Liz Is Reading ✨

just a 28yo reconnecting with reading

[lizanneyoung97]

ARC REVIEW: MUTUAL DISCORD BY LIANA DE LA ROSA

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Sofia sets off on an unexpected career path after being laid off, which leads her to meet someone online. However, when Alex pops up in her life, seemingly dating her best friend, things get complicated quickly as Sofia tries to do right by her friend and focus on where she wants her career to go next.

I love how well this story captures the frustrations of being a woman in a corporate world, family expectations, personal expectations, and unique friendship dynamics. There’s so much pressure coming from all sides, but most of it is from Sofia herself. I like how Alex balances that in her, how she lets herself slow down and just enjoy moments more with him. Is she obsessively working through everything in her head, worried about his relationship with her friend? Yes, but it shows the conflict she’s having as a whole at this life crossroads. 

I think Alex may be a new top five MMC for me. I have way too many of his quotes highlighted and I just really enjoyed the care he shows the people in his life. There’s a comparison to Parks and Rec in the book, and he is Leslie Knope, with a steel trap of friendship nuggets. 

One of my favorite parts of the Luna Sisters series is the inclusion of historical figures like Charles Darwin, and I love how that was incorporated here with Sofia’s TikTok series. I learned about so many important women, was reminded of others, and now have a list to look into further. Sure, Sofia’s initial TikTok was rooted in anger and frustration, but what she grew from it is entirely her own. She’s not letting anyone else’s voice define her, and is instead giving a voice to those who never got the one they were owed. 

Thank you to the author and publisher for an eARC!

[lizanneyoung97]

BOOK REVIEW: FIREWORKS AND FROSTING BY KRISTIN CAST

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A fun summer read, especially if you love small town contests! Lila wants to win the Frosting Queen crown after years of being beaten out by her high school bully, and Max is new to town and roped into being a judge. 

I was flabbergasted about what happened at the carnival. I was not expecting that at all, and I’m glad the person who did it was held accountable. Trying not to give spoilers, but it is wild that this individual has gotten away with treating Lila that way for so long. I’m so glad the tides turned in the end, but I was very nervous for a second. 

I love that Max and Lila each find a new reason to call Crescent Cove home. Max is so conditioned to moving around every few months, and Lila wants a fresh start, and it’s wonderful to see them both come to realizations about life and what they truly want. 

[lizanneyoung97]

BOOK REVIEW: NINE MONTH CONTRACT BY AMY DAWS

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This is a surrogacy romance, which I haven’t read before, but was curious about the premise and have heard great things, so when it was picked for book club, I was intrigued. 

Wyatt was difficult for me to like initially. The introduction to him makes him come across as a bit aggressive, and not in a protective way. However, once the writing settles into his character, it’s clear that he leans more protective, it just doesn’t always come across well. His dream of being a father, even if it’s doing it without a romantic partner, is admirable, and I respect that he knows what he wants.

I like Trista, the FMC, and her determination. She’s so used to not having anyone in her corner, and I love that, when the opportunity presents itself, she’s still hesitant. I think that’s realistic, because it’s hard to open up and actually trust that what’s being offered won’t be snatched away. 

As a whole, I think this story has great bones, but I didn’t feel like it hit what it intended. Some of it just felt too surface-level and lacked the depth I was hoping for with discussions like this, but it’s a fun read.

[lizanneyoung97]

ARC REVIEW: IN STORMY WEATHER BY CHELSEA CURTO

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As someone who grew up watching Twister as a staple summer film and loves STEM romances, this book has been on my radar since the announcement. Quincy and Sebastian are both meteorologists, have known each other since high school, and are applying for the same new job? So many variables at play, much like a storm system. 

I cannot stress enough how much I love how the author highlights the issues women face in these fields. Even in a job interview, she’s forced to “prove” herself in ways her male counterparts don’t have to, and I’m glad that someone calls the interview panel on that. Am I all for strong women standing up for themselves? Yes. But in these cases, unfortunately, men only listen to other men, so it’s important to stand up for your female colleagues, and I’m glad that’s represented here. 

Quincy’s internal monologue is one of my favorite FMCs I’ve read in the last few months. She’s sure of herself, but also allows the doubt to creep in, really showing how hard it is to keep that confident front all the time. When she realizes she can count on Sebastian to always see her confidence, it’s nice to see her open up and let other parts of herself shine through. He makes it clear he’s always listening, even to the little things like her preferred condiments, and it was wonderful to experience that realization alongside her.

Thank you to Atria Books for the eARC!

[lizanneyoung97]

ARC REVIEW: BEACHES AND BITES BY AVA THORNE

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What happens when you combine a witch, pro surfer shark shifter, and taking down a corporation for pollution? You get my new favorite summer read. 

Selena is a witch and talented beach volleyball player who chose to stay in Crescent Cove with her family rather than take college scholarships. Chase is a pro surfer shark shifter on a comeback tour after a stunt in his early 20s ruined his best friend’s career. Neither is truly seen by the people around them, forced to conform to what others want them to be, to what’s expected of them. Finding their person, the one who truly sees them for who they are, for who they want to be, for what they care about, was such a great time. It’s the kind of relationship I always want everyone to have. 

In particular, reading Selena’s relationship with her mother was difficult. I don’t hide that I’m estranged from my mother, and Selena’s mother reminded me of my own for all the wrong reasons. She’s entirely self absorbed, and is only concerned with how her child’s outward reputation impacts her, and it comes entirely at the expense of her daughter’s wellbeing. Never does she consider her daughter’s work in the town important, and it’s disappointing. I’m glad that getting to know Chase gives Selena the confidence to take more control of her own life, regardless of what her mother thinks. 

I loved the author’s holiday novella Cocoa & Clauses because not only was it a fun seasonal read, but it had a message I agree with in my personal life, and it was executed flawlessly within the story. This summer novella does the exact same thing with a different message that’s important to me. I won’t spoil it entirely, but down with microplastics.

Thank you to the author for the eARC!

[lizanneyoung97]

BOOK REVIEW: TENTACLES AND TIDES BY LAUREN SANATRA

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I was intrigued by Kara’s hidden identity and what she was running from, especially as I’ve been falling into a romantic suspense kick as I hope for fall weather. This isn’t romantic suspense, but the mystery of Kara was fun to read through, especially as Octavius learns about her past. I particularly like that she is able to remember who she is as a person, and not who she had to be to cope with her situation. It’s wonderful to see her open up in that way and refind herself. 

In the same vein, I love that Octavius is finding his own place. While Crescent Cove gives him the freedom to be who he is as an octopus shifter, he still maintains a bit of distance, especially when it comes to growing close to someone. It’s nice to see him build a connection with someone and get a piece of himself back.

I particularly enjoyed how Octavius’s magic worked. I could picture it so vividly, and now I’m going to be watching in the other Crescent Cove novellas to see if any other characters mention seeing  it as they gaze out over the ocean.

[lizanneyoung97]

BOOK REVIEW: COFFEE AND KELPOES BY REBECCA F KENNEY

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This was such a fun summer read, with just the right amount of dark humor I was looking for at the moment. Marlowe is a kelpie allowed to come into city limits, but part of how she maintains her emotions to prevent unexpected transformations is with special coffee from the local diner. Rick recently took over the diner after the death of his uncle, the previous owner. The two initially butt heads, but sparks quickly fly.

I love how, while Marlowe is doing her best to distance herself from her family and the negative connotations that come with being a kelpie, Rick accepts those parts of her. He recognizes that she wants to do better than her family, and shows just how much he trusts her, even when she is in kelpie form. They make jokes about it, but those are coming from a place of trust, and it really solidifies that they’ve both found their person. Rick thinks it might be because they knew each other in a past life, and I think that’s a beautiful consideration. 

The use of magic in this story is such a great touch. From the coffee to the barriers to a particular object that works wonders in more than one way, it was subtle and effective. When it helped in the third act, I was so wrapped up in the story and Rick and Marlowe’s journey that I forgot the magic was there to help. This story takes place in such a short period of time, and you just get swept away in them, and I love that.

[lizanneyoung97]

BOOK REVIEW: CLAIM ME FEARLESSLY BY ALEXIS ALMANZAR

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A Beauty and the Beast retelling with some intriguing magic happening? Yes, please. Adele is a princess, meant to activate her shifter form on her 20th birthday, but as she pushes her off, her parents pay the price for her lack of action. Now, Adele is doing her best to continue on and run from her fate, but things like that have a way of catching up to you.

I really appreciate Adele’s character growth. She’s left not only trying to deal with her grief, but make decisions based on history she had no part in. And even then, she finds out there is more to that story, further pushing her to make difficult choices with regards to her life and the vitality of the land around her. Frankly, she’s put in a horrible position, and I don’t blame her for essentially shutting down and deciding not to make a decision.

I love MMCs like Beau. He knows immediately what he wants when he first meets Adele, and he understands why she pushes him away. However, he doesn’t let that stop him from showing her that he can be her person, and she needs that reassurance with everything on her mind. The dual POV is so great here, to see how they both are reacting to the situation, especially as he tries to decide how to best help Adele. 

I have to give a shout out to Giselle. She’s everything a genderswapped Gaston should be. 

[lizanneyoung97]

BOOK REVIEW: DREAM ME LOVELY BY HARLOWE SAVAGE

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Got off track on Day 3, but I’m confident I can make it up in the back half of the week. For Day 4, I read Dream Me Lovely, an MM Cinderella retelling. Cinder is being used as a maid by his step-mother and step-sisters, not allowed to work in the family dress shop like he used to with his mother. When the chance comes to go to the ball, he takes it, even if his step-mother is furious. 

I love that, despite his truly awful situation, Cinder still allows himself to dream. He lets himself remember the good times and think about what he would do if he weren’t in his current predicament, and that helps drive him to attend the ball. I just want him to live a comfortable life, sewing the time away. He rises above his step-mother, which just shows the kind of person he is and how he hasn’t let the mistreatment change what he values. 

Shout out to Prince Henry for his immediate action. I appreciate that in this retelling, the bulk of the story wasn’t taken up by the search for Cinder, but instead on showing Cinder’s life after the ball and the care Henry has for him.

[lizanneyoung97]

BOOK REVIEW: FREE ME TRULY BY CARA BLAINE

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The next book in the collection I read for the readathon is a sapphic Lady and the Tramp retelling. Trix is a wolf shifter and an accomplished thief, and Cori is a fae promised away to an older male fae in an arranged marriage by her parents. The two meet during a heist gone slightly wrong, and both of their lives change from there.

I love how the heists play out. Each has varying levels of success, and I was always excited to see what issues Trix would run into. It made the story exciting and lively, especially since she isn’t always tasked with stealing jewels or gold. I appreciate how quickly she cares for Cori, and I do not want to spoil the reveal, but their connection was such a nice surprise. 

The story does have an underlying theme regarding autonomy, especially since part of Cori’s arranged marriage is being collared to her betrothed. I appreciate the discussions by the characters of their concerns with the practice and that Trix never hesitates to help Cori with regards to her collar.

[lizanneyoung97]

BOOK REVIEW: TAME ME FIERCELY ZIA TYYREE

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I started my readathon with the fairytale based on the animated movie I watched so much as a kid. In this genderbent version, Thea has been on the island for 22 years, since she was a baby, after her parents’ research vessel crashed. The local gorilla pack has become her family.

Now, Thea is having her first human interaction in a decade, and it goes pretty well. John and his mother are there to study gorilla behavior, but not everyone has the same intentions. I love how quickly John and Thea get closer to each other, rooted in both her curiosity of the world around her and his acceptance of what he doesn’t know. His patience is wonderful as she is introduced to more modern technology and shares her life with him.

I want to see this book on my screen. Maybe it’s because I just rewatched Pirates of the Caribbean, or maybe this reawakened my love for Tarzan, but I could picture it all so vividly, and I want to see it in movie form. The third act is wonderful, with adventure and mystery, and I love how everything ties together. Thea gets to learn more about her parents while also defeating someone with ill intentions, and it’s awesome.

The magical realism comes in with the gorillas. I will not spoil it because I think it’s super cool and fun, but you’ll know it when you see it. 

[lizanneyoung97]

ARC REVIEW: CABIN FEVER BY ABIGAIL SCHMITZ

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A shifter series set in the southwest? Sign me up. Clove is a fox shifter, living life as one does, when Elijah, alpha of an unrecognized pack, comes into her workplace. Her life then immediately gets flipped upside down.

I’m always a fan of fake dating, and in this case, it’s for the better of Elijah’s pack. I don’t like the standards he’s being held to and the actions of the council, and I want Elijah and Clove to beat them at their own game. Watching them fall in love was icing on the cake, especially because they fit together so well. It’s exactly what they both need after their past dating experiences. 

I love the way nature plays a part in this story. I don’t want to give too much away, but I hope to continue to see that idea expanded and built on as the series continues. It’s such an interesting extension of an alpha’s power and role in a pack, and I want to learn more about it.

I’m also excited to see how the political/council dynamics continue. With how that situation ends here, the possibilities are endless for what could happen next, and I’m curious about how everything will fit together. Who will turn back up? Is it part of a larger movement or effort? What is the end goal? I cannot wait to find out.

 Thank you to the author and Literary Loft PR for the eARC!

[lizanneyoung97]

ARC REVIEW: SUNSCREEN AND SPELLBOOKS BY FLEUR DEVILLAINY

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Fleur has done it again. She’s written a seasonal shifter romance I will be rereading for the end of time. Catherine is a burnt out exec who was just laid off in a merger. Now that she has a free summer filled with job applications and refreshing her email religiously, she house and dog sits for her aunt back in her home town. Elliot is a sea lion shifter who works in marine rescue and is content with his life just being about work until he runs into Catherine.

As a marine biology nerd, I always love reading stories with characters working in the field. It’s great to be in Elliot’s head, not only to hear how passionate he is about his work, but to see how he handles the possibility of Catherine getting a new job and leaving Crescent Cove. For Catherine, it’s nice to see her reconnect with the parts of herself she’s buried in her grief and to open up to someone new. They’re such a cute pair. I mean, the bonfire scene? Top tier for me. 

Mango may be one of my favorite animal companions I’ve ever read. I need more Mango in my life. 

Thank you to the author for an eARC!

[lizanneyoung97]

BOOK REVIW: ONE HOT SUMMER WEDDING BY FALON BALLARD

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Unfortunately, this story was just a bit underbaked for me. It follows Lucy going to her childhood friend's wedding. The only hang up is they haven’t spoken in ten years? Initially a bit of an odd decision to make, but I wanted to see it out. 

There were several decisions in this story that just didn’t make sense. I can almost forgive the reasoning for the lack of communication between friends, especially given they were 18 when it happened, but it wasn’t particularly believable that Beckett, the childhood friend’s brother, didn’t recognize Lucy at all when he claims he’s spent the last ten years thinking about her. Was it to add friction? Yes, but the friction wasn’t needed. The awkwardness of just, not talking for a decade was enough. 

The story is relying on the best friend’s brother premise, but even that isn’t built up enough. It’s just expecting the reader to go off the basics of that dynamic, and it just makes the story feel like an outline.

[lizanneyoung97]

BOOK REVIEW: SAVE A HORSE, KEEP THE COWYBOY BY JESSICA PETERSON

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Another season, another group of Amazon Original Stories. This one is a western second chance romance between a country singer and the guy who wouldn’t leave their hometown. They’re reunited for a wedding, and he’s determined to win her back.

This was a fun story for sure, but it felt a bit too short. I think there was room to add another chapter to add a bit more depth to Josie and Weston’s story. It is a dual POV, and I think it maybe should’ve been a single POV, so we got more character depth from one rather than it being split between the two of them. That said, it was a fun quick read.

[lizanneyoung97]

BOOK REVIEW: A SIREN UNNAMED OPHELIA BY SARIZONA

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Ophelia’s life hasn’t ended, it’s only just beginning as she takes her place in the river. This is a siren story, not only of how a siren comes to be, but how she becomes one with the water. It’s a perfect read for Mer-May, but also just going into the summer if you want a story that takes place entirely in the water.

This reads like a Greek epic in the best way. The prose is so beautiful, it leaves you feeling like you’re actually hearing her song. Each chapter made me feel like I was sinking deeper into the water, watching as she adapted to her new life and the responsibility that comes with it. It creates a depth with being a siren, the decisions that go into that, and what it means to become one. 

[lizanneyoung97]

BOOK REVIEW: SELKIES AND SPELLCRAFT BY ALY HOLLIS

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Once again, Aly Hollis has done another slam dunk for me. A divorced witch coming back home for a family reunion finds her fated mate in a selkie? An ideal summer read, and a great way to start my summer reading. 

Juniper is dealing with way more than she should and isn’t used to having anyone else to help, so it’s wonderful to see her let Caspian be that person for her. I was not expecting how her ex was going to pop up, I’m still shocked, and I love that she immediately gets to prove him wrong in every sense. 

Caspian is a hoot. He’s a fun dude, I loved being in his head during the chapters from his perspective. I’m curious if/how his brothers will pop up in other books in the collection because I love the dynamic between the trio. He leans into the bond immediately, which I’m always a sucker for, and I love how content he is to just join her doing the most mundane of tasks.

I think my favorite part was the shared dream sequences. They were so much fun and showed how Juniper was reacting to the fated mates connection before she even knew what it was. I need this kind of thing in more of the books I read. And, I need to figure out how I can read more of the story the epilogue is putting down.

Thank you to the author for an eARC!