Posts Tagged With: YA

Book Review: I’ll See You Again by Chris Bedell

Posted on June 11, 2020 by thebloggergirls

Reviewed by Astros

Title: I’ll See You Again
Author: Chris Bedell
Heroes: Cyrus & Nico
Genre: YA M/M Contemporary Romance
Length: 227 pages
Publisher: Deep Hearts YA
Release Date: March 6, 2020
Available at: Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: It’s the start of his senior year, and Cyrus should be worried about college applications, procrastinating on homework, and staying up past his bedtime. And he does, until his mother’s cancer returns.

To make matters worse, Nico Valentine—the person Cyrus hates most—insists on being his friend. Carefree, flirtatious, and spontaneous, Nico is everything Cyrus’s childhood never allowed him to be. When their English teacher offers Cyrus extra credit to tutor Nico, Cyrus knows he shouldn’t accept. He could use the distraction, though.

A fling soon ensues, and Cyrus realizes they have more in common than he thought. What is more, Nico is the first person who seems to get him and who is there no matter what. But, if Cyrus wants his romance with Nico to turn into something real, he’ll have to do something he’s never done before—be vulnerable with another person.

Adam Silvera’s HISTORY IS ALL YOU LEFT ME meets Rachel Lynn Solomon’s YOU’LL MISS ME WHEN I’M GONE in this tale of heartbreak and second chances.

Content Advisory:
This novel contains discussions and scenes of self-harm and suicide ideation.
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Categories: 3 Star Ratings, Book Review, Guest Reviewer, LGBT, Published in 2020 | Tags: , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: The Gravity of Us by Phil Stamper

Posted on February 3, 2020 by thebloggergirls

Reviewed by Heather C

Title: The Gravity of Us
Author: Phil Stamper
Heroes: Cal/Leon
Genre: M/M Young Adult Contemporary
Length: 320 pages
Publisher: Bloomsbury YA
Release Date: February 4, 2020
Available at: Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Cal wants to be a journalist, and he’s already well underway with almost half a million followers on his FlashFame app and an upcoming internship at Buzzfeed. But his plans are derailed when his pilot father is selected for a highly-publicized NASA mission to Mars. Within days, Cal and his parents leave Brooklyn for hot and humid Houston.

With the entire nation desperate for any new information about the astronauts, Cal finds himself thrust in the middle of a media circus. Suddenly his life is more like a reality TV show, with his constantly bickering parents struggling with their roles as the “perfect American family.”

And then Cal meets Leon, whose mother is another astronaut on the mission, and he finds himself falling head over heels–and fast. They become an oasis for each other amid the craziness of this whole experience. As their relationship grows, so does the frenzy surrounding the Mars mission, and when secrets are revealed about ulterior motives of the program, Cal must find a way to get to the truth without hurting the people who have become most important to him. Continue reading →

Categories: 3.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, Heather C's Reviews, LGBT, Published in 2020 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: The Princess and the Fangirl by Ashley Poston

Posted on November 12, 2019 by Heather C

Reviewed by Heather C

Title: The Princess and the Fangirl
Author: Ashley Poston
Series: Once Upon a Con #2
Heroines: Jessica Stone & Imogen Lovelace (not a romantic pairing) 
Genre: Young Adult 
Length: 320 pages
Publisher: Quirk Books 
Release Date: April 2, 2019
Available at: Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: The Prince and the Pauper gets a modern makeover in this adorable, witty, and heartwarming young adult novel set in the Geekerella universe by national bestselling author Ashley Poston.

Imogen Lovelace is an ordinary fangirl on an impossible mission: save her favorite character, Princess Amara, from being killed off from her favorite franchise, Starfield. The problem is, Jessica Stone—the actress who plays Princess Amara—wants nothing more than to leave the intense scrutiny of the fandom behind. If this year’s ExcelsiCon isn’t her last, she’ll consider her career derailed.

When a case of mistaken identity throws look-a-likes Imogen and Jess together, they quickly become enemies. But when the script for the Starfield sequel leaks, and all signs point to Jess, she and Imogen must trade places to find the person responsible. That’s easier said than done when the girls step into each other’s shoes and discover new romantic possibilities, as well as the other side of intense fandom. As these “princesses” race to find the script-leaker, they must rescue themselves from their own expectations, and redefine what it means to live happily ever after.
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Categories: 3.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, Heather C's Reviews, LGBT, M/F, Published in 2019 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Audio Review: The Locker Room by Amy Lane

Posted on March 29, 2019 by susan65coug Miss Behaving

Reviewed by Susan65

lovcker roomTitle: The Locker Room
Author: Amy Lane
Narrator: Sean Crisden
Series: NA
Heroes: Xander Karcek & Christian (Chris) Edwards
Genre: MM YA
Length: 7 hours 40 minutes
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: September 12, 2012
Available at: Amazon, Audible and iTunes
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: 

Xander Karcek has only wanted two things in his life: Christian Edwards and basketball—the man he loves and the game that let him escape a childhood he’d rather forget. His two obsessions have served him well. He and Chris beat the odds and stayed together through high school, college, and right on to the NBA.

But life under fame’s microscope isn’t easy, especially when two men are pretending to be frat-buddies so the world doesn’t know they’re the next best thing to married. Their relationship survives the sacrifices they make and the lies they tell to stay together, but when their secret is exposed, the fallout might destroy them when nothing else could.

Chris and basketball are the two things holding Xander together. Now the world is asking Xander to make a choice. Is there an option that includes a future with the man he loves?
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Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Audio Review, LGBT, Published in 2012, Susan65's Reviews | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Fawkes by Nadine Brandes

Posted on November 4, 2018 by Heather C

Reviewed by Heather C

Title: Fawkes
Author: Nadine Brandes
Hero/Heroine: Thomas/Emma
Genre: Y/A Historical Romance
Length: 448 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release Date: July 10, 2018
Available at: Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Thomas Fawkes is turning to stone, and the only cure to the Stone Plague is to join his father’s plot to assassinate the king of England.

Silent wars leave the most carnage. The wars that are never declared, but are carried out in dark alleys with masks and hidden knives. Wars where color power alters the natural rhythm of 17th century London. And when the king calls for peace, no one listens until he finally calls for death.

But what if death finds him first?

Keepers think the Igniters caused the plague. Igniters think the Keepers did. But all Thomas knows is that the Stone Plague infecting his eye is spreading. And if he doesn’t do something soon, he’ll be a lifeless statue. So when his Keeper father, Guy Fawkes, invites him to join the Gunpowder Plot—claiming it will put an end to the plague—Thomas is in.

The plan: use 36 barrels of gunpowder to blow up the Igniter King.

The problem: Doing so will destroy the family of the girl Thomas loves. But backing out of the plot will send his father and the other plotters to the gallows. To save one, Thomas will lose the other.

No matter Thomas’s choice, one thing is clear: once the decision is made and the color masks have been put on, there’s no turning back.
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Categories: 3 Star Ratings, Book Review, Heather C's Reviews, M/F, Published in 2018 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: The Wulf Chronicles by Wulf Francú Godgluck

Posted on July 11, 2018 by Nikyta

Reviewed by Nikyta

Title: The Wulf Chronicles
Author: Wulf Francú Godgluck
Series: WulfChron #1
Hero: Michael
Genre: M/M Paranormal
Length: 523 pages
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: June 11, 2018
Available at: Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: What if werewolves were real?
What if one of them was different?
What if you were a defective werewolf?

This is not the story of how one night I got bitten and my life changed. Nor is it the story of how I went on a savage killing spree that left me tormented with guilt and dread the next morning.
No.

This is the story of a boy, a boy who’s spent his life running from the shadows of monsters. A boy who never understood why the world hated him with so much odium. Why his mother would throw away her only life to protect his. Why he was never allowed to have friends. Why he never had the childhood every child should. Why he was never allowed to cherish happiness.

This is the story of a boy becoming himself, embracing his vulnerability and learning to accept and love.

This is a story about a werewolf, trying to find the answers to why he was born defective.

And maybe that’s the very reason I become the main course on the menu.
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Categories: 3 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Nikyta's Reviews, Published in 2018 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Book Review: Nothing But Sky by Amy Trueblood

Posted on April 10, 2018 by Heather C

Reviewed by Heather C

Title: Nothing But Sky
Author: Amy Trueblood
Heroine: Grace Lafferty
Genre: MF Young Adult Historical Fiction
Length: 284 pages
Publisher: Flux
Release Date: March 27, 2018
Available at: Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Grace Lafferty only feels alive when she’s dangling 500 feet above ground. As a post-World War I wing walker, Grace is determined to get to the World Aviation Expo, proving her team’s worth against flashier competitors and earning a coveted Hollywood contract.

No one’s ever questioned Grace’s ambition until Henry Patton, a mechanic with plenty of scars from the battlefield, joins her barnstorming team. With each new death-defying trick, Henry pushes Grace to consider her reasons for being a daredevil. Annoyed with Henry’s constant interference, and her growing attraction to him, Grace continues to test the powers of the sky.

After one of her risky maneuvers saves a pilot’s life, a Hollywood studio offers Grace a chance to perform at the Expo. She jumps at the opportunity to secure her future. But when a stunt goes wrong, Grace must decide whether Henry, and her life, are worth risking for one final trick.
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Categories: 3 Star Ratings, Book Review, Heather C's Reviews, M/F, Published in 2018 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Book Review: Finding Home by Garrett Leigh

Posted on October 13, 2017 by justjenbo

Reviewed by JustJen

Title: Finding Home
Author: Garrett Leigh
Heroes: Leo/Charlie
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 178 Pages
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Release Date: October 9, 2017
Available at: Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: How do you find a home when your heart is in ashes?

With their mum dead and their father on remand for her murder, Leo Hendry and his little sister, Lila, have nothing in the world but each other. Broken and burned, they’re thrust into the foster care system. Leo shields Lila from the fake families and forced affection, until the Poulton household is the only place left to go.

Charlie de Sousa is used to other kids passing through the Poulton home, but there’s never been anyone like his new foster brother. Leo’s physical injuries are plain to see, but it’s the pain in his eyes that draws Charlie in the most.

Day by day, they grow closer, but the darkness inside Leo consumes him. He rejects his foster parents, and when Charlie gets into trouble, Leo’s attempt to protect him turns violent. When Leo loses control, no one can reach him—except Charlie. He desperately needs a family—a home—and only Charlie can show him the way.
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Categories: 5 Star Ratings, Book Review, JustJen's Reviews, LGBT, Published in 2017 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Monster by Soren Summers

Posted on July 25, 2017 by susan65coug Miss Behaving

Reviewed by Susan65

Title: Monster
Author: Soren Summers
Series: Vortex #1
Heroes: Jarod/Gabriel
Genre: MM Sci-Fi
Length: 326 Pages
Publisher: Soren Summers
Release Date: September 27, 2016
Available at:  Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Bloodied corridors. Mangled bodies. Deranged test subjects. Just another day at Vertex, a corporation devoted to perfecting humanity by any means necessary. It’s up to Jarod Samuels to keep the hallways pristine and safe, but scrubbing bloodstains and bagging bodies is losing its luster.

Then someone new joins his department, this man with a huge ego and an even huger mouth. Gabriel Anderson is infuriating but intriguing, as brash as he is beautiful, and almost enough to keep Jarod preoccupied. Almost.

But between workplace hazards, psychic sociopaths, and a mysterious formula that alters the human body, Jarod’s doubts are surging. Should he stay with the corporation, or run like hell? This is Vertex, after all, where the walls watch with glass eyes, the laboratories groan with secrets – and employee termination ends more than just careers.

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Categories: 3.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Published in 2016, Susan65's Reviews | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment