A Crown of Thorns and Magic

A Crown of Thorns and Magic

by E. Evans

A Crown of Thorns and Magic is the first book in a series. It is fast-paced and never slows down, but the stakes never quite have the chance to hit home as we are thrown in after the FMC kills her uncle to take the throne when her father dies.

It's a great premise--I love the adventure--but I wish the worldbuilding and character development had been explored more thoroughly. At least enough to get us to 'care' before throwing all of the twists at the reader. I didn't quite believe that Astar, the 16-year-old FMC, was as mature and skilled as a warrior and queen as portrayed. I do like the adventures that brought her to Hathan, as well as the set up for a new world in subsequent instalments of the series, but there wasn't enough development to make me feel for the characters.

For me, this book has a lot of potential to be great, and I would read the next in the series to find out what happens.

Thank you @NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

⭐⭐⭐

 

Seeing Stars

a Mashad Family Novel

by Candice Jalili

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you @Netgalley and Disney Hyperiod for this ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.

If you love fake dating and reality television like The Kardashians, The Hills, or Jersey Shore, this is a must-read for you.

Meet Mona Marshad, a girl most of the world already knows because she has grown up on television for the last 10 years. 

I'm not a big fan of reality TV, but I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would, and I read it all in one sitting! It takes the feelings of a teenage girl as she grows up and falls in love, and throws it all under a microscope. It absolutely paints a picture I never would have imagined from the perspective of the people who choose--or don't, as how could a child make that choice?--to live their lives for everyone to see? And, of course, dissect.

In this second book of the Mashad series, Mona Mashad is trying to discover who she is and what her next step will be. She wants more than anything to do something on her own and discovers the only way to find the support she requires to succeed is to be in a fake relationship with the president's son, Lucas. At the same time, she meets Kai, who is a boy she wants to spend time with because he makes her feel normal. 

As expected in reality TV, witty banter, first-world problems, and drama ensue as Mona finds her way to her happy ending.

I will be finding more to read by this author.

Rules for Fake Girlfriends by Raegan Revord

 Rules for Fake Girlfriends

by

Raegan Revord

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

This had a very strong start and fantastic premise: Rom-com about rom-com-obsessed college-bound girl who makes the drastic choice to forego Columbia to attend her mother's alma mater in order to follow the first clue to a scavenger hunt her mother sent her just before she died. The distance between our Avery and her father, and the separation as she parts ways with her best friends to go to a different college, solidify the connections to the main character right away. Right away, we pivot to the introduction of Charlie, Avery's new friend/fake girlfriend, which was so ridiculous it was fun! I very much enjoyed the reading Avery's journey from knowing it wouldn't end well--to swearing it has to end--to where she winds up.

The story was a fresh take on an old idea, and had moments of real charm; however, the execution and character development needs some more work for consistency and pacing. There were some descriptions that did not add up, many repetitive words and emotions that slowed the overall story, and the pacing for the scavenger hunt was sporadic. That said, it does come to a conclusion I think readers will enjoy.

I would rate this 3.5 Stars but rounded up to 4 on Goodreads. The author had a great idea, fantastic chapter titles that suck you in, and a great idea. I hope they continue writing and would read another book they pen.

Balancing Act (The Heights, #1)

Balancing Act (The Heights, #1)

by Paula Chase 

 

"Balancing Act" by Paula Chase, which I received as an eARC from St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley, is a compelling blend of classic coming-of-age themes and modern storytelling. The novel stands out for its creative use of social media posts, which highlight the drama and public pressures faced by the characters.

While the story centers on competition and the drive to succeed in high school sports, it goes much deeper. Chase portrays the realities of growing up in diverse neighborhoods, the pain of grief after losing someone young, and the sadness that shapes adolescence. The book also explores the complicated landscape of friendships—especially the challenge of dealing with frenemies. Through nuanced storytelling, Chase reveals that even rivals and so-called adversaries have their own struggles and moments of unexpected kindness. The characters gradually learn that people are rarely just one thing, and that even those who seem unfriendly can surprise you with their depth and decency.

The writing is engaging and the characters feel real, their vulnerabilities and hopes shining through. While the novel tackles tough topics, it remains relatable and grounded, balancing humor and hope with its more serious undertones.

If there’s one drawback, it’s the abrupt ending—a reminder that this is the first book in a series. Despite this, I’m eager for the sequel to see where these vivid characters go next.

"Balancing Act" releases on October 21, 2025. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in contemporary young adult fiction that doesn’t shy away from real-life challenges, including the pain of loss, the complexity of relationships, and the resilience required to move forward.