Book Reviews by Genre: Contemporary

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green is a brilliant and heart-warming book truly worth reading. The novel follows 17-year-old Hazel Grace Lancaster dealing with stage 4 cancer as she faces teenage life, family, her inevitable decline, and her heart. During support group she meets Augustus Waters an intelligent and funny guy who desires to be remembered. They form a close-knit friendship and bond over the book “An Imperial Affliction” until soon their friendship turns into their star-crossed love. They adventure with Issac —another guy from support group—, see the art piece “Funky Bones”, and eventually travel to Amsterdam to see the author of “An Imperial Affliction”. But awaiting their return to the U.S. is the devastating turn around that no one expects.

This book will make you laugh, cry, and will leave you wanting to reread it. John Green’s writing style is beautiful and the love story he writes is one of the greatest ever told. The characters are written incredibly and the attachment I personally felt with this book is one I have never felt before. The novel is captivating and I recommend it to anyone because everyone can find some piece relatable. You will not regret reading this book!

Joan Goodwin has always dreamed of the stars. In 1980s Houston, NASA is finally willing to begin integrating women astronauts into the program. With her group of fellow astronaut candidates, Joan navigates a world of love, family, and friends in a word slowly beginning to accept diversity.

I was very surprised at how much I enjoyed this novel. Having enjoyed other Reid books, I knew I would have some level of enthusiasm, but I liked it much more than I thought I would. For starters, I have always been intrigued by space and space travel, so I especially enjoyed the whimsical personality Joan obtained throughout the story. I also absolutely adored the relationship between Joan and her niece, Frances. Frances was probably my favorite character by far, as she was so lively and felt so real even as a fictional child. I didn’t care for the love story much, which would be my only complaint, but I was fascinated at how well Reid weaved the intricacies of romance and occupations in the time period of the 1980s.

The Final Gambit by Jennifer Lynn Barnes is the third book in The Inheritance Games series and cannot be read as a standalone.
The final installment follows the final weeks leading up to Avery Grambs’s eighteenth birthday when she will officially inherit Tobias Hawthorne’s fortune. This book introduces a visitor from outside the Hawthorne family, adding a new mystery and extra layers of conflict.
In my opinion, while I enjoy the concept of the universe and the puzzles, this book felt somewhat unnecessary. I understand that a satisfying conclusion was required, but by this point, the mystery felt forced and the love triangle drama felt like filler. Additionally, Avery’s character still felt overly adaptable and lacked distinctive growth, and the series’ signature riddles and puzzles, while clever, no longer felt as engaging or surprising. The resolution wrapped up loose ends but did so in a way that sometimes felt rushed or convenient.
I would recommend this book to those who have already read the first two books in the series and enjoy puzzle-driven mysteries, family intrigue, and romantic tension.

The Hawthorne Legacy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes is the second book in The Inheritance Games series and it can’t be read as a standalone.
The book is about solving the mystery of how Avery Grambs is connected to Tobias Hawthorne and why she inherited his fortune. The story introduces more riddles, puzzles, and twists, while simultaneously intensifying the love triangle conflicts between Grayson Hawthorne and Jameson Hawthorne.
In my opinion, the book was engaging and kept me turning pages quickly, with clever puzzles and moments of suspense that made it fun to read. But, while the sequel expands the mystery, it lacks the tight-pacing or the satisfying puzzle-solving of the first book, often leading to repetition of structure. The novel leans heavily into the love triangle and ongoing riddles, but the central reveal doesn’t feel as impactful as the buildup suggests. Like many middle books in a trilogy, it spends more time setting up future twists than delivering a fully satisfying story on its own.
I would recommend this book to those who have already read the first book in the series and enjoy mysteries, clever puzzles, and romantic tension.

The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes follows Avery Grambs, a teenage girl living in her car, when she—out of the blue—becomes the youngest billionaire when she inherits billionaire Tobias Hawthorne’s money.
The catch? She has to live in the Hawthorne Mansion alongside the family Tobias Hawthorne just disinherited while solving riddles and puzzles.
In my opinion, this book was enjoyable. The short chapters led to a fast-paced book with a love-triangle subplot. Personally, I found most of the characters likable except for Jameson Hawthorne—one of Tobias’s four grandsons—and Avery, herself. Jameson had a tendency to speak in riddles and nonsense that made no sense, and his “rebellious” behavior was, at points, irritating. While Avery Kylie Grambs is positioned as a relatable and grounded protagonist, her personality often feels too adaptable and indistinct, making it difficult to form a strong emotional connection with her.
I would recommend this book to those who enjoy fast-paced mysteries, riddles and brain teasers, and love triangles.

When Jackson Hurd's family decides to take 14-year-old Joseph Brook under their wing, they are warned about Joseph's past: he almost killed a teacher and was incarcerated, and he has a 3-month-old daughter, whom he's never seen. Things begin a little awkward between the Hurds and Joseph, but as Joseph warms up to them and starts seeing a future for himself, he reveals the ghosts that have been haunting his past - as well as his desperation to see his daughter, Jupiter. Together, the Hurds and Joseph search for Jupiter, but the mission brings more dangers to their family, and Joseph, than expected.

To put it simply, this book was devastating. It was beautiful and gut-wrenching at the same time. The story is told entirely through the eyes of 12-year-old Jackson as he's processing things he's supposedly too young to deal with, and the way Schimdt uses simple, straightforward language portrays his thoughts perfectly while still retaining the uncertainty and seriousness of the situation. I loved how Joseph was characterized, and I enjoyed the little moments of childlike bonding between him and Jack, as well as his journey in finding himself and discovering his interests. The twists towards the end were unexpected and tragic, but it culminates in a hopeful ending. Overall, this book did a great job shedding light on and humanizing the children in similar positions to Joseph, as well as showing that there is triumph even in the darkest times.

Carrie Soto had it all. Since training with her father since the age of two, she has become the only women’s tennis player to win 20 grand slams. Her career was shaped by grueling and tireless matches, and now one woman threatens to take it all. The year is 1994 and Nicki Chan has officially matched Carrie’s record of 20 slams. Not willing to let her greatest player title be taken, Carrie makes the shocking decision to come out of retirement at age 37 in order to defend her record.

Wow! This book was really exciting! I originally picked it up because I’m a tennis player and was very interested to read a book about tennis, and Taylor Jenkins Reid did not disappoint. Carrie Soto is not by any means a character I felt compelled to root for, but as she continued to develop and her story evolved, I found myself inexplicably drawn to her passion of the sport. I specifically enjoyed how Reid developed her character through the coaching of her father, Javier. Despite the bumps and complications of their relationship, Reid describes a genuine and emotional connection between the father and daughter, and it was beautiful to read.

Pip has become a local legend and internet crime solving star. Her fame grows exponentially after she publishes her podcast on Andie Bell's murder case, but she promises her family she won't seek out more cases because of the danger it put her and those she loved in. However, when her best friend Conner begs her to help find his missing brother, Pip decides to open one last case and find Jamie Reynolds.

I enjoyed this sequel to A Good Girl's Guide to Murder. In my opinion, the first was better, but the second was still very good. I finished it in less than two days. The second half of the book is especially interesting. Good Girl, Bad Blood doesn't just focus on the mystery, but also the relationships she has with her family, Ravi, Cara, Conner, and her other close friends. Holly Jackson does a wonderful job of exploring how the detective work Pip engages in affects her mental health and relationships. Personally, I found the emotional exploration more interesting than the mystery at times. Jackson makes sure to provide realistic emotions that Pip feels after being targeted while trying to solve her previous case. This book is well worth your time, especially if you enjoyed the first book in the series. It is an epic continuation of a story that started long before Pippa picked up the Andie Bell case.

I picked up this book because I wanted a quick, easy read that would keep me hooked throughout the entire adventure. I was not disappointed. Holly Jackson's novel is creatively put together to keep the reader on their toes, and it is emotionally packed, helping the characters feel real.

For her senior capstone project, Pippa-Fitz Amobi decides to reopen a missing persons case that was closed 5 years ago. And this case is especially close to home, as the victim and her murderer both went to the same high school Pippa is attending. However, suspicious points of evidence convince Pippa the story hasn't truly been told, and she sets out to gather as much information as she can. Each piece of evidence leads Pippa further down a rabbit hole to discover the truth, and as she gets closer to her goal and unknown person begins to threaten her. Pippa struggles to decide if she'd rather have guaranteed safety, or solve the case thats been nagging the back of her brain for years.

This book is 100% worth reading. Before beginning, I had promised myself I would avoid every red herring Holly Jackson planted to lead me away from the real criminal. However, it was unavoidable. Holly Jackson plants, takes away, then replants seeds of doubt about every suspect Pippa interviews. Despite this, when the mystery is solved it makes perfect sense and doesn't feel rushed, and there are little to no major plot holes. If you want a quick a read, then this is the book to pick up. I finished it in 25 hours and enjoyed every single page.

Bye Forever, I Guess by Jodi Meadows is about Ingrid, labeled as “The Girl with Dead Parents” at school and treated like her popular friend Rachel’s charity case. While she feels invisible and pitied in real life, she secretly lives a completely different life online as a confident and well-known gamer.

After a falling out with her best friend leaves her isolated and ostracized at school, Ingrid unexpectedly connects with a boy through a wrong-text message. The two begin talking anonymously, and for the first time, Ingrid feels seen for who she truly is. However, things become complicated when she starts to suspect that the boy she’s confiding in might actually be a popular classmate from school, forcing her to confront her fears about identity, vulnerability, and trust.

In my opinion, this was a cute middle-grade romance with a sweet message about friendship and self-acceptance, though some parts of the plot felt predictable. I would recommend this to those who enjoy wholesome middle-grade romance, mistaken-identity tropes, and stories about friendship and finding confidence.

Drum Roll, Please is a book about a quiet girl, Melly, who is simply planning on going to a music camp with her best friend, Olivia and enjoying it. But then, her whole world falls apart. Her parents split up. Camp starts to look less fun with this hanging over her, but when she arrives, she starts to make friends, music, and even finds love. This book is an amazing story about friendship and change. The way that the author describes Melly's emotions is very descriptive and relatable. Anyone who enjoys reading about music, friendship, or thinks they might relate to Melly would love this book.

After quitting her modelling career and accidently wishing her cousin ill health and a depressing marriage, Leah Zhang's parents send her on a two-week travel program in China. Leah is excited to reconnect with her family's culture, brushing up on her Mandarin and - hopefully! - impressing her aunt at the end of the trip. However, Leah soon finds that her childhood nemesis, Cyrus Sui, is on the trip, too. Deciding to exact the ultimate revenge, Leah hatches a plan to pretend to forgive Cyrus, only to break his heart in front of all their classmates when he eventually falls for her. But Leah soon finds herself falling in love with the boy she used to hate, and must grapple with her newfound feelings for him...

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed "Never Thought I'd End Up Here"! I was actually not looking forward to reading this book, as I don't typically read YA romance novels. However, I really liked the cultural reconnection plot, and Leah and Cyrus's trope was sweet and well-done. My favorite part of this story was the way Liang was able to convey Leah's mental health struggles, as I was really able to connect with her thoughts and insecurities. My only complaint would be Leah's revenge plot. Her idea of "seducing Cyrus and then breaking his heart" was not only out of character, but also juvenile and unnecessary. It made me dislike Leah's character, which was a shame. I think Liang could still have pulled off Leah and Cyrus's trope without the revenge plot. Overall, though, I would recommend "Never Thought I'd End Up Here" to anyone who is a fan of YA romance novels!

American Royals by Katharine McGee is a story centered on the House of Washington royalty, the monarchs that sit on America’s throne, generations after George Washington was offered the crown.
Beatrice is the heir to the throne, and will become the first Queen of America. Her parents insist on an arranged marriage, but her heart belongs to someone else.
Samantha, better known as Sam, is the spare. She’s always lived in her sister’s shadow and has had her share of flings, but the one person she truly wants is the only one she can’t have.
Jefferson, Sam’s twin, is America’s favorite prince. Charming and charismatic, he seems to have it all—except he has no idea that two very different girls are both in love with him.
In my opinion, this book was amazing! Katherine McGee’s writing style was engaging and easy to read, and the concept of an American monarchy felt fresh, unique, and completely intriguing. The shifting perspectives between characters kept the story dynamic and dramatic, making it hard to put down. I will definitely be reading the next books in the series.
I would recommend this book to those who enjoy royal drama, love triangles, and glamorous contemporary romance with a twist of political intrigue.

We’ll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han is the third book in The Summer I Turned Pretty series and cannot be read as a standalone.
The story is about Belly Conklin planning her wedding with Jeremiah Fisher while also trying to sort her lingering feelings for her first crush, Conrad Fisher. This tension between the two brothers drives much of the drama and emotion throughout the novel.
In my opinion, this book was fine but nothing special. At times, Belly’s character felt frustrating, especially as she seemed to lead both brothers on and struggled with indecision, which made it hard to fully sympathize with her. The romantic tension can be engaging, but it occasionally borders on repetitive or overly dramatic.
I would recommend this book to mainly those who have read the first two books and enjoy summer romances, love triangle drama, and stories about coming-of-age and self-discovery.

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han is about Isabel “Belly” Conklin who has spent every summer going to a beach house with her mother and her older brother Steven to visit her mom’s best friend Susannah Beck and two sons—Conrad and Jeremiah Fisher.
The story is a nostalgic summer romance centered on first crushes, family bonds, and growing up.
In my opinion, this book was entertaining and Jenny Han’s writing style was fun and easy to read. While the story was enjoyable, some parts felt slow-paced or a bit predictable.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes summer romances, coming-of-age stories, and stories about family and friendship.

“And They Were Roomates” is a LGBTQIA+ romance novel following Charlie and Jasper. Charlie decides to follow in his mother’s footsteps and attend Valentine Academy. However, the academy separates boys and girls. Charlie, who recently transitioned, hopes to lie low and not get found out. A wrench is thrown in his plans when his roommate ends up being Jasper, his crush from the previous summer. Somehow, Jasper doesn’t recognize Charlie, who now has to navigate his new school and peers, while keeping his secret from his most recent crush.

“And They Were Roomates” is a really good book. The characters are so fleshed out and realistic. Everyone has a multi-sided personality, making it easier to get invested into the plot of the book and the characters themselves. There were some plot holes and confusion about Charlie’s transition, but I personally found it easy to look past it. The romance between the two main characters is so sweet. Jasper and Charlie make such a great duo, their conversations are really fun to read. They’re opposites without being too different from each other. It was really easy to get invested in how they would turn out. Overall, I would definitely recommend this book.

“I Do?” is a LGBTQIA+ romance featuring the main characters Chad and Raudel. Chad considers himself as a lowlife. He works at a yogurt shop and didn’t go to college. While staying at his sister’s house for her wedding, he realizes that she invited her friend from high school, his long-term crush. Chad tries to avoid Raudel, but it proves hard when they’re staying in the same room with only one bed for a full week.

I didn’t really enjoy this book. The pacing was too fast, the romance between the characters didn’t feel fleshed out, and it was overall too short. I definitely enjoyed the premise, I just think the book should’ve been longer, so the character relationships could’ve actually developed properly. If you like fast paced romances, then I would recommend it. However, I don’t recommend it to fans of slower developed romance.

Sinter is in his mid-twenties, living in London for an acting job. He misses his friend since high school, Andy, who is in Seattle living his own life. While in London, Sinter starts to have different feelings towards his friend. He ends up moving back to Seattle to rekindle his friendship with Andy. But somehow, more than friendship rekindles, despite Sinter’s confusion on his sexuality.

This book is okay. The relationship felt somewhat forced, not enough for me to get invested. I didn’t really feel a form of connection to the main characters. My favorite character was one of the side characters, who I was hoping to get more lines almost throughout the whole book. It didn’t really feel like they had depth. The plotline is decent in the beginning, but then a wrench gets thrown into it. One of the classic but annoying tropes that I don’t like was used. It kind of made me want to drop the book, but I stuck to it. The book didn’t really improve much after that. It was decent enough; it just doesn’t really stick out to me.

Poppy and Alex have been best friends for years. Despite being polar opposites, they’ve always bonded over one thing: traveling. After ten summer vacations, something disastrous happens to potentially split them up forever. But Poppy has one last vacation planned, and one last chance to prove that they may be more perfect for each other than originally thought. This book was an unfortunate disappointment for me. I was very excited to read it due to the movie releasing and my previous enjoyment of Henry’s other novels, but her story just fell flat in this one. Neither of the main characters were very likable to me, and the conflicts felt very predictable and boring. It wasn’t all terrible, and there were some parts that made me smile, but compared to her other works where I was laughing out loud and giggling about it to my friends, I couldn’t help but be a little let down by the execution of the storyline. If you’re an avid romance or Emily Henry reader there may be more enjoyment to find within this book, but unfortunately it wasn’t it for me.

"Under the Surface" follows Ruby, who can't wait to see the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and the catacombs on her school trip to Paris - and film every moment of it to put on her YouTube channel, Ruby's Hidden Gems. So, when a mysterious French stranger offers to take Ruby, her best friend, and two other classmates to a party in the part of the catacombs that aren't available to the public, she can't refuse. But the group takes a wrong turn and never makes it to the party. Now, they are lost in the catacombs, and soon it becomes apparent that there are sinister forces under the surface of Paris with them...

I was sorely disappointed with not only the execution of "Under the Surface", but also the plot itself. Not only were there extreme typos (e.g., saying "grizzly" instead of "grisly"), but there were also plot errors that were simply impossible to ignore (e.g., hearing a fact about the Paris catacombs from one of the characters, then later in the book claiming that she read it online). None of the characters were likable and every one of them were YA cliches that had absolutely no development or emotional depth. The voice of the book was off as well, with some moments being (unrealistic) teenage bickering, jokes, and drama, others being a fact-dump about the catacombs, and still others being randomly-inserted flashbacks that occurred at awkward moments. None of these components were well-done, and none of them meshed together into a cohesive and interesting story - they merely took away from the main plot. This book also is split perspective, with some chapters following Ruby and others following her love-interest Sean, but Sean's chapters were absolutely useless, and their relationship was so undeveloped, unrealistic, and awkward that it added nothing to the story. Overall, even though the plot was supposed to be thrilling, I found myself bored from the poorly executed story-telling, which relied on telling rather than showing and did not focus on the interesting elements of the book (being trapped in the catacombs), concentrating more on the unrelated drama and backstories of the characters, which seemed to carry more emotional weight than the situation itself.

Five Feet Apart is an emotional and engaging novel that balances romance with the realities of battling cystic fibrosis. What makes this book stand out is how it explores the themes of control, risk, and what it means to truly live when your time and health is limited. The dual perspectives help readers understand both character's motivations and fears. This book is a captivating read which I finished in one sitting because of how enthralling it was. I picked this book because I had seen the movie before and enjoyed it and reading the book really just added to the emotional depth of the story. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and how it wasn’t just a happy go lucky book but brings you into this world which not many people experience and makes you connect to these characters whom you might not usually have related to. Overall, it’s a touching, thought provoking novel that delivers both romance and reflection.

Dr. Anna Fox hasn't left her house in almost a year; unable to face the outside world after a tragic incident. With so much time on her hands she spends her days drinking, counseling strangers online, and watching old movies. Anna also has one other habit... she watches her neighbors, trying to pick at and understand their lives. So, when the Russell's move in she watches carefully, surprised when the enigmatic Jane Russell comes knocking on her door. After an intriguing few hours with Jane, Anna feels better than she has in a long time. However, when she watches the Russell's house again, she sees something no one was supposed to witness. All of a sudden Anna is up against multiple strangers who will do anything to keep a secret...
"The Woman in the Window" had an interesting plot twist one wouldn't see coming. However, it took quite a long time to cover some important themes and ideas in the book, making the first half slightly harder to read. The ending did make it worth reading, though this would likely stay as a onetime read.

Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt is about Ally Nickerson, a sixth-grade girl who struggles in school, especially reading, and is frequently sent to the principal’s office. When her teacher goes on maternity leave, the new long-term sub Mr. Daniels is kind and patient with Ally, along with the rest of the class. Ally is able to make friends with the smart Albert and the bold Keisha, while also learning to stand up to bullies like Shay.
In my opinion, this book was amazing. Lynda Mullaly Hunt’s writing was fun, entertaining, and overall heartwarming for its relatable characters and humorous moments.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes heartwarming stories, realistic school experiences, and characters who overcome challenges.

Always and Forever, Lara Jean is the final book in the To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before trilogy by Jenny Han, and it cannot be read as a standalone.
In this book, Lara Jean continues to navigate the complications of her relationship with Peter Kavinsky while college nears closer. Lara Jean must decide whether to follow her mother’s advice to not go to college with a boyfriend, like her older sister Margot did, or to follow her own heart.
In my opinion, this book was fun to read, but at times the drama felt stretched out. Jenny Han’s writing is still entertaining with relatable characters and humorous moments.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes teen romance, family-centered stories, and coming-of-age journeys.

P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han is the second book in the To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before series and cannot be read as a standalone.
In this sequel, Lara Jean navigates the complexities of her new relationship with Peter while dealing with the unexpected return of an old crush. As feelings become more complicated, she must figure out what love and loyalty really mean.
In my opinion, the book was entertaining and fun, but at times the story felt a bit predictable and some of the drama dragged. Jenny Han’s writing is still engaging, with humorous moments and relatable characters.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes teen romance, love triangles, and coming-of-age stories.

To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han is about Lara Jean Covey who has a collection of love letters she keeps in a hat box gifted to her by her late mother. These five love letters are letters she has written for the five boys that she has ever loved. When the letters are unexpectedly delivered to the intended recipients, Lara Jean’s love life spirals out of control, and she ends up pretending to date one boy to keep up appearances in front of another.
In my opinion, the book was engaging and funny. Jenny Han’s writing is entertaining, and the story is easy to get lost in.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes feel-good romance, coming-of-age stories, or lighthearted teen drama.

A book about a secret school of deadly assassins? Yes please! I had not read a book by Mather before but because of this book I will definitely read again in the future. November is an intriguing character, and she was a great kick butt girl boss. The plot and book flowed nicely and the mystery was well thought out. I'd recommend this book to anyone who likes spies and assassin type books.

I'm always down for a cute little romcom and Emma Lord does not disappoint. Academic enemies to lovers is my favorite trope and this one was done perfectly. Sadie and Seb were the perfect couple, and I loved their constant bickering and hilarious moments throughout the book. It was a cute, light read and I would recommend this to anyone who loves a cute romcom.

I really loved the spunky main character Sawyer! Her development throughout the book and trying to be a debutante was entertaining and funny. All of the characters were well developed and at times I found myself laughing out loud at the dialogue. The story was very entertaining, and the mystery woven throughout it was amazingly well thought out! I'd recommend this to anyone who loves a Cinderella story with a mystery twist!

I initially picked this book because of the cover, and it seemed like it would be a cute read. I also hadn't previously read anything by this author, so I thought why not give her a try. Picking Daisies on Sundays delivers a cozy friends to lovers story with lots of charm but it doesn’t fully rise above the typical tropes of contemporary romance. The writing style wasn’t my favorite but definitely not something that deterred me. I thought that the miscommunication trope frustrates more than built the tension. This was an easy and quick read something that is definitely good for someone in the mood for a light, clean contemporary romance. For me the end of the book was the best part where it finally picked up along with the epilogue. Overall, this book is a pleasant read if you enjoy soft romantic comedies and aren’t looking for anything groundbreaking.
Reviewer Grade: 11