Review of “Out of Character” (True Colors #2) by Annabeth Albert

June 30, 2021 ~ courtneytonokawa ~ Leave a comment

Albert, Annabeth. Out of Character. Naperville, IL: Sourcebooks Casablanca, 2021.

ISBN-13: 978-1728226033 | $14.99 USD | 400 pages | Contemporary Romance

Blurb

It’s friends-to-enemies-to-friends-to-lovers in this LGBTQIA+ Romance for fans of Red, White & Royal Blue and The Pros of Cons.

Milo Lionetti is not a gamer. Not even close. But when a stupid bet costs him his brother’s prized cards, he’ll do anything to replace them before anyone notices they’re gone. To do that, he’ll need a little help from the best gamer he knows…who also happens to hate him.

Jasper Quigley is known for moonlighting on a popular gaming blog, but he’s eager to stop playing the sidekick. The last thing he wants is to help out Milo and dredge up feelings he’d rather forget. But helping Milo comes with some perks, including getting his help running a cosplay event at the local children’s hospital. All that forced proximity was not supposed to come with kissing, and definitely not falling in love…

In the series

#1 Conventionally Yours

Review

2 stars

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.

I enjoyed the first book in the series, but found Out of Character dull by comparison. The premise seemed somewhat interesting at first, with former friends-turned-enemies who form a relationship. But while the blurb does provide some hints at it, I didn’t expect a romance with a sort-of former bully and victim. I say “sort-of,” as while Milo didn’t do anything major to hurt Jasper, he also didn’t actively do anything to mitigate the hurt either. It cast a shadow over the relationship that it never fully recovered from.

This is also a book that is much darker than the cover or branding suggests. I don’t expect LGBTQ+ romances to always be sunshine-and-rainbows, and appreciate those that tackle issues of homophobia and internalized self-hatred. But it also feels like a bait-and-switch to have it packaged as a rom-com with no indicator of the extent of the issues discussed, especially when this follows up on its much more lighthearted predecessor.

And beyond the issues on a general level, I found the characters hard to click with as people. Jasper was perhaps the easier to like of the two, given his situation, but while I understood where Milo was coming from, I didn’t find the romance engaging with all the baggage.

This book was just not “it” for me. And I’m definitely in the minority on this one, as while there are other critical reviews, the majority tend to lean towards the favorable. If this sounds like something you’d like, I’d encourage you to give it a try, with the advisement that it does involve past bullying and present-day angst over sexuality.

Author Bio

Frequent tweeter, professional grammar nerd, and obsessive reader, Annabeth Albert is also a Pacific Northwest romance writer in a variety of subgenres.

Emotionally complex, sexy, and funny stories are her favorites both to read and to write. In between searching out dark heroes to redeem, she works a rewarding day job and wrangles two toddlers.

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Review of “Half Sick of Shadows” by Laura Sebastian

June 28, 2021 ~ courtneytonokawa ~ 1 Comment

Sebastian, Laura. Half Sick of Shadows. New York: Ace, 2021.

ISBN-13: 978-0593200513 | $27.00 USD | 434 pages | Fantasy

Blurb

The Lady of Shalott reclaims her story in this bold feminist reimagining of the Arthurian myth from the New York Times bestselling author of Ash Princess.Everyone knows the legend. Of Arthur, destined to be a king. Of the beautiful Guinevere, who will betray him with his most loyal knight, Lancelot. Of the bitter sorceress, Morgana, who will turn against them all. But Elaine alone carries the burden of knowing what is to come–for Elaine of Shalott is cursed to see the future.On the mystical isle of Avalon, Elaine runs free and learns of the ancient prophecies surrounding her and her friends–countless possibilities, almost all of them tragic.When their future comes to claim them, Elaine, Guinevere, Lancelot, and Morgana accompany Arthur to take his throne in stifling Camelot, where magic is outlawed, the rules of society chain them, and enemies are everywhere. Yet the most dangerous threats may come from within their own circle.As visions are fulfilled and an inevitable fate closes in, Elaine must decide how far she will go to change fate–and what she is willing to sacrifice along the way.

Review

5 stars

Half Sick of Shadows has been one of my hotly anticipated reads this year, both because I enjoyed Laura Sebastian’s YA series and was excited for anything new from her, and it just sounded awesome (new feminist take on Arthurian legend? Yes!)

It definitely does some pretty daring things style wise, particularly in having the book told in multiple tenses, as the book does take place at multiple times simultaneously in a sense, due to Elained visions. I can see why it would turn some people off, but I found it worked for the narrative.

The characters are definitely my favorite part. I loved this idea of all of them growing up together and having these bonds that are explored throughout the narrative, from the circumstances of Arthur’s marriage to Guinevere to Elaine’s relationship with Lancelot. I also really liked the depth given to the female characters to add more layers to the myth and have them guiding the action. It’s not a “faithful” rendition of the characters from the original story, but I appreciate that it isn’t trying to be and is celebrating the good parts while further exploring and fleshing out the parts that needed a new lens to them.

This book is absolutely wonderful, and while it’s a bit outside-the-box in its approach, if you go in with an open mind, I think you‘ll at least enjoy it.

Note: I received an early copy as my pick through Book of the Month. If you’d like to join, you can do so with this link, for $5, and receive a book credit, plus a set of Bookmoji pins. You can also use this link to add Half Sick of Shadows to your box for just $5.

Author Bio

Laura Sebastian was born and raised in South Florida (the Redlands and Key Largo) and has always loved telling stories–many apologies to her little brother who often got in trouble because of them. She got her BFA in Performing Arts from Savannah College of Art and Design before realizing she preferred the other side of storytelling.

When Laura isn’t writing, she’s probably reading, cooking/baking, or buying more clothes than her overstuffed closet can fit. She currently lives in London with her two dogs, Neville and Circe.

Her New York Times Bestselling series, Ash Princess, is out now from Delacorte (Penguin Random House. Keep an eye out for her debut adult fantasy book, Half Sick Of Shadows, out Summer 2021, and the first book in her new YA series, Castles In Their Bones, out in 2022.

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Review of “The Ice Swan” by J’nell Ciesielski

June 28, 2021June 28, 2021 ~ courtneytonokawa ~ Leave a comment

Ciesielski, J’nell. The Ice Swan. Nashville, Thomas Nelson, 2021.

ISBN-13: 978-0785248422 | $16.99 USD | 400 pages | Historical Romance/Christian Fiction

Blurb

Amid the violent last days of the glittering Russian monarchy, a princess on the run finds her heart where she least expects it.

1917, Petrograd. Fleeing the murderous flames of the Russian Revolution, Princess Svetlana Dalsky hopes to find safety in Paris with her mother and sister. But the city is buckling under the weight of the Great War, and the Bolsheviks will not rest until they have erased every Russian aristocrat from memory. Svetlana and her family are forced into hiding in Paris’s underbelly, with little to their name but the jewels they sewed into their corsets before their terrifying escape.

Born the second son of a Scottish duke, the only title Wynn MacCallan cares for is that of surgeon. Putting his talents with a scalpel to good use in the hospitals in Paris, Wynn pushes the boundaries of medical science to give his patients the best care possible. After treating Svetlana for a minor injury, he is pulled into a world of decaying imperial glitter. Intrigued by this mysterious, cold, and beautiful woman, Wynn follows Svetlana to an underground Russian club where drink, dance, and questionable dealings collide on bubbles of vodka.

Out of money and options, Svetlana agrees to a marriage of convenience with the handsome and brilliant Wynn, who will protect her and pay off her family’s debts. It’s the right thing for a good man to do, but Wynn cannot help hoping the marriage will turn into one of true affection. When Wynn’s life takes an unexpected turn, so does Svetlana’s—and soon Paris becomes as dangerous as Petrograd. And as the Bolsheviks chase them to Scotland, Wynn and Svetlana begin to wonder if they will ever be able to outrun the love they are beginning to feel for one another.

“The Ice Swan is a ray of light in the middle of a Europe that was sinking into darkness. Ciesielski’s talent for storytelling from the heart is a feast for the readers’ eyes.” —Mario Escobar, international bestselling author of Remember Me and Children of the Stars

Review

2.5 stars

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed J’nell Ciesielski’s first book, so I was excited by The Ice Swan, especially since it involves the Russian Revolution and its impact on a noble family. I sadly found myself rather underwhelmed by comparison.

In terms of depicting the time period, it does super well. I liked the focus on the impact on a family other than the Imperial Family, showing how the Bolsheviks’ rise to power had a fatal impact on Russian nobility as a whole, and one way they found a means of escape. The settings were also beautifully conveyed, from snowy Russia to war-torn Paris.

And given the connection to the concept, I liked the idea of the heroine, Svetlana. I could understand her being distant and standoffish and did root for her to a point. But I never felt like her facade melted so I could really feel connected to her. And Wynn was equally unendearing, being quickly and blindly won over the “ice swan.” It is a nice twist for the woman to be the cold one, and the man to be more passionate, and one I typically enjoy, but it wasn’t executed in a way that really made me care about them.

The book also felt really long? I was more immersed during the sections set during the war, but once the war ended, it dragged. I feel like it could have been cut down, or perhaps split into two books and expanded to make things more concise. It could also be that marriage-of-convenience is so hit-or-miss for me, and sometimes it feels like there’s a lot of empty space where nothing of note is happening, because the couple is technically already together.

I didn’t love this book as much as I hoped, but I can see the appeal of the story, especially given some of the comp titles which suggest a story of a more epic historical scope, even while it still has some of the more traditional romance beats. I think it’s a lot about knowing what to expect going in, and this one feels like it straddles the line between historical romance and World War I historical fiction more so than her debut, which was more firmly in the former camp, despite a setting that indicated the latter. With that in mind, that might help you (at least somewhat) with your expectations for the book before picking it up.

Author Bio

With a passion for heart-stopping adventure and sweeping love stories, J’nell Ciesielski weaves fresh takes into romances of times gone by. When not creating dashing heroes and daring heroines, she can be found dreaming of Scotland, indulging in chocolate of any kind, or watching old black and white movies. Winner of the Romance Through the Ages and the Maggie Award, she is a Florida native who now lives in Virginia with her husband, daughter, and lazy beagle. Learn more at www.jnellciesielski.com.

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Review of “Late to the Party” by Kelly Quindlen

June 27, 2021June 27, 2021 ~ courtneytonokawa ~ Leave a comment

Quindlen, Kelly. Late to the Party. New York: Roaring Brook Press, 2020.

ISBN-13: 978-1250209139 | $17.99 USD | 297 pages | YA Contemporary

Blurb

Seventeen is nothing like Codi Teller imagined.
She’s never crashed a party, never stayed out too late. She’s never even been kissed. And it’s not just because she’s gay. It’s because she and her two best friends, Maritza and JaKory, spend more time in her basement watching Netflix than engaging with the outside world.

So when Maritza and JaKory suggest crashing a party, Codi is highly skeptical. Those parties aren’t for kids like them. They’re for cool kids. Straight kids.

But then Codi stumbles upon one of those cool kids, Ricky, kissing another boy in the dark, and an unexpected friendship is formed. In return for never talking about that kiss, Ricky takes Codi under his wing and draws her into a wild summer filled with late nights, new experiences, and one really cute girl named Lydia. The only problem? Codi never tells Maritza or JaKory about any of it.

Review

4 stars

I recently read Kelly Quindlen’s new release, and I was excited to go back and read Late to the Party, especially since some readers of the new book have said good things about this one.

I related to Codi right away, because I’m also “late(r?) to the party,” in that I haven’t had any real romantic or intimate experience, and like Codi, part of that was because I didn’t really feel normal. I really liked how this was explored without being so overt in pushing a “not like other girls” narrative, which can be common in YA.

I also really liked the strong focus on friendship between queer teens at various stages in their journey of self-identity. The complexities of Codi’s feelings about her friendship with her fellow oddballs, Maritza and JaKory, are so well-explored, with her questioning the “why” of their friendship and exploring life outside their little group. It was also sweet to see her burgeoning friendship with Ricky, who spends the book on a journey of questioning his sexuality. It was so nice to see a non-toxic friendship grow between two people without an expectation of romance.

The romance with Lydia was cute, but I did initially expect it to be more than it was, and not be sidelined by the platonic bonds with other characters. But while it’s not epic and soul-shattering, I liked that it felt realistic to what you might expect from a first kiss, teen love sort of situation.

I liked this book a lot, and that it felt so realistic and relatable in depicting the situation of someone who hadn’t had romantic or sexual experience. I recommend it for anyone looking for a multifaceted queer story with focus on friendship and self-discovery.

Author Bio

Kelly Quindlen is the author of the young adult novels She Drives Me Crazy, Late to the Party, and Her Name in the Sky. A graduate of Vanderbilt University and a former teacher, Kelly has had the joy of speaking to PFLAG groups and high school GSAs. She currently serves on the leadership board of a non-profit for Catholic parents with LGBT children. She lives in Atlanta. Follow her on Twitter @kellyquindlen.

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Review of “Capture the Crown” (Gargoyle Queen #1) by Jennifer Estep

June 26, 2021 ~ courtneytonokawa ~ 1 Comment

Estep, Jennifer. Capture the Crown. New York: Harper Voyager, 2021.

ISBN-13: 978-0063023031 | $16.99 USD | 464 pages | Fantasy Romance

Blurb

Bestselling author Jennifer Estep returns to her Crown of Shards world with an all-new trilogy and a bold new heroine who protects her kingdom from magic, murder, and mayhem by moonlighting as a spy.

Gemma Ripley has a reputation for being a pampered princess who is more interested in pretty gowns, sparkling jewelry, and other frivolous things than learning how to rule the kingdom of Andvari. But her carefully crafted persona is just an act to hide the fact that Gemma is a powerful mind magier—and a spy.

Gemma is undercover, trying to figure out who is stealing large amounts of tearstone from one of the Ripley royal mines when she encounters Prince Leonidas Morricone of Morta—her mortal enemy. Gemma tries to steer clear of the handsome prince, but when she finds herself behind enemy lines, she reluctantly joins forces with Leo. Also coming to Gemma’s aid is Grimley, her beloved gargoyle.

Despite the fact that Andvari and Morta are old, bitter enemies, a dangerous attraction sparks between Gemma and Leo. Further complicating matters is Leo’s murderous family, especially Queen Maeven Morricone, the mastermind behind the infamous Seven Spire massacre.

The closer Gemma gets to the stolen tearstone, the more deadly plots she uncovers. Everyone is trying to capture the crown, but only one queen can sit on the throne …

Review

4 stars

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.

Capture the Crown is the first in the Crown of Shards spin-off series, Gargoyle Queen. It’s not necessary to read the previous trilogy, as there is a time jump between the two and it largely follows a completely new set of characters. And just as I found that previous trilogy a bit uneven, although ultimately solid, I also find this one to have potential to be in a similar vein.

I really liked the duality to Gemma’s personality, how she plays at being a pampered princess, while also being engaged in activities as a spy behind-the-scenes. I enjoyed following her as she navigated cutthroat politics and sized up her enemies, each of whom provides compelling stakes.

And while it’s not the sole focus, there is a very prominent romantic arc. The transition of true enemies-to-allies-to-lovers she is immersed in with Leonidas is gripping and well-executed thus far, and I’m excited for what’s to come for them.

This seems like it will be an exciting new series from Jennifer Estep. If you love fantasy with strong romantic elements, you won’t want to miss this one!

Author Bio

Jennifer Estep is a New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author, prowling the streets of her imagination in search of her next fantasy idea. She has written more than 40 books, along with numerous novellas and stories.

In her spare time, Jennifer enjoys hanging out with friends and family, doing yoga, and reading fantasy and romance books. She also watches way too much TV and loves all things related to superheroes.

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Review of “Made in Korea” by Sarah Suk

June 25, 2021June 25, 2021 ~ courtneytonokawa ~ Leave a comment

Suk, Sarah. Made in Korea. New York: Simon and Schuster BFYR, 2021.

ISBN-13: 978-1534474376 | $19.99 USD | 326 pages | YA Contemporary Romance

Blurb

Frankly in Love meets Shark Tank in this feel-good romantic comedy about two entrepreneurial Korean American teens who butt heads—and maybe fall in love—while running competing Korean beauty businesses at their high school.

There’s nothing Valerie Kwon loves more than making a good sale. Together with her cousin Charlie, they run V&C K-BEAUTY, their school’s most successful student-run enterprise. With each sale, Valerie gets closer to taking her beloved and adventurous halmeoni to her dream city, Paris.

Enter the new kid in class, Wes Jung, who is determined to pursue music after graduation despite his parents’ major disapproval. When his classmates clamor to buy the K-pop branded beauty products his mom gave him to “make new friends,” he sees an opportunity—one that may be the key to help him pay for the music school tuition he knows his parents won’t cover…

What he doesn’t realize, though, is that he is now V&C K-BEAUTY’s biggest competitor.

Stakes are high as Valerie and Wes try to outsell each other, make the most money, and take the throne for the best business in school—all while trying to resist the undeniable spark that’s crackling between them. From hiring spies to all-or-nothing bets, the competition is much more than either of them bargained for.

But one thing is clear: only one Korean business can come out on top.

Review

3.5 stars

Made in Korea intrigued me because of how it centered around teens selling K-beauty products, which sounded like an intriguing concept. But I found myself feeling a bit mixed about it.

I can understand Valerie’s feelings about Wes becoming her competitor, especially since she’s been in it longer and she actually is passionate about it, and Wes just happens to have connections that make starting up his own business possible. I did feel she got a bit too petty, but at the same time, I appreciate that the story didn’t hold back from depicting the messiness of the situation and that she slips up, sometimes intensely, and that it’s somewhat true to life for this situation, especially when you think about the pressure she’s also facing at home.

I really enjoyed Wes as a character. Even if I do feel Valerie had a right to be upset, he also was sympathetic in his desire to do what he could to earn tuition money for music school, since his parents wouldn’t approve.

I had mixed feelings about the romance. Romance doesn’t always have to be unproblematic and perfectly healthy and I get that. And I do appreciate that there is self-awareness of the toxicity, but I went back and forth as to whether I really liked them together or not.

This book is objectively good, even great in places, but I did have issues with it, which keep me from raving about it. It is a sweet book, and if you love diverse contemporaries, you should definitely pick it up.

Author Bio

Sarah Suk (pronounced like soup with a K) lives in Vancouver, Canada where she writes stories and admires mountains. When she’s not writing, you can find her hanging out by the water, taking film photos, or eating a bowl of bingsu. You can visit her on Twitter and Instagram @sarahaelisuk.

Sarah is represented by Linda Epstein at Emerald City Literary Agency.

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Review of “A Bit of Rough” (The House of Uncommons #1) by Jackie Barbosa

June 25, 2021 ~ courtneytonokawa ~ Leave a comment

Barbosa, Jackie. A Bit of Rough. [Place of publication not identified]: Circe Press, 2021.

ISBN-13: 978-1735320526 | $2.99 USD | 150 pages | Regency Romance

Blurb

Lucas Delgado Guerrero’s skin is too brown for him to feel truly at home in England, but returning to Mexico, which he scarcely remembers, is hardly a choice. So he remains in London, publishing an illegal newspaper devoted to reformist and revolutionary causes. One of his most popular writers is the intriguing and mysterious Polly Dicax, who delivers sharp, witty screeds by messenger every week.

At twenty-five, Lady Honora Pearce is too busy writing seditious treatises to pay much attention to men. Especially when marrying would mean giving up the very rights she argues for in her fierce diatribes. She is, however, intrigued by the editorials written by one of her publishers. Here, at least, is a man with worthy ideas and ideals. Not that she ever expects to meet him, since both their identities must remain secret. But everything changes when circumstances force her to deliver her weekly column herself and, on the heels of her arrival at the printer’s shop, the police raid the premises.

To protect the shopkeeper and themselves, Honora and Lucas must hide together in a small chamber. They shouldn’t have to kiss, but somehow, they do. And when Honora finds she can’t stay away, Lucas discovers he can’t refuse her, even if he can never be more than her bit of rough.

Review

4 stars

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.

A Bit of Rough is the first in a new series by Jackie Barbosa, and I was excited at the way it explores the reformist and revolutionary movements of the late Regency period, especially when the majority of the mainstream popular books are superficially progressive at most.

I found Lucas endearing as a hero. While neither I nor the author is from Mexico, I liked that Barbosa showed care in developing his character and the cultural nuances.

I liked Honora as well, and the fact that she too has a vested interest in similar causes, committed to writing rebel-rousing treatises. I did feel that she did a 180 from being anti-marriage to being prepared to marry super quickly, but I wasn’t overly bothered due to how well the two worked together as a couple.

This was a nice start to a new series, with connections to Barbosa’s prior Lords of Lancashire series, with this one following the next generation. If you’re looking for a short historical romance that doesn’t ignore some of the real issues of the time period, I recommend picking this up.

Author Bio

I can’t remember a time when I didn’t want to be a writer when I grew up, but there were plenty of times when I wasn’t sure I ever would be. As it turns out, it just took me about twenty years longer to grow up than I expected!

On the road to publication, I took a few detours, including a stint in academia (I hold an MA in Classics from the University of Chicago and was a recipient of a Mellon Fellowship in the Humanities) and many years as a technical writer/instructional designer for a data processing company. I still hold my day job, but my true vocation has always been writing fiction and romance in particular.

To stay informed of my release schedule, you can sign up for my newsletter (which I only send out when I actually release a book) or follow me on Twitter or Facebook. As a matter of public record, I tend to be a lot more active on Twitter, but also a lot more political.

I am represented by Kevan Lyon of the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.

I’m a firm believer that love is the most powerful force in the world, which that makes romance the most powerful genre in the world. Don’t ever let anyone tell you otherwise!

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Review of “Paws and Prejudice” (Hearts of Alaska #2) by Alanna Martin

June 24, 2021 ~ courtneytonokawa ~ 1 Comment

Martin, Alanna. Paws and Prejudice. New York: Berkley, 2021.

ISBN-13: 978-0593198858 | $7.99 USD | 336 pages | Contemporary Romance

Blurb

It’s up to a trio of adorable rescue huskies to make two lonely hearts in a coastal Alaskan town realize that true love is worth too much to turn tail and run.

Glaciers have nothing on Kelsey Porter when she decides to freeze someone out. After getting burned once, she’s not about to let it happen again. And right now all that icy contempt is focused on one annoyingly attractive and entitled interloper: Ian Roth. Not only is he looking to take advantage of her quaint, coastal community, tainting the small-town charm of Helen, Alaska, but he has committed the one crime she can never forgive–he doesn’t like her dogs.

Unlike what Kelsey believes, Ian loves Helen’s charms as much as she does. That’s partly why he’s determined to open a brewery there, and he’s not about to let anything or anyone stop his dream from coming true. But he didn’t count on the beautiful, prickly woman getting under his skin. Or having to be within hand-biting proximity of her three huge huskies.

When Kelsey’s family conscripts her into helping Ian get his brewery off the ground, she finds herself caught between a rock and a hard . . . muscular . . . man who has a fear of dogs. But the longer they work together, the more she can feel herself begin to thaw. Now she’ll have to choose: let sleeping dogs lie to protect her heart, or mush head-on toward love.

In the series

#1 Heart on a Leash

Review

4 stars

Paws and Prejudice is a cute second installment in the Hearts of Alaska series. It can be read as a stand-alone, although the previous book also has similar sweet vibes and I do recommend it, especially to provide context on some of the family dynamics.

Like the previous one, this book has some wonderful literary references. From Shakespeare to Austen (as the title suggests), there are fun little nods, like the names of the dogs to the general plotline of enemies-to-lovers.

I immediately liked Kelsey. She’s a writer of husky shifter romance (has anyone actually written this?! I need this!) who is caught up in her family’s feud with their rivals. She has a great balance of toughness and softness. I loved when she finally told her dad enough was enough with all the inter-family drama with the Lipins!

Ian is also great. He comes to town with the intent of starting a new brewery, something which Kelsey is opposed to at first due to her belief he doesn’t appreciate the small town of Helen. But the way they get over these perceived differences was well executed.

I also really liked the exploration of a romance between a dog lover and someone who has a phobia of dogs. That could potentially be a hard nope, if executed poorly, but Ian’s past trauma with dogs is depicted compassionately as he navigates the issue by spending time with the dogs…and Kelsey, of course.

I enjoyed this book a lot, and if you love small-town settings, adorable dogs, and fun literary references, I think you’ll like it too.

Author Bio

Growing up, Alanna Martin wanted to be an astronaut, a doctor, and an actor – possibly all at once. After nine years of studying psychology, she somehow became a writer instead. This turned out to be the best career choice of all because she can work in her pajamas while drinking wine. She firmly believes in the power of fluffy books, long walks in the woods, and that there’s no such thing as too much coffee.

If she’s wasting time online, it’s most likely on twitter where you can find her at @ta_martin or on instagram at @tamartinauthor. You can also check out her website for updates at alannamartin.com.

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Review of “The Princess Stakes” by Amalie Howard

June 24, 2021 ~ courtneytonokawa ~ Leave a comment

Howard, Amalie. The Princess Stakes. New York: Forever, 2021.

ISBN-13: 978-1728243412 | $8.99 USD | 352 pages | Victorian Romance

Blurb

Born to an Indian maharaja and a British noblewoman, Princess Sarani Rao has it all: beauty, riches, and a crown. But when Sarani’s father is murdered, her only hope is the next ship out—captained by the boy she once loved…and spurned.

Captain Rhystan Huntley, the reluctant Duke of Embry, is loath to give up his life at sea. But duty is calling him home, and this is his final voyage. Leave it to fate that the one woman he’s ever loved must escape to England on his ship.

“The PRINCESS STAKES came along just when I needed it most. There’s star-crossed, swoony, steamy love, true to the genre — but there’s also a subtle, searing focus on racism, colorism, and what it means to belong that is rare for a historical romance, which elevates it to a unique and truly resonant read.” —Jodi Picoult, New York Times bestselling author

Review

3.5 stars

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.

The Princess Stakes (previously called The Duke’s Princess Bride) is releasing after it faced a pre-release controversy last year, and I applaud Amalie Howard for being so gracious in taking the critiques, especially when others who rushed to her defense weren’t as tactful (to put it mildly). And upon actually reading the new ARC copy, I can appreciate the effort she did to try to mitigate harm.

The most important part for me was addressing Rhystan’s role in colonialism. As for myself, I was satisfied with the revisions. In this version, the first thing he did upon inheriting the title was hand over ownership of the ducal plantations in the Caribbean to the locals, while acknowledging this as only a start of the work that needs to be done to atone for the past. He also shows a sense of self-awareness that what is going on in India at the hand of the British is exploitation of a “lesser” civilization by the technologically advanced British, something which Sarani calls out and critiques, questioning the logic and citing India’s wealth, art, and history as immeasurable, incomparable to that of the British.

I cannot speak too much on the cultural nuances of being biracial, or the lives of those of South Asian backgrounds. But I did feel Sarani’s struggle of being between the two worlds of India and Britain, and finding herself having to assimilate to British society was conveyed beautifully, and the notes at the end from the author confirm her good intent, with further clarifications of the additional work she did exploring the varied perspectives of BIPOC readers from different backgrounds in regards to this portrayal, demonstrating how messy the issue of “good” representation and ownvoices is.

But under all the controversy, I don’t know how I feel about it. The characters were conveyed strongly, but I felt very “meh” about the romance. Despite all the additional nuance, Rhystan is still an aloof, broody Duke who isn’t that endearing, only really showing emotion at the end, and it made the attempts to “develop” things between them along the way super awkward. As mentioned before, I did like that Sarani had the spine to challenge him, so the banter definitely helped to keep things from getting stale as well as to avoid the power imbalance being too creepy, but I just never fully warmed up to him and their relationship.

Given the baggage this title dealt with, it’s perfectly understandable that there’s skepticism, and there are those that don’t want to read it, even with the revisions. But for those who are choosing to be cautiously optimistic, I would encourage looking at varied opinions before making the decision.

Author Bio

AMALIE HOWARD is a USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestselling author, most notably of The Beast of Beswick, “a smart, sexy, deliciously feminist romance,” and one of O-The Oprah Magazine’s Top 24 Best Historicals to Read. She is the co-author of the #1 bestsellers in regency romance and Scottish historical romance, My Rogue, My Ruin and What A Scot Wants, and has also penned several young adult novels, critically acclaimed by Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, VOYA, School Library Journal, and Booklist, including Waterfell, The Almost Girl, and Alpha Goddess, a Kid’s INDIE NEXT selection. Of Indo-Caribbean descent, she has written articles on multicultural fiction for The Portland Book Review and Ravishly magazine. She currently resides in Colorado with her husband and three children. Visit her at amaliehoward.com.

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Review of “Tokyo Ever After” by Emiko Jean

June 23, 2021 ~ courtneytonokawa ~ Leave a comment

Jean, Emiko. Tokyo Ever After. New York: Flatiron Books, 2021.

ISBN-13: 978-1250766601 | $18.99 USD | 322 pages | YA Contemporary

Blurb

The Princess Diaries meets Crazy Rich Asians in Emiko Jean’s Tokyo Ever After, the irresistible story of an ordinary Japanese-American girl who discovers that her father is the Crown Prince of Japan!

Izumi Tanaka has never really felt like she fit in—it isn’t easy being Japanese American in her small, mostly white, northern California town. Raised by a single mother, it’s always been Izumi—or Izzy, because “It’s easier this way”—and her mom against the world. But then Izumi discovers a clue to her previously unknown father’s identity…and he’s none other than the Crown Prince of Japan. Which means outspoken, irreverent Izzy is literally a princess.

In a whirlwind, Izumi travels to Japan to meet the father she never knew and discover the country she always dreamed of. But being a princess isn’t all ball gowns and tiaras. There are conniving cousins, a hungry press, a scowling but handsome bodyguard who just might be her soulmate, and thousands of years of tradition and customs to learn practically overnight.

Izumi soon finds herself caught between worlds, and between versions of herself—back home, she was never “American” enough, and in Japan, she must prove she’s “Japanese” enough. Will Izumi crumble under the weight of the crown, or will she live out her fairy tale, happily ever after?

Review

4 stars

Having read Emiko Jean’s previous book, I would read pretty much anything she wrote next, regardless of what it was. And Tokyo Ever After, while very different from that prior book, is also a delight, and a fantasy in its own way, although somewhat grounded in reality. With comparisons drawn to The Princess Diaries, I also felt this book did for me what Red, White, and Royal Blue was intended to do, but personally I felt it did it better, with a better grasp of the cultural and political nuances.

I really liked Izumi, and had a feeling I would from the moment I read the premise. The idea of not being “Japanese enough” (or “Asian enough” in general) is a struggle I’ve definitely dealt with, especially as I’ve felt disconnected from my culture due to my general interest in more “Western” (especially British) media and other cultural elements, and only making an effort to connect with my heritage in the last few years. And the fact that she was viewed as an interloper to some of the Imperial family, and by extension the tabloid press, felt very reminiscent of the treatment of Meghan Markle, and shows how hard it can be for newcomers to adjust to the constant scrutiny, while those used to the pressure do nothing to help, even exacerbating it.

And while this Imperial Family is also fictional, I liked how the dynamics mirror the real-life one, with the scarcity of male heirs, and thus the question being posed as to whether the laws could be changed in Izumi’s favor, as her father has declared his intent to never marry. While her gender and illegitimacy are hurdles, and the book ends without providing closure to this, as she’s still finding her way, I liked that it was brought up.

The romance was…cute. I did feel like it could have been executed better, as it felt like they went from being at loggerheads to falling in love super quick, but it’s just one facet in Izumi’s overall journey over the course of the book. And teen love can be a bit impulsive and passionate, 0-to-100 at times, even if it’s not the most epic thing in the world.

This book is a delight, and as the book implies, a modern fairytale playing with tried-and-true tropes in a fun, interesting way. If you love princess stories, you’ll enjoy this one!

Author Bio

When Emiko is not writing, she is reading. Most of her friends are imaginary. Before she became a writer she was an entomologist (fancy name for bug catcher), a candle maker, a florist, and most recently a teacher. She lives in Washington with her husband and children (unruly twins). She loves the rain.

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