Review: Ghosted!

Review: Ghosted by Amanda Quain

Never Have I Ever meets The X-Files in Amanda Quain's Ghosted, a gender-bent contemporary retelling of the Jane Austen classic, Northanger Abbey.

Hattie Tilney isn’t a believer. Yes, she’s a senior at America’s most (allegedly) haunted high school, Northanger Abbey. But ever since her paranormal-loving dad passed away, she’s hung up her Ghostbusters suit, put away the EMF detectors and thermal cameras, and moved on. She has enough to worry about in the land of the living--like taking care of her younger brother, Liam, while their older sister spirals out and their mother, Northanger’s formidable headmistress, buries herself in her work. If Hattie just works hard enough and keeps that overachiever mask on tight through graduation, maybe her mom will finally notice her.

But the mask starts slipping when Hattie’s assigned to be an ambassador to Kit Morland, a golden retriever of a boy who’s transferred to Northanger on—what else—a ghost-hunting scholarship. The two are partnered up for an investigative project on the school’s paranormal activity, and Hattie quickly strikes a deal: Kit will present whatever ghostly evidence he can find to prove that campus is haunted, and Hattie will prove that it’s not. But as they explore the abandoned tunnels and foggy graveyards of Northanger, Hattie starts to realize that Kit might be the kind of person that makes her want to believe in something—and someone—for the first time.

With her signature wit and slow burn romance, Amanda Quain turns another Austen classic on its head in this sparkling retelling that proves sometimes the ghosts are just a metaphor after all.

-summary and cover via Goodreads

Review: Amanda Quain's debut novel, ACCOMPLISHED, made my favorite books post the year I read it. So I went into this book with high expectations. Were they met? Absolutely! This was another fantastic book from this author. It was messy, and happy, and sad, and I think, in the end, hopeful. I loved Hattie as a main character, and reading about her growing throughout the story was wonderful. My heart broke for her at multiple points during the book, but getting to see her journey was great. I thought all the side characters were well written, from Kit, to her family, and her friend group. And I loved the ending! Overall, I would highly recommend this YA book!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Review: All Alone with You!

Review: All Alone with You by Amelia Diane Coombs

HBO Max’s Hacks gets a romantic twist in the vein of Jenn Bennett in this swoon-worthy novel about a standoffish teen girl whose loner status gets challenged by a dynamic elderly woman and a perpetually cheerful boy.

Eloise Deane is the worst and doesn’t care who knows it. She’s grumpy, prefers to be alone, and is just slogging through senior year with one goal: get accepted to USC and move to California. So when her guidance counselor drops the bombshell that to score a scholarship she’ll desperately need, her applications require volunteer hours, Eloise is up for the challenge. Until she’s paired with LifeCare, a volunteer agency that offers social support to lonely seniors through phone calls and visits. Basically, it’s a total nightmare for Eloise’s anxiety.

Eloise realizes she’s made a huge mistake—especially when she’s paired with Austin, the fellow volunteer who’s the sunshine to her cloudy day. But as Eloise and Austin work together to keep Marianne Landis—the mysterious former frontwoman of the 1970s band the Laundromats—company, something strange happens. She actually…likes Marianne and Austin? Eloise isn’t sure what to do with that, especially when her feelings toward Austin begin to blur into more-than-friends territory.

And when ex-girlfriends, long-buried wounds, and insecurities reappear, Eloise will have a choice to make: go all in with Marianne and Austin or get out before she gets hurt.

-summary and cover via Goodreads

Review: This is now one of my favorite YA books! Eloise was such a wonderful main character. The anxiety and depression rep was excellent. Her relationship with Austin was adorable. And speaking of Austin! He was so sweet and kind and absolutely perfect for Eloise. Marianne was a great character, too! I liked how much Eloise's family was a part of the book. Overall, I absolutely loved this YA novel and I highly recommend it!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Review: All That Glitters Isn't Old!

Review: All That Glitters Isn't Old by Gabby Allan

The bubbly fun of a rom-com meets the irresistible quirkiness of a cozy mystery in this buoyant new rom-cozy set off the coast of Southern California. It’s the perfect vacation spot for those who want to get away from it all. Unfortunately for Santa Catalina boat tour guide Whitney Dagner and her chonky cat Whiskers, it’s also the perfect vacation spot for people who want to get away with murder…

When she’s not piloting a glass bottom boat, showing the sights to tourists, Whit sells seashells by the seashore—among many other sea and sand souvenirs—to help keep her family shop, Nautically Yours, afloat. It’s a far cry from her corporate climbing ladder life in Los Angeles, but Whit and her frisky feline, Whiskers, love calling Catalina home and being close to family. Especially Whit’s grandmother Goldy, a fun and feisty senior who always marched to the beat of a different drum.

In her youth, Goldy was an item with a Catalina catch named Darren. But it was actually a ruse to fool Darren’s parents who wouldn’t have accepted his preference for men. Eventually, he left the island and chose the life—and life-partner—he wanted for himself. Back in town for his mother’s funeral, Darren takes the opportunity to heal his open wounds, and settle some scores.

In a surprise to the residents, Darren produced a documentary about the history of Catalina, and has arranged a premiere screening in the local theater. But his film career is cut short when his partner’s dead body is discovered the night before the opening. Rumors start swirling that Darren’s documentary was actually about Catalina’s people—and the things they’ve done—giving a lot of folks a lot of motives. Now, it’s up to Whit and her somewhat-ex-boyfriend policeman to catch a killer, and uncover just how much Grandma Goldy knows about the back door deals tied to Darren’s past…

-summary and cover via Goodreads

Review: I really enjoyed reading this newest installment in the Whit and Whiskers mysteries series! I loved reading about Whit solving another case. I liked getting to spend time with returning characters (Her boyfriend! Her friends! Her family!), and meeting new ones as well. This book had a bit of a zany adventure feel towards the end, which was fun! Overall, I definitely recommend this series for those who haven't read it yet, and this book to those who have!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

June Mini Reviews!

Hi, everyone! I'm posting June mini reviews today of a bunch of books. Here we go!

The Beast and The Bookseller by Eva Devon

I really enjoyed reading this historical romance! I liked the romance between the two leads, and I thought the plot was good. Overall, I would definitely recommend!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

The Chaperone by M Hendrix

I thought this was an interesting YA Dystopian read! Overall, I would recommend to those who think it sounds good!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Girls and Their Horses by Eliza Jane Brazier

This was a really good mystery/suspense novel that I enjoyed reading! Overall, I would definitely recommend reading!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Ms Perfectly Fine by Kate Callaghan

I thought this was a nice contemporary adult romance! There was good chronic pain rep in the book, and I always appreciate that. The romance was great! Overall, I would definitely recommend!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Everyone Wants to Know by Kelly Loy Gilbert

I thought this was an interesting YA novel, that I would would recommend to those who think it sounds good!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Bookshop Cinderella by Laura Lee Guhrke

This was a great historical romance! I really liked the couple in this one, and I liked the bookish aspects of the book as well! Overall, I would definitely recommend!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

And Break the Pretty Kings by Lena Jeong

I really enjoyed reading this book! It was an excellent debut fantasy, and I look forward to whatever else this author writes. The  characters, writing, and plot were all great. Overall, iI would definitely recommend this book!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Those We Drown by Amy Goldsmith

This was a terrifying read, that I would recommend to those who think it sounds good!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

The Night It Ended by Katie Garner

This was a really interesting thriller/suspense novel, that I would definitely recommend to those who think the plot sounds good!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

A Most Agreeable Murder by Julia Seales

This was a fun historical mystery that was such a mash up of different genres, that I enjoyed reading! I would recommend to those who think it sounds good!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Charlotte Illes Is Not a Detective by Katie Siegel

The premise of this one was really fun! And I thought it was a good read! The mystery was well done. Overall, I would recommend to those who think it sounds good!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

We Ship It by Lauren Kay

I thought this was a great YA summer read, that also touches on some serious topics. And I think the cover is really cute! Overall, I would recommend!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

How the Murder Crumbles by Debra Sennefelder

I thought this was a great beginning to a new cozy mystery series, with a fun premise! Overall, I would definitely recommend trying it!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Kismat Connection by Ananya Devarajan

I thought this was a really good YA read! I liked the characters, and thought it was well written. Overall, I would definitely recommend it!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Mini Reviews (YA Edition)!

Hi, everyone! Today is going to be mini reviews, featuring YA books from the past few months. Here we go!

Lying in the Deep by Diana Urban

This was a great YA mystery/suspense novel! The plot and characters were well written. Overall, I would definitely recommend!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway by Ashley Schumacher

This was a good YA novel, with a fun setting, that touched on some serious topics! Overall, I would recommend to those who think it sounds good!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Silver in the Bone by Alexandra Bracken

This was a really good YA fantasy novel, that had a fascinating plot! Overall, I would definitely recommend trying it!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Queen Bee by Amalie Howard

This was an entertaining YA regency read, with great characters! Overall, I would definitely recommend!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Tell Me What Really Happened by Chelsea Sedoti

This was an interesting YA mystery, told in a unique way. Overall, I would recommend to those who think the summary sounds good!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Fake Dates and Mooncakes by Sher Lee

This was a fun YA romance, featuring my favorite trope, fake dating! It was well written, and the characters were great. Overall, I would definitely recommend to those who think it sounds good!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

The Lake House by Sarah Beth Durst

This was a terrifying YA thriller, that would be perfect to read when you want to scare yourself!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Picture-Perfect Boyfriend by Becky Dean

This was a fun YA summer read, with a cute romance and fun characters! I liked how the main characters family played such a big role, and I liked the plot. Overall, I would definitely recommend to those who think it sounds good!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Something More by Jackie Khalilieh

This was a good YA read, with great autistic rep! Overall, I would recommend to those who think it sounds good!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Threads That Bind by Kika Hatzopoulou

I thought this was a really interesting and unique YA fantasy novel! I would definitely recommend to those who think it sounds good!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Plus One by Kelsey Rodkey

I enjoyed reading this contemporary YA novel! The plot was fun, and the characters were good. And I always love plus-size rep in books! Overall, I would recommend!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Hot Dutch Daydream by Kristy Boyce

This was a fun YA read that's perfect for summer! The characters were great. Overall, I would recommend it!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.