An interesting reimagining of a fairytale where grief, mental illness and the bonds one can make with other lost souls ties together 12 dancing girls.An interesting reimagining of a fairytale where grief, mental illness and the bonds one can make with other lost souls ties together 12 dancing girls.
“The Castle School for Troubled Girls” follows Moira as she’s shipped off to a remote school following the death of her best friend. While trying to navigate this new normal she and her roommate find an unlocked window and the sound of music drifting from the woods encouraging them to explore.
I have to start by saying that I’m a case worker at an mental health clinic so a lot of the moments explored with each girl concerning how they came to be at the school and the approaches Dr. Prince used to help them were absolutely fascinating and I found myself wanting to take notes on some of the techniques to use myself. Each girl was given a chapter to show their struggles and the thinking behind some of their more harmful actions and while it may be unsettling I think they way it is articulated is very powerful and shows the complicated dynamic with mental health and that it is something that takes a long time to manage and even then there may be set backs.
The set up of 12 Dancing Princesses was great and I found myself wondering if this would venture into fantasy but I’m glad it managed to stick within the realms of reality and I am starting to realize this might be my new favorite fairytale for ya retellings as there’s so much you can do with it and this book took advantage of each and every opportunity.
This book does discuss mental illness and contains themes that may trigger others and though I’m not certain if there will be an official warning I am available to discuss those with anyone looking to read this book beforehand.
**special thanks to the publishers and netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review** ...more
If you’re a big fan of Taylor Swift’s folklore buckle up because the story of August, Betty and the mystery woman here ends with someone’s death.
“NobIf you’re a big fan of Taylor Swift’s folklore buckle up because the story of August, Betty and the mystery woman here ends with someone’s death.
“Nobody Knows but You” tells the tragic story of Kayla and her best friend from Lainie as they went from fast friends to testifying at the others murder trial after a summer built on love, laughter and a body in the lake.
This was a complicated story because on one hand I really enjoyed the mystery and the overall arch of the characters as we watched their rise and fall before the bloody conclusion but I wasn’t a huge fan of the way this story was told to us. We aren’t given an actual story rather a collection of letters Kayla writes but deletes before sending to her friend awaiting trial and that is interjected between interviews and transcripts from other kids at the camp and the counselors as well as a few news articles detailing the trial itself. While I didn’t mind the interview and trial parts the letters were a little annoying, especially in the beginning, as they were filled with inside joke humor and other childish anecdotes that seemed out of place as we didn’t know either of these girls well enough yet to be included in the conversation which might have been on purpose given that was their entire relationship when it came to the outside world but to the reader it was off putting.
That being said I think it offered some insight into those weeks at the summer camp before the last night and when it comes from a single narrator relaying bits in a letter it’s hard to distinguish which parts really happened and which are just perception which is one of my favorite things.
It’s hard not to make a Taylor Swift joke as the whole time I could not stop singing Betty but it really is that idea of a summer filled with love, betrayal and only instead of skipping ahead to a different track we get a dead body so for that it was interesting but still needed something to give it that extra boost which I would have accepted in the form of at least one chapter/epilogue told from Lainie’s pov. ...more
I didn’t know how I’d feel about this one given how the love interest was portrayed in book one but I must say I do think this is my favorite so far iI didn’t know how I’d feel about this one given how the love interest was portrayed in book one but I must say I do think this is my favorite so far in the series!
“A Rogue of One’s Own” finds Lucie eager to manage her role in the cause to help her fellow women when her plans go awry at the hands of Lord Ballantine her longtime foe who is recently back from India and not shy about living up to his scandalous reputation and with a bargain struck to have sole control over the publishing company it is unclear which of the two will come out on top.
This book has every kind of trope I adore and I loved every second.
Lucie is headstrong and not shy about fighting for the right for women to have a voice and embracing the “spinster” title she has been given by abandoning all roles women are expected to fall in to as wife and mothers and I saw a lot of myself in her as the plot moved along and I think that’s another reason I loved her so much. She talks a big game and is very much the warrior she needs to be when taking on this fight and at the same time she is very awkward and shy but that doesn’t stop her from going after what she wants even if the circumstance is less than ideal.
Ballantine is another character who is easy to love and it was no surprise they allude to him being the inspiration for another character I adore from classic literature. With all the makings of a swoon worthy love interest I never felt like I was seeing a repeat of a character design though the similarities were certainly there. Where this book works best is the back and forth between these two who manage to harmonize and their soft moments are some of my favorite especially when you start to piece together the smaller details that lay in their shared histories and the resolution to those feelings that have been buried behind war and a duty to women’s suffrage and I couldn’t think of a better ally for Lucie.
If each book follows this pattern of being better than the last I dare say I may have a new favorite series and the fact that it is a contemporary is a shock to us all!
**special thanks to the publishers and netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review**...more
A contemporary read that follows a group of kids dealing with their grief following the mysterious drowning of their friend that leans more to the jouA contemporary read that follows a group of kids dealing with their grief following the mysterious drowning of their friend that leans more to the journey one makes to overcome such a loss and less about the forest that has the power to take it from you.
“We were Restless Things” sees Jonas in a new town and living in the shadow of the boy who was recently found dead in the woods behind his house. When his pseudo step sister brings him out to the lake hidden within the trees strange things start to unfold inviting more than just these two back into the embrace of a force that has no desire to let them leave.
I came into this looking for a creepy sort of read that saw this menacing presence lurking in the woods that could kill those who ventured too far and unfortunately this was not that book. Instead we have an almost year in the life type book that follows those closest to Link and how the manage to deal with the fallout of his death and the guild they all share for not doing something to prevent the inevitable.
When we did get to the more fantasy elements it was interesting and something I really wish we would have gotten more of but sadly they only face this sort of oddity a couple of times before the big “showdown” which is more sad than it is scary and I never really understood why it was happening despite the little insights we did get but that’s something I’d have to explain at a later date as to avoid spoilers.
My biggest issue was the dynamics between Jonas and Noemi on the surface they were fine but the whole idea of practically being step siblings was never going to work for me and once she had a very personal conversation with him about her desires vs his I though okay maybe this will be it and we can move on because it’s almost immediately brought up again with another character who I felt handled it better but then we went right back to Jonas and it just felt gross to me and maybe I’m in the minority but I think it’s too weird to support.
Overall this isn’t a bad book but it definitely isn’t what the synopsis makes it out to be so if you’re looking for a thriller or dark fantasy you’ll be a little disappointed but if you don’t mind a taste of both with a spin of the steps of grief this will work great.
**special thanks to the publishers and netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review** ...more
If this book was the exact same but with a different skeleton in the closet this probably would have been a five star read.
“Beach Read” follows JanuaIf this book was the exact same but with a different skeleton in the closet this probably would have been a five star read.
“Beach Read” follows January as she struggles to adjust when her life comes crashing down after learning of her father’s affair at his funeral and on her quiet retreat to his beach house she finds that she and the neighbor have a history of competing to be the better writer and with nothing but misery to focus on they both decide to make a bet that they will explore each other’s genre but there’s no promise of a happy ending.
Okay to start I can’t stand cheating especially on someone who is going through a life threatening illness so her dad can fuck off.
That being said everything between Gus and January was amazing. Their rivalry that began in college and has extended to their adult lives was so entertaining especially their little scenes of nonstop banter as they traveled to different places to do research for the other’s book and I think those were my favorite. Both fully jumped into the others element and were willing to try and manage their own baggage while being the support the other needed and learned that sometimes things aren’t perfect but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t strive for that happy ending.
It’s ironic that there’s very little time spent on the beach for a book with said title but if you’re looking for something that offers a little bit of light on a rainy day this will be a perfect read for you.
**special thanks to the publishers and netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review** ...more
I feel like this book had a lot of potential but instead fell back on what I can only imagine is the source material making what could have been a greI feel like this book had a lot of potential but instead fell back on what I can only imagine is the source material making what could have been a great story it’s own tragic queen of spades.
“These Vengeful Hearts” follows Ember as she finally joins the elusive Red Court, an organization of young women at school who trade favors for jobs giving you anything from the title of homecoming queen or breaking up the new it couple so you have a chance at your crush, in order to bring down the Queen but her plans go sideways when she finds that the hierarchy is a bit more tricky than she imagined especially when she finds that she enjoys the power that comes with the title.
This is literally a book version of mean girls.
I feel like the structuring of this secret society is wasted on a plot that is so similar to the film that it was spoiled before I even turned the first page to the point that I can’t understand why one would go through the trouble of orchestrating a dynamic that could have been a high school version of Ocean’s 8 but instead of making that its own piece it decided to superimpose it onto Regina George and the plastics.
This one actually stings a little bit because I feel like it could have been such a fun read if it tried to be it’s own thing but instead the entire house of cards fell apart and nothing of substance or at least entertainment was left in its wake.
This was a huge disappointment.
**special thanks to the publishers and netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review**...more
“Layoverland” follows Bea as she tries to navigate her new reality following a car crash that left her in puWho do I have to bribe to get an epilogue?
“Layoverland” follows Bea as she tries to navigate her new reality following a car crash that left her in purgatory that takes the shape of an airport terminal and a new job helping souls cross over to make up for her misdeeds when one such soul is someone she recognizes as the person who killed her and she’ll stop at nothing to make his life hell before he has the chance to reach Heaven.
It’s not lost on me that I finish the book on the very day I will watch The Good Place take its final bow and I have to say this is a great comfort book to help me get over that loss.
I loved everything about Bea she is flawed and awful but very real and a lot like me in the sense that she puts up walls to protect herself from getting hurt and due to her untimely death she is never able to right some of her wrongs until she gets to the terminal and is confronted with the person who took everything away from her and also finds herself learning how to be vulnerable.
The set up of a terminal as purgatory was so fun because it’s absolutely miserable and the thought of being stuck somewhere like that sounds like a nightmare only Tom Hanks could make somewhat interesting which is why you could sympathize with Bea, Sadie and all the other souls wandering around waiting for their next flight out and also sympathize with those who saw their afterlife as a new opportunity to embrace what they couldn’t while on Earth.
This was a great read but I really wish there was an extra bit at the end to let us see how things were with Bea’s family and even if someone was waiting for her in Heaven but I guess I’ll just to make something up for myself....more
Was this a bit cliché? 100%. Did I love it anyway? Absolutely.
“Only Mostly Devastated” finds Ollie sticking around North Carolina just long enough toWas this a bit cliché? 100%. Did I love it anyway? Absolutely.
“Only Mostly Devastated” finds Ollie sticking around North Carolina just long enough to watch his summer romance turn sour as his first day of school finds him in class with Will who quickly shuts down any chance of continuing it further. With Ollie trying to navigate a new school, friends and his aunt’s deteriorating health he can’t help but wish that he can lean on his old flame but with prejudice, parental expectations and the fear that comes with acknowledging your true self that wish appears to belong to a fairy tale and not high school.
This book is cute and there’s plenty of angst that all seems to hit your typical notes for a high school romance piece with the only reach connection to Grease being that of the summer lovin’ which was fine but I guess I expected a little bit more from that selling point.
The best parts of the book came from Ollie, Will and Lara as they tried to deal with their own secrets and come to terms with their identities while acknowledging their faults and trying to make up for it as the story progressed which managed to ripple outside of that trio and into the core group.
This book is sweet and I enjoyed it but it doesn’t offer up anything new to make it stand out from any other in the genre.
**special thanks to the publishers and netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review** ...more
I don’t often read contemporaries but damnit if this one didn’t sneak up on me.
“Red, White and Royal Blue” forces long time enemies Alex, the first sI don’t often read contemporaries but damnit if this one didn’t sneak up on me.
“Red, White and Royal Blue” forces long time enemies Alex, the first son of the United States and the U.K.’s Prince Henry together to fix their image after a bit of bad press and it isn’t long before the two realize that maybe their hostility stems from something deeper.
I have to say I was surprised at how little certain historical events were washed over which could have been done easily given the fact that this is a contemporary with a focus on the love story. Both of our leads talk about the bloody and cruel history of their respective countries, and though it isn’t a main focus, it does get discussed multiple times over the course of the book when it could have been a quick nod before moving on.
I loved the dynamic between the two leads with their rivalry and then their unlikely friendship before it turned into something more and then the gut wrenching and vulnerable moments they shared when discussing the levels of responsibility they were either born into and found themselves in due to the choices of their parents and the weight they carry as they attempt to be true to themselves.
The plot itself is one you see coming from a mile away but I didn’t really mind as Alex, Henry and the supporting cast manage it well without it turning into a clip show of Jim looking into the camera on the office when they near the end of both the book and the presidential election. I will say that I had to google a few things mentioned here especially the historical players who get shout outs to read their stories only to realize my AP history classes taught me nothing.
This is a fun read and you’ll find yourself smiling along before the appropriate gut punches but it’s all worth it! ...more
“Coral” adds a twist to the classic fairytale as a little mermaid named Coral watches her older sister succumb to what iI absolutely adored this book!
“Coral” adds a twist to the classic fairytale as a little mermaid named Coral watches her older sister succumb to what is known as the Red Tide, and in her grief she meets a sea witch and the promise of human legs so she can find the prince who broke her sisters heart and find a way to save her own.
This was one that I kept going back and forth on if I figured it out and I was right for a good portion which makes me a giant nerd but also super happy.
I’ll start by saying I don’t know the plan for trigger warnings so I’ll include them here, the major theme of this book is centered around mental illness with a focus on depression, self harm and suicide. All three of these play out heavily with our characters and though it’s written in a way that has this artistic poetry it’s still contains scenes that depict acts concerning the final two I listed above so if that is something that would be difficult to read I would suggest not reading the book at this time despite the lasting message of hope and that while someone is going through this they are not nothing which I found to be very powerful.
The story does a good job of weaving together the fairytale we all know and love while mirroring it to real life and the struggle one faces when mental health is something that is frowned upon or just not talked about and the guilt or shame that the person dealing with it is left with as they try to put on a brave face to avoid the stigma.
I really enjoyed the journey this book takes us on and how just about every character has these shades of grey moments that help make them fully formed whether they are the main cast or the side characters it really helps to show that everyone is dealing with something and though you may not see it, it doesn’t mean it isn’t there.
I really loved this and I hope others do too and it can open a dialogue about mental health and what it means to be someone going through this and perhaps even help those who aren’t to be the person who reaches out to offer support.
**special thanks to the publishers and netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review**...more
I’m really torn between a 3 and 4 star rating for this and I could insert a horrible joke about the infinite possibilities that could lead to me changI’m really torn between a 3 and 4 star rating for this and I could insert a horrible joke about the infinite possibilities that could lead to me changing it but for now I’m just going to stick with the 3.
“Me, Myself and Him” follows Chris down two very different paths following his accident after a whippet gone wrong and in each we see how the very idea of change, be it with his social circle, his fathers upcoming wedding or his very self can be impacted by any number of decisions he encounters.
So I’m not sure which version of this story is supposed to be the one that actually happens but I really enjoyed both for what they brought to the table and how they impacted Chris.
Scenario 1 sees Chris living with his father and navigating their rocky relationship as he harbors resentment over his fathers decision to leave the family and the strict rules he finds himself following in order to go to college in the fall. This portion gives us a lot of insight into his relationship with his family while still touching on the subject of his friends and the struggle we’ve all faced with wanting to hold on to childhood relationships as we enter adulthood while also letting us see him grow up and reach this new found independence now that he doesn’t have the crutch of his friends to make him feel safe.
Scenario 2 finds Chris desperate to keep his social dynamic exactly the same for his final summer before college only to find that someone knows he lied about his accident and this newfound problem might be someone just as lost in the shuffle as Chris and looking for a friend to hold on to.
I’ll be honest as much as I loved scenario 1 for all it gave us in terms of the past and what it could mean for Chris and his father moving forward I really wanted there to be some kind of resolution for scenario 2 Chris and whatever the hell was going on with Mitch. I feel like that portion of the story cuts off too quickly and there was more to that character than what we see and I’d give anything to see some sort of sequel or POV granted to him at some point.
This book is very interesting and a bit confusing at first as the synopsis set up an idea in my head that was nothing like how it actually played out in terms of the two alternating timelines so I’ll admit it was a bit of a struggle at first but it was resolved quickly in order to finish out the story which wasn’t anything stellar but also wasn’t awful so for that I’m grateful.
**special thanks to the publishers and netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review** ...more
A book that managed to tie the past and present together with the undertones of a fairytale gives us a story that shows how far someone * 4.5 stars *
A book that managed to tie the past and present together with the undertones of a fairytale gives us a story that shows how far someone will go to protect the ones they love and just how similar mothers and daughters can be.
“Between Before and After” finds Molly digging through her mother’s drawers when she finds a mysterious envelope that makes her question what secrets lie in her past and what it can tell her about their future as a family.
I really loved the style of this book setting us up with Molly’s discovery and her quest to find answers intermixed with the past told in her mother’s point of view as she and her brother struggle to survive when the odds are stacked against them. All the while we gets hints in Molly’s sections that something happens to make her mother lose all faith and over the course of the book we see what happened and why the past doesn’t always get to stay there.
Both of their stories were so beautiful and tragic in that these two share a lot of similarities but seem to clash more often than not. It’s especially true when we see their counterparts in their respective younger brothers and that plays to the roles put on older siblings to be more responsible even if it means putting your own happiness aside. Also due to the times in which this story takes place there’s always this lingering sense of dread when it comes to Elaine’s story that very much plays into the feeling most women have in their life at some point or another and in her case her anger towards those who (and this is as best as I can say without spoiling) believe one life is more important than another.
My only real critique is that the ending didn’t feel final to me it was almost as though someone had tried to make it something that would stick with you long after you turned the page but for me it felt a lot like I was missing one which was a bit underwhelming considering how much I enjoyed the rest.
Both of these stories are told with the undercurrents of Hansel and Gretel sprinkled in between and as the reader you know that though this is a story grounded in reality, one of them must meet the witch and you hope that they survive and as it blends heavy topics like the roles of women, generational struggles and faith you follow them along on this path and make their way back home.
**special thanks to the publishers and netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review!** ...more
If ‘The Good Place’ had high school level drama you’d get this book.
“Dead School” is a place one goes after they die in order to better* 3.5 stars *
If ‘The Good Place’ had high school level drama you’d get this book.
“Dead School” is a place one goes after they die in order to better sort them to their afterlife jobs that range from muses to sprit guides who all have the power to pass on what they’ve learned in life and death onto the living and influence their lives in ways that will bring them happiness and peace but for Tina it’s a final opportunity to prove her worth as this isn’t her first time attending classes but it may just be her last.
This book has a lot of similarities to TGP with a reluctant to change character finding herself dead and confronted with all the ways she messed up during her life that lead her to this moment where she’s forced to relive it all in her chart and work to become a better person. It also features a Tahani character that is very much the entitled queen bee but unfortunately doesn’t share in her tv counterparts growth to become a well rounded character that we root for which was upsetting.
There’s a good deal of fat shaming both by the bullies in school towards Tina’s final project but also by Tina herself with the descriptions she puts on this poor girl who is already suffering and now has a spirit guide who refers to her weight and overall appearance with similar distaste despite the fact that she herself is suffering from body image issues.
Unfortunately wasn’t one I necessarily enjoyed but I think that is due to the characters because the plot is a solid idea and the surrounding players do their job well but the main group that we spend time with aren’t enjoyable at all.
**special thanks to the publishers and edelweiss for providing a copy in exchange for a fair and honest review** ...more
A fast read that asks the question of what it means to be a hero and how heavy the world can weigh on a person before they reach the point *4.5 stars*
A fast read that asks the question of what it means to be a hero and how heavy the world can weigh on a person before they reach the point of asking for help.
“What You Hide” begins at a crossroads for both Mallory and Spencer who find themselves questioning where they are in their lives and what the future may hold when they meet at the local library. After a few run ins and missed opportunities their new found friendship is confronted with mysterious happenings within the library walls and when a body is discovered they find themselves working to uncover just what they’re made of.
What I enjoyed most about this book is that at when you think a certain plot point is going to go in one direction it does a 180 and really forces the book to become something else and less cliché especially when dealing with these specific themes it could have easily gone off the rails into something we’ve seen a hundred times but with those few changes it really offered something fresh to the story.
I really loved the back and forth between our two leads as they have very different things happening in their lives and different upbringings to influence their perspective of the world but still manage to come together to offer that new insight into the others problems and that willingness to listen or to be a distraction made their entire journey so great to read.
The use of foreshadowing is done so well in this book with all of these subtle details that don’t really mean too much in the moment but on a larger scale provide perfect symbolism for Mallory’s story and what she was fighting for while trying to get her life on track for both herself and her growing family and just that little parallel speaks volumes and bookended this book perfectly and though it might not be as much as a thriller as one expects reading the synopsis it’s a very well done contemporary and that should be celebrated.
Also as a side note I have to thank this book for giving a fellow Ohioan a new restaurant to try!
**special thanks to the publishers and netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review!**...more
“After the Fire” is a story that goes back and forth through time as Moonbeam deals with the aftermath of a fire that uprooted her life anHoly. shit.
“After the Fire” is a story that goes back and forth through time as Moonbeam deals with the aftermath of a fire that uprooted her life and tore her away from everything she’s ever known. Struggling to cope with the guilt of the past and the fear of the unknown as she looks to the future she learns that the only way forward is to wake up each and every day with the knowledge that she survived and the willingness to accept help from those around her.
I should probably start by saying I’m a huge fan of true crime and cults really go hand and hand with that interest and this book does not shy away from taking you there and showing all the ugliness that comes from organizations like that where men in power twist gospel to their favor and prey upon the vulnerable in order to achieve their own selfish desires.
I really enjoyed the set up of this book with it being almost interview style where we slowly see Moonbeam open up about what happened during her time with the group leading up to the fire and more importantly what happened that day that led her and the other survivors to their rescue. Seeing her and the others as they struggle to come to terms with what happened to them while also questioning their faith when dealing with those trying to help them was so sad because their reactions and disbelief mirrors that of real life cult survivors that I’ve watched a few documentaries on and I was completely blown away.
This is such an incredible book that handles the subject matter so well and it’s easy to see how someone like that could come into power both in fiction and reality and how important it is for a few strong voices to stand up against those con men in order to protect those who either can’t or are too afraid to protect themselves.
**special thanks to netgalley for providing a copy in exchange for a fair and honest review!**...more
A time traveling twist sets up a parallel story that manages to interweave the past and present together to give us a cute ya read.
“But Not Forever” A time traveling twist sets up a parallel story that manages to interweave the past and present together to give us a cute ya read.
“But Not Forever” begins in 2015 with Sonnet and her family investigating an abandoned mansion when she finds herself in a daze and trapped in the closet only to be pulled out by an unknown woman calling her by a different name. On the opposite side of the same coin we have Emma, a young woman in 1895 struggling with an abusive mother and a secret love who finds herself stumbling in and out of the same closet only to the company of strangers. As both girls try to navigate their unique situation the struggle to come to terms with the differences in both of their lives while also doing everything they can to make it home.
This book is sweet and I know there’s supposed to be a romance element at play but it’s so minimal, at least to me, that I sort of brushed past it in order to focus on the bigger theme of these two young women from very different upbringings and societal constraints of the time in which they live coming into their own and growing as individuals. We have a girl who is starved for affection that she welcomes the tiny moments with the Aunt of the girl she’s pretending to be and the shy Sonnet is making waves in a time where women were supposed to be seen and not heard and that was wonderful to see.
My biggest critique and I know this is a personal thing and reality is no excuse for fiction but so many people were told of this time travel switch and not one person questioned it. Not one person. In a time when women were sent to asylums for the slightest thing we somehow manage to convince a large amount of people from the beginning that the girl they believe is Emma is actually another girl from the future and no one bats an eye.
All in all this is more of a personal growth type plot with the addition of time travel to really convey the push and pull of certain constraints on both women as they become the person they were always supposed to be with the help of family and friends who have always known how great they were and that makes for a good story.
**special thanks to the publishers and netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review!** ...more