Book Review: Cold Girls by Maxine Rae

Cold Girls by Maxine Rae
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A strong debut novel about friendship, loss, survival, and moving forward.

Cold Girls is the debut novel by Maxine Rae about the growth of a deep friendship between two young women and the aftermath when one is killed in an accident in which the other survives. Told in two converging timelines, before the accident and after, readers learn how the two became friends and the devastation the survivor endured later.

The story is presented from the viewpoint of the shy and introverted Rory Quinn-Morelli. Rory is the new girl at her preppy high school and feels completely out of place, not fitting in, while sticking out like a sore thumb. That is, until Liv happens. I liked how the author chose to let the friendship slowly evolve, taking time for the girls' common interests to come to light and then having those instances of recognition between the two that they were, indeed, kindred spirits. Everyone should have a person with whom they can be completely themselves and share interests, opinions, hopes, desires, and even their deepest, darkest secrets in safety and confidentiality. The loss of Liv shatters Rory, not only with grief over her death but with guilt over surviving.

Besides extreme sorrow and survivor's guilt, the book includes common teen activities and issues such as sex, drug use, drinking, college preparation, occasional strong language, and the changing relationship between teens and their parents. These topics and their inclusion in the story may make this young adult novel more suitable for the more mature readers in this age group. However, the developing friendship is amazing and wonderfully written, as are the heartbreaking scenes that follow the accident. I couldn't put this book down.

I recommend COLD GIRLS to the more mature readers of contemporary young adult fiction.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy through TBR and Beyond Book Tours.

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Book Review: The Coldest Winter I Ever Spent by Ann Jacobus

The Coldest Winter I Ever Spent by Ann Jacobus
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After a challenging journey, there was peace at the end.

Although Del, the young protagonist, travels a tough journey, there is ultimately peace and hope for all in The Coldest Winter I Ever Spent, the new contemporary young adult novel by Ann Jacobus. The book tackles some of the most difficult topics, too: suicide, alcoholism, and death, so ending up with such a compelling and satisfying story, the author has met and overcome some big challenges. This story is special.

Del, the eighteen-year-old main character, although doing better than she had been a year and a half earlier, is maintaining a fragile balance between recovery and relapse. Although now sober and in a better mental space than when she attempted to end her life, she is beset with anxiety, depression, alcoholism, and the heavy, awkward baggage that comes from how people react to her past. It was eye-opening to realize how maintaining that balance was a constant battle for her, seeing her coping well one minute and then not the next.

Her Aunt Fran’s terminal diagnosis is a tipping point for Del, who continues to grasp at cures long after her aunt has recognized the futility and decided on an altered path for her future. The story explores in depth through Fran and Del’s ensuing experiences of the dying process: our modern removal or distancing from the process, attitudes, and physical stages. Fran’s death is not done behind closed doors. Del, and subsequently the reader, is there for the pain, symptoms, and bodily changes. Fran’s final weeks are assisted with hospice care, and how that works is part of the story.

Complicating matters are Del’s relationships with the two men in her life: her father and her childhood friend, Nick. Her father had turned over his daughter to his sister and abdicated his presence as a parent through fear and grief. Del had also pinned some romantic hopes and dreams on Nick after a visit the previous year had ended with a kiss. She’d spent the time since obsessing over that single kiss and building it up in her mind, while Nick had not. The mismatch in expectations when he comes to nearby Berkley for a summer internship, makes for an awkward reunion and heartbreak for Del.

The audiobook, skillfully voiced by narrator Jen Zhao, imbues the work with the solid feel of reality. Jen became the voice of Del, and I felt like I was hearing the character herself pour out her heart and soul to me. Zhao alters her voice appropriately to distinguish the other characters from each other. I thought her performance enhanced an already great book.

I recommend THE COLDEST WINTER I EVER SPENT to readers of contemporary young adult fiction that includes serious topics such as suicide, death, and dying.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Lone Star Book Blog Tours.

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Book Tour: Heaven's Ghosts (Heaven, Maine Mysteries, #1) by Anneke Barnard

Heaven Maine Mysteries, Book One

 

YA Mystery; Coming of age; YA fiction

Date Published: August 21, 2021

 

 

A young boy's apparent accidental drowning, a mysterious drifter, the town recluse, a deaf boy who can hear the voices of spirits, and the mystery that connects them all.

Samson Roe comes from a family of fake psychics his mother being the most recent perpetrator of the con. However, Sam has a secret that he has not revealed to anyone, he can speak with ghosts. The only problem is that Sam is deaf, so though he can hear the voices of the dead the living are silent to him. When a boy named Kip Green drowns in the picturesque town of Heaven Maine nobody suspects anything sinister; that is until Kip makes a visit to Samson and reveals that he believes his death to be anything but an accident. Together they begin to investigate what really happened and in the process begin to unravel a thirty-seven year old mystery.

 

About the Author

Anneke Barnard was born and raised in Portland, Maine. She graduated from Portland High School in 2017 and the University of Southern Maine in 2021. She lives with her three brothers, mom and dad, and dog Fenway. For updates on her writing follow her on twitter @barnard_anneke.

 

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The Knockout by Sajni Patel

The Knockout by Sajni Patel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was on the edge of my seat whenever Kareena donned her gloves or got up close and personal with Amit.

Kareena Thakkar had practiced Muay Thai boxing since she was an eight-year-old and was performing at an elite level by the time she was a senior in high school. But she had learned her lesson long ago; girls weren’t supposed to participate, let alone excel, at contact sports, especially not Indian girls. Prejudice against her had cost her friendships and social acceptance in the close-knit, local Indian community, so she had learned to keep her sport to herself and, of course, her supportive mother and father.

When she hit high school, her father was stricken with a complicated renal disease, and the last couple of years had seen him in and out of the hospital, each time an emergency as he teetered on the brink of death. The medical bill mounted, and finances got worse when he was unable to continue working. The house and many possessions were sold, and Kareena’s mother took a second job to make ends meet.

Kareena’s refuge became the Muay Thai program, and as she worked to escape her fears, she pushed herself toward excellence. Then the letter inviting her to participate in the national Muay Thai competition arrived. Her coach urged her to accept, explaining this was her first step toward representing the US on the international stage and, perhaps, a spot on a future US Olympic team. The $50,000 prize awarded to the winner would also go a long way toward easing her family’s financial woes. But first, Kareena would have to raise the money to get to the competition, and finding that kind of funding seemed like an impossible hurdle.

The Knockout by Sajni Patel is a new contemporary young adult tale featuring the unique and tantalizing combination of Muay Thai boxing, Indian culture, learning to trust, and first love. Kareena Thakkar is a talented competitor in her senior year of high school, a time traditionally filled with many memorable activities that could easily become distractions in her preparations to compete nationally. Complicating everything is her father’s illness, its impact on the family’s financial health and future, and the toxic vibes Kareena has been getting from the local Indian community over the preceding years. Not only was the story compelling and emotion-filled, but it challenged societal views of gender-appropriate sports.

Kareena is smart and sassy, a fun and engaging girl under normal circumstances, and a wonderfully supportive daughter to her overwhelmed parents. She does an amazing job keeping her life on track but constantly worries because her parents aren’t telling her everything about her father’s condition and their financial situation; they still see her as a child and want to preserve that innocence and protect her from the grim truth. However, this girl’s no dummy. She’s been participating in the highly physical martial art of Muay Thai boxing since she was eight, and backed by her parents’ belief and support and a never-give-up attitude; she has excelled and found success, acceptance, and respect in the ring. It is no wonder that when things get off-balance at home, she begins to rely more and more on the gym as a refuge, a place she can feel she has some control over things in her life.

There are other pressures, social ones, bearing down as well, any one of which would be enough in itself: a friendship that dissolved over a misunderstanding over a boy resulting in a former confidant spreading malicious rumors about her at school and the continued censure of the aunties and uncles isolating her from the Indian community when they learn of her boxing. Kareena maintains superhuman control over her emotions when taunted by her former friend, Saanvi.

Another storyline is her developing relationship with classmate Amit Patel, the projected class valedictorian and “perfect Indian son.” Amit is an enigma to Kareena. Not only does he have secrets of his own, but she also doesn’t quite trust his involvement in her life because she’s been burned before. But the chemistry between the two is palpable, and I was rooting for Amit to prove to be as good as he seemed and become the true friend (and perhaps the love of her life) that Kareena deserved.

The teenage characters ring true throughout the book, feeling genuine and authentic in their words and deeds. The fight scenes were descriptive enough to depict the emotional and adrenaline-charged atmosphere without too many bloody details. The scenes were riveting and tense, and I was on the edge of my seat every time Kareena donned her gloves.

With its unique premise and engaging characters, I recommend THE KNOCKOUT to readers who enjoy contemporary young adult tales, sports themes, family dramas, and stories steeped in modern Indian culture.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy through TBR and Beyond Book Tours.

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I Will Find You Again by Sarah Lyu

I Will Find You Again by Sarah Lyu
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This story will mesmerize readers from start to finish.

Chase Ohara has been driven to excel her entire life. Her dream is to attend Stanford University, and now, in her senior year of high school, that dream is almost within reach if she can improve her less-than-stellar SAT scores when she retakes the test in December. But if the pressure isn't already enough, she and her girlfriend, Lia, broke up at the end of junior year, and Chase is still grieving the loss of her best friend, confidant, and love. Not only that, Lia has a new girlfriend, and Chase is witness to her newfound happiness at school every day.

Chase and Lia had grown up living across from each other in the exclusive Meadowlark area and had been best friends before their relationship progressed to the next level. Their breakup had been devastating, and the incident of the split itself had been particularly brutal, with each girl knowing exactly how to hurt the other the most. To cope with all that was going on, Chase had turned to the little pink pills hidden in an Altoid's tin. In fact, she was relying on the drug so much that even her supplier questioned her usage. Then came the text from Lia's mom, Jo; Lia was missing. Chase's life, already teetering on the edge, was about to go completely off the rails.

I Will Find You Again by author Sarah Lyu is a brilliant contemporary young adult novel that will mesmerize readers from start to finish. What starts out as a well-told tale of the stresses and rigors of the senior year of high school, deciding a path for the future and nailing down final details, is revealed to be so much more. It was like watching a duck paddling on a pond, calm on top but a flurry of motion under the water.

Chase is a driven soul, trying to live up and surpass her parents' expectations, and doesn't understand her friend Lia's attitude toward life, her future, or her family. She sees what Lia has and thinks she's got it made. It seems that resentment and envy have been bubbling below the surface of their relationship from the start. When Lia goes missing, readers watch as Chase tries to find out what happened to her friend, not realizing that Part One of the book isn't the beginning of the story. That's when suspicions about Chase's involvement in Lia's disappearance take a big left turn.

The writing is smooth, and every aspect of the story is realistic. I liked that the girls' relationship felt accepted. This isn't about their love being challenged, picked apart, or the girls being ostracized. Finally. Excellent descriptions, natural dialogue, and clever twists and turns move the story forward in one direction, only for the reader to realize that wasn't where things were headed after all. The tension in the story is there from the beginning and builds with every turn of the page. I couldn't put the book down, and I was completely invested.

With its engaging, sympathetic main characters and riveting plot, I recommend I WILL FIND YOU AGAIN to readers who enjoy contemporary young adult fiction with an LGBTQ+ storyline.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author or publisher through TBR and Beyond Book Tours.

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Royal Blood (Royal Blood, #1) by Aimée Carter

Royal Blood by Aimee Carter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A stellar start to this new contemporary young adult trilogy!

When Evangeline Bright was eleven years old, she was finally told the truth about the father she had never known. He was actually the King of England and a married man at that, and Evan had a half-sister born the same day as she was. Her mother had had an affair with the young prince who was destined to sit on the throne one day, but his father, the current monarch, was still a young man and expected to reign for years to come. However, when he suddenly passed away, Alexander was rushed home to take up his royal duties and position, leaving Laura Bright, an American commoner and an unsuitable marital prospect back in the states.

Heartbroken, Alexander had married appropriately, hoping love would follow. But a few years later, while visiting the U.S., Alexander and Laura rekindled their romance despite his marriage to Queen Helene: the result being Evangeline. As time went on, Laura began to suffer from schizophrenia, requiring treatment, and Evan was raised by her grandmother. But when her grandmother died, her father, now king and father to Evan’s half-sister, Maisie, stepped in and sent her to what would become a series of stateside boarding schools. Unhappy to be separated from her mother, Evan diligently devised ways to be expelled from each school in the hope of being sent home for good.

Accidentally causing a fire at her latest school, Evan is arrested for arson. The king’s personal assistant, Jenkins, however, shows up at the police station, gains her release, and rather than Evan getting her wish, whisks her to Windsor Castle to become part of her father’s household. Unfortunately, in acting so quickly, he hadn’t cleared his plan with the king, and before he has the chance to break the news, Evan comes face to face with the father she’s never met.

Royal Blood is the first book in author Aimée Carter’s new contemporary young adult series of the same name. The book is exciting and full of intrigue, and definitely not the typical fairy tale or rags to riches story; it addresses some very serious topics. Evangeline, or Evan as she is called, is a wonderful heroine with a quick wit and a kind heart and carries some heavy issues on her young shoulders. I was rooting for this unique and engagingly sympathetic underdog from the first page.

Evan is surprisingly resilient and very understanding of the Queen’s and her half-sister’s feelings, even as they treat her horribly. So much information about her past, including her parents’ history with each other, had been kept from her, and it is no wonder that misunderstandings occurred. With the death of her grandmother, her mother’s mental illness, and her absentee father, she has way more hanging over her head than a child should ever have to handle alone. She deals with her situation the only way she thinks will be successful; she purposely acts out and gets expelled. Other than her having to change schools, though, her actions have no consequences.

Once ensconced at Windsor Castle and among the family and their coterie of relatives and friends, Evan is targeted by the media and attracts all manner of abuse from the press and their followers. But the intrigue starts immediately and although, Maisie, Gia, and Rosie start out as typical ‘mean girls,’ they eventually start to relent, especially when Evan holds the key to keeping their princess out of serious trouble. However, she finally has something she’s not had in the past: a friend her age.

The story includes an incident of drugging, attempted date rape, and death, and the author presents the events from Evan’s point of view without excuses from the perpetrator. As the tragedy unfolds, readers will recognize and relate to how easily the awful events happened.

Each chapter starts with either a text message exchange between characters, a news story, or a media interview related to what is happening in the story. These add some fun insight or extra needed information in an interesting way. Each chapter ends on a small cliffhanger that worked like magic on me to keep reading! The story completely hooked me from the start, and those teasers had me reading page after page until done. I am looking forward to the next book of the trilogy with great anticipation.

With its exciting plot, family intrigue, and great characters, I recommend ROYAL BLOOD to readers who enjoy contemporary young adult fiction, especially those who like a secret baby or fish out of water theme.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author or publisher through TBR and Beyond Book Tours.


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Race Against Time (Sands of Time Trilogy, #2) by C.J. Peterson

Race Against Time by C.J. Peterson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This second book in the worthwhile trilogy even tops the first!

The Hunt's parents, taken by thugs from Dr. Noah Roth's Maine-based clinic, Blake and Sheriff Wyatt Reynolds anxiously await Holly's recuperation to confront their two newly discovered half-siblings. Deanna and Adam Roth have been sedated until Holly regains her full strength in case of a struggle, as she is the only one capable of subduing the two again. But once the pair hears Blake's and Holly's story, they begin to see different possibilities for their futures and those of their siblings still under Dr. Roth's control back in Maine. Together with their new allies, they plan to rescue Grace, Ben, and their remaining brothers and sisters.

Meanwhile, Holly and Blake's new friends from the church youth group also discover they have drawn the evil doctor's attention. Afraid their continued presence at home would make their families targets, they secretly set out on the road after Sheriff Reynolds and the four gifted teens hoping their additional research and ideas would help free the Hunts and the other teens held in Maine.

Race Against Time is the second book in the Sands of Time Trilogy by award-winning author C.J. Peterson, and if possible, even better than book one, Appointed Time! Happily, the story picks up right where book one left us, and we finally get to catch up with the main adult characters in the story: Hope (Grace), Ben, and Alex. I had an idea where the story would go with Ben and Hope, but Alex's role, when revealed, was a complete surprise!

The teenage contingent from the church has organized nicely in order to help their new friends, Holly and Blake, as they head to Maine to rescue their adoptive parents, recently discovered siblings, and stop Professor Roth from continuing his genetic experimentation. I loved how the four gifted teens learned from one another, especially in what their unique skills are capable of, but also about mundane things such as fast food or Slurpees.

More so than was the case in book one, this story relies on the characters living and sharing their Christian faith. The teenagers routinely challenged each other to examine their actions and spirituality when the plot created the opportunity for them to do so. Even as an older adult, some of the shared analogies and discussions were valuable reminders and inspirational. However, even if Christian-forward fiction is not your cup of tea, there is plenty more action and adventure to enjoy here. I am looking forward to getting into the trilogy's final book as soon as possible.

I recommend RACE AGAINST TIME to readers who enjoy contemporary young adult Christian science fiction/fantasy stories and those who read and enjoyed the first book in the trilogy. See my review of the first book in the Sands of Time Trilogy, Appointed Time, here!

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Blog Tour & Giveaway: Shadowed Seats (Oliana Mercer, #1) by Marguerite Ashton

Shadowed Seats
Marguerite Ashton
(Oliana Mercer, #1)
Publication date: August 21st 2017
Genres: Mystery, Young Adult

Oliana knows that every family has a secret, but she never expected hers to come from the grave.

High school senior Oliana Mercer dreams of attending the prestigious Reyersen Drama Academy and pursuing her acting career. But when tragedy strikes, Oliana discovers secrets hidden from her by her adopted parents, dimming the lights on her perfect world. As the sins of the past surface, Oliana finds herself caught up in a tug-of-war between two families while the love for her boyfriend is tested. Determined to find some form of happiness in life, Oliana becomes student director in the high school’s senior play. When her best friend, Devin Worthy, dies during dress rehearsal, Oliana is re-cast as the lead. Everyone thinks the death was a suicide, except Oliana, whose search for clues may be enough motive for the killer to murder again.

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Review:

4 stars!

Gripping, complex, and entertaining contemporary young adult murder mystery. 

Shadowed Seats is the first book in the Oliana Mercer young adult mystery series and is an immediate attention grabber. The two main characters, Oliana and Devin, are undergoing a lot of stress yet are still giving the high school play their all. Even after Devin’s murder, Oliana is able to keep her composure enough to start asking questions and putting crucial pieces of information together that the police have overlooked. 

I liked that several storylines opened and progressed simultaneously, and they meshed together into an absorbing whole, so I didn’t want to put this book down until the very end. Some are not resolved and, hopefully, are held over to be explored further in future books, and I will be waiting anxiously for what comes next. 

Wrapped up in this intriguing murder mystery, the author has also taken on some difficult and important topics, such as alcoholism, blended families, teen pregnancy, and bullying. With relatable teen characters discussing these serious and relevant issues, young readers may be motivated or inspired to speak out if similar situations arise in their lives. 

I recommend SHADOWED SEATS to readers who enjoy young adult mysteries that entertain but weave in topics relevant to life today.

Author Bio:

When Marguerite Ashton was in her twenties, she took up acting but realized she preferred to work behind the camera, writing crime fiction. A few years later, she married an IT Geek and settled down with her role as wife, mom, and writer!

Her blog, Criminal Lines: Settled Writer Past 40 is her outlet while building dollhouses and plotting out her next book.

Marguerite lives in Wisconsin and enjoys RVing.

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Sun Keep Rising by Kristen R. Lee

Sun Keep Rising by Kristen R. Lee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The gripping story of a young teenage mother who’ll do anything to keep her small family together.

At 17, B’onca Johnson knew from the moment she found out she was pregnant that she would love her child above all else and do anything for her. Scooter, the baby daddy, didn’t want to be a father: his parents went so far as to doubt their son was even the father. So, When Mia was born, B’onca was determined to go her own way. She would never abandon her daughter as her own mother had.

B’onca lived with her older sister, a single mother with a young daughter, and the small family was barely keeping their heads above water. Their rent in the historically-black Ridgecrest area of Memphis, where they had always lived, was regularly increasing as gentrification quickly encroached upon the old neighborhood.

B’onca was caring for her newborn, taking the final course in summer school for her high school diploma, and working part-time to help with the bills and pay for Mia’s constant needs. But it felt like for every step forward, she was knocked back two. Desperate for money after the sisters receive an eviction notice, B’onca risks participating, just once, in the illegal, high-profit, high-risk operation Scooter had set up to gain the large amount of cash she needs.

Sun Keep Rising is a riveting contemporary young adult novel about a teenage mother trying to keep body and soul, and family together. With its fresh and genuine voice, I was immediately drawn into B’onca’s life. As a mother, I could relate to many of her new mom problems, which, in her case, were exacerbated by her young age, limited resources and options.

The character of B’onca was so real, a typical teen. You could feel her vitality and personality, keeping her hopeful for the future but realistic no matter what came her way. Her story is a familiar one: a bullying boyfriend, a first sexual experience, and an unplanned pregnancy. Then there is the ultimate betrayal of him accusing her of sleeping around (he was the one doing that) and his cowardly abandonment. But worse by far was the subplot involving her mother. It was painful reading.

The story has so much going on, and the level of tension throughout the book is gripping! Not only is there the teen mother and her family storyline, but there is the subplot of the changes occurring in the neighborhood. The impact of gentrification is far-reaching. It doesn’t just affect the single property owner selling out to the new buyers. A snowball effect creates significant collateral damage to those remaining behind; local businesses are bought out or sold, employees lose their jobs and have to make ends meet in the lull before new businesses can open, and prices increase for everything. In addition, readers get a glimpse into the illegal businesses that flourish in the shadows of depressed areas of the city. However, all is not completely grim. There is a hopeful note in the story coming from the feeling of community and family running strong through the Ridgecrest neighborhood, where everyone knows everyone else’s name and has their back.

I recommend SUN KEEP RISING to readers of contemporary young adult fiction, especially those who may have read and appreciated the 70s novel, Go Ask Alice.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author or publisher through TBR and Beyond Book Tours.


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Pre-Order Book Blitz: FIND THE MOON by Beth Fehlbaum

 

FIND THE MOON
By Beth Fehlbaum

Young Adult / Social Issues / Family Issues

Publisher: Progressive Rising Phoenix Press

Pages: 298 pages

Expected Publication Date: January 10, 2023

For as long as she can remember, Kylie Briscoe's been searching for the moon even though she has no idea why it soothes her. Placed in an impossible situation by her mother, Kylie cries for help. It brings rescuers and a new life, but it feels more like a death sentence when she is separated from her three-year-old sister Aliza, the only person Kylie's ever really loved.

Now she's in tiny Patience, Texas, with her eccentric potty-mouthed grandmother, ever-patient stargazing grandfather, an uncle who reminds her a lot of a cop who terrified her during a drug bust, a herd of Norwegian Dwarf goats, their "guard donkeys," and three canine roommates occupying Kylie's former nursery.

When the authorities make a mistake that could cost her everything, Kylie must decide whether to tell the truth-all of it-in order to save herself and her sister.

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AUTHOR'S GIVEAWAY!

Pre-order a copy of Find the Moon and enter the author's giveaway! Three lucky winners will win a $50 Amazon Gift Card, signed set of THE PATIENCE TRILOGY, and signed copy of BIG FAT DISASTER. Ends 12/30/2022. Visit Beth's website for more information and to enter!

5 stars!

Although this young adult novel addresses very difficult topics, it is ultimately a story of love, hope, and recovery.

Find the Moon by Beth Fehlbaum is an amazing story of triumph over childhood trauma and sexual abuse, resiliency, and hope. Kylie is a remarkable young heroine, surviving the worst situation while still protecting the little sister she loves above all others. This character's voice is raw and genuine, and I felt so much emotion reading her story. I ached for her as her separation from Aliza dragged on and on. The reader also learns throughout the book that many of Kylie's peers in high school have also suffered traumas of their own, each reacting and handling their grief in their own ways, some better than others.

 

The story is told from Kylie's point of view, so we only get glimpses of what Aliza's recovery looks like with her father and his new family. But Papa and Honey Briscoe are strong characters trying to get their granddaughter back to a decent life. They make mistakes, they struggle at times, and Kylie, who has experienced the greatest betrayals, must learn to trust again. She makes mistakes, too. But for the most part, she is surrounded and supported by good people who love her.

 

Readers should be aware that this young adult book addresses tough topics: child neglect and abandonment, sexual assault, sexual abuse, sex trafficking, drug use, drug dealing, date rape, animal death, and violence, but the story is ultimately one of hope, love, and recovery. I recommend FIND THE MOON for readers of young adult fiction that handle these critical topics.

 

Beth Fehlbaum is the author of the young adult novels Find the Moon, Big Fat Disaster (on the Spirit of Texas-High School Reading List, 2014-2015), Courage in Patience, Hope in Patience (A YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers), and Truth in Patience. With Dr. Matt E. Jaremko, Beth co-wrote the creative nonfiction book, Trauma Recovery: Sessions with Dr. Matt. She is a high school English teacher. 

Authenticity, calling out hypocrisy, and finding one's voice are frequent themes in Beth's work, and they are absolutely essential themes in her life, as well. Beth has a B.A. in English, minor in secondary education, and an M.Ed. in reading. Beth is in-demand as an author-panelist, having presented/appeared at the Texas Library Association Annual Conference, the American Library Association's annual conference, YALSA, N.C.T.E./ALAN, and numerous YA book festivals. She's a member of The Author's Guild, SCBWI, Romance Writers of America, and the Texas Federation of Teachers.  She loves doing school visits and meeting teens, teachers, and librarians! 

Beth lives in the woods of East Texas in a house on a slice of family acreage. The home was built by her family over one very hot humid summer, a task she wishes never to repeat again. This sanctuary-of-sorts is lined by pine trees, and the woods are inhabited by raccoons, possums, and feral cats. All of these creatures appear to consider Beth their cat-food-providing goddess. There is no place she would rather be.

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Virtual Book Tour: Sounds Like Love by Laura Ford

 

SOUNDS LIKE LOVE

by

Laura Ford

Young Adult Fiction / Coming of Age

Setting - United Kingdom

Publisher: FriesenPress

Publication Date: July 29, 2021

Reading age: 12 - 17 years

Hardcover

Page Count: 150 pages

ISBN-10: 1525592998 / ISBN-13: 978-1525592997

Paperback

Page Count: 150 pages

ISBN-10: 152559298X / ISBN-13: 978-1525592980

Kindle

Digital ASIN: B09BTLYBWT

About Sounds Like Love

 

Wendy is a bright spark who wants to find love and travel the world, but she questions how her dreams can become a reality as her world changes around her.

When Wendy arrives at her beloved grandmother’s house to collect a box of keepsakes, she picks up more than she bargained for - a green-eyed tabby cat with amazing qualities. This is just the start of a high-speed adventure, leading Wendy towards bright new horizons… if only she’ll give the cat a chance…

 

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My Review

Fun, inspirational young adult story with a strong heroine and a very smart cat.

Sounds Like Love is the heart-warming story of a young woman overcoming several challenging life changes that occur all at the same time. She’s gradually losing her hearing, but her grandmother had been helping her weather the storm of her emotions about this turn of events when she suddenly passes away. Her grandmother, having lost her hearing as an adult, was instrumental in her granddaughter preparing for the inevitable. Now Wendy had to deal with an unwanted cat?! I could imagine how piled-on Wendy felt.

As expected, Wendy has her moments of despair, self-doubt, and self-pity, but the story never lingers on unproductive emotions. The main character is naturally optimistic and was inspired by her grandmother to live her best life no matter what. I loved the note she finds from her grandmother at just the perfect moment. 

There is a budding romance that is ignited by an instant attraction. I was delighted with the twists and turns this particular storyline takes where the past meets the future. This was a fun “fated” meeting and future relationship. 

SOUNDS LIKE LOVE is a fun, inspirational, clean underdog story recommended for young adult readers.

About Laura Ford

Laura Ford writes novels, short stories, and poems across a wide range of human and animal experiences. As Laura is an avid cat lover, a number of special felines tend to find their way into Laura's stories as well.

Laura graduated with an honours degree in British law while also writing fiction in parallel. Now based in California with her husband and two beguiling Siamese cats, Laura most enjoys using her imagination and memories to paint vivid stories. An avid traveler and seeker, Laura is always exploring new concepts for more stories to come. 

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I Miss You, I Hate This by Sara Saedi

I Miss You, I Hate This by Sara Saedi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A heartbreakingly accurate parallel to many of our children’s experiences during the pandemic lockdowns.

Best friends Parisa and Gabriela were anticipating a memorable senior year but a worldwide pandemic disproportionately fatal to teenagers was not what they had in mind. They had been looking forward to football games, after-school clubs and activities, part-time jobs, and volunteer work.

Parisa was agonizing over her college application essay and coping with increasingly debilitating anxiety. Gabs was concerned with convincing her two moms that she might not want to attend college right after high school. She wanted to pursue an art career and travel to and live in Mexico City, walking in the footsteps of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. What they got was a complete lockdown of schools and businesses, face masks, confinement to their homes, and even a citywide curfew: all efforts to stem the spread of the deadly Adema virus.

Thinking the lockdown would only last the initial two weeks, the girls start their stays at home with only their family members as company pretty well. They message, FaceTime, phone, and continue to go to school virtually via Zoom. But when the need to continue the lockdown stretches into months, the fear and isolation begin to take a toll on everyone’s mental health and personal relationships, even these two BFFs.

I Miss You, I Hate This, the title of this contemporary young adult novel by Sara Saedi, is also the recurring sign-off between the two main characters as they message throughout the length of the pandemic. The two girls are delightful together as the story opens; their text exchanges are often laugh-out-loud funny. However, as the lockdown and isolation wear on, their friendship begins to suffer.

The characters in the book present a wide variety of cultures, lifestyles, and family configurations, and most readers will find something similar to their situation somewhere in the story. The author puts names and faces to the characters experiencing the many different kinds of collateral effects the pandemic brought to the table, making them real. For example, I could feel the worry of Gabriela’s family, who could not make a living and pay their apartment rent when their catering business could no longer operate.

I enjoyed the secondary storyline about Gabriela’s extended family. What a heartbreaker for her moms to be estranged from their families all those years because of who they loved.

Parisa’s anxiety disorder is really brought home and made real. As one of the book’s points of view, her feelings, thoughts, and fears are laid bare, and readers facing similar struggles will easily relate. The same can be said for her crush on her older sister’s boyfriend and how she handles her feelings and actions.

It was hard not to cry during certain parts of this tough yet ultimately hopeful story. The feelings and fears in the book accurately mirror what many of our students and children have been going through during the Covid pandemic and subsequent lockdowns and remote schooling. Everyone was hurting, and many are still struggling today.

I recommend I MISS YOU, I HATE THIS to readers of contemporary young adult fiction, especially those interested in a story that parallels the experiences of many current and recently graduated high school students.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author or publisher through NetGalley and TBR and Beyond Book Tours.


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The Truth About Everything by Bridget Farr

The Truth About Everything by Bridget Farr
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Its quiet and simple plot masks a much more complex story of coming-of-age under unusual circumstances.

At fifteen, Lark Justus Herbst had never been to school or the doctor. She didn’t have a social security number, ID card, or even a birth certificate. She had always lived with her parents, off the grid, away from the prying eyes and grasping control of the government they told her.

Her father was in charge of her education; she was homeschooled. He vehemently refused to send her to an established school and into government hands to be corrupted and contaminated with their lies. But soon after she’d learned to read a little and do some rudimentary math, the lessons pretty much had devolved into her father ranting about government interference and control and how it was trying to take away the rights the forefathers had guaranteed in the Constitution. The lessons stopped.

Instead of school, Lark’s days were filled with the unending chores required on their farm. She knew the family was barely hanging on. She was always hungry, and her mother was not well, going from manic activity one day to spending days in bed with the covers over her head the next. Her father had gone back to driving a truck, his profession, before buying the farm to bring in some much-needed money. The job kept him on the road and away from the farm for weeks at a time, leaving the burden of the farm on Lark’s young shoulders.

Their closest friends and neighbors were Mike and his grandson, Alex, a boy about two years older than Lark. Listening to Alex talk about his school experiences ignited a longing in Lark to have the same. So one day, when her father was on a long-haul trip, she slipped over the closest high school, a private Christian school, and with a bit of deception, was allowed to enroll in classes. Lark soon discovered there was so much she’d missed, so much she didn’t know! She also found that some of the things her father had taught her weren’t necessarily as he claimed. School was wonderful but hard, too, and she struggled to catch up with the others her age. But school wasn’t her toughest battle; that was keeping school a secret from her parents!

The Truth About Everything is a quiet story about a girl struggling to learn about her world, think for herself, and gain the wisdom to separate fact from fiction. The simple life the Herbst family is living is very precarious. At any time, a minor mishap on their remote farm could have deadly repercussions, and with her parents’ beliefs, there are few workable backup plans.

Lark is a bright and engaging character, and it was fun seeing her take chances and enjoy her school experiences. Her constant fear of discovery by her parents was heartbreaking, and I was worried that, at any moment, her father would become violent. He just felt so angry and tightly wound all the time. Her father and mother are a sad and scary pair; their fears blinding them to the danger and harm they inflicted on their daughter. However, Lark’s friend, Alex, was a sweet guy, and I liked how he supported her in trying to expand her choices.

Lark’s sheltered and deprived life will undoubtedly catch the attention and imagination of young readers. No television, internet, hunger pains, going through her first menstrual cycle without prior preparation from her mother, and then not having the standard supplies to take care of herself at her disposal will be shocking to many. But even little things, something as mundane as having never tasted chocolate candy, will be an eye-opener. The mother and father freely eating and drinking food and beverage forbidden to their daughter was pretty low. The more that was revealed about her life, the more the story’s tension built. Lark needed help.

With a brave and curious heroine and its quiet, simple yet absorbing plot, I recommend THE TRUTH ABOUT EVERYTHING to young adult contemporary fiction readers who like a strong female protagonist in an unusual coming-of-age situation, living off the grid, or a rural Montana setting.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author or publisher through NetGalley and TBR and Beyond Book Tours.

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Lord of the Fly Fest by Goldy Moldavsky

Lord of the Fly Fest by Goldy Moldavsky
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

You don’t have to love Lord of the Flies to love this book!

Like many others, Rafaela "Rafi" Francisco had ponied up all her savings to attend Fly Fest, the ultimate music festival and hottest party in the Caribbean. However, Rafi had an agenda for attending. It's not that she wasn't a music lover or wanted to party with the rich and famous, but rock superstar River Stone was a headliner, and Rafi was going to get an interview with him at all costs. Rafi was a fledgling podcaster, and after a mildly successful debut year, her show Musical Mysteries needed a spectacular second season to draw in sponsorships and more listeners.

Australian River Stone had burst on the music scene a couple of years earlier with a tragic tale of love and loss that shot him to the top of the charts and into the hearts of millions of loyal fans. Before he'd come to the music world's attention, River, a struggling singer-songwriter, and his girlfriend had headed outback for a camping trip. While River napped, his girlfriend had written him a "Dear John" letter, taken his car, and disappeared, leaving him stranded miles away from help. The girlfriend was never heard from again. The police investigated and backed up River's story, but his explanation always sounded suspicious to Rafi. Now, after a bit of research and a whole lot of speculation, she intended to garner an interview with the superstar and ask the tough question everyone else seemed to give him pass on: "What really happened to Tracy?" She fully intended to interrogate him into confessing he was a murderer.

But that was the plan before she and the other Fly Fest attendees, most of whom were social media influencers, were dropped off on the tiny Caribbean island for the festival. When Rafi and the others arrived on the island, there was no sign of any festival: no greeters or transportation. There was no evidence of the promised private villas or gourmet chefs. In fact, there was no food or water available except for what was growing or raining from the sky. Worse yet, there was no cell service for the Instagram and TikTok movers and shakers. The festival was a scam, and the promoters had left the hapless attendees to fend for themselves for the next seven days.

Apparently, rumors that something was off about Fly Fest had floated about during the week leading up to the event, and at the last minute, all the musical guests, save one, River Stone, had canceled. His current girlfriend, Hella Badid, the supermodel spokesperson for the event, was supposed to have met him there, but she had missed her flight and was a "no show." With her quarry in sight, though, Rafi intended to make the best of the situation and get her story. But when a famous social media influencer goes missing, and the last person she was seen with was River Stone, Rafi realizes that maybe cornering a serial killer on a remote tropical island wasn't her best plan.

Lord of the Fly Fest was a fun and clever story made even more delightful by the allusions and parallels to William Golding's classic, Lord of the Flies. Rafi is surrounded by social media influencers and one of the few voices of reason on the island. She is a wonderful character, but the author also has a variety of fabulous secondary ones that parody the influencer communities of Instagram and Tiktok. I laughed until I about cried several times over the absurdities the situation created and the exaggerated but realistic portrayals of the various lifestyle influencers still trying to maintain their online habits. Throwing back to the classic foundation novel, one character lovingly calls his followers "piggies." The author creates a remote island setting, frightening and surreal, reminiscent of the island from Golding's work, and includes similar names and outcomes that echo the original. There is so much to love about this story, especially if you're a fan of the Lord of the Flies novel or movies.

But parody aside, the plot is about Rafi exposing River Stone, a young man who has been very kind to her, as a murderer based on very little evidence. She initially feels she is above the shallowness of the rest of the stranded festival-goers (and yes, they are shallow and awful people) but comes to realize she's not perfect either nor entitled to be so righteous. There is a nice revelation of truths, and mistakes are made, leading to her heartfelt offer and attempt to redeem herself. There is a great wrap-up that closes out the hanging subplots, too.

I recommend LORD OF THE FLY FEST to readers of young adult fiction, especially those who are fans of online social media or social media-related stories or have read Lord of the Flies.

#CaribbeanIsland #LiveYourBestLife #NoThreeHourCruise #WheresMyVilla #DoesThisPigDungMakeMyButtLookFat #AreBananasGlutenFree

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author or publisher through NetGalley and TBR and Beyond Book Tours.

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The Epic Story of Every Living Thing by Deb Caletti

The Epic Story of Every Living Thing by Deb Caletti
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A thoroughly satisfying, modern coming-of-age tale, full of the discovery of self and wonder of the real world around us.

Harper Proulx is a social media star with a secret. She's popular, pretty, smart, and has the hottest boyfriend, Ezra, to take her places and document her every move. Her thousands of followers "Like" or comment on her posts as she curates her carefully staged pics to reveal only what is in sync with her brand. But her dedication to engaging with her audience and creating an image compensates for what she secretly wants: to know who she really is. She wants to know who her father is.

Harper's mother, Melissa, the daughter of a renowned economist and herself a respected professor of economy at the local university, conceived Harper via artificial insemination: had chosen the anonymous sperm donor from a catalog of desirable traits, such as the combination of vibrant auburn hair and vivid blue eyes. However, her mother could give her no information other than his medical history: not his name or address or likes or dislikes; their state did not allow for this disclosure, she said. But one day, a follower posted on one of Harper's pictures that Harper looked just like someone else she knew, Simone, another online influencer with an intimidatingly massive social media following. With only a tiny bit of research, Harper agreed. Looking at Simone was like looking at herself in a mirror: eerily familiar. Could she be an older half-sister? Later, there was a similar post. There were more out there like her!

What an amazing and satisfying coming of age and facing your fears story! The plot follows the main character, Harper Proulx, as she determinedly creates and maintains a "nature girl in symmetry with her environment" persona. It's an elaborate masquerade, though, as Harper is terrified of everything, thanks to her overwhelming exposure to "the sky is falling" content on social media. The stress of maintaining her brand and FOMO is compounded by her helicopter mom's relentless push for safety and academic perfection.

This never-ending cycle of "keeping up" doesn't allow Harper to share her real insecurities, her inner self, or her secret need to find out about her father or her discovery that she's got half-siblings with her faithful boyfriend, Ezra. This unknown conflicts with her perception of her perfect persona. I loved that her need to know trumps her need for safety and leads to adventure and a quirky "found" family. I loved all of the siblings' reawakening to the wonders of life, and the setting in Maui is irresistible, full of mystery and beauty.

Told from Harper's point of view, readers are privy to her thoughts and motivations. I was subtly absorbed into her preoccupation with her social media presence; honestly, it felt normal; she was so effortlessly good at it. In fact, I initially felt Ezra was being overly sensitive. It didn't feel so all-encompassing until it was missing. I had been sucked into Harper's life that completely. But the story changes focus to the real people around Harper, and so does she. It is mind-boggling how easily one can shut out what's right before your eyes and become distracted and absorbed by the allure and massive volume of a "created" online world.

I truly enjoyed the main characters: Harper, Ezra, Dario, Wyatt, Simone, and their new "found" family, including Beau and Greer. I loved that more siblings were occasionally revealed as the story went on. I think it must be a universal desire or need to discover such connections with the many anonymous others out there, hence, the popularity of genetic matching services. And frankly, I could relate to Melissa Proulx, her fears and desires for her child. I can't believe she wouldn't hop on a plane to Maui during all this, though.

Author Deb Caletti has crafted a thoroughly modern tale of discovery: discovering self, identity, and wonder. She captures perfectly that blasé feeling, that sense of inurement to what's going on in the world because of the constant bombardment of news, information overload, and the overwhelming number of calls to action. Her reigniting of wonder felt so pure and simple and joyful.

I recommend THE EPIC STORY OF EVERY LIVING THING to readers of young adult fiction, especially those who enjoy the phenomenon of online life and influencers, the idea of the hunt for DNA relatives, scuba diving, and the around-the-world travels of clipper ships during the mid-1800s.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author or publisher through NetGalley and TBR and Beyond Book Tours.

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