Enchanting Adventures and Unlikely Love on Sinner's Isle: A Five-Star Fantasy Tale

Sinner's Isle by Angela Montoya
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Year read: 2023

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book. My opinion is my own.

Sinner's Isle by Angela Montoya is an enchanting and action-packed adventure that had me hooked from the very first page. This fun and lighthearted read is a breath of fresh air in the world of YA fantasy, and it deserves every one of these five stars!

The story revolves around the spirited and powerful witch, Rosalinda, trapped on the remote and mysterious Sinner's Isle. Under the watchful eye of the power-hungry Doña Lucia, Rosa is preparing to be the centerpiece of this year's Offering, where the wealthy will choose a Majestic to serve them for life. The captivating blend of found family, friendship, and love weaves throughout the plot, making it a heartwarming and emotionally resonant tale.

The fated love elements in the story may be a bit heavy-handed, but strangely, they make you root for the pirate and the witch even more. Mariano, the charming and swashbuckling pirate, is a character that's impossible not to love, and Rosa's strength and determination are admirable.

What sets Sinner's Isle apart are the unexpected twists and turns that left me cheering and shedding happy tears. The whirlwind of the plot keeps you on the edge of your seat, and the diverse cast of characters, both likable and despicable, adds depth and complexity to the story.

This book reads like a Disney movie brought to life in the best way possible. The action is thrilling, the romance is swoon-worthy, and the plot twists are both surprising and satisfying. Angela Montoya's writing feels fresh and original, and this standalone fantasy novel marks a promising start to what I hope will be a new series. I can't wait to dive into this captivating world again and see where the author takes us next.

In summary, Sinner's Isle is a delightful gem of a book that delivers adventure, romance, and unexpected twists. If you're ready for an exhilarating journey filled with magic, intrigue, and unforgettable characters, this is the perfect choice. Angela Montoya has crafted a story worth celebrating and falling in love with. Don't miss out on this fantastic read!


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Charming Christmas Connections in 'Love in Winter Wonderland'

Love in Winter Wonderland by Abiola Bello
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Year read: 2023

"Love in Winter Wonderland" by Abiola Bello is a heartwarming YA Christmas romance that I'd rate at four stars. The narrative revolves around two teenagers who join forces through social media to rescue a struggling Black-owned indie bookshop, delivering a heartwarming message of friendship, teamwork, and determination.

Ariel and Trey's chemistry was beautifully authentic, evolving from strangers to friends to a deeper, more romantic connection without any forced moments. Ariel, in particular, was a standout character with her multifaceted personality, dealing with weight issues, grief over her father's loss, scholarship applications to art school, and bullies, all while being a vital friend to Trey and helping save the bookshop.

However, while Ariel shone brightly, Trey's character was less likable. His actions in his relationship with Blair, like forgetting her birthday and dancing with another girl in front of her, made it hard to connect with him. Overall, "Love in Winter Wonderland" is a heartwarming read offering an enjoyable holiday-themed journey filled with friendship, love, and support for independent businesses.




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Heartfelt and Authentic: A Review of 'Girls Like Girls' by Hayley Kiyoko

Girls Like Girls by Hayley Kiyoko
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Year read: 2023

"Girls Like Girls" by Hayley Kiyoko takes readers on a heartwarming journey of self-discovery and love. At the heart of the story is Coley, a 17-year-old who finds herself grappling with the recent loss of her mother, thrusting her into a new environment and leaving her vulnerable and uncertain. Kiyoko's portrayal of Coley's emotional journey is incredibly poignant, allowing readers to connect deeply with her vulnerability and doubts.

When Coley crosses paths with Sonya, an immediate connection ignites. Kiyoko masterfully weaves their relationship, capturing the exhilaration, tenderness, and uncertainty of first love. Coley's doubts about her own worthiness of love and Sonya's journey as someone who has never been with a girl before adding layers of depth and authenticity to their evolving connection.

Set in a small town in Oregon, this book beautifully explores the challenges of teenage life and the courage it takes to embrace one's true self. With relatable characters and a celebration of LGBTQ+ experiences, Kiyoko's storytelling captures the essence of love and acceptance. "Girls Like Girls" was a captivating read.

Disclosure Statement:

I received a free Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way influences my opinions or the content of my review. My feedback is voluntary and unbiased. My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an opportunity to read and review this book.

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American Royals (American Royals, #1) by Katharine McGee

American Royals by Katharine McGee
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

American Royals by Katharine McGee had an interesting premise with the idea of an American monarchy, but it left me feeling somewhat unsatisfied. While I was excited about exploring an alternate universe perspective on American royalty, I found the characters to be hard to connect with or genuinely care about.

Throughout the book, the author invests a lot of time building various relationships, only to crush nearly all of them by the end. This left me feeling somewhat frustrated and wondering about the point of it all. The only character who consistently acted in a manner consistent with their personality was the villainous Daphne Deighton, which made her oddly intriguing in a story filled with characters who seemed to lack depth.

As I considered whether to continue with the series, I took a quick look at the reviews for the second book, and they didn't inspire confidence. It seems that my concerns about the characters and their development may persist in subsequent installments.

While American Royals had a promising concept, the execution didn't fully deliver for me. If you're looking for a more immersive exploration of an alternate American monarchy, you might be left wanting.

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Playing the Witch Card by K.J. Dell'Antonia

Playing the Witch Card by K.J. Dell'Antonia
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

"Playing the Witch Card" by K.J. Dell'Antonia had the potential to be a captivating tale, blending elements of romance, magic, and family drama. However, it fell short of expectations due to several key issues.

The book's first chapter left me feeling disoriented and disconnected from the story. It was filled with emo foreshadowing and references to unexplained elements, making it a challenging start for readers. Additionally, the protagonist's conflicting desires regarding her hometown felt implausible. Wanting to return but rejecting the day-to-day aspects of her hometown life seemed inconsistent and made it difficult to relate to her character.

One of the most frustrating aspects of the book was the main character's stubborn refusal to acknowledge the importance of magic despite clear evidence that it played a significant role in her life. Her flimsy reasons for rejecting it added to the frustration. Furthermore, her decision to move back to her hometown under the ultimatum of "learn magic or leave forever" felt contrived and questionable.

The character of Flair is unlikable and comes across as a know-it-all who is willing to disregard the well-being of others to achieve her goals. Rooting for her or becoming emotionally invested in her journey was challenging. Ultimately, unlikable characters, a rushed plot, and unlikely and bizarre character choices hindered the story's potential.

While the publisher's description promised a blend of "Gilmore Girls" and "Practical Magic," the execution fell short of delivering on this enticing premise. Overall, "Playing the Witch Card" had potential but failed to live up to it due to these issues.

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Witches Get Stuff Done by Molly Harper

Witches Get Stuff Done by Molly Harper
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

**Three-Star Review: Witches Get Stuff Done by Molly Harper**

"Witches Get Stuff Done" by Molly Harper presents a mix of magical intrigue and charming characters in a debut installment that promises potential for future growth. While the story's premise and characters are engaging, notable issues hinder a complete immersion into the magical world the author is building.

One of the book's main setbacks lies in its continuity and spatial positioning. The occurrence of characters hugging across counters or moving unconscious individuals with implausible ease disrupts the reader's ability to suspend disbelief. The concept of time becomes somewhat muddled, as when a "few days" are only two days. Such discrepancies are distracting and prevent the seamless flow that a fantasy story demands.

The novel's pacing leans toward the brisk side, resulting in whirlwind relationships and difficulty keeping track of time progression. Relationships that develop rapidly might leave readers struggling to invest fully in the emotional arcs. However, despite these pacing issues, the characters shine as the book's redeeming quality. Their likability and distinct personalities contribute to the overall appeal of the story.

As a first installment in a series, some leniency in judgment can be granted, acknowledging the space for growth and development. The publisher's description of the book alludes to a promising foundation, witchy powers, a ghost-filled mansion, and a captivating coven dynamic. This initial offering lays the groundwork for future exploration of the magical world, allowing room for the series to mature and evolve.

One notable misstep in the book is the awkward placement of a single explicit scene. It feels out of sync with the overall tone and pacing, detracting from the story's cohesion. The impression is that the book tries to cater to a broad audience but attempts too many angles, resulting in a slightly disjointed reading experience.

In conclusion, "Witches Get Stuff Done" introduces readers to a world of magic, ghosts, and potential sisterhood, with engaging characters that mitigate some of the narrative's shortcomings. While continuity, pacing, and thematic focus detract from a fully immersive experience, the groundwork laid for future books in the series offers hope for improvement. Those willing to overlook the initial hiccups might find themselves eager to see how the world of Starfall Point evolves in subsequent installments.

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If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy

 If the Shoe Fits (Meant To Be #1) by Julie Murphy 

Publisher: Hyperion Avenue

Publication date: 03 Aug 2021

My rating: 5 out of 5 stars

The link above is an affiliate link. If you make a purchase through it, I will receive a small amount of the sale, at no cost to you. It helps me make a little money to support my book reviewing hobby. Thank you! 

Publisher's description:

After having just graduated with a degree in shoe design, and trying to get her feet on the ground, Cindy is working for her stepmother, who happens to be the executive producer of America's favorite reality show, Before Midnight. When a spot on the show needs filling ASAP, Cindy volunteers, hoping it might help jump-start her fashion career, or at least give her something to do while her peers land jobs in the world of high fashion.

Turns out being the only plus-size woman on a reality dating competition makes a splash, and soon Cindy becomes a body positivity icon for women everywhere. What she doesn't expect? That she may just find inspiration - and love - in the process. Ultimately, Cindy learns that if the shoe doesn't fit, maybe it's time to design your own. 

My review:

I received a free copy of the ebook from Netgalley in exchange for my review. All opinions shared are 100% my own.

I just love Julie Murphy’s books. Her protagonists are funny, charming, vulnerable, and oh so real. Cindy does not disappoint. This delightful twist on the classic fairytale is just too perfect. I was pleasantly surprised by the “twist”... you all know there has to be one and I was legitimately dreading what I thought it would be. I was wrong! And it all worked so well for the story. I really loved that “Cinderella” was very close to her step-sisters and step-mother. There is some great LGBTQ representation in the book, including modeling good pronoun use. It’s (naturally) full of body positivity and authentic discussions of size and size discrimination (because, hello? - JULIE MURPHY!).  I love this author and this book did not disappoint. There were definite tears - of several varieties - throughout my reading. I want to see this movie! And I don’t even really watch movies. Henry Cavill as Henry?  I mean… he already has the right first name and everything. (Is that a coincidence or on purpose, Ms. Murphy?).

This is a delightful rom-com with a fun look into the behind-the-scenes nonsense of reality television. I don’t watch reality TV either but still enjoyed the book very much. It features good representation, addresses very real societal issues in very honest ways, and is just fun to read. 

About the author:

Julie Murphy lives in North Texas with her husband who loves her, her dog who adores her, and her cats who tolerate her. After several wonderful years in the library world, Julie now writes full-time. 

When she’s not writing or reliving her reference desk glory days, she can be found watching made-for-TV movies, hunting for the perfect slice of cheese pizza, and planning her next great travel adventure. 

She is also the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the young adult novels Dumplin’ (now a film on Netflix), Puddin’, Ramona Blue, and Side Effects May Vary. Dear Sweet Pea is her debut middle-grade novel.

Finding Love Among Flowers: A 3-Star Review of 'Cards from Khloe's Flower Shop'

Cards From Khloe's Flower Shop by Isabella Louise Anderson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Year read: 2017

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions shared are 100% my own.

Khloe owns a flower shop - her dream come true. Every day, she helps customers find their happily ever after by providing stunning floral arrangements and, most importantly, heartfelt cards of sentiment. However, after having her heart broken, she's sure she will never find her own happily ever after. Well, she very nearly jinxes it with her bizarre behavior toward the handsome love interest who enters her door one day. I wanted to shake her on more than one occasion. Her character was real, but I'm not sure that Derek's acceptance of her oddball behavior was realistic. 99% of men would have run to the hills with the first hint of her serious trust issues.

Gabby and Connie were both more interesting than Khloe. I loved Gabby and rooted for her to find happiness again after losing the love of her life. The new relationship was pretty sugary sweet, but that was totally okay! Because you really could see a situation like hers. And poor Connie. While I think the reason why the "mean girl" was so awful was a bit forced, I have definitely seen horrible people target someone with low self-esteem like Connie and just torture them. And her choices in dealing with several situations were very realistic.

The sexy scenes didn't all seem to fit in the same book. Some were pretty chaste and only hinted at intimacy; others were steamier. Nothing too explicit, though (no throbbing love muscles), and the words used were scientific or common usage terms. I am NOT a fan of sexy scenes, but nothing here was objectionable. The best friend talked a little too much about sex, and it did start to get annoying... do people really talk that much about sex with their best friends?

All in all, this is a feel-good tale about three women finding love. The men were all charming and pretty standard chick-lit "awesome." Having more flower shop cards in the book would have been fun. It's a sweet, light read. It's suitable for a day at the pool or curled under a blanket with hot tea.




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