Review of “I Kissed a Girl” by Jennet Alexander

July 31, 2021 ~ courtneytonokawa ~ Leave a comment

Alexander, Jennet. I Kissed a Girl. Naperville, IL: Sourcebooks Casablanca, 2021.

ISBN-13: 978-172822707 | $14.99 USD | 384 pages | Contemporary Romance

Blurb

Can an up-and-coming horror actress
and the makeup artist for her newest “creature feature”
turn on-set chemistry into the romance of a lifetime?

Lilah Silver’s a young actress who dreams of climbing out of B-list stardom. She’s been cast as the lead in what could be her breakout performance…but if she wants to prove herself to everyone who ever doubted her, she’s going to need major help along the way.

Noa Birnbaum may be a brilliant makeup artist and special effects whiz-kid, but cracking into the union is more difficult than she imagined. Keeping everyone happy is a full-time job, and she’s already run ragged. And yet when the beautiful star she’s been secretly crushing on admits to fears of her own, Noa vows to do everything in her power to help Lilah shine like never before.

Long hours? Exhausting work? No problem. Together they can take the world by storm…but can the connection forged over long hours in the makeup chair ever hope to survive the glare of the spotlight?

Review

3 stars

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

I Kissed a Girl is a sweet, lighthearted sapphic romcom, and while I’m glad we’re seeing more mainstream sapphic rep adult romance, this is one that sadly missed the mark.

It’s not all bad, as there are elements I liked here. The characters on their own have their charms, especially Lilah. I loved that she’s struggling with her bisexuality, and simultaneously trying to break out of typecasting in cheesy horror films, which presented many moments for comedy.

I did also sort of like Noa, even if I didn’t feel as invested in her as a character. It is nice to see different sides of the film industry, and the intimate bond that can form between a star and a makeup artist is fertile ground for a romance.

But it felt like something was missing throughout. Lilah develops feelings early on, and the bulk of the book is them kinda tiptoeing around each other. I understand the issues at play with the balance between professional and personal lives, as well as there being something of a power imbalance with one being “talent” and the other part of the crew, but I didn’t feel like these were made into sufficient enough issues to sustain the book.

I didn’t enjoy this as much as I hoped I would, and while it does sadden me, I’m also relieved to know I’m not alone, judging by the largely middling-to-negative reviews. This book has its moments, and if you’re in the mood for something fun and fluffy, you should give it a try.

Author Bio

Jennet lives by the ocean with her long-term partner, kids and cats. All of them (except the cats) love camping, seaside sunsets, and long walks with a lot of bug spray. She has previously worked in theatre, dance, and television production, is now installed primarily on the administrative and educational side of things, and is seizing the opportunity to use some of that knowledge for evil.

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Review of “Island Queen” by Vanessa Riley

July 30, 2021 ~ courtneytonokawa ~ Leave a comment

Riley, Vanessa. Island Queen. New York: William Morrow, 2021.

ISBN-13: 978-0063002845 | $27.99 USD | 592 pages | Historical Fiction

Blurb

“Riveting and transformative, evocative and immersive…by turns vibrant and bold and wise, discovering Dorothy’s story is a singular pleasure.”–The New York Times

A remarkable, sweeping historical novel based on the incredible true life story of Dorothy Kirwan Thomas, a free woman of color who rose from slavery to become one of the wealthiest and most powerful landowners in the colonial West Indies.

Born into slavery on the tiny Caribbean island of Montserrat, Doll bought her freedom—and that of her sister and her mother—from her Irish planter father and built a legacy of wealth and power as an entrepreneur, merchant, hotelier, and planter that extended from the marketplaces and sugar plantations of Dominica and Barbados to a glittering luxury hotel in Demerara on the South American continent.

Vanessa Riley’s novel brings Doll to vivid life as she rises above the harsh realities of slavery and colonialism by working the system and leveraging the competing attentions of the men in her life: a restless shipping merchant, Joseph Thomas; a wealthy planter hiding a secret, John Coseveldt Cells; and a roguish naval captain who will later become King William IV of England.

From the bustling port cities of the West Indies to the forbidding drawing rooms of London’s elite, Island Queen is a sweeping epic of an adventurer and a survivor who answered to no one but herself as she rose to power and autonomy against all odds, defying rigid eighteenth-century morality and the oppression of women as well as people of color. It is an unforgettable portrait of a true larger-than-life woman who made her mark on history.

Review

4.5 stars

I adore Vanessa Riley’s racially diverse historical romance and am in awe of her research, so I was hyped for Island Queen, her historical fiction about Dorothy “Dolly” Kirwan Thomas, a woman who rose from slavery to becoming a prominent landowner in the Caribbean.

I didn’t realize until I picked it up how epic and big of a book it is, as I was determined to go in blind. But while the book’s size daunted me, I was quickly swept up in the saga of Dolly’s life. There are moments I feel that the book could have been cut down some, and at times the timeline skipping back and forth on occasion was a bit confusing. But I appreciate that Riley was given more or less free reign to tell Dolly’s story in as many words/pages as she felt necessary.

Riley’s dual background in historical research and romance comes through despite the genre change. There’s a lot of emphasis on her interpersonal relationships, and I’ve definitely seen reviews of people who didn’t enjoy it, to the point of derision of the romance genre. I feel like the romantic relationships are an important facet of Dolly’s character, and I admittedly liked that there was emphasis on that just as much as about how she managed to build herself up into a success. Riley being a historical romance novelist likely informs the strong romantic focus of the novel, and while people are entitled to like what they like, I’m inclined to wonder if they knew about Riley’s background prior and if knowing would have influenced their decision to pick up this book.

One aspect of Dolly’s life that has intrigued and perplexed me since Riley first announced this project was how Dolly owned slaves, which then led me down a rabbit hole of research into Black slave owners, both compassionate and not. While Riley acknowledges we cannot know how Dolly truly felt, I appreciate how she approached the situation, leaning on the side of Dolly working within the system to save the enslaved people from more corrupt masters. And the way this was also reflected in-text in her interactions with Prince William, whose opinions on slavery notoriously devolved as he got older, culminated in a great power moment for her upon their reunion.

This is such a hard book to recommend an audience for, given the “mainstream” historical fiction fans seem to think it’s too “romance-y.” Based on my own experience, I’m certain those familiar with Vanessa Riley’s prior work will adore it. And anyone looking for a book exploring the nuances of Black and women’s history should give it a try to see if they enjoy it.

Author Bio

Vanessa Riley writes Historical Fiction and Historical Romance (Georgian, Regency, & Victorian) featuring hidden histories, dazzling multi-culture communities, and strong sisterhoods. She promises to pull heartstrings, offer a few laughs, and share tidbits of tantalizing history.

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Review of “So We Meet Again” by Suzanne Park

July 29, 2021 ~ courtneytonokawa ~ Leave a comment

Park, Suzanne. So We Meet Again. New York: Avon Books, 2021.

ISBN-13: 978-0062990716 | $15.99 USD | Contemporary

Blurb

“A cinematic, charming heart-squeeze-of-a-book that has found its way to my Ultimate Comfort Reads shelf.” —Emily Henry, #1 New York Times bestselling author

From the author of the “genuinely funny” and “delightful” Loathe at First Sight (NPR), a young Korean American woman’s journey to finding a new career and new love means learning to embrace the awkward and unexpected—exploring familial expectations, finding your voice, and unimaginably falling for your childhood rival.

When investment banker Jessie Kim is laid off in a virtual meeting and then overhears why (“she’s already being overpaid anyway for a woman” and “Asians are worker bees, not someone who can drum up new deals”) she delivers an “eff you guys” speech and storms out.

After moving back home to Tennessee to live with her loving but meddling mother and father, she runs into her childhood nemesis—golden child Daniel Choi—at the local Asian grocery store. The smart, charming lawyer appears to have it all…while Jessie has nothing.

Jess begrudgingly accepts Daniel’s help to relaunch her long abandoned Korean cooking YouTube channel: HANGUK HACKS, showcasing easy meal prep for busy professionals. But just as she discovers Daniel’s life isn’t as perfect as it seems and there’s more to him than meets the eye, he shows up for a life-changing business opportunity, and their rivalry is back on . . .

“A funny, lovely mother-daughter story. And then there’s Daniel—yummy Daniel—and great food. Settle in and enjoy!” —Susan Elizabeth Phillips, New York Times bestselling author

“So We Meet Again is a hilarious read. What can go wrong when, after a quarter-life crisis, you move back in with your hyper-competitive parents? This comeback story will charm you from beginning to end.” —Madeleine Henry, author of The Love Proof and Breathe In, Cash Out

Review

4 stars

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

So We Meet Again is a better book overall than Suzanne Park’s adult debut. While still more in the realm of women’s fiction than romance, in spite of branding, focusing just as much on other aspects of Jess’s life with equal prominence, the story is much more openly comedic, while still hitting on similar serious themes, albeit with a much lighter touch this time around.

I enjoyed Jess as a protagonist, leaving behind a career in banking that has screwed her over in epic fashion. And I also liked that she had a passion, that of running a YouTube cooking vlog, and I admired her for working at it.

And it’s her relationships with others that I felt made this book the stronger of the two overall. She and her mother have a bit of an adversarial relationship, but it is more lighthearted, and I ended up loving how a candid moment of them during a live recording impacted things. The mom’s reaction to Internet fame added a lot of, ahem, spice to their dynamic.

While the romance didn’t exactly blow me away, it was cute. It’s kind of a childhood frenemies-to-lovers dynamic. Daniel is perfect: incredibly successful and a generally good guy, and I loved reading about how Jess’s perspective about him changed since they were young.

This is incredibly enjoyable, and an improvement on her first adult title, with comparisons more towards her YA work thematically (not to mention, she also recently did another take on vlogging in her Sunny Song Will Never Be Famous, which also centers on the fallout from a viral vlog moment). If you were disappointed or hurt by her previous book, I can assure you this one is much better and worth giving Suzanne Park another chance for. And if you’re looking for a fun contemporary with cultural nuances and light social commentary, you’ll enjoy this.

Author Bio

Suzanne Park is a Korean-American writer who was born and raised in Tennessee. In her former life as a stand-up comedian, she was a finalist in the Oxygen Network’s “Girls Behaving Badly” talent search, and appeared on BET’s “Coming to the Stage.” Suzanne was also the winner of the Seattle Sierra Mist Comedy Competition, and was a semi-finalist in NBC’s “Stand Up For Diversity” showcase in San Francisco alongside comedians Ali Wong and Nico Santos.

More info about her books can be found at https://linktr.ee/suzannepark

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Review of “The Girl in His Shadow” by Audrey Blake

July 28, 2021 ~ courtneytonokawa ~ Leave a comment

Blake, Audrey. The Girl in His Shadow. Naperville, IL: Sourcebooks Landmark, 2021.

ISBN-13: 978-1728228723 | $16.99 USD | 378 pages | Historical Fiction

Blurb

The story of one woman who believed in scientific medicine before the world believed in her.

Raised by the eccentric surgeon Dr. Horace Croft after losing her parents to a deadly pandemic, the orphan Nora Beady knows little about conventional life. While other young ladies were raised to busy themselves with needlework and watercolors, Nora was trained to perfect her suturing and anatomical illustrations of dissections.

Women face dire consequences if caught practicing medicine, but in Croft’s private clinic Nora is his most trusted―and secret―assistant. That is until the new surgical resident Dr. Daniel Gibson arrives. Dr. Gibson has no idea that Horace’s bright and quiet young ward is a surgeon more qualified and ingenuitive than even himself. In order to protect Dr. Croft and his practice from scandal and collapse Nora must learn to play a new and uncomfortable role―that of a proper young lady.

But pretense has its limits. Nora cannot turn away and ignore the suffering of patients even if it means giving Gibson the power to ruin everything she’s worked for. And when she makes a discovery that could change the field forever, Nora faces an impossible choice. Remain invisible and let the men around her take credit for her work, or let the world see her for what she is―even if it means being destroyed by her own legacy.

“In The Girl in His Shadow, Audrey Blake takes the reader on an exquisitely detailed journey through the harrowing field of medicine in mid-19th century London. Nora, the ward of the eccentric and brilliant surgeon Horace Croft, learns far more than any woman is allowed. Bravely saving lives while risking her own, she defies the law to pioneer breakthroughs in medicine.” —Tracey Enerson Wood, international bestselling author of The Engineer’s Wife

“A suspenseful story of a courageous young woman determined to become a surgeon in repressive Victorian England. Fluidly written, impeccably researched, The Girl in His Shadow is a memorable literary gift to be read, reread, and treasured.” —Gloria Goldreich, author of The Paris Children

Review

5 stars

The Girl in His Shadow piqued my interest, but I didn’t know much about it beyond the basic premise. I was pleasantly surprised when I found out “Audrey Blake” was a pseudonym for authors Jaima Fixsen and Regina Sirois. I love how seamless the reading experience felt, and how I didn’t even know it was two authors…it wasn’t exactly kept a secret, from what I can tell, but given how publicly some other author collaborations are conducted to the point of how they’re credited on the cover, I was pleasantly surprised by this one. Although that could also be down to the fact that I haven’t read anything from either in the past, so I had no reason to be exposed to the Internet presence of either. But that’s beside the point.

While not being super interested in science and medicine myself, I’ve always enjoyed hearing about the women who contributed to the medical field, particularly when it was still socially accepted that it was solely a field for men. While the characters are fictional, the struggles Nora faces feel familiar within that context, as well as a broader one of being a woman who works in a male-dominated field and dealing with the competition that entails while also negotiating her feminine identity.

There’s also a romantic thread with Daniel, the new doctor Nora initially views as competition. I really liked how he evolved from being shocked by her to coming to respect her talent, wanting everyone to appreciate it as much as he does, as well as loving her for all of who she is.

This book is absolutely stunning, and if you love historical fiction, I recommend picking this one up.

Author Bio

AUDREY BLAKE has a split personality—because she is the creative alter ego of Regina Sirois and Jaima Fixsen, two authors who met online in a survivor style writing contest. They live 1500 miles apart, but both are prairie girls: Jaima hails from Alberta, Canada, and Regina from the wheatfields of Kansas. Both are addicted to history, words, and stories of redoubtable women, and agree that their friendship, better and longer lasting than any other prize, is proof that good things happen in this random, crazy universe.

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Review of “A Lesson in Vengeance” by Victoria Lee

July 28, 2021 ~ courtneytonokawa ~ Leave a comment

Lee, Victoria. A Lesson in Vengeance. New York: Delacorte Press, 2021.

ISBN-13. 978-0593305829 | $18.99 USD | 384 pages | YA Thriller

Blurb

A dark, twisty thriller about a centuries-old, ivy-covered boarding school haunted by its history of witchcraft and two girls dangerously close to digging up the past. The dangerous romance and atmospheric setting makes it a perfect read for fans of dark academia.

The history of Dalloway School lives in the bones it was built on. Five violent deaths in the first ten years of its existence. Sometimes you can still smell the blood on the air.

It wasn’t until Felicity enrolled that she fell in love with the dark. And now she’s back to finish her senior year after the tragic death of her girlfriend. She even has her old room in Godwin House, the exclusive dormitory rumored to be haunted by the spirits of the five Dalloway students who died there—girls some say were witches.

It’s Ellis Haley’s first year at Dalloway. A prodigy novelist at seventeen, Ellis is eccentric and brilliant, and Felicity can’t shake the pull she feels to her. So when Ellis asks for help researching the Dalloway Five for her second book, Felicity can’t say no.

Dalloway’s occult lore is everywhere, and the new girl won’t let Felicity forget it. But when the past begins to invade on the present, Felicity needs to decide where she stands. The soil under her feet is bloody with Dalloway’s history. But so is the present. Is it Dalloway—or is it her?

Review

5 stars

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

A Lesson in Vengeance appealed to me from the moment I first heard about it. I’ve always liked school settings, even if I don’t seek them out very much, and while I didn’t know dark academia was what it was called prior to seeing the buzz around this book, I find I really like that aesthetic, with it being set in modern times, but with a school setting that highlights history through art, architecture, and literature.

As a result, the general vibe was the first thing that grabbed me. I loved the immersive, creepy feel of the school grounds and the different buildings with Gothic architecture. It serves as a perfect backdrop for the dark events that take place over the course of the story.

Lee has shown in her previous work that she favors characters who are morally ambiguous and are dealing with trauma. This time, it’s no different, and in fact, there are serious questions around Felicity’s mental state, which are confirmed in what Lee has said about the book in a note on Goodreads, in that this book reflects her own experience with psychotic depression. While this characterization isn’t going to work for everyone, it works with the aesthetic, and I was willing to let myself get swept up in a journey with a character who doesn’t always have the most reliable perspective of events.

And the pacing…it perfectly balances keeping you on your toes and flipping pages to find out what’s next, while also conveying deeper messages about mental illness and trauma, gender and sexuality, morality, and class.

I enjoyed this a lot, and I love the way it captured many elements I adore in fiction. If a thriller about morally gray lesbians and dark academia sounds great to you, I definitely recommend picking this up!

Author Bio

Victoria Lee grew up in Durham, North Carolina, where she spent her childhood writing ghost stories and fantasizing about attending boarding school. She has a Ph.D. in psychology, which she uses to overanalyze fictional characters and also herself. Lee is the author of A Lesson in Vengeance as well as The Fever King and its sequel, The Electric Heir. She lives in New York City with her partner, cat, and malevolent dog.

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Review of “Root Magic” by Eden Royce

July 27, 2021 ~ courtneytonokawa ~ Leave a comment

Royce, Eden. Root Magic. New York: Walden Pond Press, 2021.

ISBN-13: 978-0062899576 | $16.99 USD | 336 pages | MG Fantasy

Blurb

“A poignant, necessary entry into the children’s literary canon, Root Magic brings to life the history and culture of Gullah people while highlighting the timeless plight of Black Americans. Add in a fun, magical adventure and you get everything I want in a book!”—Justina Ireland, New York Times bestselling author of Dread Nation

Debut author Eden Royce arrives with a wondrous story of love, bravery, friendship, and family, filled to the brim with magic great and small.

It’s 1963, and things are changing for Jezebel Turner. Her beloved grandmother has just passed away. The local police deputy won’t stop harassing her family. With school integration arriving in South Carolina, Jez and her twin brother, Jay, are about to begin the school year with a bunch of new kids. But the biggest change comes when Jez and Jay turn eleven— and their uncle, Doc, tells them he’s going to train them in rootwork.

Jez and Jay have always been fascinated by the African American folk magic that has been the legacy of their family for generations—especially the curious potions and powders Doc and Gran would make for the people on their island. But Jez soon finds out that her family’s true power goes far beyond small charms and elixirs…and not a moment too soon. Because when evil both natural and supernatural comes to show itself in town, it’s going to take every bit of the magic she has inside her to see her through.

Review

5 stars

Root Magic has received a ton of buzz in some of the pockets of Book Twitter and BookTube I engage in, so I did not hesitate to pick it up as soon as I was able to. This is one of those absolutely unique, brilliant books rooted in Black history and Gullah culture. Rootwork, when it’s depicted at all in the media, is usually given a negative spin, and I appreciated this more compassionate, well-rounded portrayal of the craft.

The writing style is very atmospheric, engrossing the reader in the setting of the marshes. Royce conveys the imagery beautifully, and it has an almost Gothic vibe to it.

I really enjoyed the different facets of family that are integral to the narrative. Jez and her brother, Jay are perhaps the most central, as they’re co-protagonists, even if the story is told solely from Jez’s perspective. Their sibling relationship feels believable, where they can both have conflicts, but also maintain a strong bond. And the bond with the family overall as the two of them learn about the family traditions from their Gran and uncle, Doc, is also well done, highlighting their family history and connections to their past in a broader context of Black history.

This is a wonderful read, with something for readers of all ages to enjoy.

Author Bio

Eden Royce is from Charleston, South Carolina, and is a member of the Gullah Geechee nation. Her short stories have appeared in various print and online publications, including Fiyah, and she is the recipient of the Speculative Literature Foundation’s Diverse Worlds grant. Root Magic is her first book. Eden now lives in England with her husband and cat. You can find her online at http://www.edenroyce.com.

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Review of “The Dating Dare” (A Sweet Mess #2) by Jayci Lee

July 27, 2021 ~ courtneytonokawa ~ 1 Comment

Lee; Jayci. The Dating Dare. New York: St. Martin’s Griffin, 2021.

ISBN-13: 978-1250621122 | $16.99 USD | 320 pages | Contemporary Romance

Blurb

Buzzfeed’s 2021 Romance Novels You Need To Read This Summer

With witty characters and heartrending romance, Jayci Lee, author of A Sweet Mess, returns with The Dating Dare—where two people might just find out how hard it is to resist falling in love with the right person.

No serious relationships. This is the one rule Tara Park made for herself and it has been working swimmingly, thank you very much. The occasional fling is fine, especially since she’s busy with Weldon Brewery. But when Seth Kim, temptation personified and her best friend’s new brother-in-law walks into her life, Tara might be willing to bend her golden rule…but only for four dates—the four dates she agreed to after a few good rounds of beer and a game of truth or dare. It’ll be fun. No biggie.

Seth Kim can’t believe Tara agreed to his dating dare. He’s leaving for a new job in Paris in a month and a no-strings attached fling seemed like a nice little distraction for both… But their secret dates, while sweet and sexy, always hit roadblocks straight out of a romantic comedy. Thankfully, their non-dates and chance meetings are smoother, frequent, and heated. However, the more Seth sees of Tara, the less willing he is to let her go—and what was supposed to be a fun little game turns into something that neither of them are ready for.

But sometimes, the best things in life are the ones we never see coming.

In the series

#1 A Sweet Mess

Review

4 stars

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

The Dating Dare is follow-up/spin-off to last year’s A Sweet Mess. It stands alone for the most part, but I do think it does make the relationships between the characters subtly richer if you’ve read the previous book.

This book does one of my favorite tropes, the jaded heroine. I was a bit apprehensive to see that not only was Tara averse to commitment, however, but so is Seth. How would they overcome this? But they do, and it felt more natural than I thought.

Obviously, Tara has more reason to be reticent about commitment, and I felt those were well-expressed here. But she also is enjoying the fun she’s having with Seth, and I like how it’s building subtly for her, even though it does take ruining things to realize it. I liked that even with him initially having his own reasons for not wanting strings attached, Seth is the one to warm up to the possibility of them being more serious first, to the point of him even reconsidering the job opportunity in Paris he was previously anticipating.

This book is a bit sexier than the previous one, suiting the tone of the characters and their relationship. While I was a bit concerned at first if Lee could pull this off, given some her attempts at steam in her Harlequins weren’t great, so I was thankful for the lower steam of ASM, this time around, it feels a bit more refined, and as someone who doesn’t judge the scenes themselves as much as how they fit as puzzle pieces in the larger scope of the romantic arc, I felt it shows her growth in being able to develop these scenes to suit her characters and be less mechanical.

I also appreciated the tie-in with the previous book’s characters. While I did wish there was more with them, given their relationships, I liked what there was. There’s a lovely brotherly bonding scene between Seth and Landon where Seth talks about falling for Tara, leading to Landon remarking about how he felt about Aubrey that was really sweet.

This book is really enjoyable, and is perfect for fans of lighthearted, sexy contemporary romances.

Author Bio

Jayci Lee writes poignant, sexy, and laugh-out-loud romance every free second she can scavenge. She lives in sunny California with her tall-dark-and-handsome husband, two amazing boys with boundless energy, and a fluffy rescue whose cuteness is a major distraction. At times, she cannot accommodate real life because her brain is full of drool worthy heroes and badass heroines clamoring to come to life.Because of all the books demanding to be written, Jayci writes full-time now, and is semi-retired from her fifteen-year career as a defense litigator. She loves food, wine, and travelling, and incidentally so do her characters. Books have always helped her grow, dream, and heal, and she hopes her books will do the same for you.

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Review of “Sweet and Bitter Magic” by Adrienne Tooley

July 26, 2021July 26, 2021 ~ courtneytonokawa ~ Leave a comment

Tooley, Adrienne. Sweet and Bitter Magic. New York: Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2021.

ISBN-13: 978-1534453852 | $19.99 USD | 362 pages | YA Fantasy

Blurb

In this charming debut fantasy perfect for fans of Sorcery of Thorns and Girls of Paper and Fire, a witch cursed to never love meets a girl hiding her own dangerous magic, and the two strike a dangerous bargain to save their queendom.

Tamsin is the most powerful witch of her generation. But after committing the worst magical sin, she’s exiled by the ruling Coven and cursed with the inability to love. The only way she can get those feelings back—even for just a little while—is to steal love from others.

Wren is a source—a rare kind of person who is made of magic, despite being unable to use it herself. Sources are required to train with the Coven as soon as they discover their abilities, but Wren—the only caretaker to her ailing father—has spent her life hiding her secret.

When a magical plague ravages the queendom, Wren’s father falls victim. To save him, Wren proposes a bargain: if Tamsin will help her catch the dark witch responsible for creating the plague, then Wren will give Tamsin her love for her father.

Of course, love bargains are a tricky thing, and these two have a long, perilous journey ahead of them—that is, if they don’t kill each other first…

Review

4 stars

Sweet and Bitter Magic is a romantic queer fantasy with a pretty interesting premise. It wasn’t entirely what I expected, and definitely a bit quieter (is that the term?), less action-based, and more interpersonal. But depending on what you like, that’s not exactly a bad thing.

I really liked that the two leads are studies in contrast to each other, with Tamsin being cursed to not be able to feel and Wren feeling too much. Given how much character is conveyed through emotion, I was prepared to like Wren more. But surprisingly, I found myself moved by Tamsin and how this desire to feel is conveyed. Plus, she goes on a pretty emotional journey where she finds out things about her sister, which was well-conveyed. I did also like Wren, though, and how her feelings impact her and the decisions she makes.

The romance is subtler than I would have initially thought, but it’s sweet and beautifully drawn, given the respective situations the two are in and trying to resolve.

The reactions to this one seem to be incredibly divided, so this is definitely a “you either love it or hate it” sort of book. So, if this book sounds good to you, take all the criticisms with a grain of salt and give it a try for yourself.

Author Bio

Adrienne Tooley (she/her) grew up in Southern California, majored in musical theater in Pittsburgh, and now lives in Brooklyn with her wife, six guitars, and a banjo. In addition to writing novels, she is a singer/songwriter who has currently released three indie-folk EPs. Find her @adriennetooley.

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Review of “Awakened by the CEO’s Kiss” by Therese Beharrie

July 26, 2021 ~ courtneytonokawa ~ Leave a comment

Beharrie, Therese. Awakened by the CEO’s Kiss. Toronto, Ontario: Harlequin, 2021.

ISBN-13: 978-0369712905 | $3.99 USD | 256 pages | Contemporary Romance

Blurb

Friendship is all she can offer…
…but he makes her want so much more!
The incredibly attractive man on Brooke Jansen’s doorstep is definitely not the new housekeeper she’s expecting. CEO Tyler Murphy is filling in temporarily, yet within days he’s turned Brooke’s carefully curated life upside down! Suddenly she’s living—and feeling—again. But her connection with Tyler is dangerous, exciting and strangely familiar… After losing everything once already, can Brooke risk her damaged heart again?

“…Therese Beharrie never disappoints me. His Princess by Christmas was just the wholesome romance novel…. It’s full of tropey goodness and is sure to leave you feeling all bright and positive.”
–Goodreads

“…I’m a ride-or-die Therese Beharrie fan and there’s a reason for that: she writes some of the best romance novels and every book of hers is even better than her previous release. There’s something magical about her writing and she never fails to make me swoon at the romances in her books. I couldn’t get enough of it.”
–Goodreads on Marrying His Runaway Heiress

Review

4 stars

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

Awakened by the CEO’s Kiss is a sweet romance from Therese Beharrie. I was a bit unsure about the amnesia trope, but I really liked the original take on it, exploring how it’s rooted in psychological trauma, and how memory is linked (or not) with our choices as to who we become as people.

The exploration of Brooke’s past pain as the story unfolded was really well done, and while it can be hard to do tougher topics justice in category or novella length works, I think Beharrie does so here.

The idea of a CEO playing housekeeper is a bit gimmicky, but I really respect that it’s related to Tyler’s “family-first” mentality, as he’s covering for his sister. And even though Brooke doesn’t remember meeting him, he remembers her, and in spite of initial awkwardness between them, Brooke is able to open up again. The romance is really quiet and while not lacking in issues they need to work through, it’s more generally sweet than melodramatic, to contrast with the darkness in their pasts.

This is a beautiful, heartwarming romance, and is perfect for anyone looking for a sweet, cozy, romantic read.

Author Bio

Therese Beharrie is a South African romance author of several acclaimed novels, including her One Day to Forever series. She takes pride in writing diverse characters and settings, and her books are often recommended for their heart and banter. She lives in Cape Town with her husband, her inspiration for every hero, and two adorable baby boys.

You can find her on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Bookbub, or catch up with her on her writing blog. You can also learn more about her in the following interviews: Tygerburger, CapeTalk, and TimesLive.

She publishes with Harlequin Romance, Carina Press, and Kensington, and is represented by Courtney Miller-Callihan at Handspun Literary.

Buy links

Bookshop (affiliate link)

Review of “The Dead and the Dark” by Courtney Gould

July 26, 2021 ~ courtneytonokawa ~ Leave a comment

Could, Courtney. The Dead and the Dark. New York: Wednesday Books, 2021.

ISBN-13: 978-1250762016 | $18.99 USD | 352 pages | YA Thriller/Horror

Blurb

“Imagine Riverdale crossing streams with Stephen King’s The Outsider and you’ll get a sense of this gripping supernatural mystery…Gould’s debut begins as a snappy paranormal yarn and unspools into a profound story about the complex interplay between grief, guilt, and identity.” – Oprah Daily

Courtney Gould’s thrilling YA debut The Dead and the Dark is about the things that lurk in dark corners, the parts of you that can’t remain hidden, and about finding home in places—and people—you didn’t expect.

The Dark has been waiting—and it won’t stay hidden any longer.

Something is wrong in Snakebite, Oregon. Teenagers are disappearing, some turning up dead, the weather isn’t normal, and all fingers point to TV’s most popular ghost hunters who have just come to town.

Logan Ortiz-Woodley, daughter of TV’s ParaSpectors, has never been to Snakebite before. But the moment she and her dads arrive, she starts to get the feeling that there’s more than ghosts plaguing this small town. Ashley Barton’s boyfriend was the first teen to go missing, and she’s felt his ghost following her ever since. Although everyone shuns the Ortiz-Woodleys, the mysterious Logan may be the only person who can help Ashley get some answers.

When Ashley and Logan team up to figure out who—or what—is haunting Snakebite, their investigation reveals truths about the town, their families, and themselves that neither of them are ready for. As the danger intensifies, they realize that their growing feelings for each other could be a light in the darkness

Review

4 stars

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

I picked up The Dead and the Dark after concluding my rewatch of the new Fear Street trilogy, in hopes it would fill the void until I could (re)visit some of those books. It’s not as outright scary (in my opinion), and thematically different, obviously, but there were some of the same aesthetic vibes of creepy small towns and great queer rep (including romance).

I really liked the dark vibes conveyed in-text, setting the tone that all is not well in Snakebite, Oregon. The pacing is slow building, but effectively amps up the creep factor, and you learn more about the vague paranormal events as the story unfolds.

I loved seeing a healthy gay relationship in Logan’s two dads, Brandon and Alejo. It’s not without their bumps in the road, especially as their past is seen in flashback, but I really enjoyed seeing how they met and ended up together as the ParaSpectors. I did kind of wish they told Logan things instead of keeping it from her, but could also understand why they decided not to.

I had mixed feelings about the relationship between Logan Ashley. At times, I struggled to see real sparks between them at times, and their relationship is not without its serious complications. However, it’s still pretty sweet, especially given the dire circumstances they were in.

This is an enjoyable YA thriller/horror read, and if you enjoy other teen thriller/horror properties like Fear Street, Riverdale (editor Jennie Conway is quoted as calling it “like Riverdale, but good” in the Acknowledgements), etc., you’ll enjoy this.

Author Bio

Courtney Gould writes books about queer girls, ghosts, and things that go bump in the night. She graduated from Pacific Lutheran University in 2016 with a Bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing and Publishing. Born and raised in Salem, OR, she now lives and writes in Tacoma, WA where she continues to write love letters to the haunted girls and rural, empty spaces. The Dead and the Dark is her debut novel.

Buy links

Bookshop (affiliate link)