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Author: Holly Jackson Genre: YA Mystery / Thriller Sub-genre: True Crime / Cold Case Investigation / Mixed Media Thriller Synopsis: Pip is a high school senior who chooses a local murder case for her final-year project: the death of Andie Bell, who was allegedly killed by her boyfriend Sal Singh before he died by suicide. But Pip isn’t convinced the case is as closed as everyone believes... Having known Sal personally, she starts digging into the investigation herself, determined to uncover what really happened—and whether the truth was buried under assumptions from the start. Review: This is one of those thrillers that pulls you in immediately and doesn’t really let go until the final pages! The mixed media format is a huge strength here. Interviews, transcripts, notes, and case files all come together to create something that feels very close to a real investigation. It gives the story a “true crime” energy that makes the entire experience more immersive, almost like you’re solving the case alongside Pip. What makes the mystery so effective is how well the clues are layered. Nothing feels randomly placed—there’s a consistent sense that everything is connected, even when you don’t fully understand how yet. Looking back, the foreshadowing is very deliberate, which makes the eventual revelations more satisfying. Pip works really well as a protagonist. She’s curious, determined, and willing to push past what people are comfortable sharing in order to get to the truth. Her perspective keeps the story grounded, even as the investigation becomes increasingly complicated. The pacing is fast and very readable, especially once the investigation gains momentum. It has that “just one more chapter” structure that makes it hard to put down. The only slight drawback is the ending, which feels a bit rushed compared to the careful buildup earlier in the book. The reveal is impactful, but it moves quickly compared to the slower, more detailed investigation that leads up to it. Final Thoughts: A tightly plotted, fast-paced YA thriller with strong mixed media execution and a compelling central mystery. It’s engaging, addictive, and clearly sets the stage for the rest of the series. Rating: ★★★★★ Similar books: ✦ Good Girl, Bad Blood — Holly Jackson ✦ One of Us Is Lying — Karen M. McManus ✦ Truly Devious — Maureen Johnson

Author: Talia Hibbert Genre: Contemporary Romance Sub-genre: Enemies to Lovers / Found Family / Disability Rep Romance Synopsis: Chloe Brown is a chronically ill web designer who decides she’s been “boring” for far too long—so she writes herself a list to finally start living. After moving out of her family’s mansion, she sets out to complete it step by step, but quickly finds herself clashing with her building superintendent, Redford “Red” Morgan. Red is an artist with a complicated past, trying to rebuild his life while keeping his emotions buried in his art. Chloe initially sees him as arrogant and unapproachable, while Red assumes she’s a privileged, judgemental city girl. But when Chloe recruits him to help her complete her list—and he agrees in exchange for help building a website for his art—their lives begin to intertwine in ways neither of them expected. Review: This is the kind of romance that feels like it slowly unfreezes your entire chest while you’re reading it. The dynamic between Chloe and Red works so well because it doesn’t rely on constant miscommunication or manufactured tension. Instead, their conflict comes from assumptions and lived experiences, and the story takes the time to unpack those properly. When they do clash, it feels real—but so does the way they repair things. The dual perspective really strengthens the enemies-to-lovers progression. Seeing both sides of the same interaction makes their misunderstandings feel layered rather than frustrating, and it gives their emotional shifts more weight as the story progresses. Chloe is an incredibly well-written protagonist, especially in how her chronic pain is portrayed. It’s not treated as a narrative obstacle to “overcome,” but as a constant part of her life that shapes how she moves through the world. The story also does a good job of showing her independence alongside her vulnerability without reducing her to either. Red’s arc is equally strong, particularly in how it handles his emotional and physical scars from an abusive past relationship. His responses feel grounded rather than exaggerated, and his gradual openness is paced in a way that feels earned rather than rushed. What stands out most is the emotional maturity in how both characters communicate. They talk, they misstep, and importantly—they apologise and adjust. That makes their relationship feel healthier and more believable than a lot of standard romance arcs. The romance itself is soft, steady, and built on small moments rather than big declarations. The banter is fun, but the tenderness underneath it is what really carries the story. The ending is a bit predictable, but it still delivers emotionally, especially in terms of how far both characters have come by that point. Final Thoughts: A warm, emotionally intelligent enemies-to-lovers romance with strong representation, grounded character arcs, and a genuinely comforting relationship at its core. Rating: ★★★★★ Similar books: ✦ Take a Hint, Dani Brown — Talia Hibbert ✦ The Hating Game — Sally Thorne ✦ Act Your Age, Eve Brown — Talia Hibbert

** I received an e-Arc of "Sometime in Summer" by Katrina Leno from the publisher for the book tour conducted by TBR and Beyond tours. All reviews are my own and unbiased.** Trigger Warnings: Divorce, strained relationships, near-drowning About the book: From critically acclaimed author Katrina Leno comes a tender love letter to books and summertime, with a touch of magic. Anna Lucia Bell believes in luck: badluck. Bad luck made her best friend stop talking to her. Bad luck caused her parents’ divorce. Bad luck is forcing her mother, Miriam,to sell the family’s beloved bookstore. And it is definitely bad luck that Anna seems to be the only person in the world Miriam is unable to recommend a life-changing book. When Anna finds out that she and her mom are spending two months in a New England seaside town called Rockport, she expects a summer plagued with bad luck too. But Rockport has surprises in store for Anna,including a comet making its first appearance in over twenty years and two new—but familiar—friends.In what will prove to be the most important summer of her life so far, Anna learns about love, herself, and the magic that an ordinary summer can bring. Book Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indigo | IndieBound Review: Sometime last year I delved into my first magical realism novel, and my first Katrina Leno book - and I loved both! I fell in love with her writing and the way she spun stories and plot lines with so much emotion entwined in it. This book was no different. I fell in love with it from the first few pages. I was apprehensive about the fact that the main protagonist is a teenager (she's 14), and was expecting it to be naive and different, but the way it was done with so much raw emotion really moved me to the core. There were so many moments when I almost cried! I really connected with Anna's character and the way she was written and brought to life. Anna's struggles were captivated really well, and her character development was done really well, in my honest opinion. The family dynamic was so well written, with all their struggles and relations being affected and strained and strengthened. I really loved the fact that Anna's character was expressive, because I hate the overuse of the miscommunication trope (especially with teenage POVs). The magical realism touch was very unexpected but I love it so much! It gave the story a different twist and flavor, and I'm all for it! All I can say is, this is a must read if you're in the mood for heartfelt contemporary read with a touch of magical realism. It's hard to describe how it would make you feel, but you'd agree with me once you read it yourself and experience its appeal firsthand. Rating: 4.5 / 5 Recommendation Level: Waxing Gibbous About Author: Katrina Leno was born on the East Coast and currently lives in Los Angeles. She is the author of six critically acclaimed novels: Horrid, You Must Not Miss, Summer of Salt, Everything All at Once, The Lost & Found, and The Half Life of Molly Pierce. Her seventh novel, Sometime in Summer, arrives June 28 2022. She thinks you are just lovely. Links: Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Facebook That's all for today, besties. Don't forget to show some love to all the other wonderful bloggers and bookstagrammers on the tour.

Author: Tiffany D. Jackson Genre: YA Contemporary / Mystery Sub-genre: Psychological Mystery / Social Issue Fiction Synopsis: Claudia and Monday have been inseparable best friends for years—until Claudia returns from summer break and realizes Monday is gone. No calls, no texts, no explanation. Just silence. But what makes it worse is that no one else seems concerned.... As Claudia searches for answers, she begins to notice gaps in memory, timelines that don’t quite add up, and a growing sense that Monday’s disappearance might be far more serious—and far more ignored—than anyone wants to admit. Review: This is one of those stories that starts quietly but becomes increasingly heavy as the truth begins to surface. The central mystery—Monday’s disappearance—is simple on the surface, but the way it unfolds is what makes it so effective. It’s less about chasing clues and more about Claudia slowly realizing how easily someone can be overlooked. The alternating timelines work well here, even if they feel slightly disorienting at first. They gradually build context around Claudia and Monday’s friendship, making the emotional stakes stronger as more of their history is revealed. One of the strongest elements is how the book explores systemic neglect—how certain missing persons cases are treated differently depending on background, environment, and who is willing to listen. It doesn’t soften this reality, and that makes the emotional impact hit harder. Claudia’s narration is shaped heavily by grief, denial, and confusion, which makes her perspective feel unreliable at times, but intentionally so. It adds to the sense of disorientation as the story progresses, especially as her understanding of Monday shifts. The emotional weight of the book comes less from plot twists and more from delayed realization—the slow, uncomfortable process of accepting what has actually been happening all along. Even when parts of the mystery become predictable, the emotional core keeps it grounded and impactful. Final Thoughts: A heavy, emotionally driven mystery that focuses more on grief, neglect, and systemic indifference than traditional suspense. It’s ultimately about what happens when someone is missed too late—or not at all. Rating: ★★★★ Similar books: ✦ The Weight of Blood — Tiffany D. Jackson ✦ Dear Martin — Nic Stone

** I received an e-Arc of "Mark of the Wicked" by Georgia Bowers from the publisher for the book tour conducted by TBR and Beyond tours. All reviews are my own and unbiased.** Trigger Warnings: Minor body horror, animal death, harm to animals, bullying. About the book: A young witch tries to unravel the mystery of who is framing her for dark magic in Georgia Bowers’ creepy YA debut fantasy, Mark of the Wicked. Magic always leaves its mark. All her life, Matilda has been told one thing about her magic: You use only when necessary. But Matilda isn’t interested in being a good witch. She wants revenge and popularity, and to live her life free of consequences, free of the scars that dark magic leaves on her face as a reminder of her misdeeds. When a spell goes awry and the new boy at school catches her in the act, Matilda thinks her secret might be out. But far from being afraid, Oliver already knows about her magic – and he wants to learn more. As Oliver and Matilda grow closer, bizarre things begin to happen: Animals show up with their throats slashed and odd markings carved into their bodies, a young girl dies mysteriously, and everyone blames Matilda. But she isn’t responsible — at least, not that she can remember. As her magic begins to spin out of control, Matilda must decide for herself what makes a good witch, and discover the truth…before anyone else turns up dead. Book Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Book Depository | Indigo | IndieBound Review: I found the whole concept of the book quite unique and intriguing from the beginning. The way Matilda was portrayed did render her unlikable, but her character evolved throughout the book and I think that was beautifully done. I was particularly a fan of Matilda and Oliver's connection, and one such moment in the book just left me spellbound. The whole book is filled with wild twists and turns and it is a ride! From the moment Matilda finds out about the incidents, the incredible journey begins which takes us through a ton of emotions, twists, and just keeps us guessing and on the edge. Although I would say that it was really difficult for me at times to deal with all the animal deaths. All the characters were really well done, and each had their part in the story. Erin was a breath of fresh air, and I really liked her character along with Matilda's lead. Also, how perfect is it that the climax of the story happened on Halloween? I mean...that's just the perfect ending! Overall, I really liked the book. Although it's August, this book has got me started for an early Halloween. Moodboard: Rating: 4 / 5 Recommendation Level: Waning Gibbous About Author: Georgia Bowers lives in Bedford, a small market town in England. When it was time to decide what to do with her life, she was obsessed with two things: books and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It seemed sensible to follow in the brogued footsteps of Rupert Giles, so she became a librarian, though sadly not the demon-fighting kind. But there’s still time. Ever since her mum told her that witches used to meet in the woods near their village, she’s been obsessed with witchcraft and the paranormal. When she was a teenager, a weekly habit of Point Horrors satisfied her thirst for chilling tales before she moved on to reading Stephen King. These days she likes to give her nerves a break every now and then with a good YA romance.After completing a course in writing YA fiction she was a winner in the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Undiscovered Voices. Since then she has dabbled with stories of chosen ones and ghostly best friends until she conjured up the magical ingredients for her debut novel, Mark Of The Wicked. Website: https://www.georgia-bowers.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/georgia_bowers?lang=en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/georgiabowersya/ Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19990357.Georgia_Bowers Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgiabowersauthor W That's all for today, besties. Don't forget to show some love to all the other wonderful bloggers and bookstagrammers on the tour. XOXO, Abby

Author: Richard Osman Genre: Mystery / Crime Fiction Sub-genre: Cozy Mystery / Amateur Sleuth / Humour Mystery Synopsis: In a quiet retirement village, four residents meet weekly to investigate cold cases for fun. But when a real murder happens close to home, their hobby turns unexpectedly serious. What starts as a bit of intellectual entertainment quickly becomes a genuine investigation with real stakes—and more danger than any of them anticipated. Review: This is exactly the kind of mystery that knows its strengths and leans into them completely. The charm of the book comes almost entirely from its characters. The Thursday Murder Club itself feels like a lived-in group rather than a setup for a series—each member has a distinct personality, role, and way of looking at the world, which makes their interactions feel very natural and often genuinely funny. The mystery is structured in a very accessible way. It’s not trying to overwhelm you with complexity, but it still has enough twists and misdirection to keep things engaging. It sits comfortably in that space where you can follow the plot easily without ever feeling like it’s too simple. What really stands out is the tone. There’s a warmth running through the entire story, even when dealing with murder and deception. The humour is understated rather than forced, and it balances well with the procedural elements of the investigation. It also does a nice job of blending the “cozy” aspects with real stakes. The danger never feels exaggerated, but it’s present enough that the story doesn’t lose tension. Final Thoughts: A witty, character-driven cozy mystery that balances humour, heart, and a genuinely satisfying investigation. It’s less about darkness and more about cleverness, charm, and ensemble dynamics. Rating: ★★★★.5 Similar books: ✦ A Man Called Ove — Fredrik Backman ✦ The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency — Alexander McCall Smith ✦ The Man Who Died Twice — Richard Osman

** I received an e-Arc of "An Arrow to the Moon" by Emily X. R. Pan from the publisher for the book tour conducted by TBR and Beyond tours. All reviews are my own and unbiased.** About the book: Romeo and Juliet meets Chinese mythology in this magical novel by the New York Times bestselling author of The Astonishing Color of After Hunter Yee has perfect aim with a bow and arrow, but all else in his life veers wrong. He’s sick of being haunted by his family’s past mistakes. The only things keeping him from running away are his little brother, a supernatural wind, and the bewitching girl at his new high school. Luna Chang dreads the future. Graduation looms ahead, and her parents’ expectations are stifling. When she begins to break the rules, she finds her life upended by the strange new boy in her class, the arrival of unearthly fireflies, and an ominous crack spreading across the town of Fairbridge. As Hunter and Luna navigate their families’ enmity and secrets, everything around them begins to fall apart. All they can depend on is their love…but time is running out, and fate will have its way. Book Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indigo | IndieBound Review: Ever since reading "The Astonishing Colour of After", I've been in love with Emily's writing style. It's so emotional, and hits all the right places to make my heart a soft beating mush and leaves me shedding tears. This book isn't any different, and I LOVED the scenic writing which left me asking for more. Magical realism is a genre that fits this book so well. When I heard it's Romeo and Juliet retelling meets Chinese Mythology, I was expecting a high fantasy, action-filled, angsty romance kind of a story, but was pleasantly surprised to find out I couldn't be more wrong. It's fluffy and cutesy at times, filled with love, laughter, and banter between Luna and Hunter. Their chemistry seemed so natural and free-flowing, so supportive and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The whole book is filled with magical artifacts, family secrets and so much more that I wouldn't want to spoil here. All I can say is: GO READ IT YOURSELF. You won't find a dull moment in the story...that is up until the end. I'm going to put a disclaimer here, that I am not a fan of unsolved mysteries / open endings. And the ending of this story left me with a lot of thoughts. There were more than a couple of things that were kind of left open and not really explained and it kind of bugged me and ruined a part of the reading experience. I wouldn't go in-depth about the other things, cause that might be spoilers for all the awesome-sauce components in the story filled with magic and intrigue. It was a really enjoyable read and I would for sure pick up the next book Emily puts out. Rating:4 / 5 Recommendation Level: Waxing Gibbous About Author: Emily X.R. Pan is the New York Times and National Indie bestselling author of THE ASTONISHING COLOR OF AFTER, which won the APALA Honor Award and the Walter Honor Award, and received six starred reviews. It was also an L.A. Times Book Prize finalist, longlisted for the Carnegie Medal, and named by TIME Magazine as one of the 100 Best YA Books of All Time. Emily co-created the FORESHADOW anthology and teaches creative writing at New York University and other institutions. She lives on Lenape land (in Brooklyn, New York), but was originally born in the Midwestern United States to immigrant parents from Taiwan. She received her MFA in fiction from the NYU Creative Writing Program, where she was a Goldwater Fellow as well as the editor-in-chief of Washington Square Review. She was the founding editor-in-chief of Bodega Magazine and has been awarded residencies at Djerassi (2017) and Caldera (2019). She spends her free time playing the mandolin, making art, and training her furry dog-beast to balance on strange objects. Her next novel, AN ARROW TO THE MOON, will be published by Little, Brown in April 2022. Visit Emily online at exrpan.com, and find her on Twitter and Instagram: @exrpan. Links: Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads That's all for today, besties. Don't forget to show some love to all the other wonderful bloggers and bookstagrammers on the tour.

** I received an e-Arc of "As Good As Dead" by Holly Jackson from the publisher for the book tour conducted by TBR and Beyond tours. All reviews are my own and unbiased.** Trigger Warnings: Stalking, PTSD, Murder, Drug abuse, Abduction About the book: The highly anticipated, edge-of-your-seat conclusion to the addictive "A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder" series that reads like your favorite true-crime podcast or show. By the end, you’ll never think the same of good girls again. Pip’s good girl days are long behind her. After solving two murder cases and garnering internet fame from her crime podcast, she’s seen a lot. But she’s still blindsided when it starts to feel like someone is watching her. It’s small things at first. A USB stick with footage recording her and the same anonymous source always asking her: who will look for you when you’re the one who disappears? It could be a harmless fan, but her gut is telling her danger is lurking. When Pip starts to find connections between her possible stalker and a local serial killer, Pip knows that there is only one choice: find the person threatening her town including herself–or be as good as dead. Because maybe someone has been watching her all along… Book Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Book Depository | Indigo | IndieBound Review: I've continuously raved about A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, and how awesome it is, and this is no surprise that I loved the whole trilogy with my whole heart. It started out like a light young adult mystery and proceeded to be much darker with each book in the series. The easy-going Pip went through so much and has seen so much that she has grown into the best morally grey character I could think of, and her transformation had me heartbroken, awestruck, and so many more feelings that I couldn't even describe! The book pacing was really fast, and I finished the whole book in a single sitting. The format of the writing remains the same from the first two books, and it makes me feel like I'm discovering all the facts and clues and truth alongside Pip, which kept me on the edge of my seat. Also, the character development was just awesome. It was like a deep dive into the different personality wrappers around Pip, discovering each one individually at levels I didn't know was possible through a book. She really felt like she was a real friend I have, and I was watching and feeling those things with her in my heart...and that was surreal. Ever since I read the first book, some things felt missing. It felt like we were discovering certain clues to forget about it the next instant, there were some gaps. Well, it turns out, it all came together in the end. It all felt cohesive and seamlessly tied the books together, giving a much-needed and well-rounded closure. Although this was a thriller, I just couldn't stop awning over Pip and Ravi. You really need to read the books to experience this beautiful bond that truly has seen it all. Overall, I'll forever be raving about it because it's just awesome. I'm sad this was the last book, cause I would love to see more of Pip and how she grows and matures. Favorite Quotes: I would include the whole book if I could, trust me. It's so difficult to choose one or two or a couple out of the whole book. Her judgement day would come, but for now, Pip walked and she promised. That's all. One foot in front of the other, even if she had to drag them, even when the hole in her heart felt too big to keep standing. She walked and she promised and he was with her, Ravi's fingers slotting in between hers in the way they used to fit, fingertips in the dips of her knuckles. Rating: 5 / 5 Recommendation Level: Full Moon About the author: Holly Jackson started writing stories at a young age, completing her first (poor) attempt at a novel when she was fifteen. She graduated from the University of Nottingham, where she studied literary linguistics and creative writing, with a master’s degree in English. She enjoys playing video games and watching true-crime documentaries so she can pretend to be a detective. She lives in London. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is her debut novel. Twitter: https://twitter.com/hojay92 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hojay92/?hl=en Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18229614.Holly_Jackson That's all for today, besties! Don't forget to show some love to the awesome bloggers and bookstagrammers on the tour.

** I received an e-Arc of "Off The Record" by Camry Garrett from Knopf Books for Young Readers for the TBR and Beyond Tours. All reviews are my own and unbiased.** Trigger Warnings: Sexual Assault, Sexual Harassment, Anxiety About the book: The behind-the-scenes access of Almost Famous meets the searing revelations of #metoo in this story of a teen journalist who uncovers the scandal of the decade. Ever since seventeen-year-old Josie Wright can remember, writing has been her identity, the thing that grounds her when everything else is a garbage fire. So when she wins a contest to write a celebrity profile for Deep Focus magazine, she’s equal parts excited and scared, but also ready. She’s got this. Soon Josie is jetting off on a multi-city tour, rubbing elbows with sparkly celebrities, frenetic handlers, stone-faced producers, and eccentric stylists. She even finds herself catching feelings for the subject of her profile, dazzling young newcomer Marius Canet. Josie’s world is expanding so rapidly, she doesn’t know whether she’s flying or falling. But when a young actress lets her in on a terrible secret, the answer is clear: she’s in over her head. One woman’s account leads to another and another. Josie wants to expose the man responsible, but she’s reluctant to speak up, unsure if this is her story to tell. What if she lets down the women who have entrusted her with their stories? What if this ends her writing career before it even begins? There are so many reasons not to go ahead, but if Josie doesn’t step up, who will? From the author of Full Disclosure, this is a moving testament to the #MeToo movement, and all the ways women stand up for each other. Get the book from: Goodreads Amazon Barnes and Noble Book Depository Indigo IndieBound Review: First of all, this was one of my anticipated releases of the year. I read "Full Disclosure" last year and it floored me and I absolutely loved it! Now, getting into the book itself: I'm still in a hangover for how beautifully haunting yet hopeful this book is. The writing is a little bit of mixed media, and I love how each chapter starts with a relatable tweet from our protagonist Josie. (P.S. Some of them are now on my inspirational board)! The plot very easily flows through different stages of Josie's journey seamlessly. From her introducing herself, to winning the contest, to falling for Marius, to discovering the dark truth behind it all. It all seems so natural, something that could happen to anyone, yet it feels so surreal. Not once did any of the transitions feel jumpy or forced, and I really liked that. It was like watching it unfold with my own two eyes as it's unfolding as if I'm living through Josie and that was AMAZING! The author's subtle commentary on dealing with being chubby through Josie's thought hit close to home for me and I could relate to everything she said. Her take on anxiety was really well done, capturing the moments and struggle: so realistic, yet picture-perfect. The moments when panic attacks hit her were described really well, and the distinction between how it feels inside and how it looks outside was done really well. I loved the fact that Josie, with all her past trauma and anxiety, handled it so well and never once stayed down when she fell. The whole story was put together very well, the pacing was excellent and I loved the sister-banter, it all feels too real to me (and that's super awesome!). Some major reasons that I would recommend this book to the end and beyond: Bad-ass black lead, curvy and dealing with anxiety and still living it up with all she has and more. Discussion about many important topics through and through, the book starting with an article about movies and black suffering. An accurate rep for all the bigger girls out there (me included, and I LOVED how it was done). The sister banter was to die for. Proof of how powerful #MeToo can be when victims unite and stick to their truth. I lived for Josie's interviews and her questions because they were really thought-provoking and interesting. (I think investigative journalism is really my thing) Bisexual rep, normalized and yet celebrated and discussed. Self-love is a big part of the book and its importance is well portrayed. MARIUS Overall, I really loved the book though the ending did throw me off a little, but not enough to stop me from raving about this book for ages to come now! (Scroll till the end for the rating, although it is quite obvious what's it gonna be. Right? Right.) Favorite Quotes: Here are some of my favorite quotes and /or dialogues from the books: "Do you ever look back on things that happen to you and realize they weren't okay and then, like, have an existential crisis?" Like, uh, all the time? "I can't stop looking at him. This isn't how getting rid of crushes works. If anything, this is the hardest I've ever fallen." Oh yeah, that does feel heavenly when you just know. "She's always been like this; bonding with people after a three-minute conversation, while I struggle to even keep a conversation going for three minutes, I kind of hate her for it." Same, sis, SAME. I can barely hold a conversation going for a minute before I become over conscious of everything snd hope I was at home just not socializing ever. "Since I'm fat, I should probably take whatever I can get, but I don't want to date a jerk who thinks racism is over or who doesn't read." Oh yeah, absolutely. No one should ever settle for someone not good enough for them and their soul. "I can accept whatever happened with MLK and Frederick Douglass because they were freedom fighters. They did so much good that I can deal with the bad. But I don't know if I can do the same with someone like Woody Allen. And why should I? MLK was MLK. Woody Allen only makes movies with white people in them." LMAO. About the author: Camryn Garrett was born and raised in New York. In 2019, she was named one of Teen Vogue’s 21 Under 21 and a Glamour College Woman of the Year. Her first novel, Full Disclosure, received rave reviews from outlets such as Entertainment Weekly, the Today Show, and The Guardian, which called a “warm, funny and thoughtfully sex-positive, an impressive debut from a writer still in her teens.” Her second novel, Off the Record, will be released on May 18, 2021. Camryn is also interested in film and is a student at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Author Links: Website Twitter Instagram Goodreads Tour Schedule: Today was my stop for the book tour arranged by TBR and Beyond Books. Please do go check all these wonderful bloggers' posts and show some love! https://tbrandbeyondtours.com/2021/03/29/tour-schedule-off-the-record-by-camryn-garrett/ Rating: 5/5 Recommendation Level: Full Moon That's all for today, besties. Don't forget to show some love to all the other wonderful bloggers and bookstagrammers on the tour.

** I received an e-Arc of "Misfits In Love" by S. K. Ali from the publisher for the book tour conducted by Hear Our Own Voices. All reviews are my own and unbiased.** Trigger Warnings: Sexual assault, Islamaphobia, Micro-aggressions, Posting pictures of MC without hijab without consent. About the book: In this fun and fresh sequel to Saints and Misfits, Janna hopes her brother’s wedding will be the perfect start to her own summer of love, but attractive new arrivals have her more confused than ever. Janna Yusuf is so excited for the weekend: her brother Muhammad’s getting married, and she’s reuniting with her mom, whom she’s missed the whole summer. And Nuah’s arriving for the weekend too. Sweet, constant Nuah. The last time she saw him, Janna wasn’t ready to reciprocate his feelings for her. But things are different now. She’s finished high school, ready for college…and ready for Nuah. It’s time for Janna’s (carefully planned) summer of love to begin—starting right at the wedding. But it wouldn’t be a wedding if everything went according to plan. Muhammad’s party choices aren’t in line with his fiancée’s taste at all, Janna’s dad is acting strange, and her mom is spending more time with an old friend (and maybe love interest?) than Janna. And Nuah’s treating her differently. Just when things couldn’t get more complicated, two newcomers—the dreamy Haytham and brooding Layth—have Janna more confused than ever about what her misfit heart really wants. Janna’s summer of love is turning out to be super crowded and painfully unpredictable. Review: Let me preface the review by saying that you *need* to read the first book (Saints and Misfits) to better understand what's happening and what's going on with the characters, and to connect more with them throughout. This book took me through a roller coaster of emotions, all in the span of a week. Pretty fast-paced, though realistic, as if happening in our real world. The epitome of the ride being: Muhammad's and Janna's relation and their banter, and their love. That was truly to die for. Also, *A BIG FAT MUSLIM WEDDING*! How awesome is that?! The environment setup was done wonderfully, and I must say it was pretty accurately described. I may not be Muslim myself, but I know many wonderful people who are (my BFF being one of them. Hi Sofia!), and I can say that Janna's inner dialogues and struggles were relatable and real. Them being described so effortlessly, yet being given so much importance, I was truly in awe of the writing style. I was afraid it might lead to a big love triangle, but thankfully, it turned out to be much more than that - much deeper, and heartfelt issues were dealt with. It deals with a lot of heavy and important issues as well, one of them being discrimination within the community, which was again dealt with heavily in the first book as well. I love how the struggle between Sarah and Muhammed was portrayed (and I must tell you, that struggle is real!) and how it began and where it led, I found it to be a satisfactory arc. This was an important discussion as well, I think equally as important as all the other topics dealt with throughout the book. Favorite Quotes: Which means there are rules - but the rules will still lead us to being together. Come on! If you don't think this is utterly romantic, I don't even know what to say! It's racism - actually it's anti-blackness, since all the other cultures seem okay to you. True Janna, so true! I flip back around quietly and close my eyes and close myself so I don't think about what it feels like to cry so much so quietly. This just broke my heart. Wear a pretty dress, wear a glazed gaze, lock up my heart, and get this wedding done. Yass, queen! Let there be all kinds of love. And taking first steps. And changing my world. Yes, my love, YES! Rating: 3.5 / 5 Recommendation Level: Waning Gibbous That's all for today, besties. Don't forget to show some love to all the other wonderful bloggers and bookstagrammers on the tour.

Author: Marie Lu Genre: Science Fiction / Fantasy Sub-genre: Urban Dystopia / Crime-Fantasy Hybrid / Political Thriller Synopsis: Set in a near-future city where alchemy and illicit “manufactured magic” exist alongside entrenched crime syndicates, two young people from opposite sides of the system are forced into an uneasy alliance after a deadly conspiracy begins to unravel the fragile balance of power. As secrets about the city’s foundation surface, survival becomes inseparable from betrayal. Review: This feels like Marie Lu leaning into a darker, more morally tangled version of her usual world-building style. The city itself is the strongest element—it’s layered, controlled, and deeply stratified, with power structures that feel both political and criminal at the same time. There’s a constant sense that everything is interconnected, even when the story only shows you fragments of it at a time. What works well is the dual perspective structure. Both leads are shaped heavily by the systems they come from, and the tension between them isn’t just personal—it’s ideological. Neither side feels fully “right,” which keeps the dynamic interesting rather than predictable. The pacing is more deliberate than explosive. Instead of constant action, it focuses on slow revelation: how the city actually operates, who benefits from its structure, and how deeply corruption is embedded into its foundation. There are familiar dystopian beats here—hidden truths, resistance, shifting alliances—but the execution leans more polished than derivative. It’s less about reinventing the genre and more about tightening emotional and political stakes within it. Final Thoughts: A moody, politically charged urban fantasy-dystopia that thrives on its setting and moral ambiguity. It’s strongest when it focuses on system-building and character alignment rather than pure plot momentum. Rating: ★★★★ Similar books: ✦ Legend — Marie Lu ✦ Six of Crows — Leigh Bardugo ✦ Red Queen — Victoria Aveyard

** I received an e-Arc of "A Magic Steeped in Poison" by Judy I. Lin from the publisher for the book tour conducted by TBR and Beyond tours. All reviews are my own and unbiased.** Trigger Warnings: Loss of parental figure, death, drowning. About the book: Judy I. Lin’s sweeping debut A Magic Steeped in Poison, the first in a duology, is sure to enchant fans of Adrienne Young and Leigh Bardugo. I used to look at my hands with pride. Now all I can think is, “These are the hands that buried my mother.” For Ning, the only thing worse than losing her mother is knowing that it’s her own fault. She was the one who unknowingly brewed the poison tea that killed her—the poison tea that now threatens to also take her sister, Shu. When Ning hears of a competition to find the kingdom’s greatest Shennong-shi—masters of the ancient and magical art of tea-making—she travels to the imperial city to compete. The winner will receive favor from the princess, which may be Ning’s only chance to save her sister’s life. But between the backstabbing competitors, bloody court politics, and a mysterious (and handsome) boy with a shocking secret, Ning might actually be the one in more danger. Book Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indigo | IndieBound Review: Going into this book I had a lot of expectations for it to be my next favorite book, and though it didn't hit the favorite mark I still liked it. The whole premise of the book had me intrigued from the start. I went in expecting the first few chapters to be dense with world-building but was pleasantly surprised that it was quite subtle and smooth, the writing flow was awesome the way it interwove everything. After Spin the Dawn duology, I became quite the fan of the concept of contests with something much bigger on the line and I wasn't let down. The whole contest revolves around the idea and art of tea making but has so many levels of depth to it, which was interesting, to say the least. It has great potential and I'm sure people who love court politics would love it, but this is something that kind of ruined the vibe for me and I found myself skipping major chunks. The character portrayal and development of Ning were done beautifully, and I really loved the journey throughout. The pain she went through, the determination she had in her, it was awe-inspiring. It made the whole story so much more magical and interesting. The magic system in this book was unique and executed really well. It made me so hungry that I couldn't help but get a good big serving of reading snacks and tea. I never could have imagined tea would play such an important role in any magic system that I would ever read about and I really enjoyed this aspect. In short, I'm awaiting its sequel where I hope there would be more well-defined romantic moments (I hope? Pretty please!) and more character development for the side characters and we get to know more about their stories as well. Moodboard: Rating: 3.5 / 5 Recommendation Level: Waning Gibbous About Author: Judy I. Lin was born in Taiwan and immigrated to Canada with her family at a young age. She grew up with her nose in a book and loved to escape to imaginary worlds. She now works as an occupational therapist, and still spends her nights dreaming up imaginary worlds of her own. She lives on the Canadian prairies with her husband and daughter. A Magic Steeped in Poison is her debut novel. Links: Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads That's all for today, besties. Don't forget to show some love to all the other wonderful bloggers and bookstagrammers on the tour.