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Leah on the Offbeat Book Review
Leah on the Offbeat by Becky Albertalli From Goodreads: Leah Burke—girl-band drummer, master of deadpan, and Simon Spier’s best friend from the award-winning Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda—takes center stage in this novel of first love and senior-year angst. When it comes to drumming, Leah Burke is usually on beat—but real life isn’t always so rhythmic. An anomaly in her friend group, she’s the only child of a young, single mom, and her life is decidedly less privileged. She loves to draw but is too self-conscious to show it. And even though her mom knows she’s bisexual, she hasn’t mustered the courage to tell her friends—not even her openly gay BFF, Simon.…
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Beyond a Darkened Shore Book Review
Beyond a Darkened Shore by Jessica Leake From Goodreads: The ancient land of Éirinn is mired in war. Ciara, Princess of Mide, has never known a time when Éirinn’s kingdoms were not battling for power, or Northmen were not plundering their shores. The people of Mide have thankfully always been safe because of Ciara’s unearthly ability to control her enemies’ minds and actions. But lately, a mysterious crow has been appearing to Ciara, whispering warnings of an even darker threat. Although her clansmen dismiss her visions as pagan nonsense, Ciara fears this coming evil will destroy not just Éirinn, but the entire world. Then the crow leads Ciara to Leif, a…
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May Haul and Wrap Up
Hi everyone, welcome to my May Book Haul and Wrap Up. It’s been a pretty good month for books, and with so many big name authors releasing books this month, I couldn’t help but go a little overboard on the hauling. Again, there were some books sent by friends and publishers mixed in with this, as well as some e-arcs, so I’ve set myself up quite nicely for June. June will see me on a book buying ban, so I can save up some money for YALC, but I still have some pre-orders I’ve already bought released in June, as well as some books from late boxes and things, so…
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The Belles Book Review
The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton From Goodreads: Camellia Beauregard is a Belle. In the opulent world of Orléans, Belles are revered, for they control Beauty, and Beauty is a commodity coveted above all else. In Orléans, the people are born gray, they are born damned, and only with the help of a Belle and her talents can they transform and be made beautiful. But it’s not enough for Camellia to be just a Belle. She wants to be the favorite—the Belle chosen by the Queen of Orléans to live in the royal palace, to tend to the royal family and their court, to be recognized as the most talented Belle in the…
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The Summer of Us Book Review
The Summer of Us by Cecilia Vinesse Five friends. Five European cities. Ten days. And a messy, complicated, can-this-really-be-happening love story or two… Since the moment they met, best friends Aubrey and Rae have been planning their inter-railing trip around Europe. With graduation just behind them, it ought to be the perfect summer to go on a last adventure together before university. But things are more complicated at eighteen than they were at ten. Accompanying Aubrey and Rae are other friends, each one carrying baggage they can’t put in a suitcase. First there’s Jonah, Aubrey’s popular and dashing boyfriend, and his best friend Gabe, who Audrey may have accidentally kissed. And then…
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Ash Princess Book Review
Ash Princess by Laura Sebastian One day, I will watch them all burn. Princess Theodosia will never forget the day the kingdom of Astrea was invaded, and her mother, the Queen of Flame and Fury, was murdered before her eyes. For ten years, she has survived, whipped for every futile rebellion and constantly humiliated by the Kaiser who conquered her beloved country. She is paraded around as the Ash Princess, a constant reminder to all of everything she’s lost. Meanwhile her people are enslaved, forced to work in the mines until there are no Astreans left alive. When the Kaiser forces Theo to execute her last hope of rescue, she vows…
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Big Bones Book Review
Big Bones by Laura Dockrill From Goodreads: A heart-warming teen story from the unique voice of Laura Dockrill, about Bluebelle, aka BB, aka Big Bones – a sixteen-year-old girl encouraged to tackle her weight even though she’s perfectly happy, thank you, and getting on with her life and in love with food. Then a tragedy in the family forces BB to find a new relationship with her body and herself. Moving, memorable and hilarious. Thank you to Netgalley for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Please note that this review will contain spoilers, so if you haven’t read the book and plan to, you should…
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Smoke in the Sun Book Review
Smoke in the Sun by Renee Ahdieh Following Okami’s capture, Mariko has no choice but to infiltrate the Imperial Palace in the desperate hopes of rescuing him. She tricks her brother, Kenshin, and betrothed, Raiden, into thinking she was held against her will by the notorious Black Clan, playing the part she was always meant to play– the dutiful, naive bride-to-be. While they try and decide if Mariko is still loyal to the throne, she must also unravel their secrets. Most importantly, she must learn the truth behind the assassination attempt on her carriage that led her to the Black Clan. While pretending to be consumed with her upcoming nuptials,…
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From Twinkle, With Love Book Review
From Twinkle, With Love by Sandhya Menon From Goodreads: Aspiring filmmaker and wallflower Twinkle Mehra has stories she wants to tell and universes she wants to explore, if only the world would listen. So when fellow film geek Sahil Roy approaches her to direct a movie for the upcoming Summer Festival, Twinkle is all over it. The chance to publicly showcase her voice as a director? Dream come true. The fact that it gets her closer to her longtime crush, Neil Roy—a.k.a. Sahil’s twin brother? Dream come true x 2. When mystery man “N” begins emailing her, Twinkle is sure it’s Neil, finally ready to begin their happily-ever-after. The only slightly inconvenient problem is…
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May TBR
Hi everyone, I know it’s already ten days into the new month, but I thought I’d share my very very ambitious May TBR with you all. As ever, I’m going to try and read these books in the order they’re listed, but it really depends on what new books I get this month, and my moods and stuff too. There’s lots of May releases this month and I’ve got quite a few ARCs on this list of books coming out really soon, so they’re my priority at the moment. So yeah, here’s the list of what reviews to expect this month 😀 A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J…