Miles Away from You by A. B. Rutledge LGBTQ+ Realistic Fiction Romance * * * * Stars (Great!) Miles and Vivian were brilliant together. They created a website that attracted millions of creative, artistic people like themselves, and they were so very, very in love. But then Vivian tried to kill herself by taking too many pills and she wound up in a coma – neither dead nor alive. Her ultra-conservative parents swooped in and … Read more
The Raven and the Reindeer by T. Kingfisher Adventure Fantasy Retelling of the Snow Queen Romance * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) In her author’s note, T. Kingfisher says this has its roots Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Snow Queen,” but it’s much more palatable. “Hans Christian Andersen was a weird dude…His idea of a happy ending is that everybody died attended by angels (or if you are very fortunate, in church with your feet … Read more
I’m Afraid You’ve Got Dragons by Peter S. Beagle Dragons Fantasy Funny Romance * * * * Stars (Great!) Princess Cerise is Exhausted from interviewing a never-ending succession of princes (all vying for her hand) until she meets Prince Reginald in the forest one day and finds herself completely smitten. She rushes home to put the castle in order before his arrival and entreats her father to bring in the dragon exterminator, as their accommodations … Read more
Bliss Adair and the First Rule of Knitting by Jean Mills Realistic Fiction Romance * * * * Stars (Great!) Bliss Adair is an accomplished knitter as well as a math wiz. She spends a lot of time helping out at her folks’ yarn store, which puts her in the unfortunate position of hearing something she shouldn’t and now wishes she didn’t know. When she connects that piece of information with an acquaintance at school, … Read more
The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich by Deya Muniz Graphic Novel LGBTQ+ Romance * * * Stars (Pretty good) Lady Camembert has never cared for men, and she tells her father, the Count, in no uncertain terms, that she will NOT marry. He in turn reveals that he is not long for this world, so in order to pass along his estate and her inheritance (because their laws are stupid and don’t allow women … Read more
Aru Shah and the City of Gold Pandava Quintet, book #4 by Roshani Chokshi Adventure Fantasy Hindu Mythology Romance Supernatural Suspense Thriller Review #1 * * * Stars (Pretty good) In “Aru Shah and the City of Gold” by Roshani Chokshi, Aru, and the Pandavas continue their quest to stop the Sleeper from destroying the world. They travel to the City of Gold, where they have to go through a series of challenges that lead … Read more
Emily of Deep Valley by Maud Hart Lovelace Historical Fiction Realistic Fiction Romance Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) It’s at the end of the school year, and all of the exciting events are occurring. There’s the Junior-Senior dance, dresses to be made, the parade, and of course, Commencement day in which orations are given, and the seniors are officially graduated. Emily Webster is a quiet, shy, and socially awkward girl who … Read more
A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi Historical Fiction Realistic Fiction Romance Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) “A Very Large Expanse of Sea” tells the story of a teenage Muslim American girl dealing with racism and Islamophobia after 9/11. The story follows the protagonist, Shirin, and takes place in 2002. Shirin is tired of being stereotyped and is never surprised by how horrible people can be. She endures many comments … Read more
Iron Widow Iron Widow #1 by Xiran Jay Zhao Dystopian Fantasy LGBTQ+ Romance Science Fiction Review #1 * * * Stars (Pretty good) 18-year-old Zetian’s sister has just been killed during one of the fights against the plague of aliens that lurk outside the Great Wall. Her sister, like many others, was a concubine to a male mech pilot and her consciousness was sacrificed for the sake of the male pilot. Zetian vows to seek … Read more
Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen Romance Review #1 * * * Stars (Pretty good) Ruby Cooper has just been hauled off to live with her sister, Cora and her husband Jamie after 10 years of not a peep from her. All she did was live in a house by herself since her mom had left her, but she was doing fine! Even though the yellow house was infested with bugs and the water didn’t … Read more