Waiting on Wednesday: Chasing Lucky & These Voilent Delights

Chasing Lucky
by Jenn Bennett
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Publication Date: November 10th 2020
Publisher: Simon Pulse
ISBN: 9781534425170

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Budding photographer Josie Saint-Martin has spent half her life with her single mother, moving from city to city. When they return to her historical New England hometown years later to run the family bookstore, Josie knows it’s not forever. Her dreams are on the opposite coast, and she has a plan to get there.

What she doesn’t plan for is a run-in with the town bad boy, Lucky Karras. Outsider, rebel…and her former childhood best friend. Lucky makes it clear he wants nothing to do with the newly returned Josie. But everything changes after a disastrous pool party, and a poorly executed act of revenge lands Josie in some big-time trouble—with Lucky unexpectedly taking the blame.

Determined to understand why Lucky was so quick to cover for her, Josie discovers that both of them have changed, and that the good boy she once knew now has a dark sense of humor and a smile that makes her heart race. And maybe, just maybe, he’s not quite the brooding bad boy everyone thinks he is… (Goodreads)

A new Jenn Bennett novel, you guys!
I love her books and I'm SO very excited for this one!

These Violent Delights
by Chloe Gong
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Publication Date: November 17th 2020
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
ISBN: 9781534457690

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Perfect for fans of The Last Magician and Descendant of the Crane, this heart-stopping debut is an imaginative Romeo and Juliet retelling set in 1920s Shanghai, with rival gangs and a monster in the depths of the Huangpu River.

The year is 1926, and Shanghai hums to the tune of debauchery.

A blood feud between two gangs runs the streets red, leaving the city helpless in the grip of chaos. At the heart of it all is eighteen-year-old Juliette Cai, a former flapper who has returned to assume her role as the proud heir of the Scarlet Gang—a network of criminals far above the law. Their only rivals in power are the White Flowers, who have fought the Scarlets for generations. And behind every move is their heir, Roma Montagov, Juliette’s first love…and first betrayal.

But when gangsters on both sides show signs of instability culminating in clawing their own throats out, the people start to whisper. Of a contagion, a madness. Of a monster in the shadows. As the deaths stack up, Juliette and Roma must set their guns—and grudges—aside and work together, for if they can’t stop this mayhem, then there will be no city left for either to rule. (Goodreads)

Does this book sound fantastic, or what?
I've had my eye on it for a while now, and I can't wait to finally read it!

**"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine,
that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.**

Waiting on Wednesday: 10 Things I Hate About Pinky & You Say It First

10 Things I Hate About Pinky
(Dimple and Rishi #3)
by Sandhya Menon
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Publication Date: July 21st 2020
Publisher: Simon Pulse
ISBN: 9781534416819

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The follow-up to When Dimple Met Rishi and There’s Something about Sweetie follows Pinky and Samir as they pretend to date—with disastrous and hilarious results.

Pinky Kumar wears the social justice warrior badge with pride. From raccoon hospitals to persecuted rock stars, no cause is too esoteric for her to champion. But a teeny-tiny part of her also really enjoys making her conservative, buttoned-up corporate lawyer parents cringe.

Samir Jha might have a few . . . quirks remaining from the time he had to take care of his sick mother, like the endless lists he makes in his planner and the way he schedules every minute of every day, but those are good things. They make life predictable and steady.

Pinky loves lazy summers at her parents’ Cape Cod lake house, but after listening to them harangue her about the poor decisions (aka boyfriends) she’s made, she hatches a plan. Get her sorta-friend-sorta-enemy, Samir—who is a total Harvard-bound Mama’s boy—to pose as her perfect boyfriend for the summer. As they bicker their way through lighthouses and butterfly habitats, sparks fly, and they both realize this will be a summer they'll never forget. (Goodreads)

I absolutely LOVE the Dimple & Rishi series, and I am SO excited for this third book!
I still need to read the novellas as well, so I'm hoping to read all of these together!

You Say It First
by Katie Cotugno
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Publication Date: June 16th 2020
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
ISBN: 9780062674128

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Meg has her entire life set up perfectly: her boyfriend Mason is sweet and supportive, she and her best friend Emily plan to head to Cornell together in the fall, and she even finds time to clock shifts phonebanking at a voter registration call center in her Philadelphia suburb. But everything changes when one of those calls connects her to a stranger from small-town Ohio, who gets under her skin from the moment he picks up the phone.

Colby is stuck in a rut, reeling from a family tragedy and working a dead-end job—unsure what his future holds, or if he even cares. The last thing he has time for is some privileged rich girl preaching the sanctity of the political process. So he says the worst thing he can think of and hangs up.

But things don’t end there.…

That night on the phone winds up being the first in a series of candid, sometimes heated, always surprising conversations that lead to a long-distance friendship and then—slowly—to something more. Across state lines and phone lines, Meg and Colby form a once-in-a-lifetime connection. But in the end, are they just too different to make it work?
You Say It First is a propulsive, layered novel about how sometimes the person who has the least in common with us can be the one who changes us most. (Goodreads)

I think it has been a while since I read a book by Katie, so I'm super excited to check this new book out. It sounds like it's going to be a very interesting read, so I'm super curious to check it out.

**"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine,
that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.**

My Thoughts: Slay by Brittney Morris (Audiobook)

Slay
by Brittney Morris
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Publication Date: September 24th 2019
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 323
ISBN: 9781534445420
Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary
Source: Netgalley Review Copy

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By day, seventeen-year-old Kiera Johnson is an honors student, a math tutor, and one of the only Black kids at Jefferson Academy. But at home, she joins hundreds of thousands of Black gamers who duel worldwide as Nubian personas in the secret multiplayer online role-playing card game, SLAY. No one knows Kiera is the game developer, not her friends, her family, not even her boyfriend, Malcolm, who believes video games are partially responsible for the "downfall of the Black man."

But when a teen in Kansas City is murdered over a dispute in the SLAY world, news of the game reaches mainstream media, and SLAY is labeled a racist, exclusionist, violent hub for thugs and criminals. Even worse, an anonymous troll infiltrates the game, threatening to sue Kiera for "anti-white discrimination."

Driven to save the only world in which she can be herself, Kiera must preserve her secret identity and harness what it means to be unapologetically Black in a world intimidated by Blackness. But can she protect her game without losing herself in the process? (Goodreads)

The very first thing that drew me to Slay by Brittney Morris was the absolutely stunning book cover. (It’s no secret at all that I am easily distracted by gorgeous book covers!) Then I read the synopsis for the book, which was described as Ready Player One meets The Hate U Give, and knew I would have to check it out. I am so glad I did!

I very much enjoyed the storyline for this book. I love that Kiera is a gamer and has created this amazing online multiplayer world. The descriptions for the game very well described, and Slay sounded like a fun game to play. I am not much of a gamer now, but I was a long time ago, and while I never really got into the multiplayer online games, my husband does play them, so I was pretty familiar with a lot of the gaming terminology in the book. (No worries if you’re not familiar with it, the author did a really great job of explaining things.) The real world parts of the storyline were interesting as well, and I liked that it included a lot of things that people who read the book will find relatable in some way or another, especially teens.

There are so many characters in this book that you will love. We do get a few alternate viewpoints throughout the story, but the main part of the story is told from Kiera’s point of view. Kiera was such an interesting character, and I loved her brilliantness and creativity. She also has a really great family as well, and while her and her sister, Steph, totally act like sisters, you can tell that they love each other, and have each other’s backs, which is a nice change from a lot of the sisterly relationships that I’ve read about lately. I am so glad that Kiera had Steph to help her throughout the book.

I also want to add that I opted to listen to the audiobook for Slay, and I am SO glad that I did! There are a few different narrators in the book, but I loved the narrator for Kiera’s voice the most. I’m not 100% sure which narrator did her voice, but she did a great job, and I would definitely love to listen to her narrate more books in the future.

Overall; Slay was a really interesting read full of real life issues as well as a fantastic fantasy world, and I’m so glad that I read the book! If you like a good contemporary, or a book that has gaming in it, then do add Slay to your reading list! I will most definitely be keeping my eye out for more books by Brittney Morris in the future.

My Thoughts: The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw

The Wicked Deep
by Shea Ernshaw
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Publication Date: March 6th, 2018
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 310
ISBN: 9781481497343
Genre: Young Adult | Paranormal | Witches
Source: Own

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Welcome to the cursed town of Sparrow…

Where, two centuries ago, three sisters were sentenced to death for witchery. Stones were tied to their ankles and they were drowned in the deep waters surrounding the town.

Now, for a brief time each summer, the sisters return, stealing the bodies of three weak-hearted girls so that they may seek their revenge, luring boys into the harbor and pulling them under.

Like many locals, seventeen-year-old Penny Talbot has accepted the fate of the town. But this year, on the eve of the sisters’ return, a boy named Bo Carter arrives; unaware of the danger he has just stumbled into.

Mistrust and lies spread quickly through the salty, rain-soaked streets. The townspeople turn against one another. Penny and Bo suspect each other of hiding secrets. And death comes swiftly to those who cannot resist the call of the sisters.

But only Penny sees what others cannot. And she will be forced to choose: save Bo, or save herself. (Goodreads)

The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw has been on my TBR for quite some time now, and it sounded like the absolute perfect book to put on my Halloween TBR this month. Having just finished the book, I am so glad that I did!

I put this book on my TBR because it sounded like the perfect witchy read for Halloween this year. I don’t feel like I’ve read nearly enough books with witches for the storyline, and I was excited to finally have the chance to read one. The storyline for this book definitely has the witchy vibe to it, but it also felt a little like a ghost/haunting storyline as well, which was interesting! Though there were a few parts in the book that were a little slow to get through, it still managed to hold my attention, and also threw me a few surprises that I didn’t expect!

I also have to say that I really loved the setting for the book. A small, coastal town that is haunted every year by the three sisters that were sentenced to death for witchcraft?? The perfect place, right? The descriptions of the setting were perfect. I loved this creepy little town.

There are some really interesting characters in the book as well, but I was most fascinated by the actual three sisters themselves. Parts of the story are told from their perspectives, and I think that I loved those parts the most. The main character, Penny, also had an interesting story, as did Bo, the mysterious love interest in the book.

Overall; I’m so glad I decided to read The Wicked Deep for Halloween this year! It was a quick, creepy read, and was a perfect read to get me in the mood for Halloween. I’m definitely interested in checking out more books by Shea Ernshaw in the future, including her newest upcoming release, Winterwood, which is set to release this November!

My Thoughts: The Lady Rogue by Jenn Bennett

The Lady Rogue
by Jenn Bennett
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Publication Date: September 3rd 2019
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 372
ISBN: 9781534431997
Genre: Young Adult | Fantasy | Historical Fiction
Source: Netgalley Review Copy | Own

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The Last Magician meets A Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue in this thrilling tale filled with magic and set in the mysterious Carpathian Mountains where a girl must hunt down Vlad the Impaler’s cursed ring in order to save her father.

Some legends never die…

Traveling with her treasure-hunting father has always been a dream for Theodora. She’s read every book in his library, has an impressive knowledge of the world’s most sought-after relics, and has all the ambition in the world. What she doesn’t have is her father’s permission. That honor goes to her father’s nineteen-year-old protégé—and once-upon-a-time love of Theodora’s life—Huck Gallagher, while Theodora is left to sit alone in her hotel in Istanbul.

Until Huck arrives from an expedition without her father and enlists Theodora’s help in rescuing him. Armed with her father’s travel journal, the reluctant duo learns that her father had been digging up information on a legendary and magical ring that once belonged to Vlad the Impaler—more widely known as Dracula—and that it just might be the key to finding him.

Journeying into Romania, Theodora and Huck embark on a captivating adventure through Gothic villages and dark castles in the misty Carpathian Mountains to recover the notorious ring. But they aren’t the only ones who are searching for it. A secretive and dangerous occult society with a powerful link to Vlad the Impaler himself is hunting for it, too. And they will go to any lengths—including murder—to possess it. (Goodreads)

I am a huge fan of Jenn Bennett’s contemporary novels, so of course I was excited to check out this new historical fantasy by her, The Lady Rogue! At first, I was intrigued by the books cover, and then I read the summary, and KNEW I would have to check out the book. I am so glad that I did!!

There were so many things that I enjoyed about this book, and one of my MOST favorite things were the characters! The main character, Theodora, is pretty great, and is obviously more than capable of taking care of herself during a time when women normally aren’t allowed to do so. I love her curiosity and ambition. When her father goes missing and she’s reunited with his long-lost protégé, Huck, adventures ensue.

Theodora and Huck are probably my most favorite part of this book. They are SO cute together, and their relationship is so well written. I love them both! There are a few interesting secondary characters in the story as well, but, Theodora and Huck are my favorites, obviously!

I very much enjoyed the storyline for the book, especially the journey to find Theodora’s father. While I’m not the biggest fan of Vlad the Impaler, or reading anything about him, (so cruel), it did make for an interesting story. And if there’s one thing that I’m pretty bummed about with this book is that it’s a standalone novel. Normally this doesn’t bother me, but I would love to follow Theodora and Huck on even more adventures. Who knows, maybe a sequel will pop up one day in the future. (We can hope, right?!)

Overall; The Lady Rogue is the first fantasy book that I’ve read so far by Jenn Bennett, but it definitely wont be the last! I enjoyed both the storyline and the characters, (the characters were seriously the best), and I wish this book had a sequel so I could read more! I will definitely be keeping my eye out for more books by Jenn in the future, and I will most definitely be checking out the books that I haven’t yet read by her!

My Thoughts: There's Something About Sweetie by Sandhya Menon

There's Something About Sweetie
(Dimple & Rishi #2)
by Sandhya Menon
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Publication Date: May 14th 2019
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 384
ISBN: 9781534416789
Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary
Source: Netgalley / Review Copy from Publisher

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Ashish Patel didn’t know love could be so…sucky. After he’s dumped by his ex-girlfriend, his mojo goes AWOL. Even worse, his parents are annoyingly, smugly confident they could find him a better match. So, in a moment of weakness, Ash challenges them to set him up.

The Patels insist that Ashish date an Indian-American girl—under contract. Per subclause 1(a), he’ll be taking his date on “fun” excursions like visiting the Hindu temple and his eccentric Gita Auntie. Kill him now. How is this ever going to work?

Sweetie Nair is many things: a formidable track athlete who can outrun most people in California, a loyal friend, a shower-singing champion. Oh, and she’s also fat. To Sweetie’s traditional parents, this last detail is the kiss of death.

Sweetie loves her parents, but she’s so tired of being told she’s lacking because she’s fat. She decides it’s time to kick off the Sassy Sweetie Project, where she’ll show the world (and herself) what she’s really made of.

Ashish and Sweetie both have something to prove. But with each date they realize there’s an unexpected magic growing between them. Can they find their true selves without losing each other? (Goodreads)

There’s Something About Sweetie by Sandhya Menon is definitely one of the books I was most excited to read this spring, and I was thrilled to finally get started on the book! I read When Dimple Met Rishi back when it was released, and I loved it so much, so I couldn’t wait to get started on this new book!

If you read When Dimple Met Rishi, then you probably remember Rishi’s brother, Ashish! There’s Something About Sweetie is all about Ashish, and a brand new character, Sweetie!

There was really SO much that I loved about this book, and one of the main things were the characters! Sweetie is awesome, and is definitely on the list of my top favorite characters. There is so much that I love about Sweetie, including her confidence with herself throughout the whole book, even when her mom constantly nagged her about her weight. She didn’t let this bother her, and I loved her for that. And Sweetie and Ashish together were perfection! I very much enjoyed watching their relationship grow over the course of the book, which made the storyline for this book super cute. I am all about rom-coms at the moment, and this was just what I needed to read!

Overall; If you loved When Dimple Met Rishi, you most definitely need to check out There’s Something About Sweetie! Both of these books are wonderful, and I absolutely can’t wait to read them again, and again, and AGAIN! (Seriously, I love these stories!) I just realized that I still need to read From Twinkle, With Love, also by Sandhya, and I’m even more excited to read it now. If you haven’t yet checked out these books, I definitely recommend that you do so!

My Thoughts: Serious Moonlight by Jenn Bennett

Serious Moonlight
by Jenn Bennett
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Publication Date: April 16th 2019
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 432
ISBN: 9781534425149
Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary
Source: Review Copy From Publisher / Own

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After an awkward first encounter, Birdie and Daniel are forced to work together in a Seattle hotel where a famous author leads a mysterious and secluded life in this romantic contemporary novel from the author of Alex, Approximately.

Mystery-book aficionado Birdie Lindberg has an overactive imagination. Raised in isolation and homeschooled by strict grandparents, she’s cultivated a whimsical fantasy life in which she plays the heroic detective and every stranger is a suspect. But her solitary world expands when she takes a job the summer before college, working the graveyard shift at a historic Seattle hotel.

In her new job, Birdie hopes to blossom from introverted dreamer to brave pioneer, and gregarious Daniel Aoki volunteers to be her guide. The hotel’s charismatic young van driver shares the same nocturnal shift and patronizes the waterfront Moonlight Diner where she waits for the early morning ferry after work. Daniel also shares her appetite for intrigue, and he’s stumbled upon a real-life mystery: a famous reclusive writer—never before seen in public—might be secretly meeting someone at the hotel.

To uncover the writer’s puzzling identity, Birdie must come out of her shell…discovering that most confounding mystery of all may be her growing feelings for the elusive riddle that is Daniel. (Goodreads)

I was super excited to get started on Serious Moonlight, as I have read both of Jenn Bennett’s previous books, Alex, Approximately and Starry Eyes, and really enjoyed them both. I couldn’t wait to get started on this newest book journey from Jenn with Serious Moonlight!

There are so many things that I enjoyed about this book, with one being the characters. There are a lot of characters in this book to like, including the main character, Birdie. I really enjoyed Birdie’s love of mysteries, and she’s pretty awesome at detective work. She didn’t have the best childhood growing up, but she’s doing the best she can for herself. Daniel definitely helps her out along the way, and I really enjoyed watching the relationship grow between the two of them. (Also, Daniel is seriously the best.)

Another thing I really enjoyed about this book was the setting. I can’t say that I’ve read many books that are set in Seattle, and I thought Jenn did a great job of describing all of the places Birdie and Daniel visited throughout the story. It totally made me want to visit there sometime!

And I also really enjoyed the storyline for the book. I am a sucker for a good contemporary story, and this book definitely fit the bill. This book discusses a wide range of things including sex and health, as well as death and suicide, and I know a lot of people will find things in the story to relate to. (I know I did.) I love that there is even a little mystery in the story as well, even if it went in a direction I didn’t really expect, but that definitely added to the story.

Overall; I think Jenn Bennett definitely has another hit on her hands with Serious Moonlight! This story has a little bit of everything, and it was just what I needed to read at the moment. I’m beyond thrilled to have a copy sitting on my shelf alongside Alex, Approximately and Starry Eyes, and I will definitely be keeping my eye out for more from Jenn in the future!

Waiting on Wednesday: There's Something About Sweetie & Somewhere Only We Know

There's Something About Sweetie
(Dimple and Rishi #2)
by Sandhya Menon
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Publication Date: May 14th 2019
Publisher: Simon Pulse
ISBN: 9781534416789

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The irresistible companion novel to the New York Times bestseller When Dimple Met Rishi, which follows Rishi’s brother, Ashish, and a confident fat athlete named Sweetie as they both discover what love means to them.

Ashish Patel didn’t know love could be so…sucky. After he’s dumped by his ex-girlfriend, his mojo goes AWOL. Even worse, his parents are annoyingly, smugly confident they could find him a better match. So, in a moment of weakness, Ash challenges them to set him up.

The Patels insist that Ashish date an Indian-American girl—under contract. Per subclause 1(a), he’ll be taking his date on “fun” excursions like visiting the Hindu temple and his eccentric Gita Auntie. Kill him now. How is this ever going to work?

Sweetie Nair is many things: a formidable track athlete who can outrun most people in California, a loyal friend, a shower-singing champion. Oh, and she’s also fat. To Sweetie’s traditional parents, this last detail is the kiss of death.

Sweetie loves her parents, but she’s so tired of being told she’s lacking because she’s fat. She decides it’s time to kick off the Sassy Sweetie Project, where she’ll show the world (and herself) what she’s really made of.

Ashish and Sweetie both have something to prove. But with each date they realize there’s an unexpected magic growing between them. Can they find their true selves without losing each other? (Goodreads)

Ohhhh!
Are you, like me, SO EXCITED for this book??
I absolutely loved When Dimple Met Rishi, and I'm super excited for Ashish's story!!
I can't wait to get started on it, and hopefully soon!

Somewhere Only We Know
by Maurene Goo
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Publication Date: May 7th 2019
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
ISBN: 9780374310578

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10 00 p.m.: Lucky is the biggest K-pop star on the scene, and she's just performed her hit song "Heartbeat" in Hong Kong to thousands of adoring fans. She's about to debut on The Tonight Show in America, hopefully a breakout performance for her career. But right now? She's in her fancy hotel, trying to fall asleep but dying for a hamburger.

11 00 p.m.: Jack is sneaking into a fancy hotel, on assignment for his tabloid job that he keeps secret from his parents. On his way out of the hotel, he runs into a girl wearing slippers, a girl who is single-mindedly determined to find a hamburger. She looks kind of familiar. She's very cute. He's maybe curious.

12:00 a.m.: Nothing will ever be the same. (Goodreads)

Confession: I have never read a book by Maurene Goo before!
(Even though I have quite a few of her books on my TBR, and even have one book sitting on my shelf!)
This book sounds really cute, and the perfect book for my first Maurene read.
I'm super excited to start it!

**"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine,
that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.**

My Thoughts: Sky Without Stars by Jessica Brody

Sky Without Stars
(System Divine #1)
by Jessica Brody
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& Joanne Rendell
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Publication Date: March 26th 2019
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 592
ISBN: 9781534410633
Genre: Young Adult | Retelling | Sci-Fi
Source: Review Copy from Publisher

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A thief. An officer. A guardian.

Three strangers, one shared destiny . . .

When the Last Days came, the planet of Laterre promised hope. A new life for a wealthy French family and their descendants. But five hundred years later, it’s now a place where an extravagant elite class reigns supreme; where the clouds hide the stars and the poor starve in the streets; where a rebel group, long thought dead, is resurfacing.

Whispers of revolution have begun—a revolution that hinges on three unlikely heroes…

Chatine is a street-savvy thief who will do anything to escape the brutal Regime, including spy on Marcellus, the grandson of the most powerful man on the planet.

Marcellus is an officer—and the son of a renowned traitor. In training to take command of the military, Marcellus begins to doubt the government he’s vowed to serve when his father dies and leaves behind a cryptic message that only one person can read: a girl named Alouette.

Alouette is living in an underground refuge, where she guards and protects the last surviving library on the planet. But a shocking murder will bring Alouette to the surface for the first time in twelve years…and plunge Laterre into chaos.

All three have a role to play in a dangerous game of revolution—and together they will shape the future of a planet.

Power, romance, and destiny collide in this sweeping reimagining of Victor Hugo’s masterpiece, Les Misérables. (Goodreads)

I was very much intrigued by Sky Without Stars by Jessica Brody and Joanne Rendell, partially because of the interesting cover, and partially because it was co-written by Jessica Brody. I’ve read a few books that I enjoyed by Jessica so far, so of course I wanted to check out this new book by her. Sky Without Stars was definitely an interesting read.

Let me start by saying that Sky Without Stars is a retelling of Les Misérables, a story which I know absolutely nothing about. (I have not read the book, nor watched the movies, or anything else. I know next to nothing about the story, expect that Anne Hathaway was in the movie.) That being said, I was still pretty excited to start the story, AND as I read it, I found myself getting more and more curious about the original, and how this retelling compared. (I doubt that I will read the original anytime soon, but we’ll see…).

So even though I didn’t know anything about the original story, I still thought this retelling was very interesting. I especially enjoyed the sci-fi aspect to the storyline. I’ve just recently started reading more and more sci-fi, and I always enjoy an author’s take on the genre. The world-building was very interesting, as were the characters in the story. (Of course I had to stop reading the story multiple times to look up who was who, and though the characters have different (yet similar) names to the original cast, I still managed to figure out who was who.) The book ends with a pretty big cliffhanger, and I’m pretty curious to know what’s going to happen next.

Overall; Sky Without Stars was a really interesting read. It did take me a while to get through the book, as it was pretty massive, but I did enjoy the story, and I’m curious to see what will happen next. (I assume this will be a series, but I do not know if it will be a duology or a trilogy.) Fans of Les Misérables will probably appreciate the retelling parts more than I could, having not read the original. I hope you all enjoy the book if you decide to read it!

My Thoughts: Slayer by Kiersten White

Slayer
(Slayer #1)
by Kiersten White
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Publication Date: January 8th 2018
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 404
ISBN: 9781534404953
Genre: Young Adult | Paranormal | Fantasy
Source: Review Copy / Own

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Into every generation a Slayer is born…

Nina and her twin sister, Artemis, are far from normal. It’s hard to be when you grow up at the Watcher’s Academy, which is a bit different from your average boarding school. Here teens are trained as guides for Slayers—girls gifted with supernatural strength to fight the forces of darkness. But while Nina’s mother is a prominent member of the Watcher’s Council, Nina has never embraced the violent Watcher lifestyle. Instead she follows her instincts to heal, carving out a place for herself as the school medic.

Until the day Nina’s life changes forever.

Thanks to Buffy, the famous (and infamous) Slayer that Nina’s father died protecting, Nina is not only the newest Chosen One—she’s the last Slayer, ever. Period.

As Nina hones her skills with her Watcher-in-training, Leo, there’s plenty to keep her occupied: a monster fighting ring, a demon who eats happiness, a shadowy figure that keeps popping up in Nina’s dreams…

But it’s not until bodies start turning up that Nina’s new powers will truly be tested—because someone she loves might be next.

One thing is clear: Being Chosen is easy. Making choices is hard. (Goodreads)

I am always super excited when an author that I like comes out with a new book, and when I discovered Slayer by Kiersten White, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it! Not only because I love Kiersten’s writing style, but also because this book was inspired by Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which happened to be one of my most watched movies of the 90’s. Because of that, I couldn’t wait to dive into this. It was so good!

There are SO many things that I enjoyed about this book, including the main character, Nina, who I love. Nina has been in training to become a healer for years, but instead becomes The Chosen One, and also the very last Slayer ever. (This is not a spoiler, it’s literally in the summary for the book.) Watching her transition and come into her powers as a Slayer was definitely interesting, though it did feel a bit rushed at times. I love Nina, she’s really awesome, and I can’t wait to see more of her in the rest of the series. Also, I really love all of her friends as well, and quite a few of the other secondary characters as well.

I also really enjoyed the storyline for the book as well! It references both the original movie and the television show, which was cool, though I did feel a bit confused a few times because I never finished the show way back when. This is something that I definitely want to try to do before the next book in this series is released, and I’ll definitely be re-reading this book before that one is released, so I can actually understand the references.

The last thing that I want to mention is about those last few pages of the book. I am totally not going to spoil anything, but I just have to say, SO many things happen in the last few pages of the book really that really surprised me! Those who have read the book will totally know what I am referring to, and if you haven’t read the book, you should just so you can see what I’m talking about. It definitely left me curious to know what’s going to happen next!

Overall; I really enjoyed Slayer by Kiersten White, and I absolutely can’t waiting to get my hands on the next book in the series, which is currently untitled and with no release date. (Hopefully we will have some information for it soon!) Fans the Buffy the Vampire Slayer movies and tv show, do check out this first book in this brand new series, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Waiting on Wednesday #313 - Royals by Rachel Hawkins & From Twinkle, With Love by Sandhya Menon

Royals
(Royals #1)
by Rachel Hawkins
Website | Twitter

Publication Date: May 1st 2018
Publisher: Penguin Random House
ISBN: 9781524738235

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Available for Pre-Order:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

Meet Daisy Winters. She’s an offbeat sixteen-year-old Floridian with mermaid-red hair; a part time job at a bootleg Walmart, and a perfect older sister who’s nearly engaged to the Crown Prince of Scotland. Daisy has no desire to live in the spotlight, but relentless tabloid attention forces her to join Ellie at the relative seclusion of the castle across the pond.

While the dashing young Miles has been appointed to teach Daisy the ropes of being regal, the prince’s roguish younger brother kicks up scandal wherever he goes, and tries his best to take Daisy along for the ride. The crown–and the intriguing Miles–might be trying to make Daisy into a lady . . . but Daisy may just rewrite the royal rulebook to suit herself. (Goodreads)

GUYS! Does this book sound super cute, or what??
I'm super excited to be starting soon as part of my Royal Reads TBR for May.
I can't wait to get started on it!!

From Twinkle, with Love
by Sandhya Menon
Website | Twitter | Instagram

Publication Date: May 22nd 2018
Publisher: Simon Pulse
ISBN: 9781481495400

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Aspiring filmmaker and wallflower Twinkle Mehra has stories she wants to tell and universes she wants to explore, if only the world would listen. So when fellow film geek Sahil Roy approaches her to direct a movie for the upcoming Summer Festival, Twinkle is all over it. The chance to publicly showcase her voice as a director? Dream come true. The fact that it gets her closer to her longtime crush, Neil Roy—a.k.a. Sahil’s twin brother? Dream come true x 2.

When mystery man “N” begins emailing her, Twinkle is sure it’s Neil, finally ready to begin their happily-ever-after. The only slightly inconvenient problem is that, in the course of movie-making, she’s fallen madly in love with the irresistibly adorkable Sahil.

Twinkle soon realizes that resistance is futile: The romance she’s got is not the one she’s scripted. But will it be enough?

Told through the letters Twinkle writes to her favorite female filmmakers, From Twinkle, with Love navigates big truths about friendship, family, and the unexpected places love can find you. (Goodreads)

This book sounds like it's going to be a super cute read as well!
I really enjoyed When Dimple Met Rishi when I read it last year,

so I'm super excited to read this new book as well. :)

Those are my WOW picks for this week!
I really can't wait to check them both out!

Now it's your turn...

**"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine,
that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.**

My Thoughts: Starry Eyes by Jenn Bennett

Starry Eyes
by Jenn Bennett
Website | Twitter | Instagram

Publication Date: April 3rd 2018
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 432
ISBN: 9781481478809
Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary
Source: Netgalley | Own

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Available for Purchase:
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Ever since last year’s homecoming dance, best friends-turned-best enemies Zorie and Lennon have made an art of avoiding each other. It doesn’t hurt that their families are the modern day, Californian version of the Montagues and Capulets.

But when a group camping trip goes south, Zorie and Lennon find themselves stranded in the wilderness. Alone. Together.

What could go wrong?

With no one but each other for company, Zorie and Lennon have no choice but to hash out their issues via witty jabs and insults as they try to make their way to safety. But fighting each other while also fighting off the forces of nature makes getting out of the woods in one piece less and less likely.

And as the two travel deeper into Northern California’s rugged backcountry, secrets and hidden feelings surface. But can Zorie and Lennon’s rekindled connection survive out in the real world? Or was it just a result of the fresh forest air and the magic of the twinkling stars? (Goodreads)

Last year I read and enjoyed Jenn Bennett's Alex, Approximately, so of course when I discovered Starry Eyes, I couldn't wait to check it out! I was even more excited when I read the summary for the book and it was described as a modern day Californian version of the Montagues and Capulets. As if I wasn't curious enough before, I was even more so after reading that!

As you all probably know, I love a good contemporary novel, and I'm always on the lookout for new ones. Starry Eyes has everything I look for in a contemporary novel and more. The storyline was super cute, and I really enjoyed the friends-turned-enemies-turned-friends again relationship. It definitely brought to mind the Montagues and Capulets. I also really loved the setting for the book as well. It totally makes me want to go hiking and camping! (Yeah, that probably won't happen, but still!)

I also really liked the characters in the book.  I found the main character, Zorie, to be really relatable. She's a little on the nerdy side, which is so like me, AND, she looooves stars! (I, too, love looking at the stars and planets, and one day I hope to have a super awesome telescope just like hers.) Ahem, moving on. Lennon was super sweet as well. Their families were interesting as well, expect for one person, who definitely seemed to enjoy making everyone else pretty miserable. Ugh. Those people are the worst.

Overall; I think Jenn Bennett has another hit on her hands with Starry Eyes! I really enjoyed both the fun storyline and the interesting characters. They made for a really fun read, and I'll definitely be keeping my eye out for more books by her in the future! If you're a fan of contemporary novels, and haven't yet checked out a book by Jenn, you should totally do so!