Reviews, Etc.

REVIEW: Teen Titans: Robin by Kami Garcia and Gabriel Picolo

REVIEW: Teen Titans: Robin by Kami Garcia and Gabriel Picolo

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Raven and Gar have broken free from HIVE and are on the run with Max and Damien. They meet up with Max’s mom to regroup – and train for whatever comes next.

Meanwhile, Dick Grayson is tracking Damien. They got off on the wrong foot when Bruce introduced them. Dick is determined to find his brother and help him.

While Damien would love to send Dick packing, the group knows they have a lot to overcome if they want to be ready for HIVE’s next move. And Dick could be an asset.

Review

I love this series more and more with each book. I really enjoyed watching the growth of the two couples. But the relationship between Dick and Damien was my favorite part of this one. I wanted to read this again as soon as I finished. I also loved the cover tease for book five, which is a must-read for me.

DC fans, Teen Titan fans, and graphic novel fans should not miss this series. There are some dark and occultish elements in Raven’s story (her demon father, astral projection, talking to and raising the dead) that might not work for sensitive readers. But there’s nothing else in this series that has raised any red flags for me. I re-read the whole series before letting myself dive into this one, and it was so satisfying. Highly recommend!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

The Do-Over by Suzanne Park

The Do-Over by Suzanne Park

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Avon in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Lily is on the verge of getting everything she wants, including the release of a second book (which she technically still needs to write), and her dream job. But the employee background check for the new job turns up a surprise – Lily never actually graduated from college.

Now she has to go back and pick up the last few credits she needs – plus a STEM class to meet the current catalog requirements – and then she can get back to her life.

But the TA in her Computer Science class was her college sweetheart. He’s there finishing a PhD, and Lily wants to pretend he doesn’t exist. But Jake is hotter than ever – and he wants closure on what happened between them. He’s going to be super hard to ignore.

Review

I enjoyed this  – the characters, the attention to mental health, and Lily’s journey through shame to pride in herself as she goes back to school. There are just enough challenges along the way to keep this interesting. And we do get a flashback of what happened way back when between Jake and Lily. I felt like the personal journey for Lily was more satisfying for me than the romance with Jake, but both were good.

The three women at the center of this story are a delight. I would read more books with these three at the center, so if this is going to turn into one of those series where each character gets a book, I am all in for more. You can see my reviews of more books by this author here – there are a couple I would absolutely read again.

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½ = Good +

BOOK NEWS: April 11, 2023

BOOK NEWS: April 11, 2023

Posted on by Jaymie

Here are some of the new books releasing this week!

Books for Kids

The Loud Librarian – Penelope seems like the perfect choice for student-librarian, but she is also SUPER LOUD.
How Do You Spell Unfair?; MacNolia Cox and the National Spelling Bee – The story of one of the first two African Americans invited to the National Spelling Bee. MacNolia was sent off from Ohio with great fanfair, but her arrival in the segregated state of Maryland in 1936 changed everything, from her experience on the train, to the hotel, and on to the spelling bee.
The Princess in Black and the Prince in Pink – Book 10 in this delightful series sees the Princess in Black team up with a new friend. I can’t wait to check out this new adventure!

Books for Adults

The Half of It (Trade Paperback) – A grandmother feeling pensive about her past runs into the last person she wanted to see again – and he just wants to know what happened all those years ago.
Heir of Uncertain Magic (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Whimbrel House series. While Hulda had some luck taming Whimbrel House, that doesn’t mean the story for her and for Merritt is over. Hulda’s boss has gone missing and a mysterious person is competing with Hulda for the job while Merritt is trying to work on his own still-developing magical gifts and learn the story of his estranged family and his connection to Whimbrel House. I have book 1 on my TBR!
To Swoon and to Spar (Trade Paperback) – Book 4 in the Regency Vows series. A couple agrees to a marriage in name only, but discover things to appreciate about one other when she schemes to scare him from their home and he proves to be difficult to frighten off. I loved the second and third books in this series, so I definitely want to give this one a try!
Yours Truly (Trade Paperback) – Something new from the author of The Friend Zone (♥♥♥♥½) and The Happy Ever After Playlist (♥♥♥♥½). After a rocky start, two doctors try to overcome their first impressions of one another – and then he offers her the one thing she wants most of all. I am already behind on reading the third Friend Zone book, and the author’s most recent Part of Your World. But this is completely on my to read list for “some day.”
I Swear: Politics is Messier Than My Minivan (Hardcover Nonfiction) – A memoir from Congresswoman Katie Porter. You can read my review here.

REVIEW: I Swear by Katie Porter

REVIEW: I Swear by Katie Porter

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Crown in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. This book will release on April 11, 2023. This is another week with an adult review on Friday instead of something for kids or teens. Sorry! There’s just a lot of books for adults grabbing my attention these days.]

Summary and Review

This is a memoir of Congresswoman Katie Porter’s time in the US House of Representatives (so far) and how she got there in the first place. This covers everything from her childhood on an Iowa farm to her college years to her work as an attorney and professor as well as how she ended up running for Congress.

I was intrigued (and frustrated) by her experiences as the only single mother in the House of Representatives as well as a somewhat idealistic newbie in Washington. Congress is the playground of politicians, most of whom are past the years of parenting or who have spouses or paid staff to manage their families or personal interests. They can play political games and focus on the next election and the one after that because someone else can pick up the slack for them. Katie doesn’t have that. She also didn’t want to phone in her work. She ran to make a difference, and she was there to dig in and make things happen.

I adored the sections of the book where she highlighted her now-famous use of a white board in congressional hearings. Her direct, logical questions have made for some of the most entertaining television of the last 6 years. I also found the chapters on recent events – the insurrection, the global pandemic, etc. – captivating. Even a few years later, I couldn’t get enough of her front row seat to these events.

This is at times humorous, inspiring, and infuriating. The storytelling is more topical than chronological, which I found to be a great feature. I picked this up because I wanted to know more about Congresswoman Porter. If the book had been chronological, I might not have stuck with the early life recollections. But by keeping this more topical, those early experiences were shown for how they informed and influenced the person Katie would become. And that was fascinating. There are a few shots taken at prominent members of the GOP. I’m not sure those were necessary to the story, and they might alienate some potential readers. I believe that content is there to show Katie as a politician who pulls no punches and speaks her mind and challenges those who need challenging. But I think the rest of the book made that point already without taking shots at a few of those folks. (Language)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.

REVIEW: The Plus One by Mazey Eddings

REVIEW: The Plus One by Mazey Eddings

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and St. Martin’s Griffin in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Chris was just the latest in what felt like a lifetime of men who leave. Indira catching him with another woman was just the tip of the heart-wrenching iceberg. Leaving Chris meant losing her home as well as her boyfriend, so she packed her things to go stay with her brother Collin and his fiancé, Jeremy.

She hadn’t figured Jude into the equation.

Indira and Collin’s best friend have NEVER gotten along. Every conversation was abrasive – like trying to pet a cat against the direction of its fur. And this time is more of the same as they both hang out in Collin and Jeremy’s guest rooms until the wedding. In fact, both Indira and Jude are more fragile than they ever were before, making this living situation more tense than usual.

But when Jude steps into an awkward moment between Indira and Chris, pretending he and Indira are a couple, they realize a fake relationship could help them both out. Indira gets a buffer in her interactions with Chris who is a groomsman in this wedding, and Jude gets a buffer from the loud crowds and pre-wedding shenanigans that leave him feeling a breath away from shattering. But it’s not long before their fake relationship starts feeling alarmingly real.

Review

I picked this up because I love fake relationship stories. And this one is especially good. Most of the peer group knows the truth, so the reader isn’t subjected to early angst – just later angst when the friends start to wonder how “fake” things really are. There are some hilarious moments mixed in to offset the tropey angst. And romance readers who like some steam in their stories will find a lot here to enjoy.

While I enjoyed the characters, and all the trope-y-ness, what really sold me on this was the psychology of the story. Both characters are working through past trauma and trying to find their way to something healthy on the other side. Their personal work and some of the therapy scenes were quite profound and super well-done.

I had no issues jumping into this Brush with Love series on book 3. I can see where the series connections are with the characters, but this story stands solidly on its own. In fact, I don’t anticipate going back to read the other two books. This one was the right story and characters for me.  (Language, sex, PTSD)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.

BOOK NEWS: April 4, 2023

BOOK NEWS: April 4, 2023

Posted on by Jaymie

Happy April! Here are some of the new books out this week!

Books for Kids

Woo Hoo! You’re Doing Great! – An encouraging new picture book from Sandra Boynton,  ready to celebrate milestones – even simply surviving the work week – for readers of all ages. I can’t wait to check this one out in person!

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

 

The Maze of Bones (Graphic Novel) – The 39 Clues series gets the graphic novel treatment.
Good Different – A novel in verse starring a neuro-divergent girl trying to reconcile the ways she is “different” from her peers.
Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy – A middle grade novel from the author of the memorable The Hate U Give. Before Nic can get her father to teach her magic and what it means to be a Remarkable, he is falsely accused of a crime and Nic and her friends have to figure out how to save him. This sounds fascinating!
Punk Rock Unicorn (Comic Collection) – The 17th collection of Phoebe and her Unicorn comics. I adore these two friends and this whole series!
School Trip (Graphic Novel) – Book 3 in this terrific graphic novel series. Jordan and his friends are on a school trip – to Paris!
I’m Still Here (Older Middle Grade Nonfiction) – A young readers edition of I’m Still Here written for kids in the 10-14 year old range.
First-Year Orientation – A short story collection about the first days of college. This promises to be amazing!
Not Here to Stay Friends – The surprises keep coming for Sloane’s summer plans to reconnect with her childhood best friend. First, he’s gotten hot since she last saw him. Second, his dad’s new teen reality dating show is one contestant short – and he thinks Sloane is the perfect fill in.
Promposal – While Autumn is looking for something to help move her off the wait list for her dream school, she stumbles onto a business opportunity – planning promposals for her peers. But the best person to help her successfully launch this venture is the last person at her school she would trust. This sound great!
Queen Bee – A disgraced young woman plots revenge against the social climber who betrayed her.

 

Books for Adults

The Do-Over (Trade Paperback) – An up and coming business guru is about to miss out on her dream job because she unknowingly never finished college. Now she is back to get those last few credits. But she didn’t count on the guy who broke her heart still being there. I’ll be reviewing this soon.
The Plus One (Trade Paperback) – While they constantly bickered and harassed each other as kids, now Jude and Indira need each other. By fake dating, he is a buffer between Indira and her ex (and his new flame). And in return, Indira gives Jude a way to pull back when the chaos and noise of the pre-wedding festivities for Indira’s brother and his husband-to-be get to be too much. I’ll be reviewing this one soon, too!
The Winter Knight (Trade Paperback) – A queer, contemporary Arthurian retelling.  You probably just need to read the full description of this one. Sounds amazing.
Be the Bus: The Lost and Profound Wisdom of the Pigeon – A gift book starring the Pigeon.
The Bible vs Biblical Womanhood: How God’s Word Consistently Affirms Gender Equality (Trade Paperback) – 14 Bible passages are explored for what they really say about “gender hierarchy.” I’m curious about this one.

REVIEW: The Raven Thief by Gig Pandian

REVIEW: The Raven Thief by Gig Pandian

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Minotaur in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Tempest’s friend, Sanjay, has agreed to do a fake, “symbolic” séance for a client who is using Secret Staircase Construction to renovate her basement. The space used to be used by her ex as an office, but the client has had Tempest’s family  business renovate it into something all hers. For her housewarming celebration she wants to “banish” her ex-husband’s spirit from the property. Even though he’s not dead.

But someone takes that banishment seriously. And Tempest, Sanjay, and the others at the séance become suspects for the man’s murder. Now Tempest has a locked room mystery to solve involving at least 4 impossible elements. Tempest will have to put all of her magical knowledge to use to find the real killer.

Review

The set up of this Secret Staircase Mystery series is so clever! Between Tempest’s history with magic and illusions, and her family business of building secret rooms and trick bookcases, there’s a lot about the setting and cast that sets this series apart. And I love all of it!

Along with that unique set up, the mystery here is terrifically plotted. There were multiple “impossible” scenarios that Tempest had to peel apart to find the killer – and it was super satisfying to watch it unfold.

There’s a lot here to love! I was a bit disappointed and distracted in the reading, though. I am hoping it’s a matter of the review copy needing another round of edits, but I have never run into this with another ARC from this publisher. There were sections here that were repetitive, and there were odd word choices that jarred me out of the story as I read. And while I like that there is a series-centered mystery in addition to each book-centered mystery, this time some of the pieces about the family curse and what happened to Tempest’s mom were more of a distraction than an enhancement.

I adored book one, Under Lock and Skeleton Key, and the mystery in this sequel is top notch. I have my fingers crossed that the other issues are either a fluke or were resolved in final edits before publication.

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½ = Good +

REVIEW: A Spinster's Guide to Danger and Dukes by Manda Collins

REVIEW: A Spinster’s Guide to Danger and Dukes by Manda Collins

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Forever in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

There’s never a good time for a purse snatching. But Poppy’s sister has been arrested for murder. And just as Poppy’s about to purchase a train ticket to her sister’s side, a villain snatches her purse holding almost her entire meager savings. Poppy takes off after the thief. But a literal run in with her least favorite Lord means the thief – and her purse – are out of her reach.

Joshua Fielding, Duke of Langham, happens to be heading in the same direction for a house party and cajoles Poppy to accept his help to her destination. And his help for her sister. Poppy feels so guilty over her sister’s plight, she will agree to almost anything.

Even the duke’s asinine plan to say she’s his fiancée.

Having Poppy play fiancée puts her – and her sister by extension – under the protection of his title. In turn, Poppy becomes a shield between Langham and the single women his grandmother has invited to the house party. It’s a win-win!

Review

This was fantastic!

I am always up for a fake relationship story, so of course I requested the ARC for this. But I had forgotten how much I loved the first book in this Ladies Most Scandalous series, A Lady’s Guide to Mischief and Mayhem (♥♥♥♥). (Somehow I missed book 2, but I corrected that oversight immediately after I finished this book.)

Not only is this a great romance. The mystery here is also excellent. I could not put this down. I finished it in two sittings – my lunch hour and then the minute I got home from work.

This is now a must-read series for me. I have my fingers crossed that a certain character from the Foreign Office might star in book 4. If you enjoy historical fiction and romance with a solid, fascinating mystery, be sure to pick up this book and the whole series! I think these books can stand alone easily – I had no issues reading this after missing book 2. (Sex, Language, an occultish ceremony which was a bit much)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great!  Might re-read.

BOOK NEWS: March 28, 2023

BOOK NEWS: March 28, 2023

Posted on by Jaymie

It’s the final release week of March 2023 – let’s see some of the new books out this week!

Books for Kids

We Don’t Lose Our Class Goldfish – Book 3 in the delightful Penelope Rex series. Penelope must face her fear of Walter the class goldfish when she is tasked with caring for him at home for the weekend.
Doggo and Pupper Search for Cozy – Book 3 in the darling Doggo and Pupper early chapter book series. Doggo and Pupper decide to help Cat when their family gets her a new bed and she doesn’t feel cozy in it and misses her old one.

 

Books for Teens/Young Adults

Chaos & Flame – First in a new duology. She lost her entire family because of House Dragon, and now the man who helped raise her has been captured. She’s determined to repay his kindness by saving him. He loyally serves his brother, the High Prince Regent for House Dragon, but the more erratic his brother becomes, the more he wonders what secrets are being kept from him. They are unlikely allies, but also exactly what each other needs. I am intrigued by this one!
Control – First in the Lockwood Trilogy. A new student with the ability to see the future ignores the rules and saves a girl from murder, but he had no idea what the consequences are when you alter the future. I pre-ordered this the first time I heard about it!
Stars and Smoke – First in a new series by Marie Lu. A young spy has to team up with a pop star – and new spy recruit – to infiltrate a crime syndicate. This is a must read for me!

 

Books for Adults

Murder in Postscript (Trade Paperback) – First in the Lady of Letters Mystery series. A countess with a secret – her job writing an advice column for the local penny paper – stumbles across a possible murder and decides to investigate.
Once Upon a Buggy (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Amish of Apple Creek series. May feels guilty and responsible for Carl’s accident, so when he returns home, she’s hoping to ask for his forgiveness. But he seems so cold and angry. Carl was hoping to rekindle things with May, but she seems put off by his scars.
Right Girl, Wrong Side (Trade Paperback) – Once upon a time Evita and Ryan had crushed on one another, but their moms, business rivals, refused to let them date. Now, the rival families find their vacation beach house double booked, and reluctantly agreed to share the space.
A Spinster’s Guide to Danger and Dukes (Trade Paperback) – Book 3 in the Ladies Most Scandalous series. A duke offers Poppy a fake betrothal to protect her and her sister (who is suspected of murder) and protect him from the matchmakers hounding him.
Yours Truly the Duke (Mass Market Paperback) – First in the Say I Do series. She needs a husband so she has a chance to keep her late sister’s three young children. He needs a wife to keep an inheritance.

 

REVIEW: The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway by Ashley Schumacher

REVIEW: The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway by Ashley Schumacher

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Wednesday Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Madeline has grown up on the Ren Faire circuit, and she’s at her favorite Faire, Stormsworth. But all the ways it feels different, starting with (1) Mom isn’t here because she died last year, are too many to count. There are new owners, a full castle on the grounds, and there’s even a moat. And then there’s the bard – a boy her age who is entirely too perky and insists on following her and calling her Gwen.

The bard is Arthur, and his dads are the new owners of the Faire – the ones who have changed so much of what was her mother’s last and favorite Faire.

Arthur’s sunny disposition and relentless chatter, initially so off-putting, start to wear her down as she opens herself up to the Faire and a friend. But the pain of Maddie’s loss is still so sharp and ever-present, it’s left her to put up walls to keep anyone from getting too close. Because if she cares about anyone, she exposes herself to future pain and loss.

Review

Two years ago I read a stunningly good book called Amelia Unabridged. And it set a high bar for all other books. It was my favorite of 2021. Last year I read the author’s follow up. And while the characters and writing for Full Flight were excellent once again, the plot did not work for me. I wasn’t sure what that might mean for future books – was Amelia a fluke of a perfect book for me? Or was Flight just not a story made for me? And then I read this. And it was another perfect story for me.

I happened to be reading this on the anniversary of my own mother’s death. And the author’s depiction of Maddie’s wrestling through her grief and loss – and the approaching 1st anniversary of her own loss – was spot on. I love how Maddie’s thinking and coping are portrayed here. Her whole journey was perfect.

I’d have been happy with just Maddie’s story. But Arthur is my FAVORITE sort of sidekick/romantic interest in books like this. Confident, but not perfect. Fond of grand gestures. Funny! But also insightful and observant.

There was a thread of the story that the author pulled forward at the end that was the exclamation point on the perfection of this book for me. If it hadn’t happened, I would have still loved this book. But this extra little pay off was the cherry on the sundae that was this reading experience. Exactly the finishing touch I wanted to make the reading payoff just a bit sweeter.

Schumacher has done it again for me. Her writing is consistently top notch – I highlighted multiple passages as I was reading (I will definitely be tabbing this book the next time I read it once my personal print copy gets here!). Her characters are favorites I would be friends with. There’s a great balance of humor (one scene at the end had me cackling!) and heart. Combine that with a plot that grabs my attention (grief, books, authors in Amelia; Renaissance Faire, grief, self-esteem/confidence, body positivity in this one), and it’s going to be a winner!

Do not miss this one! (Language)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!