Ever since he was taken in by the enigmatic, reclusive billionaire Byron Lennox-Hall, Evander has never known anything except the walls of his room in his guardian's large gothic mansion known as the Hazelthorn Estate. Physically sick, traumatized, and orphaned, he remembers next to nothing about his childhood - except that Byron's grandson, Laurie, once tried to kill him by burying him alive. For Evander's safety, Byron has given him a strict set of rules he must abide by, including that he must never leave his room or go anywhere near Laurie alone. And he cannot, for reasons unbeknownst to him, go into the ever-growing, ominous gardens of Hazelthorn.

Then one day Byron dies a gruesome death right in front of Evander. And a look in Byron's will reveals something strange: all of Hazelthorn Estates and his riches will be inherited by Evander, leaving nothing to the rest of his family, including Laurie. Horrified by the sudden turn of events, Evander is certain that his caretaker must have been murdered, leaving him to find the killer. But other threats appear as Byron's eerie relatives begin to move into the estate, clearly wanting a claim on Evander's newfound riches, and as Hazelthorn's strange garden, previously off-limits to Evander, continuously grows, threatening to swallow up the Estate - and Evander himself. As unsettling family secrets begin to reveal themselves one by one, Evander is forced to figure out the ugly truth behind Hazelthorn Estates before the garden - or Byron's supposed murderer - gets to him, and he might just have to put his trust in Laurie, the boy who tried to kill him years ago, to survive.

I must start off by stating that Drews' writing style was very immersive in my opinion - I loved the dark, psychological style of the book, although at some points it felt a little overdone and edgy. The plot was, in simplest terms, insane: there were definitely twists that I never could have predicted, and each one was more surprising than the last. The body horror elements in the novel managed to spook me a little, which is rare for me. The book is fast paced, especially the second half, and each chapter left me with so many questions that I just had to keep reading for want of finding out. Evander and Laurie's relationship was also very complex - it was a genuine lovers-to-enemies story, and both of the characters slowly letting out their traumas and vulnerabilities gave the story emotional output and catharsis. I also enjoyed Evander's journey to self-acceptance, that feeling of finally breaking free from the confines one's been put in and learning to love oneself. Overall, it was personally a good read and a nice introduction to the body horror genre for me. I also look forward to potentially reading Drews' previously published work of a similar genre, Don't Let the Forest In.

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.

Imagine Me provides a clear, satisfying ending for the second arc of Shatter Me books. However, I expected Imagine Me to be action packed and to make me not want to put the book down. Instead, everything felt slow and calculated, almost how you would expect the second book in a trilogy to go. Some scenes and plot arcs felt underdeveloped, or completely unnecessary.

While the plot was slow, and it was sometimes a struggle to pick up the book, Tahereh Mafi was still able to do what she does best: develop her characters. She established new relationships that built off previous experiences, developed all of her characters from the supreme leaders to the main characters we've been rooting for since day 1. I felt the characters are what made the book enjoyable, not the plot.

Despite Imagine Me's underdeveloped plot, I would still recommend it if you want to finish the series on a good note, with most if not all plot points resolved in a satisfying way. It just didn't have the same emotional punch in my opinion as the previous Shatter Me books, which is why I rated it 3 stars.

“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.

Dominic Barrow has a bad reputation. At Alderland's most prestigious academy, he is known for being the rebel and player that skips classes and doesn't have a care in the world. On the other hand, Ellery Caldwell is the academy's golden girl. Coming to Alderland as a refugee, she has quickly gained the reputation of one of the brightest magicians of her class. However, as the winter cataclysm approaches, Dominic and Ellery's lives are changed forever as the most powerful Summer wand awakens - and an unprecedented Winter wand is created. As the Chosen Two, Dominic and Ellery must find a way to thwart the cataclysm together... while grappling with their feelings for one another.

"A Fate So Cold" by Amanda Foody is a YA fantasy-romance novel. I really enjoyed reading the first part of the book - the characters were engaging, Dominic and Ellery's romance plot was sweet, and I wanted to know what would happen next. However, I became increasingly disappointed as the story went on. The world Ellery and Dominic live in is really interesting, and the culture around the academy, wands, and Summer-Winter conflict are unique. However, there was little to no world-building, leaving me confused about the setting and traditions in the book, which Foody seemed to assume the reader already knew. Additionally, Ellery and Dominic's romance was incredibly undeveloped - before they got together, their trope was sweet and engaging, but as soon as they actually started dating, the relationship became toxic, repetitive, and confusing. Finally, the ending of this story was anticlimactic and unsatisfying - it didn't seem to relate to the rest of the story at all.

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.

Defy Me is the fifth book in the Shatter Me series. Defy Me is a great follow up read after the cliffhanger Restore Me ends on. Answers and action are well paced throughout the book, with no part feeling too slow or too fast. Most questions asked in Restore Me, and some that you might not realize you had, are answered through flashbacks and knowledge from older characters.

The action is fast paced and serves to help develop the characters and their relationships. Every character has a clear defined goal, and while they have different goals Tahereh Mafi is still able to make them work together without ideals clashing. I finished this book in 2 days right after finishing Restore Me. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the Shatter Me series. Not only are new continents introduced, but newer characters are developed as well as the original characters that were present in the first book. Tahereh Mafi does a wonderful job of not spending too much time developing her main characters, and focusing on the new ones, while also not leaving the original characters how they were at the end of Ignite Me and further developing them as well.

This was one of my favorite books in the entire series, and I would recommend any fan of Shatter Me continues the series with this read.

Restore Me is a continuation of the Shatter Me series. It has the same characters, same setting, but the enemy is more than just Anderson, it is now the entire Reestablishment. Juliette is now the commander of Sector 45, and is working to destroy the Reestablishment from within. However, she still has much to learn about her friends, her enemies, and herself.

Restore Me is not as action packed as the previous Ignite Me because it serves as a bridge to set up a new story arc that introduces new problems, new revelations, and new characters. I had previously heard the second arc of the Shatter Me series was not worth reading because it was too confusing and it seemed like the author was only writing this plot for money. I disagree. Tahereh Mafi expands her world from Sector 45 and shows the characters grappling with the new information they are learning, especially Juliette.

This book includes nonstop reveals about popular characters, like Juliette, Warner and Kenji, that made it almost impossible to put down. Every chapter I learned something new that didn't feel forced, but rather enlightening. I didn't rate this book 5 stars, because at times the action is slow while Juliette is learning more about the world around her. I think it is well worth your time to read Restore Me if you loved the first three Shatter Me novels and want to continue your adventure with the characters and world.

"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.

I can see why this book became such a huge phenomenon in the 2000's, but it wasn’t really for me. The atmosphere is moody and memorable, which I did appreciate. However, the relationship between Bella and Edward felt unhealthy at times, and that made it hard for me to enjoy the romance. The pacing was slow in the middle, and I found myself wanting more plot progression. It’s iconic and influential, but personally, I didn’t connect with it as much as I hoped. I do think the movies are quite better!

When I first read this book, I was really intrigued by the faction system and the idea of sorting people by personality. The beginning felt strong and made me want to keep reading, especially as the main character Tris started her training. However, as the story went on, some of the characters felt underdeveloped, and the romance didn’t fully work for me. A lot of the conflict seemed to rely on predictable choices rather than surprising ones. I still think it’s entertaining and easy to read, but it didn’t leave a lasting emotional impact on me.

This book had an interesting premise, and I liked the idea of a world divided by blood color. At first, I was really invested in the protagonist Mare’s journey and her shock at discovering her powers. However, as the plot continued, it started to feel like a mix of other dystopian stories I’ve already read. Some twists were predictable, and the characters didn’t feel as complex as I wanted them to be. I enjoyed parts of it, but it didn’t stand out enough for me to rate it higher.

This book took me a little time to get into, but once it did, I was obsessed. The characters are easily the strongest part for me, each one felt distinct, flawed, and deeply layered, especially two characters named Kaz and Inej. I loved how the story trusted the reader to keep up instead of over explaining everything. The heist plot kept me on edge, and I genuinely didn’t know how things would turn out. While it can feel dense at times, the payoff is absolutely worth it, and I found myself really attached to this group by the end.

This book completely pulled me in from the very first chapter, and I remember feeling tense the entire time I was reading it. Being inside Katniss’s head made everything feel urgent and real, especially the fear and pressure she feels just trying to survive. What I loved most was how the book isn’t just about the Games themselves, but about the themes of power, sacrifice, and how unfair systems hurt people who never asked to be part of them. The relationships, especially between Katniss and Peeta, felt complicated and realistic rather than overly romantic. By the end, I felt emotionally drained in the best way, and it made me think long after I closed the book!!

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld is about Tally Youngblood who lives in a futuristic dystopian society where everyone is considered an “Ugly” until they get cosmetic surgery and become a “Pretty.” Tally chooses to rebel against becoming a “Pretty” when her friends Shay and David show her that being a “Pretty” isn’t all that it is made out to be.
In my opinion, this book was nice. While the story was interesting, some parts were predictable.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes dystopian stories, adventure, and coming-of-age novels.

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.

Reckless by Lauren Roberts continues the female lead Paedyn’s story as the lines between survival and love become even more complicated. This book dives deeper into the consequences of the choices made in Powerless (the first book in the trilogy), with more emotional tension throughout the story. I picked this book up immediately because I was invested in the characters and wanted to see how their relationship would evolve after everything that happened. I especially loved how romance played a much bigger role, with moments of longing and vulnerability that felt intense and meaningful. The plot kept moving quickly, and I felt so invested in the narrative. The character interactions felt raw and honest and made the story feel more personal. Overall, this book felt more emotionally driven, making it one of my favorite reads in the series.

Powerless by Lauren Roberts is a fantasy novel (1st in a trilogy) set in a world where a person's power defines status, and those without abilities (magical powers) are forced to survive in secret. The story follows Paedyn, an ordinary girl who hides her lack of powers while navigating a brutal society and unexpectedly getting pulled into some very dangerous situations. I chose this book because the premise immediately caught my attention, especially the tension between the powerful and the powerless. I really enjoyed the enemies to lovers trope and the slow build of trust and chemistry between the characters, which made the story feel intense. The stakes stayed high throughout the book, and I found myself wanting to keep reading to see how Paedyn would outsmart the system stacked against her. Some parts felt predictable, but the character dynamics and romance made up for it. Overall, it was an engaging and exciting read that left me curious about what comes next.

The Curse for True Love by Stephanie Garber is the final book in the Once Upon a Broken Heart trilogy and follows the lead female character Evangeline as she navigates the fallout of broken promises, her lost memories within a kingdom shaped by magic and fate. I picked up this book because I was already deeply invested in Evangeline’s journey and needed to see how her story would finally unfold. Much of the plot centers on her search for truth and love as old curses and hidden motives are revealed. I enjoyed returning to this fairytale world and seeing how past choices continued to affect every character. The emotional stakes and romantic tension kept me engaged. Overall, the book delivered a heartfelt and satisfying conclusion to the trilogy.

Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber is a fantasy novel (1st book in the trilogy) about a simple girl named Evangeline who makes a dangerous deal with a demigod called the Prince of Hearts after her life does not go the way she hoped. I picked up this book because I was drawn to the fairytale feel of the cover and the promise of magic mixed with romance. The story is set in a whimsical world where nothing is as simple as it seems, and every choice has consequences. I loved the atmosphere of the book and how it felt dreamy while still holding a sense of dark danger. The characters felt layered and emotionally real, which made me want to keep reading to understand their motivations. Some parts were slower, but the tension and mystery kept me invested. Overall, this book surprised me in the best way and made me want to immediately continue the series.

The second book in the Once Upon a Broken Heart series is an easy five star read for me. I felt emotionally invested, and I loved how the story deepened while still keeping that magical, fairytale atmosphere. The characters felt even more alive and familiar, and I found myself genuinely caring about their choices and relationships. There is a lot of fluffy romance in this book, and it is incredibly cute and comforting without taking away from the plot. Like the first book, I could not stop reading because every chapter made me want to know what would happen next.

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.

From the trenches of World War I, to the ancient Chinese Empire, to an insane asylum in the 1800s, Evelyn and Arden have loved each other in every lifetime. But they have also killed each other before their 18th birthday in every single one. Now it is 2022 in Wales, England, and Evelyn is desperate to survive long enough to undergo the bone marrow transplant that could save her sick little sister's life. So, when Arden finally reveals himself, Evelyn knows that she must do everything in her power to break the curse and survive until the day of the procedure. Told in chapters that alternate between Evelyn and Arden's current life and past experiences together, this YA romantasy book will keep you guessing as Evelyn and Arden's 18th birthday approaches...

I was really excited to read "Our Infinite Fates". The reincarnation plot seemed really unique, and I liked that the chapters switched between Evelyn and Arden's present and past lives. In fact, the first third of this book was really amazing - I was absolutely hooked and wanted to know what would happen next! However, the middle and ending of "Our Infinite Fates" really started to bother me. Not only did the plot become redundant and seemed to drag, but the character motivations and actions became unclear, annoying, and repetitive. Additionally, the huge "plot twist" at the end of the book was unexciting and confusing. "Our Infinite Fates" is mostly realistic fiction centered around historical eras - whereas plot twist seemed to be fully fantasy and did not match the tone of the entire rest of the story. Overall, the final reveal and battle just seemed rushed (especially compared to the middle of the book, which was very slow paced) and were merely disappointing. This was a great idea, but the execution and ending ruined it for me.

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

As book one in the six-book series, it will also read well as a standalone. I like how the world is explained throughout the book - rather than dumping me with all worldbuilding in the beginning, or especially all at once. By the end of the book, new things are still being learned about Tess (the protagonist's sidekick). But is Day really the protagonist, or is it June? Although the story is admittedly more focused on Day, June's impact on Day's life is by far the more entertaining part of the book. Every chapter alternates perspectives, like a good Red Pyramid or The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel -- appropriate, political (if you will), and disappointing when really invested in what's about to happen next.

The Republic is one of two factions the U.S. splits into after collapse -- home to elite military families like the one June comes from, but also home to beggars, drunks, homeless, and the poor like Day. June is at some point convinced that Day murdered her brother (a spoiler from page 1) and vows to hunt him down both for revenge and to prove herself to the Republic. But as she gets close with Day, she uncovers truths about the Republic causing her to question her involvement.

Happy Ending

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon follows eighteen-year-old Madeline “Maddy” Whittier, who has a rare illness that keeps her inside her home, unable to leave. Her life changes when Olly, a boy who moves in next door, enters her world. They form a friendship through emails and messages that later develops into romance. This leads Maddy to take more risks of leaving the bubble she’s been trapped in her whole life. After discovering a shocking secret, she is forced to make difficult choices about freedom, trust, and love.

In my opinion, this book was engaging and emotional. It was a unique idea, and the author did a good job at writing the story. Although the book was quite long and slow-paced at certain points, I was never bored. I finished this book in one sitting.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes contemporary romance, coming-of-age stories, or books about love and self-discovery.