Poison Kisses Part 1 by Lisa Renee Jones

Synopsis:

Amanda Skye made me want her. She made me trust her. She made me love her. Then she betrayed me. And now, a madman brings us together again and before our battle with him is over, I will make sure that she never forgets my name: Seth Cage. The Fixer for The Brandon Family Empire, but to a covert CIA operation, I will always be The Assassin. And to Amanda, I will be the man who made her moan, sigh, and beg. And I will make her beg.

***Note -- Poison Kisses is part 1 of a 3 part serial: All three parts are super sexy with an alpha man who has met his match in a kickass female. There will be naked moments that may or may not include a gun, which may or may not be his gun. ****
(Synopsis from Goodreads).

My Thoughts:
For years now, I've heard incredible things about Lisa Renee Jones' books. She's on my list of authors that I want to be able to read eventually. In fact, she has been for quite a long time. I recently had the opportunity to read one of her books, Poison Kisses Part 1. Unfortunately, I DNF'd it halfway through.

I feel bad for DNF'ing Poison Kisses Part 1 halfway through. It's such a short book that Goodreads has it listed at 86 pages. Usually I don't do that with short books, but it just wasn't holding my interest at all. To me, it felt like the book was all sex, no plot. Don't get me wrong, I love smutty books. I read quite a few of them. However, I like them to have a story line that makes sense too, whether it be serious, or funny. It still needs to be about something if you were to remove those scenes.

Unfortunately, I didn't like Poison Kisses Part 1. In fact, I didn't like it so much that I ended up DNF'ing it, which is unusual for me. I really do want to give Lisa Renee Jones' books another chance because I believe opinions of an author's writing shouldn't be based on one bad experience that someone has with one of their books. I have a feeling that I might enjoy one of her series, The Secret Life of Amy Benson. I own those books, so I think I'm going to try that next.

I give Poison Kisses Part 1: 1/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: https://www.lisareneejones.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLisaReneeJones/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lisareneejones
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisareneejones/
Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/lisa-renee-jones
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/73977.Lisa_Renee_Jones

I received this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

The First Girl Child by Amy Harmon

Synopsis:
From ​the New York Times bestselling author comes a breathtaking fantasy of a cursed kingdom, warring clans, and unexpected salvation.

Bayr of Saylok, bastard son of a powerful and jealous chieftain, is haunted by the curse once leveled by his dying mother. Bartered, abandoned, and rarely loved, she plagued the land with her words: From this day forward, there will be no daughters in Saylok.

Raised among the Keepers at Temple Hill, Bayr is gifted with inhuman strength. But he’s also blessed with an all-too-human heart that beats with one purpose: to protect Alba, the first girl child born in nearly two decades and the salvation for a country at risk.

Now the fate of Saylok lies with Alba and Bayr, whose bond grows deeper with every whisper of coming chaos. Charged with battling the enemies of their people, both within and without, Bayr is fueled further by the love of a girl who has defied the scourge of Saylok.

What Bayr and Alba don’t know is that they each threaten the king, a greedy man who built his throne on lies, murder, and betrayal. There is only one way to defend their land from the corruption that has overtaken it. By breaking the curse, they could defeat the king…but they could also destroy themselves.
(Synopsis from Goodreads). 

My Thoughts:
I love Amy Harmon's books. Over the past few years, she's become an insta-buy author for me. As soon as she releases a new book, I but it. I don't care what it's about because I know as long as she's writing it, it's going to be good. As soon as the audiobook became available, I knew I had to binge listen to The First Girl Child, one of her newer releases. Unfortunately, it's one of the only Amy Harmon books that I didn't like.

At first, The First Girl Child really drew me in. I greatly enjoyed the prologue, and the first few chapters. After a while though, the book became incredibly boring. It felt like nothing significant was happening. At one point, I found myself losing focus. I had to rewind a few times while listening because I was so bored that I found my thoughts drifting elsewhere, and wasn't paying attention to what was going on in the story line.

I do have to admit that towards the end of the book, things did start to get interesting again. From about the hour and a half left in the book mark on until the end, I found myself becoming intrigued again, and really getting back into the story line. I needed to know how things ended. It wasn't enough to make me love Bayr's story, but it did help increase my enjoyment.

Unfortunately, The First Girl Child just wasn't for me. I found about eighty percent of the book to be boring, so much so that I found myself day dreaming while listening. It just felt like nothing was happening, and the story couldn't hold my interest. Even though I didn't enjoy this book, I will definitely continue to read Amy Harmon's future releases. I've enjoyed almost all of the other books she has written. 

I give The First Girl Child: 2.5/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website:  https://www.authoramyharmon.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authoramyharmon
Twitter: https://twitter.com/aharmon_author
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amy.harmon2/
Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.com/authoramyharmon/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbxWykpRGYyQOzwhNgtH-QA
Book Bub:  https://www.bookbub.com/authors/amy-harmon
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5829056.Amy_Harmon

I received this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Better When He's Bad by Jay Crownover

Synopsis:
Welcome to the Point

There’s a difference between a bad boy and a boy who’s bad . . . meet Shane Baxter.

Sexy, dark, and dangerous, Bax isn’t just from the wrong side of the tracks, he is the wrong side of the tracks. A criminal, a thug, and a brawler, he’s the master of bad choices, until one such choice landed him in prison for five years. Now Bax is out and looking for answers, and he doesn’t care what he has to do or who he has to hurt to get them. But there’s a new player in the game, and she’s much too innocent, much too soft…and standing directly in his way.

Dovie Pryce knows all about living a hard life and the tough choices that come with it. She’s always tried to be good, tried to help others, and tried not to let the darkness pull her down. But the streets are fighting back, things have gone from bad to worse, and the only person who can help her is the scariest, sexiest, most complicated ex-con The Point has ever produced.

Bax terrifies her, but it doesn’t take Dovie long to realize that some boys are just better when they’re bad.
(Synopsis from Goodreads). 

My Thoughts:
For years, I've heard great things about Jay Crownover's books. Everyone in the romance book community talks about how incredible the books are. I decided recently that I wanted to try to binge read her books because I own quite a few of them. A friend recommended that I start with Better When He's Bad, the first book in the Welcome to the Point series. Unfortunately, I didn't like it.

I don't even know where to start with what I didn't like about Better When He's Bad. There are so many things. First of all, Dovie and Bax have such a toxic relationship. It's incredibly problematic. There's a certain sex scene that sticks out in my mind just because of how much it bothered me. There was no regard for consent whatsoever. Dovie tells Bax no multiple times, and he continues anyways. It just left me with an icky, gross, uncomfortable feeling as I was reading it. In addition to that, Bax was also extremely emotionally and mentally abusive. He was controlling about where Dovie went, and who she spent time. It set off red flags for abusive signals in my mind. I thought that Dovie could do so much better than Bax. In fact, I was rooting for them not to be together because her being alone would have been better than having to endure that abusive behavior.

Unfortunately, I didn't like Better When He's Bad. Dovie and Bax's extremely toxic relationship made me severely uncomfortable the whole time I was reading. In my opinion, Bax was emotionally, mentally, and physically abusive to Dovie. I do plan on giving other books of Jay Crownover's a chance because I own a lot of them, and don't like to form opinions on whether I like an author's writing based on one book. However, I won't be continuing the Welcome to the Point series. I own most of the books in her Marked Men series and I've heard it's a lot tamer, so I think I'll try that next.  

I give Better When He's Bad: 2/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: https://www.jaycrownover.com/about
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJayCrownover
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/jaycrownover
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jay.crownover/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6875794.Jay_Crownover

I received this book from the publisher, via Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

The Transfigured Hart by Jane Yolen

Synopsis:
Is what Richard saw in the woods really a unicorn? 

Beloved fantasy legend Jane Yolen (The Devil's Arithmetic; Sister Light, Sister Dark) offers an unexpected answer in this perfect jewel of a coming-of-age story. The Transfigured Hart bridges the wondrous in-between world where adults rediscover childhood wonder and children discover new favorite tales.
(Synopsis from Goodreads). 

My Thoughts:
 I have read a few of Jane Yolen's books, and greatly enjoyed them. One of my reading goals is to eventually make my way through all of her books. Recently, I decided to pick up The Transfigured Hart by her because I've owned it for a while. Unfortunately, it was the first book of hers that I didn't like.

It made me sad that I didn't enjoy The Transfigured Hart. I found the book to be boring. To me, it was almost pointless to read because it felt like nothing happened throughout the entire story. All throughout the book, it was leading up to what felt like an epic finale with a huge plot twist. In reality, the ending was incredibly underwhelming. It was so disappointing. In fact, the only reason why I'm giving the book two stars is that I liked Richard, the male main character. I found his love for books and reading to be very relatable.

I really wish that I loved The Transfigured Hart, but unfortunately, that wasn't the case. Other than the male main character, I didn't like the book at all. I still plan on reading the rest of Jane Yolen's books because I enjoyed the other ones that I've read. I'll try The Emerald Circus next in hopes that I like it better. 

I give The Transfigured Hart: 2/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: https://www.janeyolen.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jane.yolen
Twitter: https://twitter.com/janeyolen
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5989.Jane_Yolen

I received this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Driving Mr. Wrong Home by Shirley Jump

Synopsis:
Can a feisty four-legged matchmaker help four best friends find the romance of their dreams?
 
When a handsome man from Gabby's past agrees to a cross-country road trip, her master plan to re-launch her art career quickly morphs into an unexpected, romantic reunion.
(Synopsis from Goodreads). 

My Thoughts:
Over the past year or so, I've made it in a main focus in my reading life to read books that I've owned for a long time. I have books that I acquired in 2010-2015 that I still haven't read yet. While reading those books, I've really enjoyed a series of short stories about a dog named Charlie. I've put off reading the last book for a while now because I don't want the series to be over. I finally decided to finish the series with Driving Mr. Wrong Home. After finishing it, I thought it was just an okay book.

There were a few things that I enjoyed about Driving Mr. Wrong Home. First and foremost, I loved Charlie. He absolutely cracked me up. I loved how cute he was, and how he kept finding sneaky ways to bring the two main characters together.

However, there was also quite a bit that I didn't enjoy about the book. There were quite a few scenes that were over the top cheesy. Typically I don't mind a little bit of cheesiness in the romance books I read, but these were just too much. I found myself rolling my eyes quite a bit while reading this book, just because of how ridiculous some of the things were. A certain scene with a helicopter sticks out in my mind. It was so ridiculous. There's no way that type of thing would happen in real life.

Even though I had mixed feelings on Driving Mr. Wrong Home, I am sad to see this mini series come to an end. I will miss Charlie, and all of the silly trouble he gets himself into. I will also miss reading about the way he brings random couples together. Hopefully I am able to find quick stories like this that have a similar theme somewhere else.

I give Driving Mr. Wrong Home: 3/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://shirleyjump.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shirleyjump.author
Twitter: https://twitter.com/shirleyjump

I received this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

My Dad Thinks I’m a Boy?! by Sophie Labelle

Synopsis:
'My Dad thinks I'm a boy named Stephen who likes wrestling and fishing. But that's what my Dad likes.' Stephie is 7 years old. She likes bugs, books and spaghetti. Also, she's a girl... which should be pretty easy to understand, right? Well, not for her Dad! He's been mistaking her for a boy since she was born and struggles to see her for who she is. This powerful and uplifting comic book for primary age children and their families humorously portrays a situation that is often too common, where a trans child is forced to negotiate between their true self and their parents' love. With amusing illustrations, and a useful guide for adults, it's the perfect book to help show children that no one else than ourselves gets to decide who we are.
(Synopsis from Goodreads). 

My Thoughts:
It is so hard to find LGBTQ+ books for children. Finding books for children that represent transgender people is almost unheard of. When I finally found one, My Dad Thinks I'm a Boy, I knew I had to get a copy to read. I try to keep resources in case someone I know might be transitioning, or thinking of transitioning, and needed the books to help with that. I think this is a great resource that will help people understand what it's like to be transgender.

Not only is this book a great resource for children to understand more about what it's like to be transgender. I think it's also a great resource for adults as well. The explanations are incredibly simplified, and straight to the point. The book makes things incredibly easy to understand, whether the reader is four years old, or one hundred and four. I think this would especially be a great resource for a parent that is having a hard time understanding their child being transgender, and everything that goes along with that, no matter how old their child is. The discussion guide in the back of the book could be a great tool to open up a civil discussion between a child and adult about some misunderstandings they might have.

I really enjoyed My Dad Thinks I'm a Boy. It's a transgender positive book for children and adults alike. I think it could really open up a discussion between transgender people, and those that don't quite fully comprehend what betting transgender means, whether that be family or friends. I think the book is an incredibly valuable resource that should be added to libraries everywhere.  

I give My Dad Thinks I'm a Boy?!: 5/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: https://www.serioustransvibes.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lasophielabelle/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/assignedmale
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/labellesophie/?hl=en
Tumblr: https://assignedmale.tumblr.com/

I received this book from the publisher, via Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Come Tumbling Down by Seanan McGuire

Synopsis:
The fifth installment in Seanan McGuire's award-winning, bestselling Wayward Children series, Come Tumbling Down picks up the threads left dangling by Every Heart a Doorway and Down Among the Sticks and Bones

When Jack left Eleanor West's School for Wayward Children she was carrying the body of her deliciously deranged sister--whom she had recently murdered in a fit of righteous justice--back to their home on the Moors.

But death in their adopted world isn't always as permanent as it is here, and when Jack is herself carried back into the school, it becomes clear that something has happened to her. Something terrible. Something of which only the maddest of scientists could conceive. Something only her friends are equipped to help her overcome.

Eleanor West's "No Quests" rule is about to be broken.

Again.
(Synopsis from Goodreads).

My Thoughts:
From the moment I read Every Heart a Doorway, I have been addicted to Seanan McGuire's writing. I have read most of her books in a single sitting because I love her writing so much. I thought for some reason that her Wayward Children series had ended with the previous book that was released, In an Absent Dream. Therefore, you can imagine how excited I was to find out that there was a fifth book in the series that was recently released. As soon as I found out about Come Tumbling Down, I knew I had to read it right away. I thought it was an excellent addition to one of my favorite series.

Down Among the Sticks and Bones was definitely my favorite book in the Wayward Children series. When I found out that part of Come Tumbling Down took place within the same door, I was excited. It felt great to be reunited with some of my favorite characters that I had really missed. It almost felt like coming home after being gone a really long time. I especially loved that we got to see more of Jack. She's always been one of my favorite characters in this series.

Another thing I loved about Come Tumbling Down is that the reader gets to explore more of my favorite door. In this book, the reader sees a completely new side to this door that's never been seen before, and I loved every second of it. I don't want to go into too much detail because I don't want to spoil it for those that haven't had a chance to read the book yet, but it was something that I never expected, and it added so much to the world. I hope that Seanan McGuire does that for other doors in other books in this series too.

Come Tumbling Down was an almost perfect addition to the Wayward Children series. My only complaint that I have is that I would have liked to see a little more of Jill, and her perspective on things. Otherwise, I absolutely loved this book. It held all of the magic and wonder from the previous books in the series, and was a fantastic display of Seanan McGuire's addictive writing style. I hope she continues to write even more books in this series, and expands even more on this universe that I love so much.  

I give Come Tumbling Down. 4.5/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://www.seananmcguire.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seananmcguire
Twitter: https://twitter.com/seananmcguire
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seananmcguire/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2860219.Seanan_McGuire

I received this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Her Halloween Treat by Tiffany Reisz

Synopsis:
Trick…or wicked treat!

It was a devastating dirty trick—Joey Silvia just found out her boyfriend of two years is married. What. A. Dick. Joey knows her best chance to get over one guy is to get under another. Of course, heading home to her family's remote cabin in Oregon poses some challenges in the "available men" department…until she discovers this cabin comes with its own hot handyman!

Holy crap, Chris Steffensen. When did her brother's best friend turn into a hard-bodied pile of blond-bearded hotness? He's the perfect Halloween treat—and a surprisingly dirty rebound guy. For a couple of weeks, anyway. Except that Chris has other ideas…like proving to Joey that this blast from the past is a whole lot more than a naughty Halloween hookup.
(Synopsis from Goodreads). 

My Thoughts:
Over the last few years, I've read quite a few of Tiffany Reisz's books. I've loved every single one that I've read. I've read all of he Sinners series, and the spinoffs. Some of her Sinners series I've even read multiple times. I recently found out that she wrote a few books under the Harlequin Blaze imprint, so I decided to pick up the first book in the series, Her Halloween Treat, and read it. I thought it was an enjoyable, sexy read.

When you hear someone talking about Harlequin books, the first think you probably think about is cliches that make you wan t to roll your eyes, and a lot of fluffy, non substance writing. That wasn't the case with Her Halloween Treat at all. The book was a bit cheesey at times, but in a sarcastic fun way. I especially enjoyed the banter between the main character, Joey, and her best friend, Kira. They cracked me up together. The banter between Joey and the love interest, Chris was also great. They had incredible chemistry that just rolled off of the pages, especially during the incredibly sexy parts of the book.

Sometimes while reading romance novels, the characters can kinda feel cookie cutteresque, like they don't have much personality because the book is more about sex than the plot. That wasn't the case with this book at all. The characters all had very well fleshed out personalities and backstories. Joey's brothers backstory was absolutely heartbreaking. Even though he's only a side character, Tiffany Reisz puts so much detail and emotion behind everything that he went through as a teenager that the reader feels like they're experiencing it first hand.

All in all, I really loved Her Halloween Treat. It didn't surprise me that much that I loved the book, considering how much I've enjoyed the author's other books. However, it did make me more open minded about reading more Harlequin books in the future, as it's a genre that's not something I usually pick up. I definitely plan on binge reading the rest of the Men at Work series, and reading a few other Harlequin Blaze authors too.  

I give Her Halloween Treat: 4/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: https://www.tiffanyreisz.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/littleredridingcrop/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/8thcirclepress
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tiffany_reisz/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4480131.Tiffany_Reisz

I received this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker and Wendy Xu

Synopsis:
A story of love and demons, family and witchcraft.

Nova Huang knows more about magic than your average teen witch. She works at her grandmothers' bookshop, where she helps them loan out spell books and investigate any supernatural occurrences in their New England town.

One fateful night, she follows reports of a white wolf into the woods, and she comes across the unexpected: her childhood crush, Tam Lang, battling a horse demon in the woods. As a werewolf, Tam has been wandering from place to place for years, unable to call any town home.

Pursued by dark forces eager to claim the magic of wolves and out of options, Tam turns to Nova for help. Their latent feelings are rekindled against the backdrop of witchcraft, untested magic, occult rituals, and family ties both new and old in this enchanting tale of self-discovery.
(Synopsis from Goodreads). 

My Thoughts:
I've been wanting to read more graphic novels this year. It's something that I love to do, but don't do very often for whatever reason. I heard quite a few people on booktube talk about how good Mooncakes is so I decided to check it out. Unfortunately, I ended up not enjoying it as much as I had hoped I would.

Mooncakes had so much potential. The graphic novel is full of things I usually love reading about, such as witches, shifters, and LGBTQ+ characters. Unfortunately, the story fell flat for me. Throughout reading the graphic novel, I was confused because parts of it didn't seem to make sense. It almost felt like there was another book in the series that came before it that I should have read. However, when looking on Goodreads, it appears to be the only book in the series. There were references to things that had happened to the characters previously and inside jokes between them that I didn't get at all.

The other thing that I didn't like about Mooncakes was that the main characters didn't have distinct personalities. They were just cookie cutter and plain. Other than their physical abilities, there was nothing to make them stand out from other characters in the graphic novel, or characters I had read about in other books. In fact, I had to go slow and keep looking at the art work to remember which character was which because their personalities were so similar. I had to backtrack several time in the story line because I kept getting them confused.

I really wanted to love Mooncakes. It has all of the elements that I usually love in a story line. However, this graphic novel just wasn't for me. I found it confusing, and hard to distinguish between the characters. I would like to give this author another try in the future though because I know a lot of people that did love this graphic novel.

I give Mooncakes: 2/5.

Want to know more about the authors?
Suzanne Walker
Website: https://www.suzannewakeenwalker.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/suzusaur
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suzisaur/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7008509.Suzanne_Walker

Wendy Xu
Website: http://www.artofwendyxu.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/angrygirLcomics
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artofwendyxu/

I received this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Regretting You by Colleen Hoover

Synopsis:
Morgan Grant and her sixteen-year-old daughter, Clara, would like nothing more than to be nothing alike.

Morgan is determined to prevent her daughter from making the same mistakes she did. By getting pregnant and married way too young, Morgan put her own dreams on hold. Clara doesn’t want to follow in her mother’s footsteps. Her predictable mother doesn’t have a spontaneous bone in her body.

With warring personalities and conflicting goals, Morgan and Clara find it increasingly difficult to coexist. The only person who can bring peace to the household is Chris—Morgan’s husband, Clara’s father, and the family anchor. But that peace is shattered when Chris is involved in a tragic and questionable accident. The heartbreaking and long-lasting consequences will reach far beyond just Morgan and Clara.

While struggling to rebuild everything that crashed around them, Morgan finds comfort in the last person she expects to, and Clara turns to the one boy she’s been forbidden to see. With each passing day, new secrets, resentment, and misunderstandings make mother and daughter fall further apart. So far apart, it might be impossible for them to ever fall back together.
(Synopsis from Goodreads).

My Thoughts:
Colleen Hoover is one of my favorite authors. I read Hopeless when it was first released, and have been addicted ever since. Therefore, it was no surprise to me that I loved her latest novel, Regretting You.

Regretting You is definitely in my top five books of the year. There's so much that I loved about the book. First of all, I love how Colleen Hoover can write crazy plot twists. I didn't read the synopsis at all, so what happens towards the beginning caught me completely by surprise. There were a few things after that that completely shocked me too. There's a certain thing that's revealed in the middle that I didn't see coming at all. I had to stop and re-read that part to make sure I was reading it right.

Also, I love the relationships that she creates between characters, whether it be a family dynamic or a relationship dynamic. Morgan and Clara might not always have the perfect relationship with all of the chaos surrounding their lives, but when it comes down to it, they have each other's backs. I like that the author shows that real side to all of the relationships in the book. Love, whether it be family or romantic, is always messy and complicated, but one hundred percent worth it in the end.

In fact, the only thing that keeps this from being a five star book is the ending. I found it to be a little lackluster after all of that build up, especially the way the school project ended. I just expected more. Other than that, I absolutely loved Regretting You. Although at this point, I'm pretty sure Colleen Hoover could re-write the phone book and I'd love it. I can't wait for her next release.  

I give Regretting You: 4.5/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website:  https://www.colleenhoover.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorColleenHoover/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/colleenhoover
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colleenhoover/
Snapchat: https://www.snapchat.com/add/colleenhoover
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5430144.Colleen_Hoover

I received this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

I'm Fine and Neither Are You by Camille Pagán

Synopsis:
Wife. Mother. Breadwinner. Penelope Ruiz-Kar is doing it all—and barely keeping it together. Meanwhile, her best friend, Jenny Sweet, appears to be sailing through life. As close as the two women are, Jenny’s passionate marriage, pristine house, and ultra-polite child stand in stark contrast to Penelope’s underemployed husband, Sanjay, their unruly brood, and the daily grind she calls a career.

Then a shocking tragedy reveals that Jenny’s life is far from perfect. Reeling, Penelope vows to stop keeping the peace and finally deal with the issues in her relationship. So she and Sanjay agree to a radical proposal: both will write a list of changes they want each other to make—then commit to complete and total honesty.

What seems like a smart idea quickly spirals out of control, revealing new rifts and even deeper secrets. As Penelope stares down the possible implosion of her marriage, she must ask herself: When it comes to love, is honesty really the best policy?
(Synopsis from Goodreads).

My Thoughts:
Lately, I've been trying to get my TBR under control. I have a goal of reading at least twenty-five of my own books before I buy more, whether that be print books, or Kindle. Because of this, I decided to go through some of my NetGalley backlog. I've been loving the women's fiction books with cartoonish looking covers lately, so I decided to give I'm Fine and Neither Are You a try. I was surprised how much I loved this book.

I went into I'm Fine and Neither Are You with no expectations. I'll be honest, if it wasn't for the quirky title and the fun looking cover, I might not have even had much interest in reading the book. I thought at most, I might think it was okay. In actuality, It turned out to be one of my favorite books that I've read this year. I found the main character to be extremely relatable. I relataed more to her and what she was going through than any character I've read about in quite a long time. Most of the things she was thinking about, or struggling through, I have either been through, or know someone that has, especially the bits about marriage. Even though the list idea that Penny and Sanjay agree to was difficult, I think it's a genius idea that could help a lot of people in their marriage if they took the time to do it.

Not only was the book relatable on a way that I had never read before, it was also emotional. Maybe part of that is because it was so relatable. I don't remember the last time I cried so much while reading a book, especially towards the end. The author wrot ethe characters in such a way that the reader almost feels like they've known the characters for years. It feels like the reader is reading about close personal friends having these experiences, instead of made up fictional characters. It was easy to put myself in their shoes and feel every emotion that they're feeling while reading the book.

I'm Fine and Neither Are You was one of my favorite books that I've read this year. Heck, I have a feeling that it become one of my favorite books of all time. It was one of the "realest" fiction books that I've ever read. I loved the author's writing style, and the great job that she did connecting the reader to the characters. I will definitely be reading more of her books that she's written as soon as I read enough books to meet my goal. 

I give I'm Fine and Neither Are You: 5/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: https://camillepagan.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CamillePaganBooks/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cnoepagan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/camille_pagan/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4462824.Camille_Pag_n

I received this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

To Drink Coffee with a Ghost by Amanda Lovelace

Synopsis:
"You cannot have a funeral for your mother without also having a funeral for yourself."  This book poses the ever-lingering question: What happens when someone dies before they're able to redeem themselves?

From the bestselling & award-winning poetess, Amanda Lovelace, comes the finale of her illustrated duology, "things that h(a)unt." In the first installment, to make monsters out of girls,  Lovelace explored the memory of being in a toxic romantic relationship. In to drink coffee with a ghost, Lovelace unravels the memory of the complicated relationship she had with her now-deceased mother.
(Synopsis from Goodreads). 

My Thoughts:
Amanda Lovelace is one of my favorite poets. In fact, her books are what spurned my love of poetry. After reading The Witch doesn't burn in this one, I quickly devoured all of her books. When I heard that she had a new book coming out, To Drink Coffee With a Ghost, I knew I had to read it. It came as no surprise to me that I loved it.

To Drink Coffee With a Ghost was extremely personal to me. It felt like Amanda Lovelace took a peek into my life over these past few years and wrote my story. I also had a mother that I had conflicts with. She passed away two years ago, and I've been struggling to deal with the grief and emotions that I've had. This book actually helped process those emotions, and helped deal with some of my grief. Reading Amanda Lovelace's experiences taught me it's okay to feel the way that I'm feeling, and most importantly that someone else has had the same experience AND survived it. I'm not the only one that has gone through that specific situation.

I will always be grateful for Amanda Lovelace's To Drink Coffee With a Ghost. It was an emotional journey reading through her poems, but one I desperately needed at a time I needed it. Thanks to this book, I have begun to heal from my grief and experiences. This solidified Amanda Lovelace as one of my favorite poets in my mind. 

I give To Drink Coffee with a Ghost: 5/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website:  http://amandalovelace.com/index.html
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/poetessamandalovelace
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ladybookmad
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ladybookmad/

I received this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi

Synopsis:
It’s 2002, a year after 9/11. It’s an extremely turbulent time politically, but especially so for someone like Shirin, a sixteen-year-old Muslim girl who’s tired of being stereotyped.

Shirin is never surprised by how horrible people can be. She’s tired of the rude stares, the degrading comments—even the physical violence—she endures as a result of her race, her religion, and the hijab she wears every day. So she’s built up protective walls and refuses to let anyone close enough to hurt her. Instead, she drowns her frustrations in music and spends her afternoons break-dancing with her brother.

But then she meets Ocean James. He’s the first person in forever who really seems to want to get to know Shirin. It terrifies her—they seem to come from two irreconcilable worlds—and Shirin has had her guard up for so long that she’s not sure she’ll ever be able to let it down.
(Synopsis from Goodreads). 

My Thoughts:
I love Tahereh Mafi's Shatter Me series. It was one of the first young adult audiobooks I ever listened to. I ended up listening to the whole thing in one day because I needed so badly to know what happened next. When I heard that Tahereh Mafi was releasing a contemporary book, I was excited, yet skeptical at the same time. I'm not usually a big fan of contemporaries, so I wasn't sure if I'd like it. Turns out, I had nothing to worry about. I loved A Very Large Expanse of Sea.

I think A Very Large Expanse of Sea is a book that's desperately needed with everything currently going on in United States, and throughout the world. It was one of the most thought provoking, ee opening books I've ever read. It teaches knowledge and understanding of a culture that can only be gained through first hand experience of that culture. I think that if more people read this book there would be a lot less hate of the Muslim culture, and a lot more love, understanding, and acceptance. It was absolutely heartbreaking to read about the things that Shirin went through. Even though the book is set in 2001, the things that happen to her are still relevant, and still happen to Muslim women all across the United States today.

There was something that was unexpected for me in A Very Large Expanse of Sea that I absolutely loved. I should have known it would happen with the year it was set in, but I loved all of the early 2000s references. This brought brought back so many feelings of nostalgia from growing up in that era. Hearing about the music from that time, and the electronics brought a huge smile to my face. I kind of forgot about text messages being expensive with the way things used to be back then because we take it for granted now. It's always interesting to see how much our society is progressed technologically looking back on it.

A Very Large Expanse of Sea is definitely in my top three books that I've read this year. I couldn't find one single fault in it. It was a beautiful, heartbreaking, own voices book. I have a feeling that it's one of those books that will stick with me for years to come. I really wish it would be put on required reading lists in high schools. Maybe if it was, the world would have a little less hate, and a little more love. 

I give A Very Large Expanse of Sea: 5/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website:  https://www.taherehbooks.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shattermebooks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TaherehMafi
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TaherehMafi/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/taherehmafi/

I received this book from the publisher, via Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo

Synopsis:
With her daughter to care for and her abuela to help support, high school senior Emoni Santiago has to make the tough decisions, and do what must be done. The one place she can let her responsibilities go is in the kitchen, where she adds a little something magical to everything she cooks, turning her food into straight-up goodness. Still, she knows she doesn’t have enough time for her school’s new culinary arts class, doesn’t have the money for the class’s trip to Spain — and shouldn’t still be dreaming of someday working in a real kitchen. But even with all the rules she has for her life — and all the rules everyone expects her to play by — once Emoni starts cooking, her only real choice is to let her talent break free.
(Synopsis from Goodreads).

My Thoughts:
Last year, I read The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo. I thought it was a deeply powerful, moving book. When I heard that she was releasing a new book, With the Fire on High, this year, I knew I had to read it as soon as I possibly could. I recently just finished it, and I think I liked it even more than The Poet X.

With the Fire on High was also a beautifully compelling book. It tackled tough issues such as teenage pregnancy, falling in love after being hurt, and the challenges of raising a child with someone that you no longer have a relationship with. It really drew awareness to these issues, and made me think of them in ways that I hadn't before. I thought that Elizabeth Acevedo's writing style was beautiful. She writes in this lyrical way that make the words come off the page into the reader's heads. The whole time I was listening to the audiobook, it was like a movie was playing in my mind. I was picturing Emoni going about her morning routine with baby girl, or sitting there having important discussion with abuela. The romance in this was also beautifully written. I love who Emoni ends up with. He treats her so well, and is exactly what I think of when I think of the picture perfect book boyfriend.

I do have to admit, there are a couple of things that did bother me about With the Fire on High. The first one is a particular phrase. This is just a pet peeve of mine. I don't like the phrase "I let out a breath I didn't know I'd been holding", or any variation of it. It just feels too cliche to me, and overused in young adult and romance books. That phrase was in the book at least three times, if not more. The other thing that bothered me is that it felt like the book ended abruptly. Maybe it's because I wanted more of this world and these characters, but I wanted the storyline of what Emoni and Tyrone argue about (trying to be vague so I don't spoil the plot for anyone) to be further explored. I felt like there was an important discussion that could have stemmed from that, and it just didn't happen.

Other than a couple of tiny details, I really loved With the Fire on High. After reading this book, Elizabeth Acevedo has become one of my one-click authors. I will buy any book by her without even having to know what it's about. I am eagerly anticipating whatever she writes next. I'm sure it will be phenomenal, just like her other two books.  

I give With the Fire on High: 4/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://www.acevedowrites.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/acevedowrites
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/AcevedoWrites/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15253645.Elizabeth_Acevedo

I received this book from the publisher, via Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Guardians of the Taiga by Stacy Plays

Synopsis:
From StacyPlays, creator of the mega-popular YouTube series Dogcraft, comes a thrilling illustrated novel about a girl raised by a pack of wolves and her quest to protect their shared forest home. The first in a new Minecraft-inspired fantasy adventure series!

Stacy was raised by wolves. She’s never needed humans to survive and, from what she sees of humans, they’re dangerous and unpredictable. For as long as she can remember, Stacy’s pack of six powerful, playful wolves—Addison, Basil, Everest, Noah, Tucker and Wink—have been her only family. 

Together, Stacy’s pack patrols the forest to keep other animals safe, relying on her wits and each wolf’s unique abilities to accomplish risky rescue missions. But as the forest changes and new dangers begin lurking, are Stacy and the wolves prepared for the perils that await them?
(Synopsis from Goodreads). 

My Thoughts:
My husband and I both love Minecraft. It's one of our favorite things to do together. Either we'll play Minecraft together, or I'll watch him play it while I'm listening to an audiobook or music. Therefore when I saw that Stacy Plays was writing a Minecraft inspired book series, Wild Rescuers, I knew I wanted to read it. The first book in the series, Guardians of the Taiga, was just an okay book.

I have to admit, when first reading the book, I didn't really like it. Maybe it's because I'm not the age range it's intended for, but it seemed almost silly to me. There were several times where I had to suspend my disbelief for things going on. It kept pulling me out of the story. Stacy's wolves are more human than wolf. They do things like help her with crossword puzzles, steal newspapers for her, and other things like that. I thought this was going to be a raised by wolves story, but it didn't feel like it with all of that going on. That being said, I think the reader will discover more things about her wolves in Escape to the Mesa that will explain why those things are happening.

However, as I got farther into the book, I did find Guardians of the Taiga to be a more enjoyable read than what I was expecting. I loved Stacy's passion for animals. I've been a huge animal lover all of my life, and could relate to what she was feeling at times. It's always upset me to see animals injured. There was a certain scene towards the end of the book where I wanted to cry along with her. No animal, no matter the situation, deserves to go through that. The author did a great job of making me feel every single emotion Stacy was feeling.

Even though Guardians of the Taiga was a hit or miss for me in parts, I did find it to be a somewhat enjoyable book. I definitely plan on reading the sequel because I do think it will change my opinion on some of the things that I didn't like about the first book. I also think it will answer the questions that I have. There were quite a few things that didn't get resolved in Guardians of the Taiga that I really want answers to. I also plan on checking out Stacy Plays' YouTube channel, which I didn't know about before this book.  

I give Guardians of the Taiga: 3/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/stacyhinojosa
Twitter: https://twitter.com/stacysays
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stacyplays/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/stacyplays
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/stacyplays
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17215894.Stacy_Plays

I received this book from the publisher, via Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Openly Straight by Bill Konigsberg

Synopsis:
Rafe is a normal teenager from Boulder, Colorado. He plays soccer. He's won skiing prizes. He likes to write.

And, oh yeah, he's gay. He's been out since 8th grade, and he isn't teased, and he goes to other high schools and talks about tolerance and stuff. And while that's important, all Rafe really wants is to just be a regular guy. Not that GAY guy. To have it be a part of who he is, but not the headline, every single time.

So when he transfers to an all-boys' boarding school in New England, he decides to keep his sexuality a secret -- not so much going back in the closet as starting over with a clean slate. But then he sees a classmate break down. He meets a teacher who challenges him to write his story. And most of all, he falls in love with Ben . . . who doesn't even know that love is possible.
(Synopsis from Goodreads). 

My Thoughts:
Lately, I've been trying to catch up on books that I've owned for several years. It always makes me feel accomplished to get backlist books off of my TBR, and to be able to clear space for new books. I've had Openly Straight since it released in 2013, so I decided to give it a try. I've missed reading LGBTQ+ books lately, and thought it would be interesting to read one of the first LGBTQ+ books in YA (that I know of). I loved this book so much.

I'm not sure what I loved the most about Openly Straight. I do have to admit, I was bored for about the first fifty pages or so of the book. I thought about DNF'ing it. I'm so glad I continued with it. Iafter those fifty pages, I loved the rest of the book. I thought Rafe was a great character. Even though he had his flaws that could be frustrating at times, I enjoyed reading about his interactions with others. I especially enjoyed his parents. As someone who is openly bisexual, I wish I would have had the great support system that he has when I was growing up.

Another part of Openly Straight that I loved was Rafe's friends. I have to admit I wasn't a big fan of Claire Olivia, although she did become more tolerable by the end. I did love his roommate Albie, and his friend Toby. They cracked me up. I especially loved reading about their scanner pong adventures. The one with the old lady had me losing it laughing while I was reading about it. Most importantly, I enjoyed Ben as a character too. Everything that happens between Rafe and Ben was so emotional that it felt real. The reader could feel everything they were going through together, including their chemistry. Certain scenes toward the end of the book between the two of them had me tearing up.

After a rough start, I found myself loving Openly Straight. I think it is one of the best LGBTQ+ novels that I've ever read, and I've read quite a few. I can't wait to read the rest of the series. I'll probably start it as soon as I can. There's a cliffhanger moment for Ben and Rafe towards the end of the book, and I need to know how it resolves. I also want more of the wacky and fun side characters. 

I give Openly Straight: 4.5/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: https://billkonigsberg.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/billkonigsbergauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/billkonigsberg

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was ni no way compensated for this review.

Sal and Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernandez

Synopsis:
How did a raw chicken get inside Yasmany's locker? When Sal Vidon meets Gabi Real for the first time, it isn't under the best of circumstances. Sal is in the principal's office for the third time in three days, and it's still the first week of school. Gabi, student council president and editor of the school paper, is there to support her friend Yasmany, who just picked a fight with Sal. She is determined to prove that somehow, Sal planted a raw chicken in Yasmany's locker, even though nobody saw him do it and the bloody poultry has since mysteriously disappeared. Sal prides himself on being an excellent magician, but for this sleight of hand, he relied on a talent no one would guess . . . except maybe Gabi, whose sharp eyes never miss a trick. When Gabi learns that he's capable of conjuring things much bigger than a chicken--including his dead mother--and she takes it all in stride, Sal knows that she is someone he can work with. There's only one slight problem: their manipulation of time and space could put the entire universe at risk. A sassy entropy sweeper, a documentary about wedgies, a principal who wears a Venetian bauta mask, and heaping platefuls of Cuban food are just some of the delights that await in his mind-blowing novel gift-wrapped in love and laughter.
(Synopsis from Goodreads).

My Thoughts:
Rick Riordan is one of my favorite authors. I've read all of his books, some of them multiple times. When I heard that he was coming out with his own publishing company, I was so excited. I thought it would be amazing to read books by other authors that are similar to the genre he writes in, but with their own unique twist as well. The first book that I tried from his publishing company was Sal and Gabi Break the Universe. It ended up not being what I expected at all, but it was still a fun read.

When I first started Sal and Gabi Break the Universe, I had no idea what to expect. I expected a middle grade book about Cuban mythology, which isn't what I got at all. However, that's a good thing. Carlos Hernandez wrote a book unlike anything I could have imagined. It was definitely different from anything I have ever read before. I loved the humor in the book. The entire time I was reading the book, it seemed like I never stopped laughing or smiling at something that Sal did. I also greatly enjoyed learning about Cuban culture, and being a magician, both of which were things I knew next to nothing about before I picked up this book. After reading this book, I definitely want to do more research on both subjects. I especially find the superstitions around "brujas" to be fascinating in Cuban culture, and would love to learn more about that.

Even though I enjoyed reading Sal and Gabi Break the Universe, I did notice a couple of issues while I was reading the book. Maybe it's because I'm not the age range it was intended for, but I found the book to be over the top silly at times. The whole time I was reading the scenes in the hospital, especially the ones with nurse Sotolongo, I kept thinking to myself there's no way any of this would happen in a real hospital. Also, the thing with Gabi's dads was just a little bit over the top crazy, and confusing. When I was reading the book, it was hard to remember which dad was which, and what they did. Not even the nicknames helped. It made it harder to take the serious parts of the book seriously.

After finishing Sal and Gabi Break the Universe, I had mixed emotions. Parts of the book I really loved and was sad to be done with. Other parts, not so much. I know I definitely plan on picking up the sequel in March because I want to know what happens next, especially after the crazy that happened at the end of this book. I'm looking forward to reading more of Sal's quick wit, Gabi's bossy humor, and the rest of the crazy cast. I also plan on definitely reading more of the Rick Riordan Presents books as soon as I can get my hands on them.  

I give Sal and Gabi Break the Universe: 3/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Carlos.A.Hernandez
Twitter: https://twitter.com/WriteTeachPlay

I received this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Darkness on the Edge of Town by Adam Christopher

Synopsis:

Chief Jim Hopper reveals long-awaited secrets to Eleven about his old life as a police detective in New York City, confronting his past before the events of the hit show Stranger Things.

Christmas, Hawkins, 1984. All Chief Jim Hopper wants is to enjoy a quiet first Christmas with Eleven, but his adopted daughter has other plans. Over Hopper’s protests, she pulls a cardboard box marked “New York” out of the basement—and the tough questions begin. Why did Hopper leave Hawkins all those years ago? What does “Vietnam” mean? And why has he never talked about New York?
Although he’d rather face a horde of demogorgons than talk about his own past, Hopper knows that he can’t deny the truth any longer. And so begins the story of the incident in New York—the last big case before everything changed…

Summer, New York City, 1977. Hopper is starting over after returning home from Vietnam. A young daughter, a caring wife, and a new beat as an NYPD detective make it easy to slip back into life as a civilian. But after shadowy federal agents suddenly show and seize the files about a series of brutal, unsolved murders, Hopper takes matters into his own hands, risking everything to discover the truth.
Soon Hopper is undercover among New York’s notorious street gangs. But just as he's about to crack the case, a blackout rolls across the boroughs, plunging Hopper into a darkness deeper than any he’s faced before.
(Synopsis from Goodreads).

My Thoughts:
 Stranger Things is one of my favorite tv shows. I'm obsessed with it. In fact, I binge watched the whole third season the day it came out because I couldn't get enough of it. Therefore, when I found out there was a book based on the show, I knew I had to read it. I picked up Darkness on the Edge of Town as soon as I could get my hands on it. I thought it was an enjoyable book, even if it had a few flaws.

At first, I was a little hesitant going into Darkness on the Edge of Town. Hopper is without a doubt my favorite character on the show. I wasn't sure if Adam Christopher was do his character justice. However, I had nothing to worry about. He wrote the character and the plot so well that when I was reading the book, I could see it playing out in my head, almost like it was an actual episode of Stranger Things. I loved hearing Hopper's backstory, and seeing him thrive in a different setting than what the viewers of the show are used to.

There is one major thing that I didn't enjoy about the book. Towards the middle of the book, Hopper gets caught up in a situation. I won't go into details about that situation in this review because I don't want to spoil it for those that haven't read it. However, after that certain part happens, I thought that the story became boring. It seems like when he was in that situation, it took forever for anything to happen. It felt like the story dragged on and on until about the last 30 pages or so. After that, it picked up again and became interesting.

Despite the pacing issues, I found myself really enjoying Darkness on the Edge of Town. I thought it was an interesting look into Hopper's life before Stranger Things begins. I enjoyed it so much that I want more. I would love a prequel show about Hopper's time as a detective in NYC, and more cases that he had. I also really want to see more of Delgado. I loved her character is this, and think it would translate well on a Netflix show.

I give Darkness on the Edge of Town: 3.5/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website:  http://www.adamchristopher.co.uk/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ghostfinder
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/590743.Adam_Christopher

I received this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Seth's review of Recursion by Blake Crouch

Synopsis:
Memory makes reality.

That’s what New York City cop Barry Sutton is learning as he investigates the devastating phenomenon the media has dubbed False Memory Syndrome—a mysterious affliction that drives its victims mad with memories of a life they never lived.

Neuroscientist Helena Smith already understands the power of memory. It’s why she’s dedicated her life to creating a technology that will let us preserve our most precious moments of our pasts. If she succeeds, anyone will be able to re-experience a first kiss, the birth of a child, the final moment with a dying parent.

As Barry searches for the truth, he comes face-to-face with an opponent more terrifying than any disease—a force that attacks not just our minds but the very fabric of the past. And as its effects begin to unmake the world as we know it, only he and Helena, working together, will stand a chance at defeating it.

But how can they make a stand when reality itself is shifting and crumbling all around them?
(Synopsis from Goodreads).

Seth's Thoughts:
Lately, I've been reading whatever books my wife plops in my lap. Recursion is no exception to that. I asked what it was about, and she said science stuff. So, I picked it up and gave it a read through. It kept my interest most of the way through. The twist at the end is foreshadowed pretty heavily throughout the book, but it wasn't enjoyably executed. The thing is, I read a lot of sci-fi, and it wasn't something that hasn't been explored better by better writers in the past. Not to say the author didn't write a good story, but I literally have sci-fi anthology books that stack up as tall as me. I guess I'm just a jaded sci-fi reader. 

Seth gives Recursion: 2.5/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://www.blakecrouch.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blake.crouch.9
Twitter: https://twitter.com/blakecrouch1
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/442240.Blake_Crouch

I received this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. Neither Seth nor I were compensated in any way for this review.

Seth's review of Artemis by Andy Weir

Synopsis:
Jazz Bashara is a criminal.

Well, sort of. Life on Artemis, the first and only city on the moon, is tough if you're not a rich tourist or an eccentric billionaire. So smuggling in the occasional harmless bit of contraband barely counts, right? Not when you've got debts to pay and your job as a porter barely covers the rent.

Everything changes when Jazz sees the chance to commit the perfect crime, with a reward too lucrative to turn down. But pulling off the impossible is just the start of her problems, as she learns that she's stepped square into a conspiracy for control of Artemis itself—and that now, her only chance at survival lies in a gambit even riskier than the first.
(Synopsis from Goodreads).

Seth's Thoughts:
Back in June 2014, I was exposed to Andy Weir with his debut novel The Martian. I read that book in the space of one or two sittings. His novel Artemis was the same. It's a page turner of a different sort. Back with The Martian you follow Mark Watney, an astronaut who gets stranded on Mars. In Artemis, you follow Jazz, a young woman trying to find her way on the only established Moon colony. Early on in the book, she's made an offer that would make her rich enough to not have to worry about scraping by. What follows is one of the better books I have read in 2019. If it turns out like the last book I read by Andy Weir, it'll be a great movie.  

Seth gives Artemis: 4.5/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://www.andyweirauthor.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AndyWeirAuthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/andyweirauthor?lang=en
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6540057.Andy_Weir

I received this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. Neither Seth nor I were compensated in any way for this review.