— ARC review, book review, young adult —

As Far As You’ll Take Me by Phil Stamper (ARC Review)

April 5, 2021

Marty arrives in London with nothing but his oboe and some savings from his summer job, but he’s excited to start his new life–where he’s no longer the closeted, shy kid who slips under the radar and is free to explore his sexuality without his parents’ disapproval. From the outside, Marty’s life looks like a perfect fantasy: in the span of a few weeks, he’s made new friends, he’s getting closer with his first ever boyfriend, and he’s even traveling around Europe. But Marty knows he can’t keep up the facade. He hasn’t spoken to his parents since he arrived, he’s tearing through his meager savings, his homesickness and anxiety are getting worse and worse, and he hasn’t even come close to landing the job of his dreams. Will Marty be able to find a place that feels like home?… Read More As Far As You’ll Take Me by Phil Stamper (ARC Review)

— book review, multiple reviews, nonfiction —

Pocket Change Collective, Books 1-6 (Multi-Book Review)

April 3, 2021

Thank you so much to Penguin Random House Canada for sending me complimentary physical copies of the first Pocket Change Collective books to read and review! I am very conscious and interested in ways that we can make the world and society better, I also work for a social enterprise, so the Pocket Change Collective… Read More Pocket Change Collective, Books 1-6 (Multi-Book Review)

— book review, young adult —

I’m a Gay Wizard by V.S. Santoni (Review)

March 1, 2021

You try magic once and it sticks to you like glitter glue… When Johnny and his best friend, Alison, pass their summer holidays dabbling in magic, they never expect it to have consequences. Sure, it’d be great if they could banish bullies or change their lives for the better, and what harm could come from lighting a few candles and chanting a few spells? When they cause an earthquake that shakes Chicago to its core, they draw the attention of the Marduk Institute, an age-old organization dedicated to fostering the talents of young wizards. Once there, Johnny and Alison are told they can never return to their previous lives, and must quickly adapt to a new world shimmering with monsters, fraternities, and cute boys like Hunter and Blake. But when they’re pulled into an epic, supernatural fight that could cost them both their lives, Johnny and Alison find strength they never knew they had as they battle for love, acceptance, and their own happy ending—all with the help of a little magic… Read More I’m a Gay Wizard by V.S. Santoni (Review)

— ARC review, book review, young adult —

Even If We Break by Marieke Nijkamp (ARC Review)

December 27, 2020

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Marieke Nijkamp comes a shocking new thriller about a group of friends tied together by a game and the deadly weekend that tears them apart. FIVE friends go to a cabin. FOUR of them are hiding secrets. THREE years of history bind them. TWO are doomed from the start. ONE person wants to end this. NO ONE IS SAFE. Are you ready to play?… Read More Even If We Break by Marieke Nijkamp (ARC Review)

— ARC review, book review, young adult —

The Dark Tide by Alicia Jasinska (ARC Review)

November 14, 2020

Every year on St. Walpurga’s Eve, Caldella’s Witch Queen lures a boy back to her palace. An innocent life to be sacrificed on the full moon to keep the island city from sinking. Lina Kirk is convinced her brother is going to be taken this year. To save him, she enlists the help of Thomas Lin, the boy she secretly loves, and the only person to ever escape from the palace. But they draw the queen’s attention, and Thomas is chosen as the sacrifice. Queen Eva watched her sister die to save the boy she loved. Now as queen, she won’t make the same mistake. She’s willing to sacrifice anyone if it means saving herself and her city… Read More The Dark Tide by Alicia Jasinska (ARC Review)

— book review, young adult —

Burn Our Bodies Down by Rory Power (ARC Review)

October 29, 2020

Ever since Margot was born, it’s been just her and her mother. No answers to Margot’s questions about what came before. No history to hold on to. No relative to speak of. Just the two of them, stuck in their run-down apartment, struggling to get along. But that’s not enough for Margot. She wants family. She wants a past. And she just found the key she needs to get it: A photograph, pointing her to a town called Phalene. Pointing her home. Only, when Margot gets there, it’s not what she bargained for. Margot’s mother left for a reason. But was it to hide her past? Or was it to protect Margot from what’s still there? The only thing Margot knows for sure is there’s poison in their family tree, and their roots are dug so deeply into Phalene that now that she’s there, she might never escape… Read More Burn Our Bodies Down by Rory Power (ARC Review)

— ARC review, book review, young adult —

The Friend Scheme by Cale Dietrich (ARC Review)

August 29, 2020

High schooler Matt’s father is rich, powerful, and seemingly untouchable– a mobster with high hopes that his son will follow in his footsteps. Matt’s older brother Lukas seems poised to do just that, with a bevy of hot girls in tow. But Matt has other ambitions–and attractions. And attraction sometimes doesn’t allow for good judgement. Matt wouldn’t have guessed that Jason, the son of the city’s police commisioner, is also carrying a secret. The boys’ connection turns romantic, a first for both. Now Matt must decide if he can ever do the impossible and come clean about who he really is, and who he is meant to love… Read More The Friend Scheme by Cale Dietrich (ARC Review)

— ARC review, book review, young adult —

Date Me, Bryson Keller by Kevin van Whye (ARC Review)

July 6, 2020

Everyone knows about the dare: Each week, Bryson Keller must date someone new–the first person to ask him out on Monday morning. Few think Bryson can do it. He may be the king of Fairvale Academy, but he’s never really dated before. Until a boy asks him out, and everything changes. Kai Sheridan didn’t expect Bryson to say yes. So when Bryson agrees to secretly go out with him, Kai is thrown for a loop. But as the days go by, he discovers there’s more to Bryson beneath the surface, and dating him begins to feel less like an act and more like the real thing… Read More Date Me, Bryson Keller by Kevin van Whye (ARC Review)

— calendar girls —

Calendar Girls (August 2019): Book Lover’s Day (Favorite Book You’ve Read This Year)

August 5, 2019

It’s time for another Calendar Girls Books post, and this month our prompt is Book Lover’s Day: Favorite Book You’ve Read This Year! It took some decision making, but I think I narrowed it down okay. I was very stuck between the book that I chose and my first honourable mention, but then ended up… Read More Calendar Girls (August 2019): Book Lover’s Day (Favorite Book You’ve Read This Year)

— calendar girls —

Calendar Girls (June 2019): Pride 🏳️‍🌈 (Favorite Book with LGBTQ+ Representation)

June 6, 2019

It’s time for another Calendar Girls Books post, and this month our prompt is Pride: Favorite Book with LGBTQ+ Representation. I’ve been reading LGBTQ+ books since I was in high school, so I’ve read quite a few but I think it’s still not enough. It doesn’t help that my high school library didn’t have any… Read More Calendar Girls (June 2019): Pride 🏳️‍🌈 (Favorite Book with LGBTQ+ Representation)