relationships with white men were just a fantasy for them. They treat her like garbage and just used her.
Cart-Williams did an amazing job with speaking on mental health issues especially with Queenie’s grandparents naivety towards getting help when you aren’t yourself. I really got annoyed with a lot of the times. It’s like just let the girl breathe will ya? especially after all the panic attacks that she was having. Sometimes the elderly forget that times are a changing. Queenie may have been a hot mess, but in a way she was a feminist and a advocate as well. There may be a lot of times you want to judge Queenie, but you have to really read the book in depth to see where she’s coming from, the events that happened to her to get her to this level in her life.
Queenie will make you laugh, will make you think, and surely will get you very mad, but you will enjoy it.