Miss Permilia Griswold is quite happy with her wallflower status even if it drives her stepmother and stepsister to distraction. She's much more comfoMiss Permilia Griswold is quite happy with her wallflower status even if it drives her stepmother and stepsister to distraction. She's much more comfortable talking mining practices and how to budget well than typical social topics. She grew up going to mines with her father before he remarried and tasked her stepmother with refining her. Permilia is hurt her father doesn't want to turn the family business over to her. She loves business, and lives to haggle for a better deal. Just ask Mr Rutherford about how much she talked him down for ice skates. Anyway, Permilia has found a way to capitalize on her observation-only status at society functions to pen the respectful inside scoop for the newspapers under "Miss Quill". But at Mrs Vanderbilt's event Permilia's routine is thrown for a loop when she actually starts talking with Mr. Asher Rutherford (which surprisingly doesn't leave her tongue-tied as talking to gentlemen usually does) and he insists she dance with him multiple times. Once she does retreat to her wallflower tendencies, she overhears a plot to kill Rutherford and thus she creates a scene at dinner informing him of this. Everyone else thinks they've had a lover's spat. Rutherford thinks she misheard and can't believe anyone wants him dead. He doesn't take her seriously, but he does realize he must redeem her character after he hears the rumors so he offers to court her. Permilia, on the other hand, could care less about the rumors, and she's been tailing Rutherford with a fellow wallflower to make sure he doesn't get himself killed. She has chosen to ignore his mangled proposal to court. She's determined to figure out who wants Rutherford dead and stop them, while Rutherford can't get the unusual Miss Permilia out of his head and finally realizes she might be on to something once the attempts on his life start.
This is the one Turano series I haven't read yet. It was a delightfully diverting way to while away some hours this weekend. But it is also really hard to summarize. There's a lot going on with Permilia, Rutherford, and several of their acquaintances. Permilia is a quirky, memorable character, and a good match for Rutherford. I like how they complement each other and push each other to grow. The mystery aspect of the story was well done and kept me guessing. I'm guessing Permilia's fellow wallflower/sleuth will be the main character in the next book in the series. Which I'm glad of. I liked her (even if I can't remember her name right now. ...more
Cammie is not your typical teenage girl, though you'd never know it to look at her. She's the child of spies, and now attendee of Gallagher Academy whCammie is not your typical teenage girl, though you'd never know it to look at her. She's the child of spies, and now attendee of Gallagher Academy which masquerades as a premier girls' boarding school but is in reality a school for geniuses that teaches things like covert operations and requires a different language be spoken at meal times every day. Cammie's mom is the headmaster, and Cammie is known for her ability to blend in anywhere. She's nicknamed the chameleon, so no one is more surprised when a boy actually notices her and says hi while she's on a covert mission in town. Not even the professor who was looking for her saw her. Cammie isn't used to being noticed, and doesn't know how to respond. So naturally she and her 3 roommates do a special independent study project into this Josh guy and whether or not he'd be any good for Cammie, which requires occasionally interacting with the subject. And it all comes to a head the night of their covert ops final.
This is a lighthearted spy boarding school story with a group of genius girls who are very smart in some ways and very ignorant in others trying to understand the world of young love. Thankfully, they have a brand new roommate who has been kicked out of numerous other schools but is more worldly wise and has surprising depths. Cammie has to do some deep introspection over the course of the book as to whether this spy life is really what she wants and if it is worth the costs it could bring (spy future vs Josh). This series has been super popular in our library for ages, and I've even had fellow teachers rave to me about it, but I never got around to reading it myself until now. It is just as enjoyable as they told me and I grabbed book 2 off the shelves soon after I finished this one.
Notes on content: Language: None Sexual content: Nothing beyond a little kiss. Violence: There's a staged kidnapping as part of a class, and some people are genuinely kicked and punched. Ethnic diversity: The girls at the school come from all over the world. Cammie is white American, her best friend Bex is Black British, other best friend Liz is white, others mentioned are from various parts of Asia and Europe and South America. LGBTQ+ content: None Other: Cammie has to learn the hard way that a relationship based on lies isn't much of a relationship. ...more
Megs is not the normal Oxford university student in the 1950s. For one, she is studying math and physics, still not a typical choice for women. For anMegs is not the normal Oxford university student in the 1950s. For one, she is studying math and physics, still not a typical choice for women. For another, she doesn't spend her weekends hanging out at the pub with her classmates, but rather ventures home by train each and every weekend to spend precious moments with her little brother. George is 8 and not likely to make it to 9. He was born with a heart condition with no cure, and the whole family knows his time is limited. So when George falls in love with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and asks Megs to hunt down Mr. Lewis at Oxford and ask him where Narnia came from, Megs takes the request very seriously. But Jack Lewis doesn't give her a straight answer. Instead, over a series of weeks he shares stories from his life with Megs, from boyhood to the present, that she then relates to George. And on the journey both she and George will learn a thing or two about the power of stories, where they come from, and just what Narnia can mean to them.
This is mostly biographical fiction relating a lot of true facts about Lewis' life, but also interweaving a tenderhearted tale of a brother and a sister wrestling with deep questions. There's also a little love story for Megs worked in naturally along the way with a fellow Oxford student who she can talk to about the deeper things these stories from Mr. Lewis are bringing up. Mostly, I felt like this did a good job of presenting Lewis' life and the spirit of Narnia. I kind of doubt he would have beat around the bush as much with answering questions from Megs like is Aslan Jesus since there are recorded conversations when he's pretty straightforward about it, but I think the author was trying to convey Lewis realizing where Megs was and how she needed to figure some things out herself. The last chapter or so of the book was gut-wrenching and had me super close to tears. But it still left me overall with the sense of a beautiful story of familial love and a kind mentor gently leading the younger generation to deep truths.
Notes on content: Language: None Sexual content: Nothing beyond a couple kisses. Violence: Losses in WWI and WWII are touched on as well as people Lewis and Megs have lost to disease and natural causes. Lewis and his brother faced some brutal bullies (both children and headmasters) in schools, and some of those violent encounters are related. Ethnic diversity: Megs and her family are British. Lewis and Megs' friend Padraig are Irish. LGBTQ+ content: None Other: Lewis' father was emotionally distant after his mother's death. Megs and her parents are all pre-grieving George's imminent death....more
Adelaide Smith is about to get serious about her law school exams, when she gets a letter informing her that her father is the King of Montovia who isAdelaide Smith is about to get serious about her law school exams, when she gets a letter informing her that her father is the King of Montovia who is seriously ill. King Max would like to meet his only daughter before his death. After doing some research by calling some of her mom's friends (her mom died a few years ago), Adelaide discovers this may not be a crazy hoax and agrees to go visit the man her mom refused to ever talk about. King Max and some of his advisors make it clear they would love to see Adelaide on the thrown if the king's missing brother can't be found. The only other option is the wife the king was pressured to take by his father and her son from a previous marriage. It is easy to see that Queen Johanna is not pleased with a long lost daughter showing up and threatening her son's chances at the crown. She has plans, and she's used to getting her way. Adelaide had no plans to make waves, she just wanted to get to know her father, someone she's been curious about all her life. But the lawyer in her won't get pushed around, and she can also tell when someone is up to no good.
This has a little more palace intrigue and action than your typical cozy Christmas read. It starts off a little like The Princess Diaries meets Hallmark Christmas, but it might be a little too much mystery and thriller for the Hallmark channel. It is still a feel good read. Carlson also naturally weaves in elements of Christian faith, primarily King Max and Adelaide trusting God to direct their futures and next steps for Montovia. There is a bit of a love interest for Adelaide in a young member of their version of parliament who is assigned the task of showing Adelaide around Montovia. But the romantic love takes a backseat to Adelaide falling in love with her father and the country of Montovia. Montovia is a made up country that is next to Austria and speaks English and German and holds similar traditions; it provides a charming Alpine/German-ish Christmas setting.
Notes on content: Language: None Sexual content: Nothing beyond a kiss. Violence: Someone is treated poorly, deprived of freedom and food. King Max is dying of a liver disease. Adelaide's mother died in a car accident. Ethnic diversity: White American and white Germanic. LGBTQ+ content: None Other: Kidnapping and plots to kidnap or kill others....more
What makes a hard, cold Queen? Princess Charis is being groomed for the throne by her tough as nails mother, Queen Lethe. She knows she must show no eWhat makes a hard, cold Queen? Princess Charis is being groomed for the throne by her tough as nails mother, Queen Lethe. She knows she must show no emotion, must be in control of every situation, and never let her guard down. Their kingdom is involved in a long war with a country that wants their northern territories, and they've reached the point when they can do very little to stop them. And now they are sending assassins. After an attempt on the Queen's life that leaves her confined to her chambers, Charis knows she must be even more on her guard. She's also learned the cost of letting people get close to her after her mother executed all those on staff in the rooms where the assassins were found. Charis must be the hard, cold, cunning future Queen, do the hard things that must be done for the sake of the kingdom, find the traitor within their ranks, and find a way to broker peace with their enemy without ever letting her guard down once. No one sees how this constant strain is wearing away at Charis except for her ailing father and the personal guard he assigned to her after the first assassination attempt, Tal. But even these people Charis feels she must keep at arm's length. A soft-hearted princess will be dead within minutes with enemies outside and in moving in for the kill.
This is as much a study in character as it is a political thriller with a lot more going on than just a war between 2 nations. You get to see how Charis' upbringing and the circumstances she faces really shape who she is becoming. AS for the political thriller part. Beyond just a war that they seem doomed to lose, there are other nations who are interested in the outcome of the war with ambassadors in the country, there are various elite families in the land with their own machinations, and there are some mysterious factors at work taking out trade vessels in the waters. Redwine does a superb job of making you feel the pressures that Charis is trying to carry all on her own. Tal is an impressive guard with hidden talents and superb skills in seeing past Charis' masks. There's a twist in this story at the end that I did not see coming, which speaks volumes to Redwine's writing prowess. Usually I see these kinds of things a mile away. (I'm not going to say anything more so it can be a surprise for others too. I liked it being a surprise.) There's a bit of a cliffhanger ending and so many questions brought up by what happened that I'm glad I waiting on reading this until the 2nd book was already out. I need it as soon as possible.
Notes on content: Language: None Sexual content: Nothing beyond some kisses. Violence: The Queen has no compulsion about executing people for even small offenses. Several people are executed, but only one on page. (Cleanup of the aftermath of one event is also described, it's a bit bloody.) There are several assassination attempts with various injuries that result of varying levels of seriousness. There's an attack by an invading force that wipes out a town and another attack that very nearly wipes out another town (one is described with some blood, but more psychological horror). Dead bodies are washing up on shores. Deaths in the war are mentioned. Ethnic diversity: Made up fantasy land with a variety of different peoples and cultures with different shades of skin color. LGBTQ+ content: None Other: Charis is dealing with extreme perfectionism and stress and undealt with grief. The marriage of the current King and Queen was a political one and there is no love between them; the King has a live-in female companion (it isn't spelled out if they are a couple or not). The Queen tells Charis she needs to marry for politics but can have her own other "companions" after she is married as she sees fit, whereas the King pleads with her to marry for love and not sacrifice herself for the kingdom as he did. ...more
Marin hasn't been home for Christmas in 8 years, ever since the love of her life, Max, broke her heart. She's thrown herself into her job and now she'Marin hasn't been home for Christmas in 8 years, ever since the love of her life, Max, broke her heart. She's thrown herself into her job and now she's up for a big promotion to be the host of Good Day Denver but someone else is an equally good candidate. Their boss has given them a Christmas competition to see who can drum up the best content. Marin is going home and sharing all the delightful small town Christmas things from Pleasant Valley, Illinois, and how her mother, aka the Queen of Christmas, makes the holiday special. The cameras are rolling, she knows this series of stories is going to win her her spot, but when she knocks on her parents' front door the last person she expects opens it. Max. He's also visiting for the holidays. And he just might ruin all her plans.
We get to see half of this novel from Max's perspective too, and why he broke up with Marin all those years ago. Yes, this had a lot of Hallmark Christmas vibes, but if you pick this up I'm guessing you're expecting that kind of thing. It was cute and funny and also at times touching.
Notes on content: Language: None Sexual content: Nothing beyond a kiss. A rumor starts that Max and Marin are sleeping together but they aren't. Marin's parents are flirty with each other and say suggestive (but still appropriate for company) things to each other at times. Violence: Past deaths of some people in an accident come up. Ethnic diversity: It sounded like most of the town was white. LGBTQ+ content: None that I remember Other: One of the events Marin is invited to do is a cocktail competition and she gets drunk. She knew she didn't handle alcohol well, but was stubborn and didn't listen to herself or friends and she suffers for it. The lesson appears to be learned....more
Renner Cartha has snuck on to the Phenomena circus's ship Midway to hide his flight from their most recent planetary stop from certain eyes. He is on Renner Cartha has snuck on to the Phenomena circus's ship Midway to hide his flight from their most recent planetary stop from certain eyes. He is on royal business and has an important message prompted by the assassination of the Xerus Galaxy Queen, but he can't tell anyone, and there are definitely people out there who don't want him to deliver his message. Talie knows she should have handed Renner over to security the moment he threatened her with a blaster, but for some reason she trusts him, even if doing so could endanger her own secret. She persuades the ship's captain to hide him as a new addition to the circus until they can drop him off at the next planet, and circumstances force her to add him to her trapeze act, even though she's been perfect fine on her own for five cycles. She's the Soaring Staress, beloved by the galaxy. Little do they know she's really someone else hiding in plain sight.
This starts off with definite The Greatest Showman vibes in space, but once secrets are revealed and people have to go on the run it becomes very different. Hendryx has created an intriguing world with a mixture of alien cultures and planets, a bunch of cultural and political issues to be dealt with, various forms of space transport, quirky and chilling characters (I wanted more lines from Dot!), and two main characters wrestling with duty versus heart's desire. The part on the run is high action and definitely had me turning pages as fast as I could. It is hard to know who Talie can trust or not. I am very eager for book 2 to come out now as I enjoyed this quite a bit. Recommended for space adventure/thriller fans who don't mind some clean romance.
Notes on content: Language: None Sexual content: Nothing beyond some kisses. Two ladies are captured by a slave trader and are sold, but (view spoiler)[they are rescued before anything goes farther (hide spoiler)]. Violence: There are some battles that do result in injuries and fatalities (injuries can be healed extra fast thanks to advanced medicine). Ethnic diversity: Made up alien race; a variety of skin tones are described. LGBTQ+ content: None specified Other: Various social ills and injustices on planets; grabs for power, and deception for greed....more
Inspired by the kindness of a stranger when she was ill on a train once, Saku has vowed to never ignore someone else in need. She is kind to everyone Inspired by the kindness of a stranger when she was ill on a train once, Saku has vowed to never ignore someone else in need. She is kind to everyone and super helpful. And she's always hunting for the stranger who helped her so she can thank him. When she meets a boy at her high school whose older brother has the same name as her helper, she starts following him everywhere in hopes he'll deliver a letter for her to his brother.
This sounds cringier in description than it comes off in the manga. It's sweet, Saku is a lovely person who inspires kindness in others herself, and the end of this volume has a twist. I liked Haruki. He's a good brother (trying to protect him from fawning girls), but also isn't mean to Saku. They are kind of cute together. I liked the background illustrations, the artist does beautiful landscapes.
Notes on content: Language: Maybe 1-2, but I don't remember any. Sexual content: None Violence: None Ethnic diversity: Japanese LGBTQ+ content: None specified Other: Saku is feeling faint on the train and needing help....more
WWII has brought both heartache and newfound freedom for Aleida van der Zee Martens. She had to leave her home in the Netherlands, but a Nazi plane shWWII has brought both heartache and newfound freedom for Aleida van der Zee Martens. She had to leave her home in the Netherlands, but a Nazi plane shot her abusive husband during their escape and freed her from his clutches. Before he died, her husband gave their son to British strangers without her knowledge. Heartbroken, Aleida now works with the Ministry of Health in London encouraging mothers to let their children be evacuated and checking in on evacuees to see how the children are fairing. She is also keeping an eye out everywhere she goes for a little boy with no fingers on his right hand, her little boy Theo. Asthma has kept Hugh Collingwood out of the frontlines, but he isn't one to let that stop him. He's doing his part as a reporter with the BBC who does enthralling live reports on the wireless. He has the struggle of trying to keep the public informed of what is going on while not leaking any important information to the enemy in the process. His paths cross with Mrs Martens during his reporting as she volunteers with the ARP. Soon they are investigating some murders of people they both know. They are also trying to navigate the challenges of their own jobs, figuring out their relationship, and finding Aleida's missing son.
I really appreciate the way Sundin makes her characters feel very realistic. They aren't perfect, they have flaws and hardships, but that causes them to turn to the Lord for help (though not always right away). This is the first of her books that involves a murder mystery element. For the first half of the book that isn't the main point, but it becomes vital to figure out in the last half as the body count increases. The mystery parts were well done and kept me guessing. Hugh and Aleida are likable characters and good for each other. Sundin obviously did her research about WWII in London, she really made it come to life.
Notes on content: Language: None Sexual content: Nothing beyond a couple kisses. Violence: There are a couple murders off page, people dying in the war both on and off page (descriptions of gore are kept to a minimum). And an attempted murder on page. Bombings in London are somewhat described (mostly property damage). Ethnic diversity: Aleida is Dutch, Hugh is British, one of Aleida's co-workers is Indian, some of the other reporters are from America or France. LGBTQ+ content: None Other: Some asthma attacks are vividly described. Aleida's husband is verbally abusive (and it is hinted physically too). He ignores their son because of his birth defect. ...more
After a poisoning attempt left the Princess Oliana of Tamarind and her child companion in comas, their families were desperate for the legendary reverAfter a poisoning attempt left the Princess Oliana of Tamarind and her child companion in comas, their families were desperate for the legendary reversal effects of dragonfruit, the extremely rare eggs of sea dragons. 3 were found, 2 were destroyed in an earthquake and the one meant for the Princess was taken by the father of the girl and spirited away. 10 years later Prince Sam is getting desperate. His mother is still in a coma and his grandmother isn't getting any younger. In their matriarchal society he must wake his mother or marry or the crown will pass to another island family. Hanalei hasn't been back to Tamarind since she was poisoned. Her father took her to another island, revived her, and then faced the curse for using dragonfruit. She's been on her own for 10 years, enslaved by a dragoner (think pirate/sea dragon hunter) who liked to use children for processing hunted sea dragons; she eventually escaped him to work as a research assistant for a school that studies sea dragons. Her studies have her following a pair of dragons that lead her back to her old home. But will she be accepted or rejected for the crimes of her father? How will her old friend Prince Sam react to her return? And can her studies help find a way to help the Princess without anyone dying?
I really like the world that Makiia Lucier created here. The Tamarind isles are a Polynesian matriarchal society known for their spices. Many adults have tattoos that spontaneously appear in teen years and can transform into real animals. They are more than pets, mostly listen to those who wear them, and can shrink or grow to just about any size. I have read other stories about familiars who change into marks on the skin, but these felt a bit different and went so well with a Polynesian culture. I liked them a lot. Prince Sam has a bat who is both fearsome and cute. The Queen has a spider that is prickly but a good ally in a pinch. And Hanalei gets a very appropriate mark just before the end of the book. The arrival of the sea dragons Hanalei is following (with spotted dragonfruit) prompts a quest across the islands that the Queen decrees Sam and Hanalei must lead. There are all sorts of guests on the island from various other lands because the Queen is hunting for a bride for Prince Samahti, and some of them decide they want to join the quest (like Lord William and Lady Rosamie and Sam's lazy, no good cousin Jejomar...a few with ulterior motives), which makes things more interesting. The Queen decides all the others will be good for building leadership and character in Sam, and he has the royal protector/uncle Lord Isko as backup. It is quite an adventure that helps Sam and Hana get to know each other again, reveals a lot of secrets, and allows readers to get to know the islands of Tamarind better. The world building in this is excellent. Lucier knows how to engage the senses to make a place come to life. I really liked the sea dragons and other mythical creatures, and Hanalei and Samahti are fun protagonists to follow around (and so good for each other).
Notes on content: Language: 1 minor swear Sexual content: Nothing beyond a kiss Violence: Sea dragon hunting and butchering, a sea dragon attacks and eats several humans, some punches and slices of humans vs humans, a ship is sunk, some people are found poisoned, an animal is killed out of malice. Ethnic diversity: Tamarind islanders are Polynesian-inspired. Some of the visitors are from other lands which seem to be comparable to Spain and England from their physical descriptions. LGBTQ+ content: None specified Other: One person gets hopeless and contemplates throwing themselves into the Nominomi (sea) but they are quickly snapped out of that by a friend. Hanalei bears the weight of her father's actions. Child slavery is part of Hanalei's backstory. ...more
A karate competition Senior year forever changes Don’s life when he falls in love with Samantha, the girl who knocks him out of the competition, and sA karate competition Senior year forever changes Don’s life when he falls in love with Samantha, the girl who knocks him out of the competition, and someone sends hitmen to beat them up at prom, and then they accidentally enrage a mafia family at the after-party.
This feels like something dreamt up by the guys who came up with Napoleon Dynamite or Dumb and Dumber. It’s quirky, sarcastic, super goofy, and tailored for a niche audience that will love it with a blazing fervor. I personally don’t quite fit in the niche audience, but I can think of a couple readers who might. Hand this to the right reader who has just the right kind of humor and they’ll probably sleep with it under their pillow for the rest of their lives.
Notes on content [based on the ARC]: Language: I don’t remember anything. Sexual content: 3 or 4 m/f kisses on page. Nothing further. Violence: There are LOTS of fight scenes. Lots and lots of them. Most people just get bruises, at worst some broken or dislocated limbs. (They are rather cartoon-like in their longevity.) Ethnic diversity: A variety of skin tones included in the characters whose names we learn. The crime family is Italian. LGBTQ+ content: The epilogue says 2 guy friends get married (until then I thought they were brothers). Other: The good guys fight in defense, bad guys out for revenge for little things.
I received an ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. ...more
Upon the untimely death of her parents, homely Jane is about to lose her home to her odious cousin unless she can find a husband. Jane has a guy in miUpon the untimely death of her parents, homely Jane is about to lose her home to her odious cousin unless she can find a husband. Jane has a guy in mind, the best-looking guy in town, Peter. Jane thinks it would be a win-win for both of them, Peter could escape his father’s fishing boat and she could marry her long-time crush and not be penniless. But right after she proposes, a mermaid comes and snatches Peter down to the watery depths. An old crone in town hears her pleas for help and equips her for a 3 day rescue mission, but if she doesn’t rescue Peter in that time, she will drown herself.
There are some great messages about true personal value, outward vs inward appearance, and what kind of foundation love relationships should be based on woven into this graphic novel. Brosgol has written her own unique fairytale full of creepy mermaids, gruff but kind selkies, vodniks, the plight of orphaned, plain Victorian young ladies and (view spoiler)[lost heirs (hide spoiler)]. I liked it a lot, and loved the messages. Highly recommended.
Notes on content [based on the ARC]: Language: None Sexual content: Nothing beyond a hug on page. Violence: Two presumed fatal accidents happen off page (one is proved to have not been fatal). Another creature is presumed to have fallen into boiling water and not made it out. There are bones around as evidence of past eating of men and deaths of sailors. Ethnic diversity: Jane’s town’s location isn’t identified, most of the town is White but her lawyer is a person of color. Fantasy creatures hail from a variety of cultures’ lore. LGBTQ+ content: None specified Other: Jane’s parents put a lot of pressure on her to look prettier and seemed ashamed of her.
I received an ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. ...more
Wren is not usually spontaneous. She likes rules and sets clear boundaries for herself. (Her flighty mother hasn't taught her much, but she has taughtWren is not usually spontaneous. She likes rules and sets clear boundaries for herself. (Her flighty mother hasn't taught her much, but she has taught Wren that setting clear boundaries is safest.) So no one is more surprised when Wren decides to spontaneously save a guy getting catfished at her friend Kamala's place of employment. Wren overhears Asher and his friend Dale talking about this girl Asher is supposed to meet in person at the cafe for the first time. Dale proceeds to outline all the ways he'll humiliate Asher when she doesn't show up, and that ruffles Wren's feathers. So she sneaks out the back and comes in the front posing as Asher's online friend promising herself she will tell him the truth as soon as Dale is out of earshot. She thought the hug and chat would be the end of things, and even though she didn't get a chance to tell him the truth, it was ok because she'd never see him again. And then he shows up at the animal shelter where she works and wins her over by winning the un-adoptable dog Beans over. Can Wren work up the courage to tell Asher the truth before her heart gets all wrapped up in this mess?
This book is a bit deeper than just a guy and girl hanging out for the summer and falling in love. Wren is navigating a lot of abandonment and trust issues because her mom abandoned the family years ago and even when she does show up is not trustworthy. Her mom is begging her to visit over July 4th and Wren's older sister is also pressuring her to go, but Wren doesn't know if she can do it. The ways social media can be used for good and ill are a key focus of this book too. They start using it to try and get Beans adopted (Wren can't because her father is allergic). And there's a social media incident that really puts Wren and Asher's relationship to the test. It took me a while to get into this book. I can't stand it when characters withhold the truth unnecessarily from each other. This eventually works out ok and both of them learn important lessons along the way, but it is a rough road getting there. It wasn't necessarily a fun read for me personally.
Notes on content: Language: None that I remember Sexual content: Some heavy kissing but nothing beyond that. Violence: None Ethnic diversity: Wren and Asher are White. Kamala is Asian American. Some peripheral friends come from a variety of backgrounds. LGBTQ+ content: Kamala jokes about Wren being the one for her, but they are completely joking. Nothing else specified Other: Wren's heart breaks over Beans living in a cage at the shelter for so many months and the stress it must cause him. She also deals with a kitten dump and gives them emergency care. Using people for social media fame without their consent is a key part of the story. Abandonment by a parent is also a key part of the story....more
Luciana and Domenico Betarrini are very curious about the mysterious disappearance of their family members from Italy. There are all sorts of rumors aLuciana and Domenico Betarrini are very curious about the mysterious disappearance of their family members from Italy. There are all sorts of rumors about what happened to them, and Nico is convinced they traveled through time and he wants to do the same to find some Medici treasure to bring back and make a mint on. Luciana is willing to go along with the plan if only to get him to shut up about it. They find jobs at a restored castle near the archaeology site as period players for the summer. And neither is prepared for what they find. In the past, Lady Tiliani Forelli is the daughter of one of the She-Wolves. Her father is urging her to consider marrying Aurelio Paratore and forge an allegiance with their former enemies. Tiliani isn't sure about Aurelio but she's trying to give him a chance because they may need the alliance. Someone is dressing up in Forelli colors and attacking other families. Can they clear their name before all out war comes upon them?
For those who have read The Rivers of Time series, Tiliani is Lia's daughter. Lia and Gabi and their husbands are very much alive and are part of this story. If you haven't read The Rivers of Time series, you might want to before diving into this, at least books 1-3 (4 and 5 featuring the guy cousins are optional). If you plan on reading those at any time, this book contains huge, major spoilers. For those who have read the original, it will be fun to meet back up with the She-Wolves and their families. As in the first generation of time-travelers, this new generation finds themselves quickly involved in pretty much non-stop action adventure with touches of romance once they arrive in Medieval Italy. This book does not resolve the conflict going on with the other cities or capturing the people who are framing them, so that and the dilemmas of hearts going on between various couples are to be resolved in a future book. (If you don't like unresolved plots, you may want to wait to read this until the next book comes out.)
Notes on content: Language: None Sexual content: Luciana is captured at one point and her captors discuss how she might be good for childbearing. She is not attacked or anything, and the captors don't get crude. There are a couple m/f kisses. Violence: There are some battles which do result in injuries and fatalities. Bergren makes her characters feel the sobering nature of war and the weight of taking others' lives. The good guys do not take pleasure in killing others and only do so in defense of self or others they are responsible for. Ethnic diversity: Italian and Italian American. LGBTQ+ content: None Other: The freedoms and constraints women faced in Medieval Italy are highlighted. The Forellis are still grieving many they lost in a plague. ...more
Vicky thought her sister Althea was happily married to Lord Dane, so it comes to a shock to the whole family when she shows up at their estate one nigVicky thought her sister Althea was happily married to Lord Dane, so it comes to a shock to the whole family when she shows up at their estate one night with a battered face informing them he's been abusing her. Father starts working with their barrister to see if a divorce can be arranged. But in the meantime, Vicky has to get engaged before the case goes to court for 2 reasons, 1) the family doesn't want Lord Dane to have any claim on the family estate, and 2) her chances at making a good match will drastically drop when the case becomes public. Vicky wasn't even sure she wanted to marry, but for the sake of her family, she throws herself into the season and goes husband hunting. It is a bumpy road though because many of the potential suitors drive her crazy, but also because someone seems out to hurt or even kill her. And on top of that, her old best friend and neighbor Tom Sherborne is back from the Continent and things are really awkward between them after the way he left many years ago.
I loved Cohen's My Fine Fellow so I wanted to try more of her books. This has a very different flavor to it. It is much more of a thriller/gothic romance than the other book or any of Austen's works. Vicky is a huge Austen fan, talks about the books with others, and likes to pretend she is one of Austen's heroines all the time. Vicky is a plucky heroine, who likes to help her father manage his estate, and isn't afraid of some mud. She's much more Elizabeth Bennett than Fanny Price. It seemed like part of Cohen's goal with this story was to show that even wealthy people of the Regency era did face problems much bigger than what to wear to the next ball or being given the cut direct. Recommended to thriller fans or fans of stories of people carrying on despite major challenges.
Notes on content: Language: A handful of minor swears and one strong use of profanity. Sexual content: A couple kisses on page, nothing further. One young lady is kidnapped and tied to a bed, but the man is stopped before anything else can happen. Another young maid is known to have been assaulted by her employer and had a child. (This happened in the past, no sexual details.) Violence: Two people are shot, a couple people are beaten (one in a boxing match), one person is knocked out/down a couple times, a duel is fought. Two people are victims of domestic abuse. Very minimal descriptions of injuries. Ethnic diversity: Most characters are White Brits. LGBTQ+ content: None mentioned. Other: Instances of a son being beaten by his father in the past, and a wife being beaten by her husband in the present. Vicky is a rather independent young women and some potential suitors tell her her freedoms would be drastically curtailed if she married them. She chafes under their ideas of what women can do....more
Rose works as a waitress at Fred's mom's restaurant. Rose loves baking. And when a famous food critic visits the restaurant, Rose slips her own creatiRose works as a waitress at Fred's mom's restaurant. Rose loves baking. And when a famous food critic visits the restaurant, Rose slips her own creation into the line up of desserts for the critic. Impressed, the food critic invites Rose to join the reality TV baking competition, Batter Royale to be shot in London. The grand prize is $500,000. Rose has just been accepted into her dream culinary school, but it is expensive. The winnings from Batter Royale could mean she could actually go. Fred's mom is struggling to keep her restaurant afloat, so he agrees to be Rose's partner for the competition. But they didn't expect trap doors and cutthroat competition. Can they even make it past the first couple rounds?
This is a cute story of a baker following her dream, long time friends moving to a little more, and one crazy reality TV show. It's a fairly quick read. I like that despite the pressure, Rose continues to take time to treat even competitors with kindness and care. She and Fred are a cute couple. And bakers will appreciate the recipes for dishes they make that come between each chapter. Hand this to foodies and light romance fans.
Notes on content: Language: About 6 minor swears. Sexual content: Nothing beyond a couple little kisses. Violence: The TV show incorporates trap doors and walls of fire and other crazy, somewhat dangerous things. Ethnic diversity: Fred is White Canadian. Rose is Black Canadian. They compete against others from around the world, and illustrations depict Asian, White European, Black European, and Asian European. LGBTQ+ content: None specified Other: Rose's parents are separating, and argue a lot about money. Fred's mom is struggling to keep her restaurant afloat. Some competitors feel so much pressure they resort to sabotage (this is addressed at the end of the story)....more
As Amy and Qiana calm down after their undercover mission and ponder what their finding could mean, Amy's friends back home return to school and see iAs Amy and Qiana calm down after their undercover mission and ponder what their finding could mean, Amy's friends back home return to school and see if there are any clues still there after the clean up. Oliver comes to realize he has feelings for Amy and asks Dr. Kim for advice on whether to tell her or not, and in the process realizes Amy cares for so many others...does anyone ask her how she's doing?
This volume bounces back and forth between Amy's friends, Amy, and Oliver much more than any of the recent volumes. Her friends are gathering more clues and Schafer still doesn't know if he believes Tammie about seeing Amy alive, but he does realize he loves her and she reciprocates his sentiment, so there's a lot of love going around in this volume. I really like that all the love relationships are built on solid friendships and they've fallen for each others' character; there's no shallow physicality to any of the relationships. It also demonstrates that disagreements don't mean you can't be friends. It is possible to work through them. I really liked that Oliver took the time to ask Amy how she was doing and the space to process what she was really feeling. She does take care of so many others, it is a good reminder to take care of the carers in your own life. While there's a lot of love going on, there's a subtle building of tension in the background as we move closer to more secrets being uncovered. I put this on the "coming soon" bulletin board today and I've already had several ask me if they can have it. Space Boy definitely has many devoted fans, and I'm glad I get the privilege of reading it even before it hits the shelves. #librarianperks ...more
After numerous seasons being a wallflower (or worse, a laughingstock) Miss Adelaide Duveen is ready to declare herself a spinster and stop attending sAfter numerous seasons being a wallflower (or worse, a laughingstock) Miss Adelaide Duveen is ready to declare herself a spinster and stop attending society events. Gideon Abbott has made it his personal responsibility to make sure Miss Duveen survives her series of seemingly inescapable disasters ever since he had to help her from burning up. When Miss Duveen stumbles across him in an...interesting circumstance that kind of blows his cover as an undercover investigator, he decides that he wants to distract her by getting his friend Camilla Pierpont to see if she can remake Miss Duveen into an incomparable. (It will also solve Camilla's bad case of boredom.) Adelaide agrees, but she isn't so easily distracted, especially when Gideon's case seems to involve her most beloved bookstore in town. Everyone has their work cut out for them in remaking Adelaide's image and catching the crooks using the bookstore to pass codes.
This is the funniest Jen Turano in a while. Adelaide's accident-prone propensities lend themselves to numerous hilarious scenes. She also is an ardent cat rescuer, and her work finding new homes for her precious felines results in some humorous pairings and images. And then you add in the mystery element of Gideon's case, and of course, the obvious sparks flying between Gideon and Adelaide, and you have yourself a deliciously entertaining historical rom-com/mystery. It took me so long to read this because I purposefully only read a little each day. I was savoring it and trying to make it last as long as possible. Jen Turano's books are the comfort food of the reading palate.
Notes on content: Language: None Sexual content: Nothing beyond a couple kisses Violence: Adelaide has a talent of getting herself into dangerous situations and there are criminals who want to stop her and Gideon and others from figuring things out and threaten them. 2 people are accidentally shot (the wounds aren't described much at all). Ethnic diversity: Most characters are American citizens (descendants of European immigrants) from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds LGBTQ+ content: None Other: A kidnapping is part of the story. Society snubbing girls who don't fit the mold of what they deem desirable is a big part of the story, and Adelaide works to address this....more
Valentina used to love Valentine’s Day. She had an invisible best friend, St. Valentine, who would help her create all the cards and a special card toValentina used to love Valentine’s Day. She had an invisible best friend, St. Valentine, who would help her create all the cards and a special card to her father from her deceased mother who obviously also loved Valentine’s Day since she named Valentina after it. But on Valentine’s Day her freshmen year everything changes. What she thought she knew about her family and Valentine’s Day comes crashing down, family secrets get revealed, and St. Valentine changes from his cupid form into a creepy old dude promising Valentina she’d be safer if she just gave her heart to him for safe keeping. She turns him down, but St. Valentine shows up again her Junior year when she meets a guy. Valentina wants to believe she has a chance at true love, but Grandma has told her their family is cursed in the love area. St. Valentine gives Valentina one year to decide whether to keep her heart or give it to him so she won’t get hurt. Valentina is hoping against hope that Les is the one. He’s fun, popular, rich, and gets her into lion dancing, and Valentina loves it. But is this really love?
I really like Gene Luen Yang’s books and I love LeUyen Pham’s art, so when I saw they were coming out with a graphic novel together I was thrilled. I like how they mixed in aspects of Vietnamese American, Chinese American, and Korean American cultures into the story. I learned more about lion dancing than I ever knew there was to know, and gained an appreciation for how much training goes into it (and the different forms it takes in different cultures). The trip Valentina takes with her Grandma and the other older ladies from her church to Rome is hilarious. But what I liked most was the message of this story. Is the risk of loving people worth it? It sounds from the synopsis like it is just about romantic love, but there’s also aspects of familial and friendship love to the story. Valentina has to decide whether she can risk her heart with family figures who have hurt her. (A guy named Jae in the lion dance group is figuring this out too.) She also learns a really important lesson about what a solid romantic relationship should and should not look like (her best friend Bernice also learns important things in this area). And the ending includes a lot of beautiful healing and healthy steps for so many characters in the story. It’s a beautiful and meaningful Valentine’s/Lunar New Year story. Highly recommended to YA readers and libraries. I need to get a couple copies for our library.
Notes on content [based on the dARC]: Language: I don’t clearly remember, but at most only a very few minor swears. Sexual content: Only a couple kisses on page. Valentina’s Grandma tells her how she was conceived when her mother and father “sweethearted too much” on Valeninte’s Day when they were teens (that’s exactly how she puts it and there’s nothing else added). There’s a bare butt on a statue. Ethnic diversity: Valentina is Vietnamese American, Les is Chinese American, Jae is Chinese/Korean American, Bernice is white (nothing more specified). LGBTQ+ content: Valentina learns later in the book that their female lion dance teacher has a wife. Violence: Two half-hearted punches (done in an effort to diffuse a situation, it feels comical). The real St. Valentine’s historic, violent death is recounted. Other: One parent in the story is an alcoholic, another dangerously close, but both get help/are on better paths by the end. St. Valentine gets kinda creepy after Valentina’s freshman year and Valentina talks of being haunted by him. Another character is visited by a possible ghost of a dead relative.
I received an ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. ...more
Mackenzie Graham is both thrilled and terrified by the upcoming Christmas season. She loves Christmas and helping find little ways to make the holidayMackenzie Graham is both thrilled and terrified by the upcoming Christmas season. She loves Christmas and helping find little ways to make the holiday meaningful for others. She's also honored that the boss of her design firm has told her that she's in the running for a promotion. But she's up against Jeremy Fletcher, who is wonderful and whom she has a huge crush on. He's so much more outgoing and charismatic than she is, her anxiety practically cripples her every time she even thinks of giving a presentation to a client. She doesn't really want to beat him and even wonders if she can, but she also needs the promotion to pay her mom's bills at the memory care facility she stays in because of early onset Alzheimer's. Little does she know that Jeremy could also use the promotion to help meet the financial demands of raising his orphaned tween niece and nephew. The boss has said that Mackenzie and Jeremy must demonstrate they are best for the promotion by their Christmas spirit. It's a battle with cookies, trees, and tinsel.
This has a bit more depth than the typical rom-com that probably popped in your head when you read that description. Mackenzie is dealing with a mom who doesn't even recognize her half the time and coming to terms with needing help to manage her anxiety. (Her best friend and roommate Keri is an excellent friend supporting her through all of this.) Jeremy's friends want him to get out more, but he is 100% focused on being the best father figure he can be for two tween twins who've lost their parents. The way Mackenzie goes about the competition, and how they fall for each other make this a feel good Christmas story. The ending was the perfect way to bring about a happy ending for all involved, and both Jeremy and Mackenzie are in healthier mental places by the end. A sweet Christmas read with authentic Christian faith elements woven throughout.
Notes on content: Language: None Sexual content: Nothing beyond a kiss Violence: None Ethnic diversity: Jeremy and Mackenzie are portrayed as white but their coworkers and friends come from a variety of ethnic backgrounds (this comes up in the way they celebrate Christmas) GBLTQ+ content: None Other: Social anxiety disorder seems to be what Mackenzie struggles with (the author mentions it in her author's note), it is portrayed respectful and she gets good help. The way Alzheimer's unpredictably messes with memories and how that can affect both the person and the family is accurately portrayed....more
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