YA

Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me // Book Review

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About The Book
A graphic novel that asks us to consider what happens when we ditch the toxic relationships we crave to embrace the healthy ones we need. Laura Dean, the most popular girl in high school, was Frederica Riley’s dream girl: charming, confident, and SO cute. There’s just one problem: Laura Dean is maybe not the greatest girlfriend.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3StbUV4

My Rating

This book does a great job of depicting first love, and toxic relationships. Throughout the book, we get to know the main character, Freddy, and the roller-coaster that is her relationship with Laura Dean. She seeks insight into her relationship with Advice Columnist Anna Vice. Freddy tries hard to make her relationship work, and proves her devotion to Lara Dean without getting anything in return.

Laura Dean shows up only when it’s convenient to her, and expects Freddy to always be there when she calls. Throughout the story, Freddy’s friends can see how toxic the relationship is; however, Freddy is blinded by love. She is so infatuated with Laura Dean that she starts to forget about others around her.

The book is the prime definition of ‘we accept the love we think we deserve.’ In this world, we tend to think, especially when it comes to first love, that there is only one person who will love us. Moreover, because we love someone, we should excuse their bad behavior. However, throughout the book, we see Freddy’s slow discovery of how untrue that is.

“Love is hard. Breaking up is hard. Love is dramatic. Breaking up is dramatic.”

Something that I didn’t see coming was how the book touched on teen pregnancy, abortion and statutory rape. The plot was very focused on the toxic relationship between Freddy and Laura, so this side story was surprising. Although well done, it felt a bit out of place in the story.

Overall, the writing and artwork were great and the story was impactful. I can understand how some people might not enjoy this book do to the mistreatment the main character let herself endure in the name of “love.” However, I think that this is a good read for many young people today.

In the comments, let me know your thoughts about this graphic novel. Do not forget to hit the follow button so that you are notified whenever there is a new post.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Daughter Of The Pirate King // Book Review

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About The Book
Sent on a mission to retrieve an ancient hidden map – Alosa deliberately allows herself to be captured by her enemies, giving her the perfect opportunity to search their ship. Alosa has only one thing standing between her and the map: her captor, the unexpectedly clever and unfairly attractive first mate Riden. But not to worry, for Alosa has a few tricks up her sleeve, and no lone pirate can stop the Daughter of the Pirate King.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/472il5U

My Rating

This thrilling tale introduces you to a remarkable, strong female main character. Alosa, the protagonist, embodies resilience, intelligence, and a fiery spirit, making her the perfect lead in the novel. Her fierce determination and cunning tactics set the tone for a truly engaging story. The romance in this series is a good mixture of slow burn, witty banter, and instant chemistry. It is evident that there is a genuine connection between Alosa and her interest in love. Their interactions add depth to the narrative, making it more than a typical love story.

While Alosa was undoubtedly a compelling character, there were moments when her decisions frustrated me. However, this seemed to enhance my enjoyment of the book. She was ultimately smart and strong, but her setbacks, although they were nail biting, were fun to witness. I kept wanting to see how she would get out of each situation and what she was going to do next.

The fast-paced plot kept me on the edge of my seat, with unexpected twists and turns that made the book even more exciting. This is definitely a page-turner and perfect for readers who are looking for an interesting and adventurous story. The plot and characters kept me fully engaged with the story.

“I live on the cusp of two worlds, trying desperately to fit into one.”

The book offers an interesting blend of different fantasy elements that enhances the story without overwhelming it. The author came up with an original story that got better with every page. As someone who is not keen on pirate novels, this is excellent. So, try not to be put off by the plot if you do not typically gravitate toward pirate tales.

Overall, I highly recommend picking up the book and giving it a chance. Not only was the entire story incredible, the ending leaves you craving more, and has me eagerly wanting to pick up the sequel. I really felt immersed in the vivid world created by the author. However, it is important to note that this is a young adult book, which is evident in the writing and themes, although I still found it entertaining.

In the comments, let me know whether this book is on your TBR. It would be amazing if you could share this post with other readers. All your support means the world to me, so please feel free to hit the follow button before you go.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

You’re Not Supposed To Die Tonight // Book Review

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About The Book
Charity has the summer job of her dreams, playing the “final girl” at Camp Mirror Lake. But the last weekend of the season, Charity’s co-workers begin disappearing. And when one ends up dead, Charity’s role as the final girl suddenly becomes all too real. If Charity and her girlfriend Bezi hope to survive the night, they’ll need figure out what this killer is after.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/45O8b7A

My Rating

This book is in no way the best campy slasher I have ever read, but I found it to be enjoyable. In the book, we follow Charity, who plays the final girl at a horror movie reenactment camp. Think of one of those murder mystery type games, but in this case, people play a part in a horror movie scenario.

Obviously, the plot is all about Charity’s role as a final girl becoming all too real. This is a generic young adult thriller story. I would say that the book was short and sweet. It followed a classic teen slasher film type plot, so the story was not the most original.

I found many things to be predictable. Honestly, if you are a long-time fan of the horror movie genre, you can probably figure out most of the twists. Nothing was particularly shocking, and the final twist was mediocre. Nevertheless, I could see some younger readers finding the ending to be done very well and unexpected.

“I’ve been playing the part of a girl who escapes a serial killer every night for months. It’s not a game this time. The consequences are real, but we still have to play.”

However, I still had a good time reading the book. It gave me exactly what I hoped for, which was a quick, campy, young adult slasher story. I am a big fan of Kalyan Bayron’s writing, so, in my opinion, that helped make the book a lot more enjoyable.

Now, the book has flaws, such as how the characters acted and spoke. It felt like an adult writing how they thought teenagers would act. They were stereotypical and annoying. Yep. They were young, dumb teenagers. Maybe my 31 year old self just can’t handle books with teenagers who act very teenager-like. Does this make sense?

Overall, I think that campy thrillers are never going to be my preferred plot, but my experience reading the book was good, which is a win in my book. There’s not much to the book, making it not require a lot of your attention to understand. I say that if you are looking for a book that gives summer horror movie vibes, then this is a good pick.

In the comments, let me know your favorite teen slasher books and movies. If you do not already follow my Instagram (@books.with.bunny) account for more bookish content from me feel free to do so. Do not forget to like this post and follow the blog.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

New Moon // Book Review

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About The Book
Bella and Edward face a devastating separation, the mysterious appearance of dangerous wolves roaming the forest in Forks, a terrifying threat of revenge from a female vampire and a deliciously sinister encounter with Italy’s reigning royal family of vampires, the Volturi. Passionate, riveting, and full of surprising twists and turns, this vampire love saga is well on its way to literary immortality.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/45FjVcq

My Rating

This is the sequel to ‘Twilight,’ and as always, when it comes to reviewing a book series, there will be spoilers pertaining to the previous book or books. In this novel, Bella and Edward’s relationship is in full force, but things occur, causing Edward to flee Forks, leaving Bella behind.

Honestly, I’m not quite sure how I feel about Bella’s reaction to Edwards leaving. From the way, the other characters described her state of mind it was bordering on clinical depression and suicidal. Making me think that her and Edward’s relationship is very problematic.

The main plot does not actually kick off until Bella realizes that her subconscious will conjure Edward whenever she puts herself in danger. Therefore, like any allegedly sane person, she decides that she should embark on risky tasks just to hear Edward’s voice.

This is the first book that we see Bella form a true friendship with Jacob Black. He becomes Bella’s closest friend as she continues to put herself in danger. Personally, I really liked Jacob’s character, and you can see that he cared for Bella. However, there was absolutely no romantic chemistry between them, especially since Bella was devoted/moderately obsessed with Edward.

“I honestly have no idea how to live without you.”

The last chapters were fast-paced and full of action. In this book, the author introduces to another supernatural creature that you know will play a significant role in the books to come. In addition, we learn about The Volturi, the largest and most powerful coven and vampires.

The only cons I have about this story is how Bella ditched her friends for months, then expected them to want to hang out with her after she lost the Cullens. She was also careless with her life and literally begged Edward to turn her. She does not even care about the people she will leave behind and the pain she will cause them. Bella is a bit of a selfish character.

Overall, the book went by way faster than the first one. However, if you are looking for exceptional writing or storytelling, these might not be the books for you. This is just a fun, classic, young adult, supernatural romance. There is not much depth or twist in the story.

In the comments, let me know if you are team Jacob or team Edward. Don’t forget to like and share this post with others. If you would like to be notified whenever there is a new post. please follow the blog.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Our Crooked Hearts // Book Review

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About The Book
 Ivy and her soon-to-be ex nearly run over a nude young woman standing in the middle of a tree-lined road. It’s only the first in a string of increasingly eerie events and offerings: a dead rabbit in the driveway, a bizarre concoction buried by her mother in the backyard, a box of childhood keepsakes hidden in her parents’ closet safe. Most unsettling of all, corroded recollections of Ivy and her enigmatic mother’s past resurface, with the help of the boy next door.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/46Zvkoi

My Rating

I am still not sure what I think of this book because I found only one-half of the dual-timeline plot fairly interesting. Furthermore, I did not love the characters or the way the story was told. In the first few chapters, we get tossed right into the story – there’s no build up, or getting to know the characters, which I did not really love. I am all for a fast-paced book, but this was too much.

In this book, we follow Ivy, a 17 years old who has a strained relationship with her mother. However, once her mother disappears, weird things start happening, and Ivy starts to wonder if there are pieces of her life that she has forgotten. Ivy as a character was not necessarily bad, but she was a teenager who thought that they knew everything. This was irritating to say the least.

As mentioned, the book has dual timelines, so we have a present timeline following Ivy, coupled with a past timeline following her mother. The past chapters help us learn why this is all happening in the present, which is probably why we do not get much backstory at the beginning of the book. Unfortunately, I enjoyed only the past timeline chapters.

“So. Magic. It is the loneliest thing in the world.”

I would’ve loved the book just to be about the girls in the past, because those chapters were giving me ‘The Craft’ movie vibes, and I loved it. I liked Ivy’s mother in the past because she was very smart and strong. Seeing how all of this came to be, it was really interesting. It was dark and twisty, which is something I did not get from the present storyline with Ivy.

My biggest con in the book is the fact that Ivy, even after everything, did not understand her mother more or why she made the choices she made. Yes, some of the things her mother did were out of line, but Ivy had a hand in her mother making these choices. It annoyed me that she did not give her mother any sort of grace. However, I guess that a teenager for you.

Overall, the book kept me entertained, and the writing style was good. The plot was interesting enough, and I did not want to DNF the book. However, I just feel like this type of witchy story was not my cup of tea, but if you are looking for a dark, young adult, witchy book, then I would recommend you picking this one up.

In the comments, leave me with some more witchy book recommendations. Do not forget to like and share this post with others. And follow the blog to get post notifications.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

She Is A Haunting // Book Review

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About The Book
 A House with a terrifying appetite haunts a broken family in this atmospheric horror, perfect for fans of Mexican Gothic. Chilling, evocative, and atmospheric, She Is a Haunting is a slow burn debut horror novel about the ghosts of the past and the ways in which they connect to our present. Tran’s vivid imagery makes this terrifying tale a true standout. This house eats and is eaten . . .
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/47fvqbV

My Rating

This is a haunted house story that has been compared to ‘Mexican Gothic’ by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, and I can see why it can be seen as a YA version of that book. However, I did not enjoy it as much. This story was not gripping, and it was also slightly more confusing. And if I am being honest, I do not remember a lot of the book, which should say something.

The plot follows Jade, as she goes to Vietnam with her sister to visit their estranged father. However, weird things start happening in the house where they are staying with their Ba. Although, it didn’t feel like a ‘true’ spooky haunted house story, which probably doesn’t make any sense.

As a main character, Jada was mediocre, and she did not want to be there, which was apparent throughout much of the story. Truthfully, she had reasons for coming to Vietnam, but she could have left at any time instead of forcing herself to be in a situation that made her uncomfortable.

“I know this is a dream because I am not afraid of my father.”

The book was entertaining but kind of all over the place. I found myself becoming confused and having to reread passages. I found it easy to read mindlessly, without really understanding it. At the end of the book, I was confused, shocked and disappointed.

The writing was not my favorite and did not keep me engaged. The story felt slow moving, and I kept waiting for more to happen. The author is a great storyteller, but her writing form is not what I prefer.

Overall, I did not get the spooky vibes that I was looking for in the story. I would not call it a bad read at all, it just was not something that really interested me. However, I am willing to give the author another shot in the future.

In the comments, let me know if you have read the book. Also, did you know I have an Instagram (@books.with.bunny) account? I post bookish photos each week, so if you are looking for more content from me, you can always follow me on there as well. Please support my blog by hitting the follow button.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

House Of Salt And Sorrows // Book Review

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About The Book
 Annaleigh lives a sheltered life at Highmoor with her sisters and their father and stepmother. Once there were twelve, but loneliness fills the grand halls now that four of the girls’ lives have been cut short. When Annaleigh’s involvement with a mysterious stranger who has secrets of his own intensifies, it’s a race to unravel the darkness that has fallen over her family–before it claims her next.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3PYe4sV

My Rating

I thought this book would be a five-star, because of its interesting plot, but it did not quite live up to my expectations. This is a young adult horror retelling of “The Twelve Dancing Princesses.” Being someone who had never heard of the original version, I did not know exactly what to expect. However, after reading this book, I am curious about the original story.

In the book, we follow Annaleigh, she was one out of a family of 12 daughters, however, four of her sisters, along with her mother, passed away. Because of this, people assume that the family is cursed. However, when strange things start happening, Annaleigh begins to wonder if these deaths are not accidents.

This book is full of many twists and turns. Annaleigh was a very smart main character, and I loved how she was willing to believe in the impossible. However, grief clouds our judgment slightly, which could be why she was quick to believe in unusal and strange things going on.

“We are born of the Salt, we live by the Salt, and to the Salt we return.”

The plot was interesting, and it kept me engaged. There is even a romance that I did not see coming but loved. However, there were times when I thought the story lagged, and I did not want to pick up the book quite as much as I would have hoped. However, I never saw the ending coming, and it was amazing.

Overall, I enjoyed how the author brought this story to life, and it was almost a bit of a gothic haunted spin on ‘Rosemary’s Baby’ story. The last few chapters were fairly creepy, so I would say it is a true horror story, even if it is on the tamer side of things.

In the comments, let me know if you have read the “The Twelve Dancing Princesses” and what you thought of this retelling. Do not forget to like and share this post with other book lovers. If you want to become part of my little bookish family, hit the follow button!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Ace Of Spades // Book Review

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About The Book
Gossip Girl meets Get Out in Ace of Spades, a YA contemporary thriller by debut author Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé about two students, Devon & Chiamaka, and their struggles against an anonymous bully. As Aces shows no sign of stopping, what seemed like a sick prank quickly turns into a dangerous game, with all the cards stacked against them. Can Devon and Chiamaka stop Aces before things become incredibly deadly?
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/46q5ZEa

My Rating

This is a gripping tale, with the main characters Devon Richards and Chiamaka Adebayo standing out as minorities in their high school. Chiamaka is portrayed as the classic, smart, ‘queen bee,’ and Devon as the music geek from the wrong side of the tracks.

The plot of the book is undeniably interesting, as it revolves around a mysterious threat targeting Devon and Chiamaka, the only two black students at Niveus Private Academy. This premise immediately captivated me, and kept me engaged throughout the book.

While the writing was commendable and entertaining, I found the book to be a bit lengthy. At times, it felt like I was waiting for something significant to occur. Additionally, the fact that Devon and Chiamaka spent a substantial portion of the book apart was somewhat disappointing, as I hoped for more interaction between them.

“But racism isn’t just about that—it’s not about being nice or mean. Or good versus bad. It’s bigger than that.”

Devon’s character was my favorite, and I felt that I enjoyed his chapters and point of view more than Chiamaka, who came across as somewhat cold. Once the two characters finally started to interact, I did not see much of a friendship form until closer to the end of the book. However, the opposites in their personalities may have been intentional, adding depth to their dynamic.

The ending of the book was shocking, and the revelation behind the attacks on Devon and Chiamaka was unexpected. Furthermore, the book’s unique approach to addressing racism was very impressive. The author was able to tackle such an important social issues in a compelling manner.

Overall, the story is an intriguing reading with engaging characters and captivating plot. It may feel a bit long, and the characters maybe could have interacted more. However, the ending, as well as its take on the topic of racism, makes it a good enough read. One quick thing is that the book features LGBT+ representation, which is something I always like to see in books.

In the comments, let me know if you have read anything from this author previously. Do not forget to like and share this post with others. Before you go, feel free to hit the following button.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

End Of The Year 2023 // Book Tag

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Hi Friends,
Last year, I posted a video doing the ‘End Of The Year’ book tag, so I thought I should make it a yearly tradition. Just as I am a seasonal reader, I love a good seasonal tag too!


I have been reading ‘Furyborn’ by Claire Legrand since March, and I am only 50% into the book. This is an adult fantasy that is interesting, but I do not ever seem to be in the mood to read it. The book follows two female characters in different worlds, or possibly timelines, honestly, I am a bit confused. However, my main issue is that I am liking one of the characters’ storylines much more than the other. Still, I would like to finish it by the end of the year.


I read ‘Coraline‘ every October because it is the perfect spooky middle-grade read for fall. I love how fast-paced it is. and the fact that it is creepy, but not scary. The writing is so good and the animated film adaptation is one of my favorite fall movies as well.
Related Post: Coraline // Book Review


Last winter, I read ‘A Merry Little Meet Cute’ by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone, which was my first baby step into the world of smutty books. So, when I heard there was a companion novel being released on October 10th, titled ‘A Holly Jolly Ever After,’ I was excited! It is definitely a new release at the top of my TBR.
Related Post: A Merry Little Meet Cute // Book Review


I want to complete the book series that I have started. My focus is on trying to finish a duology or two because I only have one book left to read. I have been wanting to read the sequel to ‘These Violent Delights‘ for a while and ‘A Magic Steeped in Poison‘ is another duology I should be able to complete soon. I would also like to see what all the hype around ‘Fourth Wing’ by Rebecca Yarros is about. Especially, since I have already pre-ordered the sequel that comes out in November.
Related Post: These Violent Delights // Book Review


If I find myself able to pick up ‘Once Upon A Broken Heart’ by Stephanie Garber, it could be my favorite book of the year. This is a 5 star book prediction. I am a huge fan of the ‘Caraval’ series by this author, and I hear that it is even better.
Related Post: Caraval // Book Review


Although I am a huge planner, I usually save making my reading plans for the next year until December. I have some goals I would like to accomplish. but I have not actually begun to make plans.

In the comments, let me know if you have done this tag before. If you are a fan of book tags, then like this post and follow the blog!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

The Selection Series – From Cover To Closet // Toss-Up Tuesday

- Bunny Leave a comment

Hi Friends,
It’s been a while since I have done a fashion post here on the blog, but they are some of my favorite posts to create. This time, I took inspiration from ‘The Selection‘ trilogy by Kiera Cass book covers. These covers are stunning, and I created outfits inspired by them. I have only read the first book in the series, but I do know that it is a classic young adult dystopian trilogy. Therefore, I hope that you find that these outfits embodied the covers as much as I thought they did.

In the comments, leave me with your thoughts on the book series. In addition, tell me which outfit is your favorite. Do not forget that you can follow me on Instagram (@books.with.bunny) and like my Facebook page. Before you leave, give this post a like and follow the blog, because your support really does mean a lot to me.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny