About the Book:

Title: Hidden 

Author: Shalini Boland 

Publisher: Bookouture

Release Date: March 21, 2023 (originally published March 15, 2011)

Pages: 480

Genre: YA Fantasy, YA Paranormal Romance 

Synopsis:

A paranormal romance that spans the centuries from modern England to 19th century Paris and ancient Cappadocia.

Madison Greene is in foster care until one day she inherits a fortune, she inherits a house, she inherits a cellar full of danger.

Alexandre Chevalier lives in 19th century Paris. On an archaeological expedition, he discovers a lost underground city where his life changes forever.

Their lives entwine, but this is only the beginning… 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Review:

*I received an e-arc via Netgalley and the publisher for review. Thank you. All thoughts are my own.*

I went into Hidden not knowing much, other than it’s a vampire romance. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it! It’s perfect for fans of Twilight, Vampire Academy or The Vampire Diaries. This is the first book in a trilogy, and I need to read the rest of the series to find out what happens next. I enjoyed reading the two different POVs and timelines, just felt that the pace was slow at certain points.

Seventeen-year-old Madison Greene and her twelve-year-old brother Ben have been in and out of foster homes ever since their mother passed away. One day her fortunes change, when a solicitor tracks her down and explains that they have inherited a mansion and a fortune from one of her mother’s long deceased relatives. Maddie soon finds out that the house holds a secret, that has long been buried.

Alexandre Chevalier is a young, handsome man living in 19th century Paris. He sets out on an archeological adventure with his parents and siblings and some close family friends. They go on a dig in ancient Cappadocia and discover an underground city that changes their lives forever.

Madison and Alexandre find each other and fall in love in the present day, but things are more complicated than the two of them could ever imagine.

I definitely recommend this one to anyone that’s a YA fan, likes vampires, and a sassy protagonist! I plan on picking up book two asap!

About the Author:

About the Book:

Title: When Lightning Strikes 

Author: Chani Lynn Feener 

Publisher: Independently Published 

Release Date: March 29, 2023

Pages: 454

Genre: YA Fantasy 

Synopsis:

In a land ruled by Yaoguai and overrun with demons, a girl must put her heart aside to discover her true destiny.

Caixia, better known as the Prince’s Red Rabbit, is a fierce assassin. Sent out by the prince under the cover of night, she’s known for delivering swift justice just as much as she’s known for the single eyepatch she always wears. No one knows what lies beneath the strap of cloth, no one aside from Caixia herself and the royal family.

Or so they believe.

Gods Gold, reincarnated gods thrown out of the heavenly realm and sent to the mortal plane to atone, have ruled over Middlemist for centuries, but they’re a dying breed. Each year less and less of them are reborn as they complete their punishments and return to the Jade Emperor. Now that it’s time for Prince Yida to marry, there doesn’t seem to be any viable candidates left for the role. But just when Caixia and the prince begin to hope this could be the opportunity for them to be together, a girl is found. With two golden eyes.

Lei, the newly appointed Guardian of the West, helps ease some of Caixia’s sadness, filling a hole she didn’t realize she had as the two of them grow closer. But Lei has secrets of his own that he’s keeping, ones that could unravel not only their kingdom, but the entire world as they know it.

In the end, will Caixia choose to stand by the prince she’s always loved, or will she decide to put her faith in the man who helped her see she’s much more than simply the Red Rabbit? As demons plague the city and tragedy strikes, these three will have to unravel the threads of fate and decide who, and what, they really are.

One wrong choice, and the whole world suffers.

Review:

*I received an e-arc copy for review from the author. All thoughts are my own*

This is my third book by Chani Lynn Feener, and she has not disappointed me yet! She has quickly become one of my favorite indie authors. When Lightning Strikes is a thrilling, action-packed fantasy full of court intrigue, epic fight scenes, yaoguai, gods gold, demons, a strong female protagonist and forbidden love.

Caixia, better known as the Prince’s Red Rabbit, is a fierce assassin. Raised by the royal family, she is sent out under the cover of darkness by the prince, and is known for quickly delivering swift justice, as well as the eye patch she always wears. No one knows what lies beneath the eye patch, except for herself and the royal family, or so they believe.

Gods Gold or reincarnated gods thrown down from the heavenly realm to atone, have ruled over Middlemist for centuries, but they’re a dying breed. Each year, less and less of them are being reborn as they complete their punishments and return to the Jade Emperor. Now that it’s time for Prince Yida to marry, there don’t seem to be any candidates for the role of Princess. Just when Caixia and the Prince think this may be a chance for them to finally be together, a girl is found with two golden eyes.

Lei is the newly appointed Guardian of the West, and he helps to ease some of Caixia’s sadness. He fills a hole that she didn’t even know that she had as they grow closer. But Lei has secrets of his own that he’s keeping, secrets that could change the world as they know it.

In the end, as demons plague the city, will she choose the Prince she’s always loved, the man that’s helped her realize she’s more than the Red Rabbit, or will she choose herself?

I highly recommend this YA fantasy full of plot twists, adventure, and heartbreak! I can’t wait for book two of what will be a trilogy. Available now on Kindle Unlimited and Amazon! Also, Team Yida! 😉

About the Author:

Chani majored in Creative Writing at Johnson State College in Vermont. To pay her bills, she has worked many odd jobs, including, but not limited to, telemarketing, order picking in a warehouse, and filling ink cartridges. When she isn’t writing, she’s binging TV shows, drawing, or frequenting zoos/aquariums. She is the author of the Xenith trilogy, and the teen paranormal series, The Underworld Saga, originally written under the penname Tempest C. Avery. She currently resides in Connecticut.

Have a question? Check her blog! https://chanilynnfeener.wixsite.com/a…

Find her on Instagram @TempestChani 

About the Book:

Title: Play the Fool 

Author: Lina Chern 

Publisher: Bantam 

Release Date: March 28, 2023

Pages: 320

Genre: YA Mystery, YA Thriller, YA Contemporary 

Synopsis:

A cynical tarot card reader seeks to uncover the truth about her friend’s mysterious death in this delightfully clever whodunit.



For Katie True, a keen gut and quick wit are just tools of the trade. After a failed attempt at adulting in Chicago, she’s back in the suburbs living a bit too close to her overbearing parents, jumping from one dead-end job to the next, and flipping through her tarot deck for guidance. Then along comes Marley.



Mysterious, worldly, and comfortable in her own skin, Marley takes a job at the mall where Katie peddles Russian tchotchkes. The two just get each other. Marley doesn’t try to fix Katie’s life or pretend to be someone she’s not, and Katie thinks that with Marley’s friendship she just might make it through this rough patch after all. So one day, having been encouraged by Marley to practice soothsaying, Katie reads tarot for someone who stumbles into her shop. But when she sneaks a glance at his phone, she finds more than just clairvoyant intel. She finds a photo. Of Marley. With a gunshot wound to the head.



The bottom falls out of Katie’s world. Her best friend is dead? Who killed her? She quickly realizes there are some things her tarot cards can’t foresee, and she must put her razor-sharp instincts to the ultimate test. But the truth has deadly consequences, and Katie’s recklessness lands her in the crossfire of a threat she never saw coming. Now Katie must use her street smarts and her inner Strength card to solve Marley’s murder–or risk losing everything.

Review:

*I received an e-arc via Netgalley and the publisher for review. Thank you for the opportunity! All thoughts are my own.*

I really enjoyed this mystery by debut author, Lina Chern! I wasn’t sure if I was going to like it after reading the first page or two, but I’m glad I kept going, as it kept me wanting to read more from there on out!

Katie True is a middle child who grew up in the suburbs of Chicago with rather overbearing parents. Her older sister is quite successful doing real estate, and her brother is a neurodivergent college student. She has been floating from job to job, ever since she quit college. Her most recent job is working in a Russian knick-knack shop in the mall, where she plays with her tarot cards when the shop is quiet. Tarot has always been a passion of hers. Katie doesn’t really make friends, and so she is happy when she connects with Marley who works at another shop in the mall. They seem to get each other, and Katie feels like she can be herself with Marley.

One day, after being encouraged by Marley to read tarot as that’s her passion, she reads the cards of a man who comes into the shop battered and bloodied. When he leaves the room briefly, Katie snoops on his phone and sees a picture of her friend Marley, with a bullet in her head!

Katie’s world is completely rocked, and she can’t believe that her friend is dead. She realizes that there are some things the cards can’t foresee. She winds up going to the police, but they don’t seem too concerned, as there is nothing left at the crime scene, but a necklace that Katie found. Katie decides that she must find out what happened to Marley, regardless of the possible danger.

I really loved the relationship between Katie and her brother Owen, and how that was explored in the story. They just really understood each other, and I thought that was beautiful! I also enjoyed the connection that she makes with Jamie at the police station, the only one who seems to believe her story.

I recommend this standalone for fans of a good YA mystery! I enjoyed following the clues that led to a great ending!

About the Author:

Lina Chern has been published in Mystery Weekly, The Marlboro Review, the Bellingham Review, Rhino, The Collagist, Black Fox Literary Magazine, and The Coil. She lives in the Chicago area with her family. Play the Fool is her debut novel.

About the Book:

Title: Divine Rivals 

Author: Rebecca Ross 

Publisher: Wednesday Books 

Release Date: April 4, 2023

Pages: 368

Genre: YA Fantasy, YA Historical 

Synopsis:

NO GOD
NO CREATURE
NO WAR
CAN COME BETWEEN THEM

The latest from the number one SUNDAY TIMES bestseller Rebecca Ross
When two young rival journalists find love through a magical connection, their fate depends on their facing the depths of hell … together. 

After centuries of sleep, the gods are warring again …

All eighteen-year-old Iris Winnow wants to do is hold her family together. With a brother on the frontline forced
to fight on behalf of the Gods now missing from the frontline and a mother drowning her sorrows, Iris’s best bet is winning the columnist promotion at the Oath Gazette.

But when Iris’s letters to her brother fall into the wrong hands – that of the handsome but cold Roman Kitt, her rival at the paper – an unlikely magical connection forms.

Expelled into the middle of a mystical war, magical typewriters in tow, can their bond withstand the fight for the fate of mankind and, most importantly, love?

An epic enemies-to-lovers fantasy novel filled with hope and heartbreak, and the unparalleled power of love.

Review:

 

*I received an e-arc via Netgalley and Wednesday Books for review. All thoughts are my own. Thank you for the opportunity! *

I absolutely LOVED this book, and it has quickly become one of my favorites that I have read so far this year! I jumped on the opportunity to read this one, as I absolutely adore Rebecca Ross and all of her books. This book kept me totally enthralled from start to finish. There was magic, great worldbuilding, action, adventure, a truly epic love story, and characters that I grew very attached to. This story totally gave me WWI vibes and I was here for it! So heartbreakingly beautiful! 

Iris Winnow is trying desperately to keep her family together. Her brother is on the frontline of a war where he is forced to fight on behalf of the gods, and he is now missing in action. He hasn’t answered any of her letters. Her mother is drowning herself in her sorrows. Iris feels that her best bet to help her family is to win the columnist promotion at the Oath Gazette.

Iris’s letters to her brother fall into the wrong hands, that of her handsome but cold competitor at the paper, Roman Kitt. However, an unlikely magical connection forms between them.

Expelled into the middle of a mystical war, magical typewriters traveling along with them, can their bond withstand the fate of mankind, and more importantly, love?

I thought the competition between Iris and Kitt was wonderful! It was so fun to read the banter between them. Iris comes from a rather modest background, and the position at the paper could be life changing for her. Kitt on the other hand comes from a wealthy family, but he has a rather controlling father who so desperately wants to fit in with high society, that he doesn’t let his son make any decisions for himself. Kitt is trying to get the position at the paper more because of familial expectations, rather than his own desires.  Kitt feels like he’s completely trapped, and he also mourns the death of his sister. 

When Iris and Kitt find themselves in the middle of the war effort, things really take an interesting turn! 

Just an FYI, the author posted some content/trigger warnings for this book:

Loss of a parent
Loss of a sibling
A parent struggling with alcoholism
Profanity: mild
Depictions of PTSD
Violence: moderate to severe
Mature Scenes: present on the page, but not explicit

The ending of this one killed me, and I can’t wait for book two! Can I have it now, please? 😉 Available April 4, 2023, I hope that you will consider reading this one. Highly recommend! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author:

Rebecca Ross writes fantasy novels for teens and adults. She lives in the Appalachian foothills of Northeast Georgia with her husband, their lively Australian Shepherd, and an endless pile of books. THE QUEEN’S RISING, THE QUEEN’S RESISTANCE, SISTERS OF SWORD & SONG, and DREAMS LIE BENEATH are her titles for young adult readers. A RIVER ENCHANTED is her adult fantasy debut, publishing February 15, 2022 with a sequel to follow. When not writing, she can be found reading or in her garden, where she grows wildflowers and story ideas. Find her on Instagram @beccajross or online at www.rebeccarossauthor.com.

Rebecca is represented by Suzie Townsend of New Leaf Literary & Media.

About the Book:

Title: From These Raging Seas

Author: Brittany Czarnecki

Publisher: Self-published

Release Date: Coming Spring 2023

Pages: 290

Genre: New Adult Fantasy, LGBTQA+

Synopsis:

Eighteen-year-old Caspian comes from one of the wealthiest families in the Sunken City, but being one of five identical brothers, he’s always felt invisible. After his mother dies and a devastating falling-out with his father and brothers, Caspian decides to take his life into his own hands. And when the famous Captain Keelhaul Jack comes to town, Caspian sees the opportunity of a lifetime.
After stowing away on the famous pirate’s ship, Caspian eventually earns a place amongst the crew of the Chained Maiden. But soon finds himself falling- not just for the sea and the freedom- but for the sharpshooter named Hraefn. After a deadly ambush, Jack reveals a plan he’s kept from his crew. Find the ship of legends; the one which controls the sea, the one that Jack promised to someone from his past. But first, they need to hunt down the missing pieces of the map, and they aren’t the only ones looking.
Battling sirens, raging seas, and a growing love for Hraefn, Caspian finds himself in the fight of his life with his newfound family. But not every story has a happy ending, and not all pirates get their treasure.
A queer romance, adventure story with a heartbreaking ending you’ll never see coming.

Review:

*I received an e-arc from the author for review. Thank you!  All thoughts are my own*

This was my first book by local author, Brittany Czarnecki. I came across her first series in Barnes & Noble and quickly connected with her on social media.  I was surprised by how much I loved this book! If you like fantasy, pirates, adventures on the high seas, romance, and the found family trope, then I think you’ll enjoy this one. It’s told from multiple perspectives, as well as including flashbacks, and I really enjoyed that aspect of the story.

Caspian is an eighteen-year-old from one of the wealthiest families in the Sunken City. He’s always lived in the shadow of his five brothers and always felt like he didn’t fit in. After the death of his mother, he has a falling out with his father and brothers, and decides he needs a change in his life.  After the infamous Captain Keelhaul Jack comes to town, Caspian sees his opportunity. He stows away on Captain Jack’s ship, The Chained Maiden.

After Caspian is discovered as a stowaway, he works hard and eventually earns a place amongst the crew. He finds himself enjoying the freedom and life at sea and soon begins falling for the ship’s sharpshooter Hraefn (Ray-fin). After the ship is involved in a deadly ambush, Captain Jack reveals that he is in search of a ship of legends, a secret he had previously kept from the crew. The ship of legends controls the sea, and it also has something to do with a promise Jack made in the past.  In order to find the mysterious ship, they need to hunt down the pieces of the map, and they aren’t the only ones searching.

Caspian finds himself in a fight for his life, while battling pirates, sirens and the raging seas. Who will survive, and will they find the treasure?

This book has an amazing cast of characters, and I can see why other readers are comparing it to Six of Crows, Fable, and even Pirates of the Caribbean. I quickly fell for each and every one of them as they are an amazing squad. I think that Caspian, Hraefn, Jack and Tsu are my absolute favorites though! Just be prepared to have your heart ripped out and put back together while reading this gem, as Brittany doesn’t exactly go easy on us.

From These Raging Seas will have a cover reveal soon and it is set to publish this spring of 2023. I hope that you’ll check it out, as I highly recommend it! I am certainly excited to continue this series as well as read other works from this author.

About the Author:

About the Book:

Title: Hot Dutch Daydream 

Author: Kristy Boyce 

Publisher: HarperTeen

Release Date: April 18, 2023

Pages: 304 

Genre: YA Contemporary Romance 

Synopsis:

Romance is not on the itinerary—or is it? Rom-com fans who love books by Elise Bryant and Jenna Evans Welch will adore this paperback original companion to Hot British Boyfriend by Kristy Boyce.

No one has ever accused Sage Cunningham of being easily distracted. She has a plan, and she won’t be swayed. She’ll spend the summer interning in her mentor’s lab in Amsterdam, and then she’ll be ready to start her freshman year of college. All she needs to do to pay for the summer abroad is agree to serve as the au pair for Dr. Reese’s three-year-old.

Sage has it all down to a science, but she doesn’t anticipate the surprise arrival of Dr. Reese’s teenage son. Ryland is spontaneous, flirty, and impulsive—everything Sage isn’t. He’s an artist, and he’s not half bad, but he’s desperately in need of someone to keep him focused. And as nannying proves harder than Sage had expected, it turns out she might need help too.

The two strike a deal. Sage will stop Ryland from going out with a different girl every day, and Ryland will pitch in with his little brother. Spending the whole summer stuck together is the perfect way to keep distractions to a minimum. Right?

Reluctant romance lovers will devour this next summer read from Hot British Boyfriend author Kristy Boyce.

Review:

*I received an e-arc via Netgalley and the publisher HarperTeen for review. Thank you! All thoughts are my own*

Hot Dutch Daydream was a fantastic follow up to Boyce’s debut of Hot British Boyfriend! Although this one can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend reading HBB before reading this one. I found that I didn’t want to put this one down, and it’s the perfect summer read. I totally wanted to travel somewhere while reading!  For fans of smart girls, artistic boys, interesting family dynamics, travel and a slow burn romance, I highly recommend this one! 

Sage Cunnigham has always been super focused.  Her summer plans include interning in Dr. Reese’s lab in Amsterdam before starting her freshman year of college. Sage agrees to nanny for her mentor’s three-year-old son Diedrick in order to pay for the trip, which includes an important conference in Berlin. 

Shortly after her arrival in Amsterdam, Sage is surprised by the unexpected addition of Dr. Reese’s teenage son Ryland. His personality is the exact opposite of hers, he’s flirtatious, spontaneous, and impulsive. He’s an artist who really needs someone to help keep him focused. Nannying is harder than Sage expected it to be, and she feels as though she needs help too. 

The pair strikes a deal. Sage will keep Ryland from going out with friends all the time and Ryland will help out with his little brother. They figure that working together will keep distractions away and they’ll both be able to focus. Or will they? 

Sage and Ryland are such great characters! I love how Sage is so driven towards her goals, and she doesn’t let anything stand in the way of her dreams. Ryland is such a sweet and supportive character. He really encouraged Sage and got her to open up and also do some fun things while being away from home. They balanced each other out so well! There are some interesting family dynamics that are explored for both characters as well.  I also love how we get updates from Sage’s best friends Ellie, Dev, and Huan from HBB and what they’ve been up to.

I think if you loved HBB and/or you’re a romance fan, you would love Hot Dutch Daydream. It’s releasing on April 18, 2023, and I hope you’ll give a try. 

 

 

 

About the Author:

About the Book:

Title: The Marquess and the Runaway Lady 

Author: Samantha Hastings 

Publisher: Harlequin Historical 

Release Date: February 21, 2023

Pages: 288

Genre: Historical Romance 

Synopsis:

An entertaining Harlequin Historical debut

Will this disheveled runaway…

Become the diamond of the Season?

When the Marquess of Cheswick—Wick—takes in a mysterious woman, he’s shocked to discover she is Lady Louisa, an heiress who’s escaped her cruel aunt! Grieving the loss of two siblings, Wick avoids opening his heart to anyone else and stays away from the marriage mart. But when Louisa needs a husband in order to claim her inheritance, Wick’s determined to help—even if it means stepping back into his worst nightmare: the Season!

From Harlequin Historical: Your romantic escape to the past.

Review:

*Thank you to Netgalley and Samantha Hastings for the review copy. All thoughts are my own*

I absolutely loved this regency era Cinderella retelling! Lady Louisa has been living in her own home under the guardianship of her cruel aunt and uncle for years, practically as a pauper, even though she is an heiress. Now that she is coming of age, her aunt plans on marrying her off to her despicable cousin with a gambling problem. Lady Louisa escapes with the aid of some servants so that she can head to London and make her debut for the season. On her travels she is mistaken as a runaway governess and is accidentally “rescued” by Lord Simon Cheswick, aka, Wick.

Away from her cruel family, and in the home of Wick and his sisters, Louisa begins to come into her own. To her surprise this family is kind and loving, and she begins to develop friendships with Wick and his sisters. She also tries to ignore her growing attraction for Wick. Wick has been grieving the loss of some family members and hasn’t been able to open his heart to anyone. He stays away from the marriage mart and tends to things at his family home. He quickly tries to ignore his growing attraction for Louisa. However, when Lady Louisa discovers she needs a husband to claim her inheritance, he is determined to help her. They soon set off for London as a family to help Lady Louisa take control of her fortune.

I quickly fell for these delightful characters! I enjoyed watching Louisa grow and develop after getting out from under the cruel clutches of her aunt. The Stringham sisters and their brother Wick are an absolute delight, and I love their relationships with each other. I also enjoyed the unique animals that the family has on their sanctuary. The romance is sweet and there may be some kissing!

Will Louisa and Wick have a happily ever after, or will she marry someone else?

I highly recommend this lovely story, available now. I can’t wait to read more from this author and hope we have more stories about this beautiful family.

Enter the Giveaway:

Enter below to win your own copy of The Marquess and the Runaway Lady! Must be willing to provide your name and mailing address, the author will be sending the copy if you’re a US winner! 🙂 International readers will receive an e-book! Runs from 2/26/2023-/3/5/2023.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/2724356c2/?

About the Author:

Samantha Hastings has degrees from Brigham Young University, the University of Reading (Berkshire, England), and the University of North Texas. She met her husband in a turkey-sandwich line. They live in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she spends most of her time reading, eating popcorn, having tea parties, and chasing her kids. She writes cozy mysteries under Samantha Larsen. 

About the Book:

Title: Nocturne 

Author: Alyssa Wees 

Publisher: Del Ray 

Release Date: February 21, 2023

Pages: 240

Genre: Adult Fantasy, Adult Historical Fiction 

Synopsis:

In this haunting, lyrical fantasy set in 1930s Chicago, a talented ballerina finds herself torn between her dreams and her desires when she’s pursued by a secretive patron who may be more than he seems.

Growing up in Chicago’s Little Sicily in the years following the Great War, Grace Dragotta has always wanted to be a ballerina, ever since she first peered through the windows of the Near North Ballet Company. So when Grace is orphaned, she chooses the ballet as her home, imagining herself forever ensconced in a transcendent world of light and beauty so different from her poor, immigrant upbringing.

Years later, with the Great Depression in full swing, Grace has become the company’s new prima ballerina—though achieving her long-held dream is not the triumph she once envisioned. Time and familiarity have tarnished that shining vision, and her new position means the loss of her best friend in the world. Then she attracts the attention of the enigmatic Master La Rosa as her personal patron, and realizes the world is not as small or constricted as she had come to fear.

Who is her mysterious patron, and what does he want from her? As Grace begins to unlock the Master’s secrets, she discovers that there is beauty in darkness as well as light, finds that true friendship cannot be broken by time or distance, and realizes there may be another way entirely to achieve the transcendence she has always sought.

 

Review:

*Thank you to Netgalley and Del Ray for the review copy. All thoughts are my own*

This was my first book by Alyssa Wees. I’ll start out with what I like about it. I absolutely love the gorgeous cover, the atmosphere and the beautiful, descriptive writing. I really like the idea behind the story, it’s kind of a mashup of Beauty and the Beast, The Phantom of the Opera, and Hades and Persephone.

I didn’t like that the beginning of the story was very slow-paced, and a little too descriptive at times. Things don’t really pick up until about halfway through the book either. I felt that it read more like a YA, than an adult story as well.

The main character Grace Dragotta has had a tough past. Her brother is killed on the street by the mafia, her mother dies, and her friend and neighbor that taught her how to play the violin passes away as well. She had always wanted to be a ballerina, and so when she is orphaned, she chooses the ballet as her home.

Years later at the height of the Depression, Grace is chosen as the company’s new prima ballerina, though achieving her lifelong dream is not as triumphant as she one envisioned it. Time and familiarity have tarnished the vision, and it now means the loss of her best friend, that’s like a sister to her. She then attracts the attention of her personal patron, Master La Rosa. She begins to wonder who he is and works on unlocking his secrets. She sees that there’s also beauty and light in the darkness, and that there may be a way to achieve the transcendence she always sought.

I didn’t think there was much to the romance in this book, as we don’t get to know Grace’s love interest as much as I would have liked. There was potential that just wasn’t explored. I would have liked to have known more about his backstory especially. I didn’t really feel any real connection to him.

I felt dissatisfied when I reached the ending of the story, as I really was expecting more from it.

I would still recommend this book to those who are looking for something a little different and unusual.

About the Author:

About the Book:

Title: Wildblood 

Author: Lauren Blackwood 

Publisher: Wednesday Books 

Release Date: February 7, 2023

Pages: 336

Genre: YA Fantasy, YA Romance 

Synopsis:

Eighteen-year-old Victoria is a Wildblood. Kidnapped at the age of six and manipulated by the Exotic Lands Touring Company, she’s worked as a tour guide ever since with a team of fellow Wildbloods who take turns using their magic to protect travelers in a Jamaican jungle teeming with ghostly monsters.

When the boss denies Victoria an earned promotion to team leader in favor of Dean, her backstabbing ex, she’s determined to prove herself. Her magic may be the most powerful on the team, but she’s not the image the boss wants to send their new client, Thorn, a renowned goldminer determined to reach an untouched gold supply deep in the jungle.

Thorn is everything Victoria isn’t – confident, impossibly kind, and so handsome he leaves her speechless. And when he entrusts the mission to her, kindness turns to mutual respect, turns to affection, turns to love. But the jungle is treacherous, and between hypnotic river spirits, soul-devouring women that shed their skin like snakes, and her ex out for revenge, Victoria has to decide – is promotion at a corrupt company really what she wants?

 

Review:

 

*I received an e-arc via Netgalley and Wednesday Books for review. Thank you! All thoughts are my own*

I read and really enjoyed this author’s previous novel, Within These Wicked Walls. I went into Wildblood thinking that perhaps it was a spinoff of that book and would be a fast-paced adventure full of treasure hunting, magic, and a girl fighting a corrupt company. The premise sounded really good, there were some interesting characters, etc. I felt that this book moved at a much slower pace, and there were many difficult topics that should have come with trigger warnings. There was human trafficking, physical and sexual assault, and violence among other things. I just was not expecting the amount that is in this novel, and it caught me off guard.

I am not a big fan of the insta-love trope, but I felt that it was very unbelievable in this story especially. It really ruined the story for me, and I felt like I would have liked it more without the romance. The main character “falls in love” with another character in the story after only a couple of days and they begin calling each other “my love” and other such nicknames and telling each other that they love one another. The start to this “relationship” was also based on their mutual attraction and not really anything of substance.

I felt very confused at times, as the magic system was never fully explained. I don’t think I could explain to you exactly what a Wildblood is. I was initially intrigued by the Wildbloods, but we never really fully understand them.

I think I loved the sentient jungle and all of its’s creatures the most, and I wish that had been explored more. There was so much potential there.

I would somewhat recommend this story. There were some good ideas, but I felt that they were just not executed well.

About the Author:

Lauren Blackwood is the NYT/Indie Bestselling author of Within These Wicked Walls and Wildblood.

About the Book:

Title: When You Wish Upon a Lantern 

Author: Gloria Chao 

Publisher: Viking 

Release Date: February 14, 2023

Pages: 352

Genre: YA Contemporary Romance 

Synopsis:

Acclaimed author Gloria Chao creates real-world magic in this luminous romance about teens who devote themselves to granting other people’s wishes, but are too afraid to let themselves have their own hearts’ desires—each other.

Liya and Kai had been best friends since they were little kids, but all that changed when a humiliating incident sparked The Biggest Misunderstanding Of All Time—and they haven’t spoken since.

Then Liya discovers her family’s wishing lantern store is struggling, and she decides to resume a tradition she had with her beloved late grandmother: secretly fulfilling the wishes people write on the lanterns they send into the sky. It may boost sales and save the store, but she can’t do it alone . . . and Kai is the only one who cares enough to help.

While working on their covert missions, Liya and Kai rekindle their friendship—and maybe more. But when their feuding families and their changing futures threaten to tear them apart again, can they find a way to make their own wishes come true?

Review:

* I won an arc in a giveaway. All thoughts are my own*

Just as I have loved Gloria Chao’s other books, I loved this one as well! When You Wish Upon a Lantern is a YA contemporary romance that is brimming with everyday magic that can become extraordinary. If you enjoy friends to lovers, and believe that kindness matters, I think you’ll want to pick this one up. 

Liya and Kai have been best friends since they were little kids, until a humiliating incident happens, which turns into a misunderstanding, and they haven’t spoken since. 

Then Liya finds out that her family’s wishing lantern store is having financial problems, and she decides to pick up the tradition that she had with her beloved late grandmother. She wants to secretly fulfill the wishes that people write on the lanterns they purchase from the store and then send to the sky. She ultimately hopes that by fulfilling wishes this will help boost sales and save the store, but she can’t do it all by herself.  Kai is the only person she knows who would care to help, and she goes to him and asks for his assistance.

While working on their secret missions, Liya and Kai resume their friendship, and there may be a spark of something more. With their changing futures and their feuding families, will they be able to make their own wishes a reality? 

I really think Liya and Kai are the absolute cutest! I loved how their friendship grew and changed into something so wonderful. Despite their feuding families, they were so good together!  Their families reminded me a bit of Romeo and Juliet, with their businesses being so competitive. I think what I enjoyed most however, was how Chao really made me feel as though I were a part of their tight knit community while reading. This story was richly steeped in Chinese culture, food, holidays and traditions that I really loved learning about, especially the tradition of the lanterns. 

I highly recommend this lovely story, which is coming out on February 14, 2023 and will be a perfect Valentine’s Day read!  

About the Author:

Gloria Chao is the critically acclaimed author of American Panda, Our Wayward Fate, Rent a Boyfriend, and When You Wish Upon a Lantern. After a brief detour as a dentist, she is now grateful to spend her days in fictional characters’ heads instead of real people’s mouths. When she’s not writing, you can find her on the curling ice, where she and her husband are world-ranked in mixed doubles.

Visit her tea-and-book-filled world at GloriaChao.Wordpress.com, and find her on Twitter and Instagram @GloriacChao.