Tag: Young Adult (Page 1 of 158)

BOOK REVIEW: Bound by Stars by E.L. Starling

July 1, 2025 / Jen / 0 Comments

Bound by Stars by E.L. Starling
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
A Love That Defies Gravity…and Fate

She never belonged in his world. He never thought he’d leave it.

When Weslie Fleet wins a golden ticket aboard the Boundless, humanity’s most opulent starliner, it’s a dream―and a danger. Raised in the dust-ridden ruins of Earth, she is thrust into the gleaming luxury of Mars’s elite, where every whispered word carries weight and every glance is a silent judgment. And none watch her closer than Jupiter, the golden boy of Mars’s high society, bound by duty, legacy, and a future he never chose.

Their reluctant partnership was supposed to be a one-off assignment. Instead, it becomes a battle of wills, a spark that ignites, and a love neither of them anticipated. But fate is as cruel as it is unpredictable, and when the Boundless veers off course, love won’t be enough to save them.

The ship is failing. The odds are impossible. And in the darkness of space, survival is the only thing that matters.

But some loves are worth defying the stars for.

Review:

Bound by Stars was a star-crossed lovers, Titanic but in space adventure that was impossible to put down. From that first chapter, this book had me glued to the pages. The found family was everything, and I loved how romance and friendship seeped into the pages. If you’re looking for a story that will whisk you away and is super easy to devour, this is your book!

“You people think the universe is yours to command.”
He holds my gaze, eyes gentle, and shakes his head. “You don’t know anything about me.”
The sincerity in his voice makes my breath catch in my throat. He’s not what I expected.

Weslie Fleet won a golden ticket aboard Boundless. Leaving Earth behind, she was bound for Mars and hopefully a better life. Presenting her creation ILSA, would secure a future for her mother and her that she could only dream of. On that ship, she met Jupiter. Jupiter’s family was one of the more powerful in the universe, but his future was dictated and bound by duty. Together, they shook the stars and all of those around them.

I was never going to be anything more to him than a moment on a ship between planets. It’s the only place where we make any sense.

I absolutely adored Weslie! She was smart, brave, and I loved the risks she took. She spoke true to her heart and refused to back down to others. Then there was Jupiter who had the weight of the world on his shoulders. His future was not his for the making, and once you got to know him, he was truly the sweetest. But Weslie and Jupiter were not only from two different planets, but two entirely different social classes too. They had strong dislike vibes in the beginning. So, their path to friendship was jaded and slow to start, but the more time they spent together they just clicked.

“He was making a bad joke, ILSA.”
“Oh. Then yes, I, too, am often concerned with Weslie’s mental state. Ha-ha.” Her robotic laugh is spaced out and over-pronounced. If she were human, it would sound like she were mocking Jupiter, but she faces him with the swoop of a conspiratorial grin across her face.
I swear, she’s getting more petulant by the day.
Jupiter erupts in laughter.

Surrounding Weslie and Jupiter was prejudice, stigma, and a lot of pushback. But when they spoke to each other, oh their banter was so much fun! And ILSA was always around too….. she was one of my top favorites. Created by Weslie, her personality shined brightly lol. I loved that she spoke about things she shouldn’t have, like telling Weslie she was attracted to Jupiter. And I loved that she had an opinion on so many things, like being put in silence mode against her wishes haha. ILSA was a robot who had so much heart, I loved her sassy ways and she made me laugh so much!

Ice runs through my veins as the threat echoes in my mind again. Hand the power back…or the ship will become an example of the power of the many over the elite few.

With danger and mystery around every curve, Bound by Stars easily kept me intrigued! The world building was fascinating, so I loved learning about the ship and how their worlds worked. But accelerating towards that ending, I had all the anxiety and sweaty palms! Risks were taken that were huge and love tried its best to defy the odds! We were left at the perfect breathing spot on that final page, but I am counting down till I can read the next book. I need to know what happens next and I have so many questions. I absolutely adored this sci-fi romance and can’t wait to see what happens next!

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

BOOK REVIEW: Introvert by Cookie O’Gorman

May 28, 2025 / Jen / 0 Comments

Introvert by Cookie O'Gorman
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Introvert (in-troh-vurt): Someone who is quiet, shy, and/or thoughtful. For reference, see Aurora Kent.

Seventeen-year-old Aurora Kent likes being alone. For the most part. With her fear of crowds, anxiety issues, and inexperience, she's never really left home.

Until now.

Aurora loves playing violin…and surprises everyone when she agrees to go on tour with a band for two months.

She surprises herself more by kissing a rockstar.

Felix Cordova. Mysterious, cocky, gorgeous—and strangely familiar. When Felix asks her to be his girlfriend for 10 seconds, she agrees. But Aurora never expected a video of their kiss to go viral.

Now she's in a fake relationship with the one guy who makes her heart sing.

Stuck on a bus with five hot musicians, playing sold-out shows, Aurora should be living the dream. But as fake dating leads to sharing a bunk, late-night talks, and heartfelt confessions, Aurora finds herself falling hard.

Which is a problem because, real or fake, summer romances never last—right?

This book features two opposites with the most delicious slow burn, one heart-melting grand gesture, so many soul-stirring kisses and answers the question:

What happens when a shy girl falls for a rockstar?

Review:

Introvert was an adorable fake dating story that you definitely need in your life! I couldn’t stop smiling, it was so easy to fall in love, and I cried all the happy tears. Plus the found family was everything! Introvert was all the stars and I can’t recommend it enough!

“You seem a little tense,” he said.
I barely heard him.
When I kiss girls…
Girls plural. As if I needed the reminder that I wasn’t special.

Aurora was going on tour with a band for two months, and it started off with a bang! While helping a bandmate out, by pretending to be his girlfriend, their kiss went viral. As they shared a tour bus and performed on stage together, it was so much fun to watch everything unfold! Especially since they were asked to keep up the pretense of their fake relationship. With lines blurred and the unknowns of what’s real and fake, this book was so binge worthy! I had to know what would happen next!

Taylor took a step back. “Brace yourself, Aurora.”
I tilted my head. “For what?”
“Fame and everything that comes with it.”
“But I’m nobody,” I said with a laugh.
“If you say so.”

I was so proud of Aurora! Her introverted self took so many huge steps, even with her nerves getting the best of her at times. It wasn’t a smooth process, but I loved cheering her on every step of the way! From stage fright, to her first kiss, to even making a new friend with London, Aurora was someone you will adore and love! And I wanted to push her right into Felix’s arms!

“People want something to root for.”
I shook my head. “And that would be what?”
“True love,” she said as if it should be obvious. “You and Felix. The shy girl and the rockstar.”

Fleix captivated me so effortlessly. He was filling in for his brother’s bandmate, who had an injury, and he fit the part so perfectly. While he came across as bold and sure, I loved that he was also kind, thoughtful and caring. And when we learned about his past, I just wanted to hug him. But one of the things I loved the most about Felix was the way he could make us swoon and sigh out loud. It was impossible not to fall in love with Felix, right along with Aurora!

The world faded until there was nothing but us.

Together, Felix and Aurora were so sweet! Their banter was adorable, their moments together were smile inducing, and they induced butterflies! But there were also some deeper issues for both of them to tackle, so I cried some tears on their journey. But with grand gestures and happy endings, this book will leave you smiling! Introvert was a famous, forced proximity, fake dating story that easily landed on my favorites list! If you’re looking for the perfect beach read, or a story that will make you oh so happy happy, this is your book!

“How do you do that?” I asked.
“Do what?”
“Make me feel better with nothing but your voice.”

PS This book can definitely be read as a standalone! And I think Introvert is a great starting point to step into Cookie’s books. Aurora is the daughter of a character from Adorkable, which was Cookie’s first book. So we got to see people from other books that will make any Cookie fan oh so happy! But if you’re wanting to pick up one of Cookie’s newer books, I can’t recommend starting here enough! It’ll make you want to go back and binge them all!

BOOK REVIEWS: Kiss Now, Lie Later (Rival Love #1) & For Now, Not Forever (Rival Love #2) by C.W. Farnsworth

February 12, 2025 / Jen / 0 Comments

Kiss Now, Lie Later Not Forever (Rival Love #1)
by C.W. Farnsworth
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
She’s from one town…

I've heard a lot of things about Alleghany’s quarterback. Weston Cole is popular, conceited, and arrogant. Most importantly, he’s spent the past three years steadily dismantling my family’s football legacy. I should hate him. And I did. Until I ran into him freshman year and discovered he’s also complicated. Considerate. Captivating. When our paths cross again senior year, that awareness becomes more dangerous than his suggestive smirk. Hating him was easy…before I knew him.

…and he’s from the other.

No girl in Glenmont is more untouchable than Maeve Stevens. She lives across enemy lines. Her father is their head football coach. Her twin brother is their quarterback. But one conversation with Maeve makes me forget about the bitter, decades-long rivalry between our two towns. Makes me forget there’s a team of guys relying on me to lead them to another victory. A few forbidden kisses, and there’s only one thing I want to fight for. Her.

Review:

Kiss Now, Lie Later was a forbidden young adult sports romance that captured my heart. With town rivalry, friendships, first love, and fabulous angst, this book was impossible to put down. Maeve and Weston’s meet cute at the party was adorable, and I loved how they could be themselves around each other. What started off as a very slow, tentative friendship turned into something so much more.

Only one thought crosses my mind as I make the short journey through the rapidly falling drops of water.
That I hope the possibilities between Wes and me always feel this limitless.

Maeve and Weston had so many beautiful moments, and underneath it all was this fabulous tension. So with trust, practicing together, and pushing each other to be better, I fell in love right along with them. Be prepared to have your heart hurt, but the epilogue at the end jumped years into the future and I closed this book so happy!

For Now, Not Forever (Rival Love #2)
by C.W. Farnsworth
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
One boy. One girl. Two feuding towns.

LIAM

At some point, summer became my least favorite season. It begins the build toward the inevitable highs and lows of football. Losing isn’t a trait anyone looks for in a quarterback, and I never won when it mattered. Arlington University was supposed to be a fresh start. But infamy isn’t easily forgotten— especially when everyone knows my twin sister is dating my biggest rival. Constant reminders of their relationship have me just as on edge about Alleghany as I was in high school. Spending a weekend sleeping across the hall from Natalie Jacobs doesn’t help. The popular, pretty blonde didn’t just celebrate each of my defeats—she literally led the cheer against me. Just my luck the last girl who should pique my interest is also the only one who ever has.

NATALIE

Spending the summer back in Alleghany, dealing with my parents’ problems, is the last place I want to be. I jump at the chance to spend a weekend away, visiting a college friend. I’m not expecting to know anyone else visiting her cottage on the Cape, much less come face-to-face with Glenmont’s infamous former quarterback. Not-so affectionately known as Sergeant Stevens on my side of the lake, Liam is still every bit the stoic, serious rule-follower I watched bark orders on the field for four years. Sure, he’s nice to look at—especially shirtless—but that’s where any interest begins and ends. The one thing Liam and I agree on is the rivalry between our hometowns isn’t a surpassable boundary. And if we did allow ourselves to cross it, it would only be for now…not forever.

Review:

For Now, Not Forever was a new adult sports romance that was so easy to get lost in. And you definitely want to read Kiss Now, Lie Later before this one. We get introduced to Liam and Natalie, plus we get to see the couple from that book in this story too! This is my second book by C.W. Farnsworth, and I will definitely be bingeing the rest of her backlist!

Maybe there’s only so long you can be consumed by something before you risk letting it consume you.

Liam had so much resentment and bitterness eating away at his heart. For always playing second fiddle to his twin sister’s boyfriend, Weston Cole. And then there was Natalie, who seemed to be drowning at times from her home life. From an almost meet cute to the most awkward meet cute, I never knew what was going to happen next. These two people definitely kept me on my toes. With banter that had barbs, jealousy that will have you screaming and clapping, hope that shined brightly, and beautiful confessions, I devoured this story. That angst was done so well. The sexual tension had me wanting to push them together. And the happily ever after left me smiling!

“You’re perfect,” he tells me. “Fucking perfect.” He sounds annoyed about it. Angry, almost.
“I’m the furthest thing from perfect.”
“Not to me.”

BOOK REVIEWS: Beneath His Stars & In Her Space (The Stars Duet #1 & #2) by Amie Knight

January 23, 2025 / Jen / 0 Comments

Beneath His Stars (The Stars Duet #1)
by Amie Knight
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
I met Adam Nova under the twinkling lights of a nighttime sky.
He was hiding, but that gorgeous boy didn’t belong in the dark.
Nevertheless it was where he lived; a different world than mine.
I was Livingston Montgomery, Southern debutante.
With the world at my fingertips, I was well on my way to being another spoiled socialite.
But I didn’t want money.
I didn’t want social status.
I wanted him; tattoos, sarcastic smirk, bad boy reputation and all.
It didn’t matter that he was from the wrong side of the tracks.
It didn’t matter that my family forbade me from seeing him.
I just wanted to be Beneath His Stars.

Review:

Beneath His Stars was a young adult, star-crossed romance that so sweet. I loved watching the tentative friendship blossom between Adam and Liv. But they were from different areas of life. No one from her world would accept him, even if those in his would. So as they grow closer, under the stars, I loved how their beautiful moments together were hidden away. For just the two of them. And watching this slow burn, first love blossom was so captivating. But make sure you have the next book in the duology on hand, because that ending was brutal.

A star was realized.
A dream was born.
But even stars and dreams die.

In Her Space (The Stars Duet #2)
by Amie Knight
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
I was reunited with Livingston Montgomery in the broad sunshine of a Carolina morning, right where she belonged; in the light.
It’d been too long since I’d seen her face.
She had changed, but so had I.
I was Adam Nova, reformed bad boy. Now, successful business man.
I had it all, except for the one person I’d always wanted, and now I was back to claim her.
She was living in the shadows, just a shell of the former girl I knew.
But it didn’t matter that she tried to hide from me in the dark.
I’d follow her into the deepest depths of hell.
I just wanted to be In Her Space.

Review:

In Her Space took us ten years into the future, and the emotions within these pages was intense. This was the final book in The Stars Duet, and it definitely can’t be read as a standalone. I loved watching Adam and Liv fight for their happily ever after. They hit so many road bumps along the way. Not only because of those that surrounded them, but also by keeping stuff from one another. Adam could be his own worst enemy at times. But with heartfelt tattoos, secrets, all of the drama, and a climatic ending, this book was a lot of fun to listen too. Especially since we got a look at the happily ever after down the road that was so beautiful!

“Close your eyes, Nova,” I whispered to her.
She looked over at me and grinned. “Why?”
“Because you can’t dream with your eyes open.”

BOOK REVIEW: Beneath These Cursed Stars by Lexi Ryan

January 16, 2025 / Jen / 0 Comments

Beneath These Cursed Stars by (These Hollow Vows #3)
by Lexi Ryan
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
#1 New York Times bestselling author Lexi Ryan brings us the first book in a new romantic fantasy set in the enchanting world of These Hollow Vows. When a human princess armed with death's kiss allies with a fae shifter on the run, their mission to assassinate an evil king collides with a fatal prophecy.

Princess Jasalyn has a secret. Armed with an enchanted ring that gives her death’s kiss, Jas has been sneaking away from the palace at night to assassinate her enemies.

Shape-shifter Felicity needs a miracle. Fated to kill her magical father, she’s been using her unique ability to evade a fatal prophecy.

When rumors of evil king Mordeus’s resurrection spread through the shadow court, Jasalyn decides to end him once and for all. Felicity agrees to take the form of the princess, allowing Jas to covertly hunt Mordeus—and starting Felicity on the path that could finally take her home.

While Jasalyn teams up with the charming and handsome Kendrick, Felicity sets out to get closer to the Wild Fae king, Misha. Kendrick helps Jasalyn feel something other than anger for the first time in three years, and Misha makes Felicity wish for a world where she’s free to be her true self. Soon, the girls’ missions are at risk right alongside their hearts.

The future of the human and fae realms hangs in the balance as fates intertwine. Between perilous tasks, grim secrets, and forbidden romances, Jasalyn and Felicity find that perhaps their stars are the most cursed of all.

Review:

Beneath These Cursed Stars was a young adult romantasy that was so much fun! While plans were made and political intrigue graced the pages, there was also foreshadowing, secrets, betrayal, friendship and love. I loved being back in this world!

Kendrick huffs out a breath and shakes his head. “What happened to that timid little girl from the dungeons?”
I know he means to be flippant, but I hold his gaze as I answer, “She didn’t make it.”

This story is set a few years in the future and alternated between Jasalyn, who we met in the two previous books and was the Queen’s sister, and Felicity. Felicity was a shapeshifter who took on Jas’ shape so she could stand in for her life. While the real Jas hunted down and killed Mordeus, since there was talk that he had come back from the dead.

“You’re next in line to the throne, sister.” Never was there a smile so sad when someone spoke of another inheriting such power. “Mordeus will come for me, and if he’s successful, the people of this court will depend on you.”

Jas and her past were more horrific than I ever realized. I knew that she had been held captive by Mordeus, but each time Felicity took Jas’ shape, she was given a memory from her past. And what we learned shattered my heart. I now understood why she was so withdrawn. I got her hatred for everything fae. And why her dreams haunted her. So as someone from Jas’ past stepped into her present, I had all of the hope for her. That she could find peace, happiness and even love. Yet dread kept pooling in my stomach, and it felt like I was waiting for the other shoe to drop.

My name rests on the tip of my tongue. Felicity. Call me Felicity. But I swallow it back like the painful truth that it is.

So, confession time, when this book started I only wanted to spend the chapters with Jas. I didn’t have any interest in spending time with Felicity, but she became my top favorite! As she pretended to be Jas hiding away at Misha’s, I fell for them. I loved watching how their friendship evolved. I loved how he pushed her to be a better person. I loved the tension between them so much too. And my heart hurt for her, because while Misha seemed to be falling for Felicity, she was in Jas’ body. It couldn’t be real. And it couldn’t last.

He steps back as if maybe he likes touching me too much.
Me or Jas? I need to stop trying to figure that out. At the end of the day, it won’t matter.

With death, lies, secrets, only one horse, and some fabulous twists and turns, Beneath These Cursed Stars was a mesmerizing read! I loved that we were given clues, yet it wasn’t clear how it was going to be put together. And while I did guess quite a few things correctly, there was still some twists I didn’t see coming. Plus, we got to see those from the previous two books in this one too! So, with an ending that has me desperately wanting that next book now, I can’t wait to see what happens next!

She frowns up at her uncle. “You’ll break her heart,” she whispers. “Be gentle. She’s scared, and she wouldn’t do this if she had a choice.”