Queen Among the Dead by Lesley Livingston My rating: 3 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Queen Among the Dead in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist Queen Among the Dead by Lesley Livingston is a richly atmospheric YA fantasy set in a myth-infused version of ancient Ireland. With its fierce heroine, enchanted landscapes, and anti-authoritarian message, this book has all the elements of an epic. But while the premise is promising, the execution sometimes stumbles. The Details The story follows Neve, a strong-willed princess who refuses to be bound by the expectations…
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Cursed
Cursed by Marissa Meyer My rating: 3 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Cursed in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist Cursed is the much-anticipated conclusion to Marissa Meyer’s Gilded duology, a haunting and magical retelling of Rumpelstiltskin. While this final installment offers a return to the eerie world readers fell in love with in book one, it struggles to maintain the same level of momentum and emotional depth. It’s still worth reading, but it didn’t quite leave the lasting impression I had hoped for. The Details The strongest element of Cursed remains…
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Life’s a Witch
Life’s a Witch by Amelia Ash and Kim M. Watt My rating: 1 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Life’s a Witch in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist It’s 2025, yet Amelia Ash and Kim M. Watt still hand readers a heroine who feels obligated to mop up every man’s mess. Grown men toss their emotional garbage at her feet, and—surprise—she shoulders the blame. I kept waiting for one of these dudes to pick up a broom or, better yet, grow a conscience. No such luck. The Details Our protagonist flees her…
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One Smart Witch
One Smart Witch by Amelia Ash and Kim M. Watt My rating: 2 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of One Smart Witch in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist One Smart Witch had the perfect chance to grow the story—maybe by exploring more of the magical world or shifting the focus to fresh character dynamics. Instead, it treads the same tired path as book one. The plot sticks to the exact same structure, centering—yet again—on the brother. It’s like no one else in this universe is considered worthy of a storyline. The Details…
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Witch Slap
Witch Slap by Amelia Ash and Kim M. Watt My rating: 2 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Witch Slap in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist Witch Slap started with a premise that held a lot of potential—a mix of magic, mystery, and dark humor that could have made for an entertaining read. Unfortunately, the book struggled to keep me engaged throughout. From early on, the pacing felt uneven and dragged in many places, which made the story hard to follow and ultimately frustrating. The Details One major issue for me was…
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If You Could See the Sun
If You Could See the Sun by Ann Liang My rating: 5 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of If You Could See the Sun in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist If You Could See the Sun by Ann Liang is a smart, sharp, and emotionally grounded debut that brings something truly fresh to the young adult genre. Set in an elite Beijing international boarding school, the novel follows Alice Sun, a scholarship student who has always felt invisible—until she actually becomes invisible. What starts as a strange and terrifying discovery soon turns…
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The Soulmate
The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth My rating: 1 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of The Soulmate in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist Sally Hepworth’s The Soulmate promises a suspenseful domestic thriller with emotional depth, but it struggles to deliver on both fronts. The premise is intriguing: Pippa and Gabe, a married couple, live in a house perched near a cliff where people often come to end their lives. Gabe has a reputation for talking people down—until one night, a woman falls. The mystery of her death drives the plot, but unfortunately, the…
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Salt and Sugar
Salt and Sugar by Rebecca Carvalho My rating: 3 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Salt and Sugar in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist Salt and Sugar by Rebecca Carvalho tells a story about family, friendship, and finding yourself. The novel shines with its rich cultural details and heartfelt emotions. Carvalho writes with warmth, making it easy to connect with the characters and their journeys. The Details One of the best parts of the book is how it brings culture to life. Traditions, food, and family expectations all play a big role.…
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Seoulmates
Seoulmates by Susan Lee My rating: 3 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Seoulmates in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist Seoulmates by Susan Lee is a sweet and sincere young adult romance with plenty of heart. It blends childhood friendship, K-drama glam, and questions of identity into a breezy coming-of-age story. At its best, the book feels like a warm summer drama—with just enough tension to keep you turning the pages. Still, it doesn’t always dig as deep as it could, and that keeps it from being truly unforgettable. The Details The…
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Rules of Arrangement
Rules of Arranagement by Maren Mackenzie My rating: 4 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Rules of Arrangement in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist Rules of Arrangement by Maren Mackenzie is an addictively readable debut that blends romance and emotional tension with a twist of mystery. The story follows Adelaide Wright, a college senior juggling coursework, grief, and financial pressure. Her secret side hustle—writing papers for classmates—keeps her afloat, until Declan, a former flame and her art history TA, discovers the scheme. Instead of reporting her, he ropes her into a high-stakes…
