Tag: Young Adult (Page 3 of 157)

BOOK REVIEW: Caraval (Caraval #1) by Stephanie Garber

April 15, 2024 / Jen / 1 Comment

Caraval (Caraval #1)
by Stephanie Garber
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Welcome, welcome to CARAVAL, Stephanie Garber’s enchanting, NEW YORK TIMES bestselling fantasy debut about two sisters swept up in a mysterious competition filled with magic, heartbreak, and danger

Scarlett has never left the tiny island where she and her beloved sister, Tella, live with their powerful and cruel father. Now Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval, the far-away, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show, are over.

But this year, Scarlett's long-dreamt-of invitation finally arrives. With the help of a mysterious sailor, Tella whisks Scarlett away to attend. Only, as soon as they arrive, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend. It turns out that this season's Caraval revolves around Tella, and whoever finds her first is the winner.

Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. But whether Caraval is real or not, she must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over, and her sister disappears forever.

Continue the adventure in Legendary and Finale―out now!

Review:

Caraval was a young adult fantasy that swept me away. This book completely enraptured me and I had to know what happened next. With jealousy, trust, betrayal, and love filling the pages, I absolutely adored this story! But just a heads up, you definitely want to read this before Once Upon a Broken Heart. I was told otherwise, and I wish I hadn’t read OUABH first. There was a huge spoiler for me, that made me realize a scene was not what it seemed, ugh.

For the first time in her life, she’d felt special. Chosen. But once again, rather than feeling as if she were playing the game, it seemed as if the game were playing with her.

Scarlett was someone I easily liked. She tried her best to protect her sister from her father’s wrath. And she thought her arranged marriage would help her and her sister, Tella, escape from the little tiny island they lived on. So her lifelong dream of attending Caraval was fading away, until she got an invitation to attend this year. Tella and a sailor took Scarlett to Caraval, yet not everything was what it seemed. Tella was taken by the creator of Caraval, and whoever found her first was not only the winner, but got a wish too.

Scarlett tried to wiggle free, but the look on his face stopped her. He’d never stared at her like this before. Sometimes he gazed at her as if he wanted to be her undoing, but just then it was as if he wanted her to undo him.

From the moment Scarlett found herself on the boat with Julian, I was hooked. I loved that he called her Crimson. And while Julian was a complete mystery, I loved the tiny bit that we knew. He seemed to have a kind heart and his humor cracked me up. Yet Julian had many shades of gray. And I wondered what secrets he was keeping from Scarlet, because he seemed to know more than he shared. So while I didn’t understand why I could be so nervous for a man that seemed to have lies swirling around him, I couldn’t deny I had fallen for him. He captured me so easily in his web.

“Julian,” she said in a whisper, as if anything louder would destroy the delicacy of the moment, “why are you doing this?”
His amber-flecked eyes met hers, and something in them made her breathing hitch. “I’d think that answer was obvious.”

The pages were filled with riddles galore, and I was glued to this story. The world Scarlett found herself in was shrouded in mystery. And it seemed like there were wisps of magic everywhere. From her dress, to those she met, to even what her eyes witnessed, it had to be magic. Or maybe you just weren’t supposed to trust what you saw. But as the story unfolded, Scarlett learned that this game had a deadlier side. Death, blood, and loss could be found in the pages. And scenes left me staring in shock. I couldn’t believe what had happened. Who knew Caraval was so dangerous…..

Scarlett didn’t know how many times she repeated his name. She said it like a prayer. A plea. A whisper. A good-bye.

If you love young adult fantasy, I can’t recommend this book enough! And if you love romance laced into your stories, you’ll definitely be happy. The earrings, day of life and message in the clock had my heart soaring! The moments that Scarlett and Julian were together, were everything! Now I’m excited to read Tella’s story next!

BOOK REVIEW: (The Improbable Meet-Cute #1) by Christina Lauren & Worst Wingman Ever (The Improbable Meet-Cute #2) by Abby Jimenez

February 9, 2024 / Jen / 3 Comments

The Exception to the Rule (The Improbable Meet-Cute #1)
by Christina Lauren
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
On February 14, an accidental email to a stranger opens the door to an unexpected relationship in a captivating short story by the New York Times bestselling authors of The Unhoneymooners.

One typo, and a boy and girl connect by chance. Wishing each other a happy Valentine’s Day isn’t the end. In fact, it becomes a friendly annual tradition—with rules: no pics, no real names, nothing too personal. As years pass, the rules for their email “dates” are breaking, and they’re sharing more than they imagined—including the urge to ask…what if we actually met?

Christina Lauren’s The Exception to the Rule is part of The Improbable Meet-Cute, irresistibly romantic stories about finding love when and where you least expect it. They can be read or listened to in one sitting. Let’s make a date of it.

Review:

The Exception to the Rule was a friends to lovers, epistolary romance that was beyond adorable! By accident, they started emailing each other in 2014. And continued to send an email wishing the other a Happy Valentines Day every year. And each year that followed, I loved their little happy messages to each other. And the rules of secrecy they played by. Yet as the years went by, real life started to slip in. They would tell each other things they struggled with or what had shattered their hearts. If they were dating someone. To just sharing things that made the other person smile. I loved watching a true friendship form!

“Too soon?” he asks, breath minty, his lips only an inch from mine.
“I don’t normally kiss before the first date,” I tell him. “But you’re the exception to the rule.”

Yet I am so beyond glad I listened to this in audio format. Since we spent over half of this book in email format, I was so glad I didn’t have to pay close attention to who was emailing who. I could just listen if it was a male or female voice. And when they finally met in person, I was dying! Kindness, thoughtfulness, heart and what-ifs filled the pages! I loved how that unfolded. Plus we were given an epilogue that made my heart soar. This novella was so much fun and I’m so glad I listened to this story!

Worst Wingman Ever (The Improbable Meet-Cute #2)
by Abby Jimenez
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
They’re falling in love, yet they’ve never met. Maybe fate can intervene in a heartwarming “what-if” short story about new beginnings by the New York Times bestselling author of Yours Truly.

Holly is dealing with the impending death of her grandmother and still reeling from a bad breakup. One bright spot: a Valentine’s Day card on Holly’s windshield—even if it wasn’t meant for her. An amusing mistake soon turns into a lovely exchange of anonymous notes, little acts of kindness, and a growing affection between two strangers. What happens when one of them has to say goodbye?

Abby Jimenez’s Worst Wingman Ever is part of The Improbable Meet-Cute, irresistibly romantic stories about finding love when and where you least expect it. They can be read or listened to in one sitting. Let’s make a date of it.

Review:

Worst Wingman Ever was an adult, epistolary romance that will tug at your heart. For a novella, this story was so full of life. It’ll make you smile, laugh and I even shed a few tears. I found myself smiling long after that last page, and now I’m excited to binge all of Abby Jimenez’s previous books!

Time is such a precious thing. How you spend it, how you waste it. And it becomes even more valuable as the hourglass runs out, because you will never get more of it. I see it every day. The panic as the last grains of sand fall.

Holly was a hospice nurse whose current job was taking care of her grandma, as she slowly passed. In the midst of her heart shattering each day, she found a funny Valentine’s card on her vehicle. Even though it wasn’t meant for her, it led to her exchanging notes with a stranger. And acts of kindness too that will make your heart soar.

That’s the thing about kindness. You never know how big the ripple is. How one little selfless gesture can make all the difference for the person who receives it.

I loved Holly’s family so much! Her sister Jillian was so kind, positive and made me laugh! And she tied into the first book, The Exception to the Rule. I loved that little easter egg! Plus I adored her mom and aunt too. So thank goodness for these women, because we desperately needed laughter when we were with Holly. Watching her grandma slowly fade away hurt my heart. I felt like I was there with my Grandma and Grandpa all over again, holding their hands during their final moments. So I cried my eyes out. Holly and her families’ pain felt so real to me.

She took my spot in the elevator, and I was still facing her, trying to get my puppy to move in the direction we were going, when her eyes dropped to my tool belt. “Red,” she said, almost to herself. Then the doors closed and she was gone.

This story alternated between Holly and John, and it was so easy to fall in love with John’s huge heart. He was kind, thoughtful, generous and I loved how he helped Jillian out, even though he didn’t know who she was. His rescue also solidified what an amazing man he was! So when we learned about his jaded past, I just wanted to hug him. He desperately needed some happiness in his life too, just like Holly!

“Take responsibility for your own unhappiness.
If you don’t love your life, change it.”

There were so many fun moments within these pages. The red power tools had me screaming. The reason behind a name was so freaking adorable. And when they met in person I gobbled up every single moment they had together. This story was the perfect mix of emotional and heartwarming, and is my favorite so far in this group of novellas!

BOOK REVIEW: Fate Sealed (Ravencrest Academy #4) by Theresa Kay

January 30, 2024 / Jen / 0 Comments

Fate Sealed (Ravencrest Academy #4)
by Theresa Kay
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Playing games can have deadly consequences.

After exposing a secret lab and illegal experiments, I assumed the culprits would be held accountable. Unfortunately, I underestimated how deep the corruption within OSA runs. Instead of punishing the actual criminals, OSA expels me.

But that doesn’t mean I’m giving up.

As I dig deeper into the Dumont family’s past, I find a surprising connection to the present. The fae have been manipulating events far longer than anyone suspects, and the Wild Hunt is closing in on any witch who dares to use fae magic—including me.

Dragged into the fae realm, I’m forced to compete in their games where every choice could mean my death. Worse, the fae hold no love for witches, not even those with royal blood. They would rather watch us all die than see one of us emerge victorious.

With the odds stacked against me, there’s only one way to save the boy whose fate is entwined with mine and the other witches brought here against their will.

I have to win.

Fate Sealed is the final book in the Ravencrest Academy series, an exciting YA supernatural academy series with a slow burn rivals-to-lovers romance. Perfect for fans of Bloodline Academy, Paranormal Academy, and Demigods Academy.

Review:

Fate Sealed was my favorite book in the Ravencrest Academy Series! And that’s saying a lot, because I loved the enemies to lovers vibe in the first book, Magic Bound. This story brimmed with action, friendship and love! And the latter half had a grittiness to it that had me desperately needing to know what happened next! If you’re looking for a young adult romance, academy series, or a series that makes you want to not stop reading, then definitely give this one a try!

Here, in this moment, there is nothing but the two of us and I let myself get lost in his touch, the rest of the world fading away.

What started out as an enemies to lovers romance, has four books later turned into a beautiful, heartfelt relationship. I loved how much Tristan and Selene came to rely on one other. I loved that they had each other’s backs. And that they were able to overcome unfathomable obstacles by working together! Selene and Tristan were definitely a formable pair, and they were so easy to fall in love with!

It seems the more people I draw into my orbit, the more people get hurt.

There were so many happy moments within these pages! With Selene and her father, you’ll love watching him make the story come alive of how he met her mom. My heart absolutely soared. Having all of our friends’ back that we love so much?! It made this story so much fun! Her grandparents, Adrian, and so many more shined brightly in this story. They were unique and added so much heart!

But whatever impressions I had before don’t matter. The stakes have become crystal clear and there’s no room for error.

This story also had so much political intrigue within the human, witch, shifter and fae worlds! OSA made my blood boil by turning a blind eye to criminals. The Wild Hunt left me terrified of the fae at every turn. The blanks, shifters and witches, there are so many things for you to discover about them in this story. So when you put it all together, it wove a fascinating tale that made this book impossible to put down!

A sense of utter hopelessness takes over as the reality of my situation comes into even sharper focus. I slide down the wall as my legs give out and I end up sitting on the floor, the cold stone sending a chill through my body. My chin drops to my chest and I pull my knees up, curling in on myself as I finally allow the tears to fall.

It felt like at times as though we couldn’t catch our breath. From being chased, to the games, I kept hoping everyone would be okay. If you have read Theresa’s other series, you’ll know that not everyone is safe and makes it to that final page. So when the game started, I was so nervous. They were intense and put Selene and Tristan in horrific situations. So with the stakes even higher, and twists and turns that were phenomenal, this story owned me! And by that final page I even shed a couple of tears ♥.

We’re both sweaty and more than a little dirty, but I don’t care. And neither does he. He takes hold of my face and slams his lips down on mine, a mix of passion and fear and relief turning the kiss into something almost desperate.

This book wrapped up Tristan and Selene’s story so wonderfully! We got all of the answers we’ve been desperately waiting for! Yet there was a thread or two left, which leaves the possibility for a spinoff series. And I am so excited about that! So yes, I can’t recommend this series enough. It’s one that will stay in my heart for a long time to come!

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

BOOK REVIEW: Ward Locked (Ravencrest Academy #3) by Theresa Kay

January 29, 2024 / Jen / 0 Comments

Ward Locked (Ravencrest Academy #3)
by Theresa Kay
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
New classes. New director. And lots of new rules.

After spending my three-week Winter Break under magical house arrest, I’m looking forward to returning to school. But when I get there, everything has changed.

OSA has tightened its hold on every academy and Ravencrest’s new director takes the restrictions a step further, leaving me without my two closest friends. Worse, the boy who left me behind is back on campus with an even bigger surprise in tow…one that involves a ring.

And all that is the least of my worries.

Shifters and witches are disappearing and someone is working in the shadows, twisting magic to their whims in unnatural ways. With my own magic still out of control, my biggest issue will be figuring out who to trust. Making the wrong choice could be the last thing I ever do.

Ward Locked is the third book in the Ravencrest Academy series, an exciting YA supernatural academy series with a slow burn enemies-to-lovers romance. Perfect for fans of Paranormal Academy, Legacy Academy, and Darkblood Academy.

Review:

Ward Locked was filled with mysteries, friendship, love, political intrigue, and fabulous twists and turns. With fae, witches, wolves and vampires, oh my, this book was so much fun! This story made me fall that much harder for the Ravencrest Academy series!

If someone had told me six months ago that I’d be sitting in the backseat of a fancy car with a driver as I returned to my super exclusive private school, I’d have laughed.

Coming back to school, there were so many changes. Those we loved from the previous books weren’t there. Students, teachers, staff….they were just gone. It caused so much unrest, and heartache for Selene. Yet it wasn’t a simple black and white answer for why some of those were gone. OSA didn’t even remember them. And if that wasn’t enough, Tristan was back at school with a fiancé. Who was even in some of Selene’s classes. There were so many obstacles in Selene’s life and world, and I loved watching her try her best to persevere!

Every bit of common sense I have is screaming that this is asking for trouble, that I’m going to end up hurt, that—
And then he kisses me, and all thoughts leave my head.

I was so happy with how many answers we got within these pages! Multiple about Selene! And watching her come into her own power was beyond phenomenal! But so much was going on around her. Not only with the disappearance of people, but what you’ll learn about the Hunt. There were also moments that made me see red, like the self-defense with Callahan. And a character whose name I don’t want to mention for spoilers, but every moment with them made me want to punch them in the throat. So while there was still some good surrounding her, there was so much that needed to be fixed.

My gaze clashes with his, and there are all sorts of things I can read in his golden-brown eyes. Lust. Love. Pain. Hope.
I can’t encourage any of those emotions, but it’s that last one I really can’t afford to give in to. To do so would only hurt myself.
“We can’t do this,” I pant out. “You’re engaged.”
“You know that’s not real.”
“It’s real enough,” I snap.

Like Tristan. Sigh. I still love him with all of my heart. Yet when he apologized to Selene for being engaged, nope I wasn’t hearing it! I was just as upset as she was. I wanted him to stand up to his mom and end it. Yet as the picture was painted for us, things were even more dire than I could have fathomed. I had no clue how it was going to be fixed! Yet I kept the hope alive. And that’s all I’m saying about that ♥.

“Wait fifteen minutes and then head for Marie’s office. I will create a distraction.”
“A distraction? What is that supposed to mean?”
His expression goes cold. “Marie is looking for fae. I shall give her one.”

This story had so many twists and turns in the latter half. As someone who loves being able to guess what will happen next, there was so much that left me grappling. I had absolutely no clue how certain things were going to unfold. So hold on, because it was a very bumpy ride and I loved every minute of it!

BOOK REVIEW: Spell Linked (Ravencrest Academy #2) by Theresa Kay

January 28, 2024 / Jen / 1 Comment

Spell Linked (Ravencrest Academy #2)
by Theresa Kay
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
School sucks, even for the supernaturally gifted.

The fallout from last quarter is worse than I could have ever imagined and hostilities between shifters and witches are intensifying by the day. OSA has practically taken over campus in their search for Bitten witches—and any traitors who didn’t report them. Including... me.

But that's not the only secret I have to hide.

My powers are growing, while my control over them is not. Unfortunately, there's no one I can turn to for help. My roommate's already suffered the consequences of being drawn into my problems, and after a magical mishap ends with another friend being blasted across the room, I refuse to endanger anyone else. Still, I'm a little tempted to give some magical payback to the arrogant witch-boy who kisses me one minute and gives me the cold shoulder the next.

All of this aside, I still have to find a way to pass all my classes. With the end of semester tournament closing in, there’s no time for mistakes. In this volatile equation, one little slip-up could be deadly.

Spell Linked is the second book in the Ravencrest Academy series, an exciting new YA paranormal academy series with a slow burn enemies-to-lovers romance. Perfect for fans of Supernatural Academy, Bloodline Academy, and Oberon Academy.

Review:

Spell Linked was a fabulous continuation of the Ravencrest Academy series! And if it’s been a while since you read that first one, no worries, the beginning gave us a great summary of the previous book. It was quick, caught me up to speed, and fit in so effortlessly. If you love academy and young adult books, then you need this series in your life!

When he says things like that it makes me want things I shouldn’t.
Like him.

I loved Selene’s voice so much! She was so easy to like and click with. So I wanted to clap out loud and cheer for her when she finally found something at school she was good at. Sigils! It was such a huge win and I was so happy for her! Even if it did leave me with more questions. She was still growing and had so much to figure out….not only with her school work, but her powers, and who was trustworthy too. So yes she did have some mistakes along the way. But I loved that she learned from them. And tried her best to do better the next time!

“….No matter what they say or do tonight, they can’t affect you. This isn’t your life unless you choose it.”

Tristan is still the king of hot and cold. Yet after what happened at the end of book one, I understood why. He didn’t know what to think. His whole world got turned upside down and he was stuck in a horrific position. I’d be jaded and wary if I was him too! Yet Tristan was still protective of Selene. He was the sigh-worthy person we fell in love with in that first book. And the dress?! Sigh. As we continued to learn more about him, my heart continued to break but I found myself falling harder. And I was counting the minutes until Tristan and Selene were together!

Blood doesn’t make a family, people do.

Friendship was still such a strong theme. I adored Selene and Adrian’s friendship. Their platonic relationship was done beautifully. And Basil, oh his matchmaker ways had me laughing out loud! He just wanted what was best for Selene and he is my favorite type of grandpa character! I also loved her friendship with Isobel. And of course the romance between Tristan and Selene, will they or won’t they. That got answered in this book!

His eyes are closed, his hands at his sides, every bit of him under careful control. Control I want him to lose.

Spell Linked was laced with a mysterious element that had me guessing from that first page to the last. And just know that while we got answers in this book, there are still so many to come in books 3 & 4! I can’t recommend this series enough!