Ladies of the House by Lauren Edmondson My rating: 3 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Ladies of the House in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist Ladies of the House by Lauren Edmondson is a modern retelling of Jane Austen’s classic Sense and Sensibility, set in contemporary Washington D.C. This novel explores themes of family, scandal, and societal expectations, drawing parallels to Austen’s work while presenting a fresh perspective. The Details The story revolves around the Richardson sisters, Daisy and Wallis, and their mother, Cricket. The family’s comfortable life is upended when…
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Radar Girls
Radar Girls by Sara Ackerman My rating: 4 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Radar Girls in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist Radar Girls by Sara Ackerman is a poignant and immersive historical fiction novel that shines a light on the often-overlooked contributions of women during World War II. Set against the backdrop of Hawaii in the early 1940s, Ackerman skillfully weaves together a tale of courage, resilience, and camaraderie amidst the chaos of war. The Details At the center of the story is Daisy Wilder, a spirited young woman who defies…
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The Keeper of Night
The Keeper of Night by Kylie Lee Baker My rating: 3 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of The Keeper of Night in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist The Keeper of Night by Kylie Lee Baker is a dark fantasy novel that weaves together elements of Japanese folklore and supernatural intrigue to create a unique and haunting story. While the book offers a rich and immersive world with a compelling protagonist, it struggles with pacing and character development, resulting in a mixed reading experience. The Details The story follows Ren Scarborough, a half-British…
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Lies My Memory Told Me
Lies My Memory Told Me by Rin Chupeco My rating: 3 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Lies My Memory Told Me in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist Lies My Memory Told Me by Sacha Wunsch is a compelling young adult novel that delves into the complexities of memory, identity, and truth. The book raises intriguing questions about the nature of reality and personal experience. Despite its promising concept and thought-provoking themes, the execution leaves something to be desired. The Details The story follows Nova Reynolds, who lives in a society obsessed…
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You Can Go Your Own Way
You Can Go Your Own Way by Eric Smith My rating: 3 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of You Can Go Your Own Way in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist You Can Go Your Own Way by Eric Smith is a sweet and heartwarming young adult romance that offers a delightful, albeit predictable, read. Set against the backdrop of a small, struggling pinball arcade in Philadelphia, the story brings together two unlikely characters who must navigate their differences and personal struggles. The Details The plot centres on Adam Stillwater, who is fiercely…
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Nanny Dearest
Nanny Dearest by Flora Collins My rating: 2 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Nanny Dearest in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist Nanny Dearest by Flora Collins is a novel that intrigued me from the start with its interesting premise. The idea of a psychological thriller revolving around a nanny’s dark secrets held a lot of potential. Unfortunately, while the book starts strong, it ultimately fails to deliver on its promise. The Details The story centers around Sue Keller, who reconnects with her childhood nanny, Anneliese, after her parents’ deaths. As Sue…
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My Darling Husband
My Darling Husband by Kimberly Belle My rating: 3 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of My Darling Husband in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist Kimberly Belle’s My Darling Husband is a gripping domestic thriller that explores the dark depths of family secrets and the lengths one will go to protect loved ones. The novel centers around a seemingly perfect couple, Jade and Cam Lasky, whose lives are upended when their home is invaded by a masked intruder. The Details The plot unfolds through alternating perspectives, primarily from Jade and Cam, as they…
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Trashlands
Trashlands by Alison Stine My rating: 2 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Trashlands in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist Trashlands by Alison Stine is a dystopian novel set in a near-future world ravaged by climate change and environmental collapse. The story centers on Coral. Coral and the other inhabitants of this grim environment scavenge for plastic, the most valuable resource in this broken world. Coral encounters various characters whose lives are intertwined with the fate of Trashlands. The Details Stine excels at creating a vividly bleak and immersive setting. The harsh…
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Smile and Look Pretty
Smile and Look Pretty by Amanda Pellegrino My rating: 3 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Smile and Look Pretty in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist Smile and Look Pretty by Amanda Pellegrino is a contemporary fiction novel that follows the lives of four young women—Cate, Lauren, Max, and Olivia—who work as assistants in the cutthroat world of media and entertainment. Frustrated by the demeaning treatment and lack of recognition, they create an anonymous blog, “The Assistants,” to voice their grievances and expose the harsh realities of their work environments. As the…
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The Stars Between Us
The Stars Between Us by Cristin Terrill My rating: 3 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of The Stars Between Us in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist The Stars Between Us by Cristin Terrill is a young adult science fiction novel that follows Vika Hale, a girl from the lower echelons of society living on a poverty-stricken planet. Vika’s life takes a drastic turn when she learns she is the heiress to a massive fortune left by a wealthy benefactor. As she is thrust into a world of luxury and intrigue, she must…
