Tag: Young Adult (Page 1 of 159)

BOOK REVIEW: If You Were Here by Abigail Johnson

August 7, 2026 / Jen / 0 Comments

If You Were Here by Abigail Johnson
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Lili Gardner hasn’t been back to Nantucket, her dad’s favorite place, since her parents divorced six years ago. But Dad passed away recently, leaving her a house on the island and an unsolved mystery about a maligned Gardner ancestor. Lili is determined to finish his life’s work, and convinces her mom and sister to spend the summer in Nantucket with her while she looks for answers, and for a connection to her dad.

Wren McCleave has a passion for history, but his father refuses to showcase anything real in their tourist trap of a “museum.” So when Lili asks Wren for help with her research, Wren can’t resist the opportunity to throw himself into something real, even if he dislikes tourists on principle.

Lili and Wren only have a summer to find out the truth about Lili’s ancestor. But the most surprising truths they uncover aren’t about the distant past, but about themselves right here in the present, and about what they want out of the future.

Review:

If You Were Here was a slow burn young adult romance that showed us how messy, heartbreaking, and beautiful life can be. I adored Lily and her journey, the location felt like a character itself, and with history sprinkled throughout the story, this one pulled me in right away.

I don’t believe in fate. But it feels like something is pulling me further into this, farther into her orbit, and I don’t know how to stop it.
I do know that I should try.

After her father’s passing, Lily wanted to finish her fathers passion in proving that one of their great ancestors’ story was wrong. In exchange for access to information at Wren’s family’s business and his knowledge, she agreed to work there for free. Both Lily and Wren had not only struggles from their pasts they were working through, but also in how they saw their futures. What unfolded was a bumpy start, hiccups along the way, and a shared love of history that created a heartwarming friendship and more.

I want to reach out, to touch her hand, to find some reassurance that we’re still solid, still us. But my hands stay at my sides, clenched into fists, holding back the words that would unravel everything.
“We’ll figure it out,” she repeats, softer this time.
I nod, but my chest tightens. We’ve built our relationship on the foundation of avoidance, and I’m starting to feel the cracks.

This grumpy sunshine romance swirled with grief, loss, and hope. It was an emotional story and I adored the nicknames, friendships, and family! I loved Lily’s heart to heart with her mom and watching the friendship with her little sister blossom. That she learned to fix her wrongs and prioritize what’s important. And I loved that Wren had deep talks with his father too. It was beautiful getting to see into both of their heads. So, I quickly devoured this story and closed the book with a smile! I definitely can’t wait to read whatever Abigail writes 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: Between These Broken Hearts (These Hollow Vows #4) by Lexi Ryan

November 25, 2025 / Jen / 2 Comments

Between These Broken Hearts (These Hollow Vows #4)
by Lexi Ryan
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Princess Jasalyn has eleven days to live.

Jasalyn is facing the repercussions of a deadly bargain. Her life, and the future of the shadow court, are forfeit on her birthday unless she can stop the evil fae king Mordeus. She needs to face her greatest fears and find him before she runs out of time, but even after everything, Kendrick won’t let her face this alone.

Shape-shifter Felicity has vanished.

Felicity disappeared from King Misha’s dungeons, and her friends have been searching for her to no avail. But even if she’s found, Felicity will never be able to escape the oracle’s tragic prophecy for her and her family. In her lonely battle with fate, Misha is the last person she can ask to stand by her side, but the first one she’ll need.

Review:

Between These Broken Hearts was a beautiful conclusion to the These Hollow Vows Series! Games were played, plans went sideways, and with mysteries and magic lacing the pages, it made this book impossible to put down! I love how strong the sisterly love was throughout this story, and the found family was so beautiful! If you enjoy YA romantasy, definitely put this series on your tbr!

I traded everything for vengeance, and I can’t allow my mind to drift to what happens when there’s no more left to take.

Jasalyn faced an impossible future. With Mordeous having some level control of her body, everything looked so bleak. And with the ring not allowing others to remember her, she felt truly alone. I loved that she had those rallying behind her. Even if I wanted to hate one of them, *cough Kenrick cough *. But as truths came to light, my feelings towards those changed. Especially when we saw the lengths they would go to protect her. But I was terrified for Jasalyn. Time was running out, and there didn’t seem to be any answers in sight for how she wouldn’t die.

“Like what you see?” he asks.
I roll my eyes. As if I don’t care. As if the memories of his touch don’t haunt me.

This story alternated between Jasalyn and Felicity, and I was invested in both of their stories. With Felicity, while I started out confused, I loved the path her story took. Especially when Misha was on the pages, he was my favorite! I loved how forward he could be and his banter with Felicity was everything! I desperately wanted to know his thoughts! With prophecies and trying to protect those they loved, they both kept me on the edge of my seat with having to know what happened next!

This, I think. If I get to live, I want more moments like this.

With unlikely alliances, plans made that put those we love in precarious situations, gut wrenching truths, and so much at stake, this book easily became a favorite! I cried happy and sad tears. And that ending was incredible! We got to see HEAs for so many within this story! Now I can’t wait to see what Ryan writes next!

Other Favorite Quotes:

The pain that moves across his face makes me wish for a different life in a different world under a different set of stars.

“Everyone in this world has a fate they would personally rearrange the stars to avoid.” His gaze settles on my mouth for a beat before he takes a step back. “Don’t think I am so different.”

His gaze flicks to mine. If you’re so worried, you should probably stop looking at me like that.
Like what? Like you know how my mouth feels on your skin and you’re wondering when you can feel it again.
I gape at him and he lifts a shoulder as if to say he can’t help how I’m feeling.

His hands are gentle and he’s trying to hide the fear in his voice, but I am dying. I know it. Why fight this when I can take comfort in my final moments?

The rough pad of his thumb skims across my bottom lip and he bends down to speak softly into my ear. “When you’re in my dreams, you never look like the princess.”

He wanted to break me. He needed me to be so fragile that when the flames burned me to ash, I’d surrender. He wanted to make me weak, but he didn’t realize he was teaching me just how much pain I can endure and survive. I am so much stronger than he is.”

BOOK REVIEW: The Ground That Devours Us by Kalla Harris

July 28, 2025 / Jen / 0 Comments

The Ground That Devours Us by Kalla Harris
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
The world ended ten years ago.

Vampires showed up, took over, and turned the whole planet into their personal all-you-can-drink buffet. The president? Bloodsucker. The government? Bloodsuckers. My social life? Absolutely nonexistent.

But hey, at least I had one thing going for me―slayer training. My twin sister, Ripley, and I were about to go pro, officially joining the ranks of the last people on earth who actually do something about the whole “undead overlords” situation.

And then X had to show up. The vampire boogeyman. The worst of the worst. And instead of killing Ripley, like any decent monster would, he turned her. Now she’s technically a vamp, but something tells me my sister is still in there. Which means I can’t slay her.

Review:

The Ground That Devours Us was the type of book that will completely consume you and was impossible to put down. With a gritty and rugged world, characters that will own you, and a storyline that was dark and hypnotic, this easily sailed onto my favorites list!

Ripley looks up at me, heartbroken. She wants me to accept her, but I don’t know if I can love these new parts of her. Maybe that makes me a monster, too.

Here’s more reasons why I loved this story…

“If you haven’t figured it out yet, I do wild things when it comes to you.”
His words sear me to the core. This is dangerous, this confession.

*X, oh I wanted to hate him. He was ruthless and lethal. And while he took from Ruby, he also protected her. He was all the shades of grey.

*Ruby was fierce, clever, and I was rooting for her every step of the way!

*The banter, hostility, and hate vibes were everything! It’s a slow burn that played out beautifully.

*While this is a book about vampires and humans, it felt unique and new. With a dystopian backdrop, and fantasy elements woven in, I was captivated by the world that they lived in and everything we learned about the vampires.

*At times I was terrified for who I could truly trust and my stomach twisted with unease.

*The stakes grew higher as the story unfolded and I loved the twists and turns!

“What are you most afraid of?”
His answer is quick, breathless. “You. A thousand times, you.”

I cried, laughed, and fell in love. Kalla Harris made a fan for life and I can’t wait to see what she writes 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: 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!