Yes, I know I'm in the minority with my rating, and I admit up front that I'm NOT a romance reader, I rarely choose to read romance. (I don2.75 stars
Yes, I know I'm in the minority with my rating, and I admit up front that I'm NOT a romance reader, I rarely choose to read romance. (I don't mind a little romance in my stories, but I don't normally enjoy books where it's the main focus). However, I decided to give this one a try because a few friends absolutely loved it and because I enjoy paranormal mysteries.
I loved the way weres and vampires and were incorporated into our current world and I enjoyed the complexities of the plot of everything but the romance. There was no getting to know each other, no romance, just love/lust-at-first-sight and way too many spicy scenes for me. Now, let me be clear, I have a VERY low tolerance for spice so ymmv, but I found the bedroom scenes to be crass, not just spicy. The words the author used to describe things were just vulgar instead of romantic. This really impacted my enjoyment of the book. :( Without those scenes it would have been 3.5 stars
The good thing is that I did not see the twists coming AT ALL. That's always fun for me, since it's rare. I also love strong platonic female relationships, and this book had a couple of those. If you don't mind a little spice or a love/lust-at-first-sight plot, then you will probably enjoy this book! ...more
This installment focuses on what will potentially happen when Nick goes away to school next year, or if he'll go away at all, and on Charlie and Nick This installment focuses on what will potentially happen when Nick goes away to school next year, or if he'll go away at all, and on Charlie and Nick deciding to take their relationship to the next level physically or not. As much as I've loved the previous four books, this one just didn't grab me like they did. For the first time, even though the issue has existed through the whole series, the overwhelming amount of lgbtqia+ characters felt heavy-handed and forced. I'm still going to read the next book, which is slated to be the last. But, this is definitely my least favorite of the series....more
As always, there are lots of personal stories and lots of nuggets of wisdom. This book was far more political than her other books, but as Brown reseaAs always, there are lots of personal stories and lots of nuggets of wisdom. This book was far more political than her other books, but as Brown researches and writes about shame and belonging, that's not a surprise in the current US culture. This is a short, easy read, but there's lots to ponder if you really want to take it all in and make personal improvements....more
I'm not a romance reader, but a good friend recommended this so highly that I decided to give it a try. I enjoyed it far more than I expected to! TherI'm not a romance reader, but a good friend recommended this so highly that I decided to give it a try. I enjoyed it far more than I expected to! There were a few spicy scenes that I could have done without, but there were also several scenes that had me laughing out loud. I really appreciated that the plot didn't depend at all on overdone tropes! I loved that the main characters were honest with each other and tried to always be on the same side. I loved that the HEA was hard-earned and not a forgone conclusion. If you enjoy romance with deep plots and don't mind some spice, give this one a try!...more
I don't have any idea how to adequately review this book. It's so unique and different from anything else I've ever read. It kept me interested the whI don't have any idea how to adequately review this book. It's so unique and different from anything else I've ever read. It kept me interested the whole time, and yet, I wasn't always enjoying it while I read. Captivating might be the best word to describe it. The premise is unique, but the elements of romance felt familiar, too. It was thought-provoking. I'm giving it 4.5 stars for the premise and the writing and rounding up because it's closer to a 5 than a 4 star read....more
This book reminds me a bit of Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No-Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Vorst. We meet Cookie as he's getting out of bed fThis book reminds me a bit of Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No-Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Vorst. We meet Cookie as he's getting out of bed for the day and he keeps telling us to go away because he's angry. After a few pages he realizes that the reader isn't going anywhere and proceeds to tell us why he's angry. By the end, he's calmed down a bit and is happy to have a friend. I suppose this could be interpreted as passive-aggressive or friendship by clinging, but I read it more like The Monster at the End of This Book: things aren't as bad as they seem if we change our focus.
This is a great group read aloud with preschoolers to discuss different ways to handle big feelings. And, it's just fun with fantastic illustrations!...more
Selah is a 7th grader at Pebblecreek private school where she feels comfortable, most of the time, because she understands the rules: rules for being Selah is a 7th grader at Pebblecreek private school where she feels comfortable, most of the time, because she understands the rules: rules for being normal and fitting in with her classmates. But following the rules makes her feelings build up all day, every day. One day those feelings just explode and disaster strikes, resulting in her hitting a classmate. Of course, Selah gets supended, but she can't articulate to her mom or her classmates what she's feeling inside and how she didn't mean it or want to hurt someone else. She can't articulate what's wrong because everyone already thinks she's "weird" or "damamged" and she doesn't want to prove them right.
Selah's journey to discover what really is going on in her brain and her body is a painful, but realistic one. As the parent of a neurodivergent child who wasn't diagnosed until her early 20s, I just felt for Selah and for her mom. I could tell that the mom was just trying so hard to not screw things up, to help Selah get along in life and succeed the best she knew how. But like Maya Angelou said, when you know better, you do better. Selah's determination to learn and "know better" was inspiring. Her mom's determination to do better was just as touching.
This is a powerful novel-in-verse, made even more so by knowing that the author is also on the Autism spectrum so she knows first-hand how it feels. I highly recommend this book to everyone ages 10+, but especially to anyone who feels weird or different or loves someone who's different....more
Wow, this book was not at all what I was expecting. I expected a Hallmark movie that was actually well-written because Hannah is an excellent writer. Wow, this book was not at all what I was expecting. I expected a Hallmark movie that was actually well-written because Hannah is an excellent writer. I won't give spoilers, but this isn't your typical Hannah historical fiction book, that's for sure....more
The illustrations are fabulous, but the text is all dialogue, which can complicate using this as a group read aloud. Still, the message is all about sThe illustrations are fabulous, but the text is all dialogue, which can complicate using this as a group read aloud. Still, the message is all about sharing and cooperation and it's fun....more
This book was enthralling from beginning to end. It gave me all the feels. We first meet Lilly as a young girl in 1931. She's basically held captive inThis book was enthralling from beginning to end. It gave me all the feels. We first meet Lilly as a young girl in 1931. She's basically held captive in the attic by her parents. Her mother says she's an "abomination" and a "monster," and they're keeping her safe for her own good. Then, one day, when Papa is out of town, in the middle of the night, Momma takes Lilly from her attic room and sells her to a freak sideshow at the circus. Then we meet Julia in the 1950s, who ran away from those same parents when she was a teenager. Now, Momma and Papa have both passed away, and a private investigator finds Julia because she's inherited everything. When Julia arrives back home, she discovers pictures of a circus performer hidden among her father's things. Why does he have so many pictures of the same woman? Was he having an affair? As she begins to clean out the house, she discovers a hidden room in the attic. What is going on? As Julia delves deeper into the twisted mysteries in this house, she finds shocking twist after shocking twist. Going back and forth between the 1930s and the 1950s, this book will keep you turning pages! Lots to think about and lots to discuss. 5 stars...more
The experiences of 14-year-old Jake as he goes through treatment for anorexia are chronicled here in free verse. Raw and powerful, this was a quick reThe experiences of 14-year-old Jake as he goes through treatment for anorexia are chronicled here in free verse. Raw and powerful, this was a quick read, but I found myself completely immersed in the story. I cried with Jake and cheered for Jake and was so glad that I knew before I even read the book that it would end with some positivity. I listened to John Schu discuss this semi-autobiographical novel at the at the Texas Library Association, so I felt fairly confident that Jake would survive his eating disorder, but that didn't make the book any less impactful.
This is a wonderful book for anyone who struggles with any kind of mental illness, anyone who loves someone who struggles with mental illness, and anyone who will ever interact with someone who struggles with mental illness. This should include EVERYONE. I highly recommend this book for anyone ages 10+. 5 solid stars...more
This entire series deals with heavy topics without ever feeling depressing or harsh. In this particular volume, the focus isn't so much on Nick and ChThis entire series deals with heavy topics without ever feeling depressing or harsh. In this particular volume, the focus isn't so much on Nick and Charlie's love story as it is on what it actually means to be in a relationship and support someone when they are struggling. Oseman captures those feelings perfectly!
If you're looking for a book that accurately portrays mental health struggles respectfully and realistically, while somehow remaining uplifting and light-hearted, this is definitely the series for you! 5 stars...more
This is the first Katherine Center book I've ever read, and it far exceeded my expectations. I don't usually read rom-coms or romance in general, but This is the first Katherine Center book I've ever read, and it far exceeded my expectations. I don't usually read rom-coms or romance in general, but this one avoided all the over-used tropes and was clean and funny. I quite enjoyed it....more
Entertaining and fun, I appreciated that it didn't use your typical rom-com tropes.Entertaining and fun, I appreciated that it didn't use your typical rom-com tropes....more
This book has no real plot, but would be great to read to a group (K-2nd grade) that you are trying to teach about mindfulness or anger management. AlThis book has no real plot, but would be great to read to a group (K-2nd grade) that you are trying to teach about mindfulness or anger management. Although not for story time, but this book definitely has its place in teaching manners!...more
Tiny T.Rex and Pointy are determined to win the talent show by doing magic and making something disappear. This is a fun story to share with a child wTiny T.Rex and Pointy are determined to win the talent show by doing magic and making something disappear. This is a fun story to share with a child who's nervous or anxious about something, or one who is trying to learn magic. I won't be using it in story time because the text is a little disjointed and there's too much dialog for reading aloud smoothly. But if you've got a Tiny T.Rex-loving kid or a magic-loving kid, this will definitely be a hit!...more
I picked this book up for free when a friend posted a link for free books a few weeks ago. The best thing I can say about it is that it was fast and sI picked this book up for free when a friend posted a link for free books a few weeks ago. The best thing I can say about it is that it was fast and short. There were too many overused tropes, and I didn't like the stereotypes.
I did live in Louisiana for a few years in my twenties, though, and it was kind of fun to revisit the Bayou and the Cajun accent....more
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