September 2021 – Book Dust Magic

Continuation of a tasty series: The Dating Dare by Jayci Lee #bookreview @STMRomance #BookLovers #Romance

The Dating Dare by Jayci Lee book cover US edition

GIFTED / Today I want to talk about the series I fell in love with. This is only the second book in it that I have read, and I don’t know if there will be more and how more if yes, but I feel like I want to shout and shout how much I like it, in hope that will make you want to pick it up too.

The Dating Dare came out this year on August 3rd and it has 320 pages. I want to say thank you to Sara from St. Martin’s Griffin for inviting me to read and review this book via Netgalley.

About the book:

FROM GOODREADS /

Tara Park doesn’t do serious relationships. Neither does she hop into bed with virtual strangers. Especially when that particular stranger is her best friend’s new brother-in-law. It isn’t an easy decision, though. Seth Kim is temptation personified. His unreasonably handsome looks and charming personality makes him easy on the eyes and good for her ego.

When a friendly game of Truth or Dare leads to an uncomplicated four-date arrangement with Seth, Tara can’t say she minds. But their dates, while sweet and sexy, have a tendency to hit roadblocks. Thankfully, their non-dates and chance meetings get frequent and heated.

Seth is 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 soon Seth realizes that Tara Park doesn’t come in a “nice & little” package–she’s funny and bold, sweet and sexy, and everything he ever wanted and never expected to find. Neither of them are ready for something serious and both have past relationship baggage they’ve been ignoring, but with a shot at forever on the line will they follow their hearts and take a chance on happily-ever-after?

Review:

Recently I read A Sweet Mess by Jayci Lee and because I enjoyed it so much, I decided to dive immediately into it’s sequel called A Dating Dare.
Guess what? I loved it even more.

As I stated in my review for the first book, I started the series with low expectations, and I ended up appreciating it so much that I hope the author will continue giving us new books featuring characters we already got to know (for example, Tara has brothers who would make awesome MCs or that girl who works in bakery).

The writing style was very good, easy to follow and it felt kind of… comfortable.

The characters I liked even better then our first MCs, from A Sweet Mess.
Being honest is one of great sides of Tara‘s personality and I found her so relatable.
It was also a blast to read about her siblings and their brothers-sister relationship.

Seth is a brother of Landon who we already met in the prequel, so we were kind of familiar with his background.
Once again, honest and that up front approach is what got me to like him.

The book is written in first person, following our MCs POVs.
Both of views sound similar, which can sometimes be a miss, but here I didn’t mind it.

As for the plot itself, it was good, although at some point it felt like Seth and Tara only hung out with each other, even though their whole dating dare started with an aim to have only 3 dates.

This is another love story where couple get together early in the book and then conflicts happen and they have to figure out how to be together for real.

Overall, I really enjoyed it, I do recommend it, and I hope the series will grow.

The one that wasn’t for me: The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix @PRHGlobal #partner #horror #books

The Final Girl Support Group book cover US edition

GIFTED / Hi guys, today I want to talk about a book I read recently, that is pretty hyped up. Horror genre is still pretty new to me when it comes to books (movies I wantch all my life and it’s my favourite genre) so I don’t know what works good for me and what not, so I am prepared for failure when I chose the book, until I get to know my taste better.

The Final Girl Support Group was the book I hoped I would love, but unfortunately, that didn’t happened.

The novel was published on July 13th and it has 352 pages. I want to thank Penguin Global and Berkley books for inviting me to read and review this title.

About the book:

FROM GOODREADS /

A fast-paced, thrilling horror novel that follows a group of heroines to die for, from the brilliant New York Times bestselling author of The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires.

In horror movies, the final girl is the one who’s left standing when the credits roll. The one who fought back, defeated the killer, and avenged her friends. The one who emerges bloodied but victorious. But after the sirens fade and the audience moves on, what happens to her?

Lynnette Tarkington is a real-life final girl who survived a massacre twenty-two years ago, and it has defined every day of her life since. And she’s not alone. For more than a decade she’s been meeting with five other actual final girls and their therapist in a support group for those who survived the unthinkable, putting their lives back together, piece by piece. That is until one of the women misses a meeting and Lynnette’s worst fears are realized–someone knows about the group and is determined to take their lives apart again, piece by piece.

But the thing about these final girls is that they have each other now, and no matter how bad the odds, how dark the night, how sharp the knife, they will never, ever give up.

Review:

Unfortunately, this just wasn’t for me. And I am sure this is really “it’s not you, it’s me” case.

In all honesty, the reason I picked up The Final Girl Support Group was the hype it was getting even before it’s release, due to the author’s popularity.
I usually love horror movies, slashers and gory are my jam, but here in this book… although I do appreciate the action… most of the time I felt lost.

From the very beginning something felt off. It was probably the writing style I just couldn’t get into to save my life and the narrator and her craziness/paranoia didn’t click with me either.
I am aware that anyone in her place would lose their sanity too.

There were also so many characters, so many final girls obviously based on already created final girls in cult horror movies we all seen or at least heard of, that it took me way much time to acknowledge them.

There was an aha-moment that surprised me in a good way, but that was it.

If I am being honest I just didn’t care. I didn’t care about the plot, I didn’t care about the characters, I didn’t care about the end, and I feel sorry I wasn’t more invested.

It was clear to me around 15% that this book wasn’t for me, but I wanted to finish it as I had an ARC.

After I finally pushed through it I couldn’t believe it had only 352 pages. It felt like it was long as an eternity.

So my conclusion is, once again, that this book just wasn’t for me and I don’t think I will read more of Grady Hendrix’ work.

Sweet, fun and foody: A Sweet Mess by Jayci Lee (book review) @STMRomance #BookLovers #Romance

a sweet mess by jayci lee book cover us edition

GIFTED / Today I am so happy to bring you my review for the first book in the series I fell in love with. A Sweet Mess came out long ago (actually, it was last year, but when you are a reviewer who should review books prior their release, a year is like a decade), and although I do feel sorry for being late when it comes to reviewing it, I am also glad I waited (even though I can’t call it a choice) because I could read the sequel right away.

A Sweet Mess came out on July 14th 2020 and it has 306 pages. I want to thank St. Martin Griffin and Netgalley for my copy.

About the book:

FROM GOODREADS /

Bake a chance on love.

Aubrey Choi loves living in her small town nestled in the foothills of California, running her highly successful bakery away from the watch of her strict Korean parents. When a cake mix-up and a harsh review threaten all of her hard work and her livelihood, she never thought the jaded food critic would turn out to be her one-night stand. And she sure as hell never thought she’d see her gorgeous Korean unicorn again. But when Landon Kim waltzes into her bakery trying to clean up the mess he had a huge hand in making, Aubrey is torn between throwing and hearing him out.

When she hears his plan to help save her business, Aubrey knows that spending three weeks in California wine country working with Landon is a sure recipe for disaster. Her head is telling her to take the chance to save her bakery while her heart—and her hormones—are at war on whether to give him a second chance. And it just so happens that Landon’s meddling friends want them to spend those three weeks as close as possible…by sharing a villa.

When things start heating up, both in and out of the kitchen, Aubrey will have to make a choice—to stick it out or risk her heart.

Review:

I think it’s a good thing to go into books with low expectations, because then you might end up really liking it.

Let me tell you a story about my reading experience with A Sweet Mess.
Months and months ago, I saw it on Netgalley as READ NOW. Then life got in a way and blablabla, and I picked it up a year after it’s release (feel free to judge me, I don’t mind) when the reviews were already out there, and many of them weren’t so generous.
I picked up the book with low expectations, thinking I would be bored most of the time, and boom, I was having an awesome time, fell in love with the writing style (especially with dialogues between characters which I found meaningful and deep at times, but more often just entertaining) and I got attached to characters whom stories made me understand where they came from.

This is a romance in which characters get together and then separate because if conflicts and miss communication (or lack of it to be fair) so I do understand why it wouldn’t be appealing to a part of romance audience. To me, it was done right and I enjoyed following their journey to each other.

There were some smut scenes but they weren’t too explicit. However, I wouldn’t recommend this to minors.

Right after finishing A Sweet Mess I went into The Dating Dare, and guess what: I loved that one even more!
I guess Jayci Lee should find her spot on my list of authors who’s work I am eagerly anticipating.

A book that melted my heart: When Sparks Fly by Helena Hunting #romance #BookLovers @StMartinsPress @HelenaHunting

When Sparks Fly by Helena Hunting book cover 2021 US edition

GIFTED / I am so happy to bring you my review for ~~one of the best romances~~ the best romance I’ve read this year. When Sparks Fly won my heart and everytime I think about it, it’s like I visit a happy place, if just for a short period of time. It has been weeks since I finished this book, but my heart is still warm when I think about it.

I want to thank publicist Sara from St. Martin’s Griffin for inviting me to read and review this book via Netgalley.

When Sparks Fly comes out tomorrow, september 21st, and it has 320 pages.

About the book:

FROM GOODREADS /

Running the Spark House, a hotel/event space that has been in her family for years, has been Avery Spark’s lifelong dream. After years of working hard and making personal sacrifices, Avery and her two younger sisters have turned the Spark House into the premier destination in Colorado Springs. Avery is living her best life—she works with her sisters and loves every minute of it, she has a great group of friends, and she lives in a fantastic condo with her best friend Declan. She might not have any love in her life, but she’s happy.

But everything comes to a screeching halt when Avery is in a car accident, leaving her immobile for weeks. After nearly losing Avery, Declan insists that he will be the one to take care of her while she recovers. However, as Declan becomes Avery’s caretaker, lines begin to blur.

Avery and Declan have been best friends since college and always had an attraction to one another, but when she ended up dating his best friend, Sam, they successfully stamped down any feelings they may have ever had for one another. Now, as Declan and Avery spend more time together, they each begin to wonder what would’ve happened if she’d dated him instead of Sam. What starts as a friend helping out another friend turns into foreplay and, before they realize it, they recognize how deeply they care for one another. But when things get serious their past threatens to destroy everything they have built.

Review:

How do you know the book you read was 5 stars worth?
Well, one of the signs is if it warmed your heart to the point you feel like you’re melting of pleasure.
Obviously, this is me figuratively speaking, but I am not far away from the truth, because this book really brought me so much joy. In other words, it reminded me why I fell in love with books in the first place.

The writing style was so addictive, I understand why Helena Hunting is popular in romance community.
She knows how to start a book to grab your attention, and she surely knows how to finish it.

The characters of the story were both likeable and relatable.
The story is written in first person, following Avery’s and Daclain’s POVs. If I am being completely honest, they did kind of sound the same, but I didn’t mind it.

This story is somewhat personal to me as I was in a car accident myself and I was also at one point in my life a carrier, so I could understand both of the characters to some point.
Of course, this being a romance fiction it was sugar coated to a certain degree.

My favourite part was the last fourth of the book, when the writer (or I should say characters) approached to problems in realistic and mature way. It is what made this book special and of course, when it sums with the end, it made perfect friends to lovers story.

So… This was boring: The Project by Courtney Summers #BookReview #Cults

The Project by Courtney Summers book cover US edition 2021

GIFTED / Hi guys, today I want to talk about a book I was excited about, but then I was left disappointed. It is unfortunately and I am not thrilled to post my negative review, but it is what it is: I didn’t like the book, and me being honest in my reviews, means I won’t always write the praising ones.

The Project came out on February 2nd 2021 and it has 352 pages. I want to thank St. Martin Press, Wednesday Books for giving me a chance to read and review this book via Netgalley.

About the book:

FROM GOODREADS /

Lo Denham is used to being on her own. After her parents died in a tragic car accident, her sister Bea joined the elusive community called The Unity Project, leaving Lo to fend for herself. Desperate not to lose the only family she has left, Lo has spent the last six years trying to reconnect with Bea, only to be met with radio silence.

When Lo’s given the perfect opportunity to gain access to Bea’s reclusive life, she thinks they’re finally going to be reunited. But it’s difficult to find someone who doesn’t want to be found, and as Lo delves deeper into The Project and its charismatic leader, she begins to realize that there’s more at risk than just her relationship with Bea: her very life might be in danger.

As she uncovers more questions than answers at each turn, everything Lo thought she knew about herself, her sister, and the world is upended. One thing doesn’t change, though, and that’s what keeps her going: Bea needs her, and Lo will do anything to save her.

From Courtney Summers, the New York Times bestselling author of the 2019 Edgar Award Winner and breakout hit Sadie, comes her electrifying follow-up—a suspenseful, pulls-no-punches story about an aspiring young journalist determined to save her sister no matter the cost.

Review:

When I found out The Project was READ NOW on Netgalley, I was so happy and excited, as I’ve heard only good things about Courtney Summers’ work.
Her book Some Girls are is on my radar for some time now, and with Sadie being a huge hit last year, you can guess why I expected to be thrilled with her newest novel.

As time passed and life got in the way, unfortunately I picked up The Project after it’s release, with my expectations lower then before, as many negative reviews pop up on my feed and in the book community in general.

My first problem with the novel was that, although with the theme it followed it sounded promising, the execution was just boring.
In matter of fact, this is one of the most boring, if not THE most boring book that I have ever read.
I feel like in the whole story nothing actually happened, and often I felt like I was behind the doors of a cult, listening to their preaching.

I expected some action at least close to the end, but when “big thing” was revealed I don’t think anyone was shocked, as everyone and their mothers could have guessed it.
And if I am being honest, I didn’t even care at that point.

I don’t appreciate how this was marketed as horror, thriller, suspense, when in reality it is a drama about cult.

Publishers, please don’t wrap a dull drama story in shiny paper called horror, it is so misleading and not okay.

I also don’t understand why the author and publishers decided for The Project to be a ya book?
Was it because Sadie was that genre? Or maybe they thought it could potentially sell more copies?
Whatever the reason, I have strong opinion that if the book was aimed for adult audience, without restrictions it could have been better. Maybe not way better, but at least little better.

I feel like the story was inspired with Church of Wells. I could be wrong.
However, I just want to mention that I watched several videos about that cult, years ago, and I was more entertained and thrilled then I ever was while reading this novel.

The book is written in dual timelines, following two sisters, Bea and Lo.
Lo’s POV was written in first person, and Bea’s in third.
I also want to stress out that the prologue of the story has nothing to do with the story itself and it is misleading.

As for the characters… oh, Lo was so… unlikable, full of herself thinking her boss needs to promote her after she was there for a year, without right education in the first place, and she came off as the world owes her something.
It is still not clear to me who took care of her while she was left alone, while her selfish sister Bea ran off to cult while Lo was still in the hospital.
And where was the child service in this whole story??

Not to end this review on a negative note, I want to say I did enjoy some of the dialogues between characters.

After finishing The Project, I don’t think I will read Sadie. I lost the will.

Compelling thriller to read in one sitting: Ask No Questions by Claire Allan #Thriller #BookLovers #BookBloggers @AvonBooksUK

Ask No Questions by Claire Allan book cover UK edition 2021

GIFTED / Today I want to talk about a book I read in 5 days when I was extremly busy, and I honestly think that, if I had more free time, I would finish it in a day. It was just that compelling and it kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time.

Ask No Questions was published on January 21st 2021 and it has 336 pages. I want to thank Ellie Pilcher from Avon for sending me an invitation to read and review this book via Netgalley.

About the book:

FROM GOODREADS /

The new crime thriller from the bestselling author of Her Name Was Rose

Twenty-five years ago, on Halloween night, eight-year-old Kelly Doherty went missing while out trick or treating with friends.
Her body was found three days later, floating face down, on the banks of the Creggan Reservoir by two of her young classmates.
It was a crime that rocked Derry to the core. Journalist Ingrid Devlin is investigating – but someone doesn’t want her to know the truth. As she digs further, Ingrid starts to realise that the Doherty family are not as they seem. But will she expose what really happened that night before it’s too late?

A twisty psychological thriller from bestselling author Claire Allan.

Review:

I just finished this novel, and I still need to comprehend everything that’s been going on in the story, but I couldn’t resist and I had to write my review right away, while the story is still fresh in my mind.

Last year I read (and enjoyed) Allan’s novel The Liar’s Daughter. What I liked the most in that book was the small town atmosphere the author created.

This time, it was the characters.
I applause the writer for creating so interesting and believable characters that made me feel like I do know them, do see them and pay attention to everyone.
Often in books, especially in thrillers/crimes, there are often characters that just show themselves few times and we don’t pay attention to them, but in this story everyone was under spotlight for at least some time.
It was similar like watching a tv show, where you do get to see characters and remember them, connect with them on a different level.

As for the story itself, it had a good plot.
It was hard for me to predict where the story would go, and who’d be the bad guy, as I really didn’t have anyone to suspect more than others.

The writing style is good. The book is written in first person following Ingrid’s POV (who is a reporter, investing the story) and in third person following twins that are side characters of the story.

As a readers who’s English is not the first language, I thought that the book is written in Scottish English, but I guess the author is Irish.
Anyway, there were words that were new to me and I was so happy to expanse my vocabulary thanks to this book.

The end was pretty satisfying and I think I would read this book in only 2 days if I had more time to read, bc I finished it in only three sittings (keep in mind that I am a slow reader).

If you’re looking for a quick thriller to read, look no further!

A start of a new, compelling series: The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna @PRHGlobal #partner #fantasy #BookLovers

The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna book cover US edition 2021

GIFTED / Hi guys, today I wanted to introduce you to a series I started this year, and plan to continue. Maybe you’ve already heard about it, as it was hyped around it’s release, and if you ask me, it was hyped for a reason.
Unfortunately, I feel like the talk is not so loud anymore, so I wanted to give it a shout.

The Gilded Ones was published this year on February 9th and it has 432 pages. I want to thank Penguin Global and Delacorte Press for inviting me to read and review this title.

About the book:

FROM GOODREADS/

Sixteen-year-old Deka lives in fear and anticipation of the blood ceremony that will determine whether she will become a member of her village. Already different from everyone else because of her unnatural intuition, Deka prays for red blood so she can finally feel like she belongs.

But on the day of the ceremony, her blood runs gold, the color of impurity–and Deka knows she will face a consequence worse than death.

Then a mysterious woman comes to her with a choice: stay in the village and submit to her fate, or leave to fight for the emperor in an army of girls just like her. They are called alaki–near-immortals with rare gifts. And they are the only ones who can stop the empire’s greatest threat.

Knowing the dangers that lie ahead yet yearning for acceptance, Deka decides to leave the only life she’s ever known. But as she journeys to the capital to train for the biggest battle of her life, she will discover that the great walled city holds many surprises. Nothing and no one are quite what they seem to be–not even Deka herself.

Review:

I feel like the cover for The Gilded Ones is everywhere lately. Every day I see it on my Goodreads feed, booktubers and bookstagrammers promote it, twitter, blogs, you name it…so… I also wanted to be part of that train gang.

I can proudly say that the hype surrounding this novel is well deserved. This was really good story, with good representation and message, that was also very enjoyable and entertaining.

If you know me, you know that the most important things to me, when it comes to books and stories, are characters.
The Gilded Ones has variety of interesting characters that I got to know through a story and by the end of the novel, I found myself truly caring about them, so I am really looking forward to read about them in future installments.

The world building was done great. It was so easy for me to imagine all the palces, jungles and deserts in the story.
I like to read fantasy from time to time, but I don’t consider myself an expert in this genre, however, I do feel like I can say that the author did a good job introducing this world, with all the history and present events.

The story was easy to read, thanks to a good, simple but rich writing style.

The end was good, and even better introduction to next book in the series.

I was really fascinated with one event that was mentioned closer to the end of the book, when one character described what happened in the past. I won’t say more about it bc it would be a spoiler, but I will stress out that it impacted me the most, because I never came across to something similar in my reading life.

I also want to quickly mention how the main event or purpose in the story passed so quickly and after so much preparation surrounding it, it was resolved so easily and I expected more obstacles.

The Gilded Ones is good book about feminism, impacted by author’s own experience and authenticity.
It also represented diversity, the are POC characters, lqbtq+ characters (I should stress out that for now only sapphic relationship was mentioned, but I feel there’s space for more representations in sequels).

There are also some references and mentions of sexual abuse, so be aware of that.

I also want to emphasize how The Gilded Ones can provoke great discussion, so I encourage you to reading in book clubs.
Of course, reading it in your own company has it’s benefits too.

To make it short, I recommend you to read it.

Perfect to spend your vacation with: You and Me on Vacation by Emily Henry @PenguinUKBooks #BookLovers #Romance

you and me on Vacation by Emily Henry book cover UK edition

GIFTED / I am so happy to finally tell you all about a book I enjoyed so much this summer, You and Me on Vacation by Emily Henry, also published by name People We Meet on Vacation in US, and at the same time, I am sorry I haven’t posted this review sooner. But better late then never, right?

You and Me on Vacation was published on July 22nd 2021, and it has 368 pages. I want to say thank you to Georgia Taylor from Penguin Random House UK for sending me a Netgalley widget and inviting me to read and review this novel.

About the book:

FROM GOODREADS /

TWO FRIENDS
TEN SUMMER TRIPS
THEIR LAST CHANCE TO FALL IN LOVE

12 SUMMERS AGO: Poppy and Alex meet. They hate each other, and are pretty confident they’ll never speak again.

11 SUMMERS AGO: They’re forced to share a ride home from college and by the end of it a friendship is formed. And a pact: every year, one vacation together.

10 SUMMERS AGO: Alex discovers his fear of flying on the way to Vancouver.
Poppy holds his hand the whole way.

7 SUMMERS AGO: They get far too drunk and narrowly avoid getting matching tattoos in New Orleans.

2 SUMMERS AGO: It all goes wrong.

THIS SUMMER: Poppy asks Alex to join her on one last trip. A trip that will determine the rest of their lives.

You and Me on Vacation is a love story for fans of When Harry Met Sally and One Day. Get ready to travel the world, snort with laughter and – most of all – lose your heart to Poppy and Alex.

Review:

I was lucky enough to get an invitation to read You and Me on Vacation before it’s release.
Because life had other plans, I wasn’t able to get into it earlier, but I am so glad I enjoyed this story before it officially hits the shalves.

Last year I read Henry’s Beach Read and fell in love with it.
It is one of the best books I read in 2020 and I couldn’t wait to read her newest adult novel.

After finishing You and Me on Vacation (published in US with a title People you Meet on Vacation) I can say that Henry’s writing style really speaks to me (you see what I did here? 😉 ).
Jokes aside, I came to realization that I really enjoy her way of telling stories. I still haven’t check her ya books, and I plan to read them all at some point. I feel like she has potential to become one of my favourite authors.

The book talks about two friends who every summer go to vacation together. We follow present day and see previous 10 years in their own chapters.
The story is told from Poppy’s POV, first person, and it’s perfect best friends to lovers story.
The author mentioned in her note that it was inspired by When Harry met Sally.

Even though this books talks about our main characters visiting places, including my home country Croatia which is so rarely featured in American novels), it is character driven story.
In my honest opinion, it lacks descriptions of places, and if I told you I felt like I was there with our characters, exploring countries, I would lie.
I felt their personal emotions though, and that is what really matters.

One other thing this book accomplished was to make me want to travel somewhere.
I know we are in time when traveling comes with obstacles a is not recommended (damn you Covid! 😡 ), but it was nice to daydream and reminisce).

I know this book is considered as romance. In my opinion it is somewhere between that and women’s fiction.
Chick lit would be perfect genre.

I highly recommend You and Me on Vacation and suggest you to read it on a sunny day.

Bunch of Psychos in one place: Never Saw Me Coming by Vera Kurian #Thriller #BookReview #College @parkrowbooks

Never Saw Me Coming by Vera Kurian book cover US edition

GIFTED / Another day, another book review. I guess that is what happens when you don’t blog for months: after the break, you have lots to say (or in my case, to review). Never Saw Me Coming was another book I read with girls from my reading club, and if I remember correctly (It was months ago, so it is kind of blurry at this point) we all liked it, and we all had similar thoughts about the ending.

Never Saw Me Coming will be published tomorrow, September 7th 2021 and it has 400 pages. I got a free copy via Netgalley in an exchange for an honest review. I want to say thank you to Park Row Publishing, Harlequin.

About the book:

FROM GOODREADS /

Meet Chloe Sevre. She’s a freshman honor student, a leggings-wearing hot girl next door, who also happens to be a psychopath. Her hobbies include yogalates, frat parties, and plotting to kill Will Bachman, a childhood friend who grievously wronged her.

Chloe is one of seven students at her DC-based college who are part of an unusual clinical study for psychopaths—students like herself who lack empathy and can’t comprehend emotions like fear or guilt. The study, led by a renowned psychologist, requires them to wear smart watches that track their moods and movements.

When one of the students in the study is found murdered in the psychology building, a dangerous game of cat and mouse begins, and Chloe goes from hunter to prey. As she races to identify the killer and put her own plan into action, she’ll be forced to decide if she can trust any of her fellow psychopaths—and everybody knows you should never trust a psychopath.

Never Saw Me Coming is a compulsive, voice-driven thriller by an exciting new voice in fiction, that will keep you pinned to the page and rooting for a would-be killer.

Review:

It’s been weeks since me and my reading buddies finished this book, so my review won’t be in depth as I first planned it to be.

Never Saw Me Coming stood out to me with it’s cast of characters.
It is rare to read about main character who happens to be a psychopath, but it is extremely difficult to find a book with many psychopaths represented, all in one story, all together hanging around, making jokes and just simply being themselves.

I was already familiar with basics when it comes to this state of mind (diagnosis or whatever is the right word for it) and I think the author did a good job when it comes to representation.
I also want to stress out that I do appreciate the idea/point she was making by telling this story.

My favourite character was Cloe and I wish the whole book was written from her perspective, following her narration in first person.
Some parts written in third person following different characters were entertaining, but some were boring.

At some points I was really invested in the story. My favourite part was the revenge plot, and I’ll be perfectly honest with you, as the big thing was happening my heart was racing 100/h.

I am sorry to say that with all the preparing for the grand finale and revelation about the killer, I ended up disappointed and to say it simple, the end was underwhelming.

Overall, this was very entertaining novel set in college and I would recommend it as a quick read, but I wasn’t satisfied with the way it wrapped up.

Coming of age story I enjoyed this summer: Cool for the Summer by Dahlia Adler @StMartinPress #BookLovers #lqbtq

Cool for the Summer by Dahlia Adler book cover 2021

GIFTED / Today I am happy to bring you my review for a book I had such a fun reading, and I hope you will enjoy it too. It is coming of age story with love triangle in it. Maybe it sounds cheezy, but trust me, it is good!

Cool for the Summer came out on May 11th and it has 272 pages. I want to thank St. Martin Press, Wednesday Books, for providing me a copy via Netgalley.

About a book:

FROM GOODREADS / Lara’s had eyes for exactly one person throughout her three years of high school: Chase Harding. He’s tall, strong, sweet, a football star, and frankly, stupid hot. Oh, and he’s talking to her now. On purpose and everything. Maybe…flirting, even? No, wait, he’s definitely flirting, which is pretty much the sum of everything Lara’s wanted out of life.

Except she’s haunted by a memory. A memory of a confusing, romantic, strangely perfect summer spent with a girl named Jasmine. A memory that becomes a confusing, disorienting present when Jasmine herself walks through the front doors of the school to see Lara and Chase chatting it up in front of the lockers.

Lara has everything she ever wanted: a tight-knit group of friends, a job that borders on cool, and Chase, the boy of her literal dreams. But if she’s finally got the guy, why can’t she stop thinking about the girl?

Cool for the Summer is a story of self-discovery and new love. It’s about the things we want and the things we need. And it’s about the people who will let us be who we are.

Review:

Cool for the Summer was maybe the best book I read this summer and definitely one of my favourite ya contemporaries I read this year.

It is coming of age story done well, with lead character discovering who she is and what she wants and doesn’t want in her life, and how dreams coming true don’t guarantee happiness.

With wild cast of lgbtq+ characters that are, from my point of view, ,represented right, Adler deserves to be a new voice of ya contemporaries.

The story was good and easy to read.
I read in other readers reviews how they didn’t like that the main character was naive and didn’t ask questions she should have had.
I do agree that there was miscommunication that could have easily been resolved with just talking, and the characters acted little immature when it comes to them, but if I’m being honest, I didn’t mind them, because I feel like without them there wouldn’t be a story.
At least not this one.

I also want to mention how I really liked Jasmine and if I was younger, she would probably be my book crush.
I 100% understand why everyone wanted to be near her, and the way Lara talked about her really described the love she had for her. The chemistry was also written well.

The book has two parts:
“THEN” that talk about summer (which were my favourite) and
“NOW” set during school year.
I wish we got more of THEN.

The novel is written in first person, following Lara’s POV.

Overall, really good coming of age novel with diverse cast.
I highly recommend it to ya contemporary lovers.