Desolate

 

At the heart of this enchanting novel is Mia, a gay teenager grappling with feelings of isolation and rejection after being shunned by her friends. Her struggle is not only social but also internal, as she wrestles with magical powers that feel both unpredictable and unwieldy. Mia’s character is written with nuance and empathy, revealing layers of vulnerability, courage, and a sharp, searching intelligence. Her journey toward self-acceptance is marked by moments of doubt and triumph, making her growth compelling and authentic.

When Mia’s search for a missing friend draws her into the world of magic, she is unexpectedly transported to 1992, a time and place steeped in secrets and supernatural intrigue. The plot deepens as Mia discovers her family’s hidden past, the mysteries surrounding a haunted house, and the possibility of rewriting fate for someone she loves. Each twist is carefully woven, keeping readers on edge with genuine stakes and an ever-shifting sense of mystery.

Supporting characters enrich the narrative, especially Mia’s grandparents, whose warmth and wisdom help anchor her in the unfamiliar past. Tilly, Mia’s aunt and adoptive mother, stands out as a figure of unconditional love and quiet sacrifice; her relationship with Mia evolves from tense uncertainty to one of deep understanding and mutual respect. These familial bonds are crucial to Mia’s journey and serve as emotional touchstones throughout the story.

The novel’s plot is unpredictable, with skillfully layered revelations that explore themes of identity, belonging, and the courage to embrace one's differences. Magic here is not just a tool, but a metaphor for self-discovery. As Mia learns that her powers are unique, she begins to accept and celebrate her own singularity.

In sum, this is a well-crafted magical mystery that delivers not only surprises and suspense, but also richly developed characters and heartfelt relationships. Readers seeking stories that intertwine queer identity, time-travel adventure, and the pain and beauty of self-discovery will find much to cherish within these pages.

4.5 Stars rounded up to 5 Stars! Can't wait for book 2!

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

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.

The Frost Witch Book Review

 

The Frost Witch by Emberly Ash

4.5 Star Review

Available August 5, 2025!!

Thank you @NetGalley and Publisher for the eARC copy in exchange for a voluntary and honest review.

The first book in this new series by Ash follows a 400-year-old witch, Koryn, as she tries to save her world from a curse from the gods. She enters the trials of The Seven Gates to save another and soon finds herself life bound to a notorious bounty hunter, gaining a familiar, and learning to defend herself when magic is no longer available to help her. Each gate presents a new trial by a different god, increasing in danger.

If you love…

Ø Enemies to Love

Ø  Slow Burn

Ø  Forced Proximity

Ø  Gods

Ø  Dragons

Ø  Betrayal

Ø  Fae

Ø  Witches

…this is for you!

This story will pull you in like it did for me. Koryn is intent on being a witch – they have no heart and kill without remorse – but her true nature betrays every choice she makes. When she saves Garrick, the bounty hunter who should want to kill her instead of protect her, she forms a life bound between them. As they go through the trials together, he not only protects her but teaches her to protect herself. It is a slow burn that has you turning pages to see if – or when 😊 – they will finally make their move.

The writing is phenomenal, the pacing perfect, and the entire premises refreshing and EXACTLY my cup of tea. The only reason I gave 4.5 stars instead of 5 was personal preference. There was too much description and prose over dialogue (for me) to start, and I didn’t really get into it until about 50% of the way through when the ‘baby’ dragon was introduced and the dialogue picked up. If you get past that, though, it’s worthwhile. By the end, all the character development that took time to start makes you connect with Garrick and Koryn, and the ending… It broke me!

If you haven’t picked this one up, I 1000% recommend adding it to your TBR! I can’t wait to read the next book! I’ve already started Crown of Earth and Sky!

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.

 

Crown of Briars

 

Crown of Briars Book Review

Slow-Burn Dark Fantasy That Surpasses Expectations

If you love fairy tale retellings with a bit of bite, you’ll probably be hooked by this one just like I was. From the description alone, I was eager to dive in—a Beauty and the Beast story with some darkness and spice? Yes, please!

I’ll admit, dual POVs usually aren’t my thing. At first, it threw me off, but pretty soon I was looking forward to seeing both sides of the story. The author does a great job making each character’s perspective unique and interesting, so it didn’t take long for me to get invested in both of them.

One thing I worried about was that the plot might fall into the whole Stockholm Syndrome trap, but I’m happy to say it really doesn’t. The relationship between Sybelle and Varius actually felt honest and slow-burning. I found myself rooting for them more and more as their connection grew.

What really makes this book stand out is Sybelle’s inner struggle. She has to choose between holding on to a lie she grew up believing—a lie meant to protect her people, and the whole reason she agreed to marry Varius, the enemy Wraith King—or following her own instincts when she discovers his kingdom is cursed, and she just might be the one who can break it. It definitely kept me turning pages!

The chemistry between Sybelle and Varius is off the charts. I wasn’t sure what to expect with the “spice,” but honestly, the romance was way more swoon-worthy than cringey. In fact, I ended up wanting a Varius of my own by the end!

There’s also a great message here: that love isn’t about what you look like or where you come from, but about who you are. The author gets that across without being heavy-handed, which I really appreciated.

This was my first book by R.L. Perez, and I was so hooked I immediately picked up "Crown of Slumber" to see what else they’ve got. This is the first book in the series, but both can be read as a stand-alone novel; however, the dragon companion we fall in love with in Crown of Briars is first introduced in Crown of Slumber, and I love, love, love Azure! The writing pulls you right in, and the characters just stick with you.

All in all, if you want a romantic fantasy with real depth, some edge, and a love story you can truly root for, definitely check this one out!

Thank you to NetGalley and Willow Haven Press for an e-arc of this book.

Just devoured #CrownOfBriars by @rlperezbooks and I’m obsessed! This dark fantasy #mustreadbook is a #fairytale retelling of #beautyandthebeast, spiced up with romance and danger. Out August 4, 2025!

Author Interview with Sue A. Hart

Author Interview with Sue A Hart

Sue Hart is finally delving into the world of publishing and I, for one, couldn't be more excited. Her first novel, Challenges, is set for release on June 20, 2018, and is now available for pre-order!

She is a fantastic writer who has helped many authors while on her own journey - myself included. I am happy that she took the time to answer a few questions about her writing process, the stories that readers have fallen in love with, and her future publication plans. You can look into all the books that are up-and-coming from Sue Hart at Amazon.
Q. Does writing energize or exhaust you? A. Energize to the point of obsession. I can be on one story, get an idea for another and write multiple chapters at one sitting until my discipline returns enough to go back to the other book. It isn't unusual for me to write both. I bore easily and creativity is never boring. But I am self-motivating too, so I tend to go with the book that I know I can complete quickly. Q. Have you ever gotten reader's block? A. I never have. Stories come to me with the plot. I see it as it develops. Then I see the characters and their part in presenting that plot. What they are like, what kind of antagonist (silly, stupid, mean, jealous), is the heroine sweet, serious, fun? But I do not like wimpy females. Not even for an antagonist. People who whine about their situation don't creat fans. People avoid them. Sad is different. There can be a solid reason for it that the character has to overcome. I believe my methos of storytelling can come from many directions. I recently asked this question to other writers and they told me how they found inspiration. It boils down to one thing. Imagination. I believe many are born with it. A child will tell you stories. Ask them questions and they will give you a plot. Q. Do you try to be more original or to deliver to readers what they want? A. Both. I have discovered what kind of characters the majority of readers like. I know they like to laugh, have an adventure, and get so involved with the book, they can't sleep. Women like romance, men like it too, especially from a male perspective. Flirting wins both, especially with comedy thrown in. The plot comes from my interest and the topic I believe has some depth. If I have to spend hours researching, like I have for a few of my books, I want to be interested in it. I write Romance genre with comedy, adventure, suspense and so forth. It depends on my research topic. Not everyone like the same thing, but most enjoy situation comedy, even enough to read a book they have doubts about. Q. What other authors are you friends with and how do they help you become a better writer? A. This is a great question. I have over 300 friends who are authors because of reading sites I've belonged to over the years. I'd say that twenty have freely advised me with specifics, while many others just encourage. I did not study writing, journalism, or anything similar in school. If I had, by the time I began writing, I would have forgotten most of it. I know how to tell a story--like it comes to me. What I was ignorant of was the structure. How to make a reader gobble up every word while hating to put it down. This kind of information was trickled down from many ideas from writers. But how many quthors had books that were read cover-to-cover hating to put it down? What's the key? Those are the people you listen to. I did, but also to Hollywood. They introduce the character in a scene which begins the plot. Page one. They don't tell you abou tit like you're blind, they show it. If a book narrates the first page or more, my mind won't cooperate. Put me in the middle of it with action going on and I'm entranced. So I write what I like. Q. Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book? A. This question fits into what I'm trying to do. My readers on Wattpad didn't want my stories to end. Not because they were 'cut off' but because they loved the characters. So, I decided to connect each book I write, even though they are all standalone novels. I will present the older characters briefly to let the reader see them and their family. Down the line, those children will grow up and get their own book decades down the line. My blurb will guide a reader as to the order of guest appearances. These will connect the books over decades and continents. Q. How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have? A. Hold on. After explaining my plans and how I write, you know it's a high number. Three are heading for publication in the next few months. One needs edits, and then it's going to publication. Two are half-finished. Four have the outlines and first ten chapters. I'm trying to have them all in publication by the end of 2019. Want to know more? Visit Sue A. Hart on her blog: Books, Authors and Me. Again, her novel is set for release on Amazon June 20, 2018! Over 200,000 readers on Wattpad have already fallen in love with this book and I recommend it. Sue has the amazing ability to suck you into the worlds that she creates until you are not only believing the story is happening like a movie in your head, you are crying and celebrating along with the characters. You can read a sample of this story, along with the comments from readers that loved it, here.