Young Adult

Final Draft | Book Review

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About The Book
Laila Piedra only takes risks in the sci-fi worlds she writes about. When her supportive creative writing teacher is replaced by Pulitzer Prize-winning Nadiya Nazarenko, who is harsh and unimpressed, Laila becomes obsessed with earning her approval. She begins to feel like she has to choose between perfection and sanity, but deep down, Laila wonders if letting go of her mentor is the only way to truly find herself.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3Zw5gRy

My Rating

This book left me with mixed feelings. While there weren’t any major issues with the plot or characters, I just didn’t feel a strong connection to either. It follows Laila, a sci-fi fan who wants to be a writer, and her life changes when a new teacher takes over her creative writing class. The teacher becomes a big influence in Laila’s life, causing her to question both her writing abilities and her identity.

A key theme in the book is about losing yourself while trying to please others. The new teacher, even though they’re a successful writer, doesn’t really teach, which leaves Laila and her classmates feeling uncertain about their work. This really hit home for me—it reminded me that creativity is personal, and trying to get others’ approval can make you lose your own voice.

Redgate hints at Laila’s mental health struggles throughout the story, which become clearer halfway through. These hints add depth to her struggles with writing, friendships, and her sexuality, making her feel more real and layered.

That said, the event that triggered Laila’s mental health decline didn’t quite make sense to me, and I often found myself wondering why it had such a big impact on her. However, I believe the author used it to symbolize how a single event can deeply affect someone who is already struggling mentally—it was about losing stability and support in her life.

“Let’s short circuit in the rain.”

The romance in the book was okay, but I didn’t feel very connected to the love interest since the other characters weren’t fleshed out enough, in my opinion. The focus is mainly on Laila throughout the book, so we don’t get much insight into her other relationships, which made it hard for me to fully invest in her romantic storyline.

What stood out the most for me was Riley Redgate’s writing style. It’s engaging and kept me reading, even when I wasn’t totally sure where the story was going. While I probably wouldn’t read this book again or strongly recommend it, I do think it’s well-written and touches on some important themes.

Overall, the story explores finding your identity and the risks of looking for validation from others. It didn’t totally click with me, but its strengths lie in its writing and thoughtful approach, which could appeal to readers who enjoy character-driven stories.

Let me know your thoughts on the book in comments! You can also listen to this audiobook and many others with an Everand subscription. Sign up for a free trial using my link (click here). If you liked this review, please consider following my blog before you go.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Little Monsters | Book Review

- Bunny 1 Comment

About The Book
Kacey, the new girl in Broken Falls, moves in with her father and stepfamily, finding her new life eerily charming compared to her tumultuous past. She’s welcomed into a tight circle of friends, but things turn strange when her closest friends, Bailey and Jade, start acting distant. When Bailey disappears after a party, Kacey is left to navigate the town’s suspicions. Suddenly, Broken Falls isn’t so welcoming, and Kacey is at the center of the mystery.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3Ry7tXE

My Rating

Kara Thomas has a way of writing that always keeps me engaged, and this book is no exception. The story centers on a high school senior, Kacey, as she tries to uncover the mystery behind the disappearance of one of her closest friends, all while grappling with her troubled past. She had a difficult childhood, and works to conceal her anger issues while living with her dad, stepmom, stepbrother, and half-sister.

What I liked most was how the story had many layers, not just the mystery. It made everything more interesting and complicated. The mystery itself moves really fast, and even though I didn’t always agree with what the main character did, it felt real. She made mistakes like any teenager would in that situation.

In the book, we mostly follow Kacey’s perspective, but we also get short chapters that are journal entries from her missing friend, Bailey. These were an unexpected, but pleasant, surprise. Furthermore, they really did enhance the story. Bailey’s chapters give us more insight into her character, and provide important details leading up to her disappearance.

“Hope is the most dangerous thing you can give someone.”

I kept changing my mind about who might be behind everything, which I loved. The author really makes you doubt everyone and throws in lots of surprises. Some twists totally caught me off guard, though I did figure out part of the ending eventually. But when everything was revealed, it was shocking and way darker than I expected—in a good way.

Overall, the writing is fantastic, and the ending is gripping. I could easily see this book being one that many readers finish in a single sitting. If you enjoy young adult mysteries, this is a must-read. Just a heads-up, though: it tackles some heavy stuff, so check for trigger warnings if you need to.

Let me know in the comments if you enjoy YA mysteries! For more book-related content, check out my Instagram where I share book photos and reels. Don’t forget to hit follow to stay updated on all my bookish posts.

Until the next chapter,
Bunny

Back To School | Book Recommendations

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Hi Friends,
I can’t believe it’s already back-to-school season! The months have flown by so quickly, but I’m excited for fall. I know some of you might not be thrilled about school starting again, so I thought I’d share some book recommendations to help you get into the back-to-school spirit.

Matilda by Roald Dahl
This middle-grade novel is a quick read about a young girl with a tough home life. Matilda loves to read and is excited about going to school for the first time. I enjoyed both the book and its movie adaptation.

One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus
This book is packed with drama, friendships, and a murder mystery. It starts right at the beginning of a new school year, and it’s a fast-paced read that keeps you hooked.
Related Post: One Of Us Is Lying | Book Review

Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson
This YA mystery kicks off a series about a teenage girl who loves true crime and attends a boarding school where a murder takes place. I didn’t love it, but if you enjoy boarding school settings, it’s worth a read, especially in the fall.

The Ivies by Alexa Donne
Another YA mystery thriller, this book is set in a boarding school and revolves around students aiming for Ivy League colleges, with a murder thrown into the mix. It wasn’t my favorite, but it fits the back-to-school theme.
Related Post: The Ivies | Book Review

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli
This contemporary YA novel is great for starting the school year, especially if you’re figuring things out about yourself. The main character has a supportive family and friends but still struggles with his identity. The book has a fantastic ending and a movie adaptation worth watching.

The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake
I haven’t read this one yet, but it’s a dark academia novel involving a secret society and magic. It sounds like a good pick if you’re into fantasy elements.

There you go—some book recommendations for back-to-school reading. If you have an Everand subscription, some of these books are available there. If you want to try out the service, you can use my link (click here) for a free trial. Check out my Amazon Storefront page for all the titles mentioned here. Don’t forget to click follow so you never miss a post!

Daughter Of The Siren Queen | Book Review

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About The Book
Alosa has recovered all three pieces of a legendary treasure map and holds the pirates who captured her as prisoners. First mate Riden, still attractive and loyal, is now under her orders. Vordan, the villain, will soon face her father’s justice. However, Vordan reveals a secret about her father, leading Alosa and her crew into a deadly race against the Pirate King. Confident in her abilities, Alosa is determined to recover the treasure first as the daughter of the Siren Queen.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/4dxfMM1

My Rating

I am confused about my feelings regarding this book. I enjoyed the writing and the story as a whole, but I didn’t love the main protagonist, Alosa, as much as I did in the first book. I had such high hopes for this book, as I liked the first one a lot. However, there was something about the way Alosa was portrayed in this book that didn’t work for me.

Alosa felt more heartless somehow, but I do feel like she was probably as fierce in the first book, and it just didn’t bother me as much. She came across as morally grey, and a bit of a hypocrite. She would call others out for being cruel and having agendas, but I can’t help but feel she’s the pot calling the kettle black. She felt so enraged, but I do understand that her upbringing and backstory have a lot to do with her personality and actions.

Besides her character flaws, the romance wasn’t as compelling this time around. I wanted to feel the same connection between Alosa and her love interest, Riden, that I did in the first book. Sadly, it wasn’t there. Still, this could just be due to my distaste for Alosa, and not a fault of the story, because I did really like Riden as a love interest.

“I braved the ocean for you. Will you brave land for your queen?”

Despite my issues with Alosa’s character, I did find the plot fairly interesting, and Tricia Levenseller’s books are very easy to get through. They aren’t too complex, and are very fast-paced. I find that she has a wonderful storytelling ability that helps immerse you in the story and characters. But I did find that once I put the book down, I would forget where I was in the story, so it isn’t a book that left a lasting impression on me.

Overall, the ending was nicely done, and I did come to tolerate Alosa’s character. There were some sad moments, but I don’t feel like I connected enough with all the characters to actually care for them. Still, it was a good conclusion, and it read like the final book in a duology. I believe that is what the author had originally intended before turning this into a trilogy.

In the comments, let me know if you enjoy pirate or siren stories. The audiobook can be read on Everand. If you are interested in the service, use my link (click here) to get a free trial. Don’t forget to like and share this post with other book lovers. If you enjoy book reviews, give my blog a follow before you go.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

2024 Summer Olympics | Book Recommendations

- Bunny 1 Comment

Hi Friends,
It is Olympic season! So, I thought I would give you three book recommendations to help you get into the summer Olympics spirit. Although all these books have a sports-focused story, one of them isn’t a summer Olympics sport and is actually considered more of an art. Still, each book has an element that fits the 2024 Olympics.

Fence by C. S. Pacat, illustrated by Johanna the Mad
This is a graphic novel series about an elite high school fencing team. The plot follows Nicholas Cox, the illegitimate son of a U.S. Olympic fencing champion. When Nicholas receives a scholarship to the elite boys’ school, Kings Row, he knows that being on their fencing team will help him achieve his goal of becoming a champion fencer. Not only are the volumes in the series fast reads, but they also clearly have an Olympic and competition theme.

Burnout by Rebecca Jenshak
This sports romance follows Knox, a tattooed motocross rider, and Avery, a gymnast. When Knox’s bad reputation lands him in a tight spot, the only person who can help him is Avery, an Olympic medalist. The book not only captures those summer Olympic vibes but also features a hot bad boy, spice, witty banter, and is the first installment in the Holland Brothers series. Honestly, what more could a romance reader want?

Kisses And Croissants by Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau
This book takes place in Paris, which just so happens to be where the summer 2024 Olympics will be held. It follows an American ballerina who is spending the summer at a prestigious ballet school, knowing it will get her one step closer to becoming a professional ballerina. But instead of dancing her way through Paris, she pliés right into a cute French boy. Their meeting might just be fate, but it might also be a beautiful distraction.
Related Post: Kisses And Croissants // Book Review

I hope you enjoyed this post and found some books that will help put you in the summer Olympics mood. Even if you aren’t a watcher of the Olympics, I hope you still got some good recommendations from this post. In the comments, let me know what your favorite sport in the summer Olympics is. I mainly like to watch the gymnastics competitions. Before you go, show your support for my blog by giving it a quick follow.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Asking For A Friend | Book Review

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About The Book
Juliana Zhao, confident in her expertise on love and her chance to win the Asian Americans in Business Competition, is forced to team up with her frenemy, Garrett Tsai, after her partner drops her. As they clash over their dating advice column, Juliana starts questioning her priorities and the sacrifices she’s made. With the competition intensifying, she must decide if winning is worth it.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3y90Apd

My Rating

*I want to thank the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book. However, please know that my reviews are 100% honest and reflect my own thoughts.*

This is an interesting book to explain because it is so much more than a romance and even a love advice column as the synopsis suggests. That isn’t a bad thing, but there are many layers to the story. It dives deep into the complexities of family expectations, personal growth, and the cultural pressures faced by its characters. To me, this multi-faceted approach makes the book stand out in the crowded YA genre.

The main protagonist, Julianna, is always trying to live up to her mother’s high expectations and standards. She tries not to make waves like her older, disowned sister Bella, or her younger sister Hattie, who isn’t shy about questioning their mother. Her goal is to win the Asian Americans in Business Competition started by her deceased father, get into an Ivy League school, and become a success. This relentless pursuit of perfection adds a lot of tension and depth to her character.

I loved how Julianna’s thoughts and plans evolved throughout the book. Her character development was remarkable. Her relationship with Garrett, her former childhood friend, was especially touching because they both understood each other, despite their different struggles. Their reconnection felt genuine, and you could see them growing from friends into something more.

“I wanted the days when I didn’t even know what it was to think of the future.”

This book really focuses on Taiwanese culture and the type of pressure that, I assume, many Asian children have put on them. However, it was nice that the author showcased that not all Asian families hold their children to such high standards and let them make their own choices without judgment. This gave a clearer and more detailed view of cultural expectations.

The writing in this book was a pleasant surprise because, for a YA novel, it didn’t feel too juvenile. In my opinion, the story was well thought out, and there were no moments when the characters seemed immature. The reasoning behind Julianna and Garrett’s falling out was very realistic and understandable, which I appreciated.

Overall, I was surprised by the heavier and sadder parts of the plot. I expected the book to focus more on the advice column, but it turned out to be about following your own advice and figuring out what you want from life. I think many teens, especially those in the Asian community, can relate to this story. I also love a story with an epilogue, and this one wrapped things up nicely.

In the comments, let me know if this book is on your TBR and whether you think you give good advice. Don’t forget to like and share this post with others. As always, please hit the follow button before you go.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Red, White, and Blue Books // July 4th Reading

- Bunny 2 Comments

Hi Friends,
In honor of the 4th of July holiday, I wanted to share some red, white, and blue books. These might not be my all-time favorite books in these colors, but they are definitely ones worth checking out. I know this post isn’t the most original, but I love recommending books I’ve enjoyed. I hope you might find joy in them too!

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‘Summer’s Edge’ By Dana Mele
I am going to be upfront and admit that this isn’t truly a favorite of mine, but I think the concept of this book is really cool. It’s a queer young adult paranormal thriller that takes place during the summer. Although I had my issues with it, I do think that it is a pretty decent summer thriller. Also, it is compared to *I Know What You Did Last Summer*, which, if you are a horror movie fan, takes place during July 4th.
Related Post: Summer’s Edge // Book Review

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‘A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder’ By Holly Jackson
I really wanted to give out new recommendations, but when it came to a white book, the only one that stood out was *A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder*. I’m not going to rave about it too much since it is a widely popular YA mystery book, but this is such a good, fast-paced mystery with great characters and an interesting storyline.
Related Post: A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder // Book Review

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‘How Not to Fall in Love’ By Jacqueline Firkins
This is a blue book that I think is underrated. It is a young adult friends-to-lovers romance. I found it to be so cute, and it has the exchange of service plot that I adore. The plot follows Harper, who tries to teach her hopeless romantic best friend Theo how not to fall in love with every girl they go out with. I read this book really fast, so if you’re looking for a quick and cute read, you should definitely give this book a chance.
Related Post: How Not to Fall in Love // Book Review

There you have three recommendations for books to read this 4th of July. These books might not take place during the summer holiday, but they are still good reads nonetheless. Before you leave, hit the follow button so that you get notified whenever there’s a new post.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

July 2024 // To Be Read

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Hi Friends,
I’m excited to share my July TBR post! This month, I’ll be playing my roll-the-dice game again. For a detailed breakdown of the rules, please read my June TBR post. The new rule I added is that if I don’t complete my main TBR from the previous month, I have to add an extra roll. Also, if I get any doubles, I add one extra roll. Normally, I start with 5 rolls, but a double means I’ll do 6 rolls. Since I didn’t complete my June TBR, I started with 6 rolls and got doubles, so I have seven books on this TBR.

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Last year for Christmas, my husband did a 24-day bookish advent calendar for me. Unfortunately, I haven’t read many of those books. For this prompt, I’ll read ‘Vespertine’ by Margaret Rogerson, a young adult fantasy book.

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I typically don’t read books before I buy them, but I’ve been trying to get better at that, especially with YA books and authors whose works I don’t always love. For this prompt, I’m picking ‘Heiress Takes All’ by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka. The story takes place during a wedding and claims to have an “Oceans 11” vibe.

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For this prompt, I had many books to choose from, but with my husband’s help, I decided on ‘The Wisteria Society Of Lady Scoundrels’ by India Holton. This is a fun historical romance with pirates, making it a good summer read.

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I’m very happy I got this prompt because I’ve been wanting to read ‘The House Across The Lake’ by Riley Sager for a while. I think it will be a great thriller read for this time of year, and there is clearly water on the cover.

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I’m going to try and read the third book in the Lovelight Farm series by B.K. Borison called ‘Mixed Signals.’ This series consists of interconnected standalone romances. The fourth and final book in the series is set to release sometime this fall.

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I’m shocked by how many books I have on my shelves by authors I’ve never read before. Keeping with the summer and mystery trend, I’m choosing ‘The Summer She Went Missing’ by Chelsea Ichaso. This is a YA mystery, so I’m a bit worried I might not love it, but I’m going to approach it with an open mind.

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I have many BOTM books that I’ve bought secondhand. Soon, I’ll have Riley Sager’s newest book to add to my collection, but first, I want to get through some of his backlist titles, most of which I have as BOTM editions. For this prompt, I’m going with ‘The Last Time I Lied’ by Riley Sager, another perfect summer thriller set at a camp.

In the comments, let me know if you enjoy TBR games and what books you plan on reading in July. I plan on listening to the audiobook for most of these books via Everand (click here). Don’t forget to follow the blog to stay updated with all my posts.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Birthday // Book Tag

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Hi Friends,
It’s my birthday! I thought it would be fun to do a birthday-inspired book tag. This is the ‘Birthday’ book tag that I found on YouTube. I don’t know who the original creator is, but the video I watched was from Lindsey From BFCG.


This one was hard, but I chose ‘What Once Was Mine’ by Liz Braswell. Most of the Twisted Tales books I’ve read seem somewhat mediocre and unoriginal, but this one was pretty good. I enjoyed the new spin on the Tangled story.
Related Post: What Once Was Mine // Book Review


There’s a 2024 release I’ve talked about endlessly, so instead, I’ll mention ‘Spectacular’ by Stephanie Garber. It’s a novella set in the Caraval world, coming out later this year.
Related Post: Caraval // Book Review


‘Weyward’ by Emilia Hart took me by surprise this year. The premise sounded interesting, but I had heard mixed reviews. However, I really enjoyed the story and its witchy aspects.
Related Post: Weyward // Book Review


‘A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder’ by Holly Jackson! When I first read it in 2021, it was incredibly hyped and still is today. The entire trilogy, especially the first two books, is definitely worth the hype.
Related Post: A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder // Book Review


Honestly, I don’t have a specific book for this. I don’t annotate my books, so I don’t always remember beautiful quotes. I just remember my favorite ones, but no single book stands out.


My husband reminded me of a book that fits this question perfectly: ‘The Golden Compass‘ by Philip Pullman. I received beautiful editions of the entire series for my birthday when I was a teenager. However, I only read the first two books in the trilogy and don’t think I fully understood or appreciated the story then. I was relatively new to reading, and this probably wasn’t the best fantasy series to start with. I think I’d enjoy them much more today.


2013 was probably one of the toughest years of my life, but it was also the year I read ‘Delirium‘ by Lauren Oliver. This book helped me discover audiobooks, which changed my reading experience forever.

In the comments, please send me some love by leaving birthday wishes. If you want to check out my book wishlist, click here, but you are under no obligation to send a gift. However, your continued support means the world to me, and the best birthday gift would be if you followed the blog.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

A Game Most Foul // Book Review

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About The Book
Attending Ashford College’s writing seminar in London, Jules Montgomery faces challenges with her recent hearing loss and writer’s block. When a fellow student disappears and authorities show little concern, Jules teams up with new friends Percy and Suruthi. Together, aided unexpectedly by a man claiming to be Sherlock Holmes, they unravel mysteries both modern and from fiction, discovering truths that defy time and perception.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/45ImL1T

My Rating

First, I’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for granting me access to an audiobook ALC of “A Game Most Foul” by Alison Gervais. Going into this book, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. The premise of a young adult mystery with a Sherlock Holmes twist intrigued me, as I usually enjoy YA mysteries. However, I have mixed feelings about this one.

Let’s start with what I liked. The main character, Jules, is attending a writing workshop in the UK for the summer. Jules has tinnitus and uses hearing aids, which is a refreshing and important representation that’s rarely seen in books. The setting in London is always a plus for me; mysteries set there always seem more enjoyable to me. The plot about a missing classmate initially caught my interest, and I liked the small friend group Jules formed throughout the story.

However, the negatives outweighed the positives for me. Despite the intriguing premise, I found it hard to connect with Jules. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly why, but her intense interest in her classmate’s disappearance felt unnatural and a bit over-the-top. Additionally, the romance subplot seemed unnecessary and added little to the main story.

“There’s a story somewhere in my brain, maybe a mystery or a thriller, needing to be written.”

II didn’t expect Sherlock and Watson’s inclusion to be done the way it was. The supernatural element, while somewhat well executed, surprised me and didn’t fit smoothly with the story. I enjoyed Sherlock’s character as it stayed true to the original portrayal. However, I found the other characters less likable, especially the teenagers, who seemed to be trying too hard to act grown-up. They didn’t feel realistic as teenagers; it was obvious that an adult was writing them.

My main problem was with the writing style. It seemed better suited for younger readers than for young adults. Maybe it’s just me getting older or having different tastes, but it made it hard for me to stay engaged in the story. Still, I have to give credit for the ending—it tied things up neatly, even though by then, I wasn’t as invested in the plot.

Overall, while the book has its moments and brings some valuable representation to the table, I just didn’t find the story compelling. It might be more appealing to younger readers or those new to YA mysteries, but it didn’t keep me fully engaged. Thanks again to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for letting me listen to the ALC.

Please comment if you’re an older reader who still enjoys YA books. And don’t forget to like, share, and follow the blog before you go!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny