Fiction

The Name Drop

By Susan Lee

Coming soon on September 12, 2023!

(5 / 5)

A few weeks ago, I had the chance to read the first few chapters of The Name Drop, and I felt like this was a book I could love. Luckily, I won a free early copy of the book from the publisher through BookishFirst. All opinions expressed in my review are my own.

The Name Drop was a book that I really enjoyed and found hard to put down. In fact, I started it one night before going to bed and finished it the next day.

I enjoyed the main characters, Elijah and Jessica, who both happen to have the same Korean name. While the circumstances of them getting “switched” at the airport seemed improbable, I went into the book knowing this and it sets up a very interesting situation for the characters. I like that the characters felt real. Even though they came from very different backgrounds, they each had an awareness about themselves and their faults. And they were able to help each other through the very different lives they were leading over the summer.

I also found it interesting how the book addressed the fact that wealth (or lack of it) and gender can greatly affect one’s ability to succeed, especially in Korean culture. It was nice to see both the main characters and side characters face this issue and grow from it.

Overall, this was a quick and enjoyable read. After reading this book, I would love to read more from Susan Lee.

Sneak Peek: The Name Drop

By Susan Lee

Coming soon on September 12, 2023

First Impression: (5 / 5)

I had the opportunity to read the first few chapters of Susan Lee’s upcoming book, The Name Drop.

From what I’ve read so far, I think this is a book I would enjoy reading. The 2 main characters are very different from each other, but they also each have a realness to them that I like. So far the book flows well and felt like something I could easily get lost in for hours. I was honestly sad for the First Look to end – I would love to continue reading this story!

August 17, 2023 by danimae1981 eBook Fiction First Impression Young Adult 0

A Multitude of Dreams

By Mara Rutherford

Coming soon on August 29, 2023

(4 / 5)

A Multitude of Dreams was an interesting blend of genres. It’s a young adult book with a post-apocalyptic dystopia feel mixed with fantasy, action and a dash of romance along the way.

The story follows the points-of-view of 2 characters, Seraphina and Nico. In the aftermath of a terrible disease, both characters are living very different lives from what they were before. Seraphina is Jewish, and lived in an area where Jewish people were separated from the rest of the population – this book actually dives into the persecution of Jews, much like what happened in real history. When the king’s favorite daughter, Imogen, dies from the disease, the other princesses take Seraphina to live as the princess since she looks remarkably similar. For 4 years she has been stuck in the castle as the king will not allow anyone to leave. Meanwhile, Nico lived a life with some status though his mother. But with his entire family dead from the sickness, he now works as a servant for a nobleman named Crane. On the surface Crane seems like a good enough man, but soon Nico starts to suspect that things are not quite what they seem.

Several chapters in, the book takes a turn into a more paranormal/fantasy feel, which I didn’t necessarily see coming, but it adds an interesting twist to the story that gives it a sinister feel. It also leads to a lot of thrills and action.

Overall, this book was an enjoyable read that kept me engaged and wanting to read more. I liked both of the main characters and felt they were well-developed and learn a lot about themselves over the course of the story. The world created in the book was interesting and immersive.

Thank you to Inkyard Press for the free copy of this book, which I won through a BookishFirst raffle. All opinions expressed in my review are completely my own.

August 16, 2023 by danimae1981 Fantasy Fiction Hardcover Young Adult 0

All the Dead Shall Weep

By Charlaine Harris

Coming soon on September 5, 2023

(3.5 / 5)

All the Dead Shall Weep is the 5th book in the Gunnie Rose series, and since it continues the stories of Lizbeth and Felicia, the previous books should be read first. That said, it’s been several months since I read the previous books, and I didn’t have much trouble following what was going on since the author gave little hints and reminders of things that had happened previously.

In general, I’ve really enjoyed reading this series, but this book was probably my least favorite. It doesn’t mean it was a bad book, it just didn’t seem to have the adventure and excitement that the previous books had. There was very much an “air of sadness” throughout the book- right from the start we learn that Lizbeth recently miscarried a baby and Eli has been distant, then Eli (and his brother Peter) are gone for most of the book. With the love interests gone, there isn’t much of any romance in this book. There was a little bit of adventure, but most of the story took place in Lizbeth’s hometown of Segundo Mexia. Honestly, a lot of the book felt like we were waiting around to see if Eli would come back and wondering what was going on with a mysterious militia. There’s more excitement in the end, but honestly this whole book feels like it’s leading up to bigger things that haven’t happened yet. And I just don’t feel like there was a lot of character development over the course of the story, though there is growth in the relationship between the sisters. I enjoyed the book well enough since I like the characters and world that was built from the previous books. But I’m hoping there will be a book #6 that feels more like the previous books and dives into some of the things that weren’t wrapped up in this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the free advance copy of this book. All opinions expressed in my review are completely my own.

August 15, 2023 by danimae1981 eBook Fantasy Fiction 0

Love to Hate You

by Camilla Isley

Coming soon on August 10, 2023

(5 / 5)

This is the 4th book that I’ve read in Camilla Isley’s First Comes Love series that is being re-released, and I’m finding that I really enjoy this author. Love to Hate You was previously published as Sweet Love and Country Roads. Though a few characters from previous books appear in this one, it could easily be read as a standalone.

Unlike the previous books I read in the series, Love to Hate You is written from only one perspective, that of movie producer Samantha Baker. I’ll be honest, at first I wasn’t sure how much I would like Sam, since her character begins the book with an abrasive personality and a focus on fashion that just isn’t something I relate to. As I kept reading, though, I found that more likable parts of her personality become more apparent, and I ending up liking her character a lot. She’s a strong female character that gets things done, but underneath it all she has insecurities just like everyone. I also enjoyed the main male character, Travis. I’m not into cowboys, but it didn’t take long to see that his character was far more complex than he first appeared.

At first the locations and people in the story felt a little bit stereotyped, but I think it was mostly to set up the “city girl stuck in the country” scenario. Also, it makes sense since we are seeing everything from Sam’s perspective, and that’s how she felt. I was glad to see that over the course of the story, Sam was able to see the country as more than cows and pastures, just like Travis turned out to be more than just a simple cowboy.

Despite my reservations at the beginning, I ended up really enjoying this book. I got sucked into the story and devoured most of the book over the course of a day. I was satisfied with how things ended, and of course it was fun to get a few glimpses of some favorite characters from previous books. I’m definitely hoping to read more by Camilla Isley in the future!

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the free advance copy of Love to Hate You. All opinions expressed in my review are completely my own.

July 26, 2023 by danimae1981 Fiction Kindle Romance 0

Sneak Peek: Check & Mate

By Ali Hazelwood

Coming soon on November 7, 2023

First Impression: (4 / 5)

I was able to preview the first few chapters of Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood. The book has a very obvious chess theme to it, though it doesn’t seem like you need much knowledge about the game to enjoy the book. Things are a bit mysterious in the beginning because we don’t know why Mallory, the main character, stopped playing chess a few years ago or what happened to her dad, but she has obviously had to make some big sacrifices to support her mom and sisters. From what I’ve read so far it seems like it could be an interesting story that I’d like to keep reading.

July 22, 2023 by danimae1981 Fiction First Impression Romance Young Adult 0

Thieves’ Gambit

By Kayvion Lewis

Coming Soon on September 26, 2023

(5 / 5)

After providing a First Impression review through BookishFirst, I was chosen to receive a free advance copy of the book from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own and this review is voluntary.

This was a really fun book to read, with tons of action and twists along the way that I did not expect at all. The book had me hooked right from the beginning, where Ross, the main character, is in the middle of a heist with her mom. I never expected to like a character who is a thief, but I actually enjoyed Ross and several other characters in this book.

The book is told from the point of view of Ross Quest, who is really going out on her own for the first time, since her family has kept her pretty isolated beyond the heist jobs that they do. When Ross’s mom is kidnapped, Ross joins a competition called the Thieves’ Gambit, where teens compete for the chance to make a wish. Some of the competitors were likable right away, while others were more of a “love to hate”. It was interesting to see Ross’s relationships develop with the various characters.

Through the course of the competition, the contestants participated in multiple heists, so the action and thrills were endless in this book. The book was fast-paced and kept me engaged throughout. There’s some light romance along the way, but it’s really not the focus of the story. There were a few twists that I didn’t see coming at all, so it was fun to get some surprises along the way. It definitely didn’t end how I was expecting.

Overall, this was a well-written book, and I’m glad I had a chance to read it. I would love to see more from this author!

July 20, 2023 by danimae1981 Fiction Paperback Thriller Young Adult 0

Sneak Peek: I Loved You in Another Life

By David Arnold

Coming soon on October 10, 2023

First Impression: (3 / 5)

Another sneak peek, this time of I Loved You in Another Life by David Arnold. I was able to read the first several chapters. Unfortunately it turned out not being my cup of tea.

The writing in this book has a poetic feel to it, though the indirectness makes it feel a bit confusing. Evan’s chapters are in first person while Shosh’s are in third person which was a bit too jarring for my taste. Then there was a chapter about a couple in the past that appears to parallel the main story, but after several chapters the main characters haven’t even met yet. Overall it just had a depressing feel to it. I could see this book being one that some people might love, but it’s just not for me.

July 13, 2023 by danimae1981 eBook Fiction First Impression Young Adult 0

Sneak Peek: A Multitude of Dreams

By Mara Rutherford

Coming soon on August 29, 2023

First Impression: (4 / 5)

I had the chance to read the first three chapters of A Multitude of Dreams, which releases next month. This young adult fantasy has a post-apocalyptic feel since it takes place a few years after a deadly disease broke out.

So far I have found the two main characters likable. I especially like that, even though written in 3rd person, there is a different feel in the writing between the chapters for each character. I’ll admit to feeling a little overwhelmed at all the characters we meet in just the first two chapters, but I think I’ll be able to keep it all straight. I really like the premise behind this book and think I would enjoy reading it.

July 12, 2023 by danimae1981 eBook Fantasy Fiction First Impression Young Adult 0

Give Me a Sign

By Anna Sortino

Released today!

(5 / 5)

I was initially drawn to this book because the main character, Lilah, struggles with being deaf but still having some hearing, which makes her feel like she doesn’t fully belong in either world. It felt similar to my own teen, who is legally blind but still has sight, which is often misunderstood.

This book primarily takes place at a summer camp for deaf and blind children, where Lilah is a Junior Counselor. It was great to see so much representation of both blind and deaf people who were independent and in an environment where they could thrive. It also gave a lot of perspective about misconceptions of these people and the struggles they face in a world that is not accommodating, especially in scenes that take place outside the camp environment.

In the beginning of the book, Lilah wonders if she is “deaf enough” – she wears hearing aids and can lip read, but there’s still a lot she misses out on in conversations. She returns to the summer camp she attended when she was younger, and is able to become immersed in deaf culture, though it’s a struggle when she doesn’t know much ASL, which is how some of the other counselors communicate. With the patience of another counselor, Isaac, who is willing to help her learn, she is able to become more confident and comfortable with who she is.

There’s a romance element throughout this book, which I enjoyed a lot and I think adds to the charm of the story. I really liked the characters and the growth they achieve over the course of the story, even many of the more minor characters.

This book was written well and flowed beautifully. I was drawn in immediately and had a hard time putting it down. I basically read the whole book over the course of a day, I was that immersed in the story.

Overall, I thought this was a great read with a lot of great lessons that anyone, disability or not, can really benefit from what it has to offer. I will never know what it’s like to be like these characters, but I think it gives me a better appreciation for their experiences and ways we can make the world more inclusive.

I received a free advance copy of this book through NetGalley, but my review is voluntary and my own personal opinions.

July 11, 2023 by danimae1981 Fiction Kindle Romance Young Adult 0