Contemporary

ARC Review: Yellowface – R. F. Kuang

June Hayward and Athena Liu both graduated from Yale and had their debut novels published in the same year. Where Athena soon became the industry’s darling and an acclaimed author, June’s novel was barely noticed. When Athena dies in a freak accident and June is the only witness, she steals Athena’s newest novel on impulse, finishes writing it, and presents it to her agent as her own work. Except, book is about the contributions of Chinese laborers during WWI, and June is white, so she agrees to be published under the name Juniper Song to present a more ambiguous perspective…

Mini Reviews #21 – ARC Edition

Hello readers, and welcome to Mini Reviews, where I talk about some of the books I don’t write full length reviews for. This installment is a little different, since all the reviews are for ARCs I received last year that I haven’t yet reviewed and I’ll be discussing The Secret Society of Salzburg, Seoulmates and Nubia: The Awakening.

If You Could See The Sun – Ann Liang – HTP Books Fall 2022 YA Blog Tour

Alice Sun is a scholarship student at an elite international boarding school in Beijing and despite being one of the top students, has always felt overlooked amongst the wealthy students. One day, she suddenly starts turning invisible, and uncontrollably at that. When her parents tell her they can no longer afford the fees for her private school, Alice sees an opportunity to use her new power to earn some extra money and pay her tuition. It starts off with little things at first, school gossip and scandals that she uncovers anonymously but when the requests on the anonymous app she…

Twice As Perfect – Louisa Onome – ARC Review

Seventeen year old Nigerian Canadian Adanna Nkwachi has her future all planned from getting through high school with top grades and going on to become a lawyer. Between balancing school, her upcoming debate competition, helping her cousin plan her big Nigerian wedding to a famous star, Ada just wants to live up to her parents’ expectations and make them proud, especially after her brother Sam left home some years ago following a fight. But in the midst of all this, when she unexpectedly meets Sam and learns about what he has been doing all these years, and how he is…

The Noh Family – Grace K. Shim – ARC Review

After finding out through a DNA test that she has a whole extended family in Korea on her dad’s side, Chloe is excited to meet them since it’s always just been her and her mom and they seem equally eager to meet her. Her mom isn’t too happy about this since she’s never had a great relationship with them, but Chloe is insistent on it and sets off to spend two weeks in Seoul. Turns out, the Noh family is extremely wealthy and owns a high end department store, and Chloe is thrust into a life of luxury. Though her…

Mini Reviews #17

Hello readers, and welcome to Mini Reviews, where I talk about some of the books I don’t write full length reviews for. This installment, let’s chat about: Love at First Spite, Queens of Fennbirn and Love & Olives.

The Rumor Game – Dhonielle Clayton & Sona Charaipotra – ARC Review

At Foxham Prep, an elite high school in Washington DC, rumors can make or break a student’s reputation. It is something that former popular girl Bryn Colburn has been experiencing of late after one horrible mistake has made her a social pariah and even her best friend Cora, the cheer captain, won’t talk to her. But it’s a new school year and the latest interest on the rumor mill is Georgie, Bryn’s next door neighbor, newly returned from weight loss camp and a summer makeover. Georgie finds herself suddenly popular, but that comes at a price, namely, placing her at…

Not Here To Be Liked – Michelle Quach – ARC Review

Eliza Quan is looking forward to being the editor in chief for her school newspaper – after all, with her extensive experience and portfolio, she is the perfect choice. Until Len DeMartile, a former jock and inexperienced newcomer decides to run against her and actually wins, just because people seem to feel that he would make a better leader. In frustration, Eliza writes down her feelings at being overlooked despite her qualifications, just because Len is more likable, and pointing out how there has never been a female editor in chief before, calling out not only the school paper, but…

Idol Gossip – Alexandra Leigh Young – ARC Review

Having recently moved from San Francisco to Seoul for their mom’s job, Alice Choy and her little sister Olivia have had a difficult time settling in. Alice, who took regular voice lessons back home, misses singing and agrees when Olivia convinces her to try karaoke, which becomes a weekly activity that the sisters enjoy. One day, Alice is approached by a talent scout from Top10 Entertainment, a talent agency, and she invites Alice to an open audition for Star Academy, where future K-pop groups train. Despite having no dance skills, Alice is accepted due to her great singing, and she…

Mini Reviews #16

Hello readers, and welcome to another round of Mini Reviews, where I talk about some of the books I don’t write full length reviews for. It’s been a while since I did one of these posts! This installment, let’s chat about: Ravage the Dark, Heartstopper: Volume Three, Hot British Boyfriend.

Mini Reviews #15

Hello readers, and welcome to another round of Mini Reviews, where I talk about some of the books I don’t write full length reviews for. It’s been a while since I did one of these posts! This installment, let’s chat about: Aru Shah and the City of Gold, Admission and Maybe This Time.

Of Princes and Promises – Sandhya Menon – ARC Review

A new term is beginning at St Rosetta’s Academy and Caterina is determined to prove that she is still the best, even after her breakup with Alaric. To prove to her social circles that she has definitely moved on, she comes up with a plan. Rahul Chopra hasn’t been able to forget his dance with Caterina at the winter formal, and is convinced it meant something more, so he readily agrees to Caterina’s idea for him to be her date at several social events. Several etiquette lessons, a makeover, and a mysterious pot of magical hair gel later, the socially…

Mini Reviews #14

Hello readers, and welcome to another round of Mini Reviews, where I talk about some of the books I don’t write full length reviews for. It’s been a while since I did one of these posts! This installment, let’s chat about: The Game, Wings of Fury and Yes No Maybe So.

Influence – Sara Shepard & Lilia Buckingham – ARC Review

Delilah Rollins has been catapulted into the world of social media influencers after one of her videos unexpectedly goes viral and she moves to LA, and she finds fast friends in Jasmine and Fiona. Child star turned popular influencer, Jasmine Walters-Diaz has grown up in the spotlight, but is beginning to feel boxed in and suffocated by the image she must maintain in order to keep her fanbase. Aspiring actress Fiona Jacobs struggles with a secret from her past that could ruin her career if it became known. Then there’s Scarlet Leigh, who seems to have the perfect life and…

Mini Reviews #13 | Blogmas Day 1

Hello readers! It’s time for another round of Mini Reviews, where I talk about some of the books I don’t write full length reviews for. It’s been a while since I did one of these posts! With the hectic posting schedule I’ve had these past months, I haven’t really had the chance to share my thoughts on some of the other books I’ve been reading, so I figured it would be a great post to kick off Blogmas! This installment, let’s chat about: Hench, Rebel Spy, Heartstopper: Volume Two and The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.

Come On In Anthology – Adi Alsaid – ARC Review

Come On In is a truly powerful book narrated by authors who have either themselves or their families experienced immigration for various reasons, and this is beautifully reflected in these fictional stories. Each story focuses on a different aspect of this emotional journey.

ARC Review: Charming As A Verb – Ben Philippe

Henri Haltiwanger is a popular, hard-working senior at a prestigious Manhattan high school who runs a dog walking business on the side. His one life-long ambition is to attend the ivy league university of his dreams, Columbia. However, his neighbour and classmate, Corinne Troy, has figured out that his so called business isn’t entirely legit. Corinne has her own troubles and is seen as ‘intense’ for her study habits and has a hard time fitting into the social scene. So in return for keeping Henri’s secret, she blackmails him into helping her socialize more and better her image at school.…

Bookish and the Beast – Ashley Poston – ARC Review

The third installment in the Once Upon A Con series brings us a geekish retelling of Beauty and the Beast following Vance Reigns, who plays the villainous General Sond in the Starfield movie, and small town girl Rosie Thorn, a high school senior and Starfield fan who is trying to work her way through the aftermath of her mother’s death. Vance has been basically Hollywood royalty since birth, but that also comes with a lot of scrutiny, and he isn’t exactly the golden boy, so when his latest misadventure hits the tabloids, he is shipped off to a small town…

10 Things I Hate About Pinky – Sandhya Menon – ARC Review

Priyanka ‘Pinky’ Kumar is very passionate about the various social causes she supports, no matter how obscure, something her corporate lawyer parents aren’t too pleased about. After years of being homeschooled due to his mother’s ill health and smothered by her overprotectiveness, Samir is venturing all the way to DC for an internship with a reputed law firm. But when his internship falls through, Samir is not quite ready to return to California. Pinky on the other hand is tired of being harassed about her poor decisions even on vacation and comes up with a plan to have Harvard law-bound…

You Say It First – Katie Cotugno – ARC Review

Meg is a high school senior who has always been interested in politics and truly believes in the system, volunteering at various events and working part-time at a voter registration call centre, encouraging people to sign up and vote on election day. One such call connects her to a boy in Ohio who instantly gets under her skin. Colby, who has problems of his own and has been going through a difficult time lately, is not interested in being preached to and ends the conversation rather bluntly. Rather than ending matters there however, Meg, against the rules, reaches out again…

Mini Reviews #12

Hello readers! It’s time for another round of Mini Reviews, where I talk about some of the books I don’t write full length reviews for. This installment, let’s chat about: The Life and (Medieval) Times of Kit Sweetly, Girls With Razor Hearts and Heartstopper: Volume One.

Mini Reviews #8

Hello readers! It’s time for another round of Mini Reviews, where I talk about some of the books I don’t write full length reviews for. This installment, let’s chat about four books: The Last Namsara, An Enchantment of Ravens, The Satapur Moonstone, and One of Us Is Lying.

Mini Reviews #7

Hello readers! It’s time for another round of Mini Reviews, where I talk about some of the books I don’t write full length reviews for. This installment, let’s chat about four books: Suggested Reading, Love & Gelato, Daughter of the Siren Queen, and The Belles.

Slay – Brittney Morris – ARC Review

Kiera Johnson is a high school student who has secretly developed an online game called Slay to create a safe space for black gamers in a community that is not all that inclusive for them, a game specifically for black people. But when a tragedy occurs over a dispute in the game, and a player is murdered, news of the game is made public, and Slay is labelled as a racist and violent game by the media, despite never having played the game themselves. What’s worse, if her identity as the developer of the game is revealed, she even might face…

American Royals – Katharine McGee

In an alternate version of history, what might present day America look like, had George Washington accepted a crown? Skip to present day, when the House of Washington still rules, twenty-one year old Princess Beatrice, heir to the throne, has her life mapped out for her, but as she draws closer to becoming the first Queen Regnant in history, the duties she has trained for all her life feel ever more confining. Prince Jefferson, the youngest, is America’s heartthrob, and in their eyes, can do no wrong. His twin, Princess Samantha is the second born, forever in her sister’s shadow, and…

Mini Reviews #5

Hello readers! It’s time for another round of Mini Reviews, where I talk about some of the books I don’t write full length reviews for. This installment, let’s chat about four books: Red, White & Royal Blue, Ghosts of the Shadow Market, Romanov and Once & Future.

Mini Reviews #4

Hello readers! It’s time for another round of Mini Reviews, where I talk about some of the books I don’t write full length reviews for. This installment, let’s chat about three books: Broken Throne, Two Dark Reigns & Again, but Better.

There’s Something About Sweetie – Sandhya Menon – ARC Review

This review is spoiler-free! Ashish Patel, star basketball player, is not in a very good place post breakup with his girlfriend and he’s lost his confidence. Annoyed by his parents’ comments that they could find someone perfect for him, he challenges them to set him up with an Indian-American girl like they did for his older brother Rishi.

The Princess and the Fangirl – Ashley Poston

Around a year post-Geekerella, Starfield is a huge success, and a sequel is being planned. Actress Jessica Stone, who plays Princess Amara, is not too happy about this however. She hates Starfield and was rather pleased when her character died in the movie. Eager to avoid being typecast, Jess is ready to move on to more meaningful, Oscar-worthy, and especially, non geeky films, especially given the less than enthusiastic reception she has had from some parts of the fandom.

Geekerella – Ashley Poston

Geekerella so accurately captures the essence of fandom in a tale that is truly heartwarming. Danielle Wittimer is an avid fan of the Starfield TV series, and is less than impressed when teen heartthrob and soap opera star Darien Freeman is cast for the lead role of Prince Carmindor in an upcoming movie adaptation.

From Twinkle, with Love – Sandhya Menon

From Twinkle, with Love takes the form of diary entries by Twinkle, each addressed to one of her favourite female filmmakers whom she hopes to become like someday. Opportunity finds her when Sahil (who also happens to be her crush’s twin brother) asks her to direct a film for a film festival.

When Dimple Met Rishi – Sandhya Menon

This is a perfect laugh-out-loud book. It was an absolute delight to read. The entire book is so cute – and more than a little relatable in some places. There was not one moment in the book when I was not thoroughly entertained. A perfect summer read!