ARC Book Review: Coldwire (Coldwire #1) by Chloe Gong

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Rating: ★★★★.5
Audience: YA Dystopian Sci-Fi
Length: 496 pages
Author: Chloe Gong
Publisher: McElderry Books
Release Date: November 4th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Chloe Gong comes the start of a daring new dystopian series where humanity has moved to virtual reality to flee their deteriorating world, following two young soldiers who must depend on unlikely allies in their fight for survival.

The future is loading…

To escape rising seas and rampant epidemics, most of society lives “upcountry” in glistening virtual reality, while those who can’t afford the subscription are forced to remain in crumbling “downcountry.”

But upcountry isn’t perfect. A cold war rages between two powerful nations, Medaluo and Atahua—and no one suffers for it more than the Medan orphans in Atahua. Their enrollment at Nile Military Academy is mandatory. Either serve as a soldier or risk being labelled a spy.

Eirale graduated the academy and joined NileCorp’s private forces downcountry, exactly as she was supposed to. Then Atahua’s most wanted anarchist frames her for assassinating a government official, and she’s given a choice: cooperate with him to search for a dangerous program in Medaluo or go down for treason.

Meanwhile, Lia is finishing her last year upcountry at Nile Military Academy. Paired with her academic nemesis for their final assignment, Lia is determined to beat him for valedictorian and prove her worth. But there may be far more at stake when their task to infiltrate Medaluo and track down an Atahuan traitor goes wrong…

Though Eirale and Lia tear through Medaluo on different planes of reality, the two start to suspect they are puzzle pieces in a larger conspiracy—and the closer they get to the truth, the closer their worlds come to a shattering collision.

Thank you Simon Teen and Simon Audio for the gifted ARC and audiobook.

STOP IT RIGHT NOW.

Y’all know by now that I’m a big fan of Chloe Gong’s books and she hit it out of the park again!! If you’ve been missing the era of great young adult dystopian novels, please get this on your TBR nowwwww.

I loved the complicated world filled with AI. It’s haunting and thought provoking and feels like it’s peering into the future. I definitely felt all the things with the way some of these scenes went down.

I enjoyed both of the POV’s and the differences in the world for them. It was a good contrast that led to insight on multiple fronts and let me tell y’all, I was glued to my headphones.

And I don’t know how I wasn’t noting the looming twist, but it notched up my thoughts about this book tenfold. I AM SO HERE FOR IT.

The dash of romance worked well for me too. It’s not at the forefront but plays enough of a *very* slow burn role that it only adds to the overall feel of the book. I can’t wait for the next book after that ending!!!

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Sci-Fi Dysptopian
  • Language: mild
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: moderate

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ARC Book Review Through Each Tomorrow (Timeless #6) by Gabrielle Meyer

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 384 pages
Author: Gabrielle Meyer
Publisher: Bethany House
Release Date: November 4th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

In 1883, Charles Hollingsworth is a poor farmer desperate to secure financial stability for his mother and sister, as he is unsure which of his time-crossing paths he will choose on his twenty-fifth birthday. Posing as the Earl of Norfolk, he enters the opulent circles of Newport’s elite to assist a fellow time-crossing friend, Drew. But suspicions of his identity arise among the upper crust, and his encounters with Drew’s intriguing sister further complicate decisions that could impact a lifetime.

In 1563, Lady Cecily Pembrooke serves Queen Elizabeth while clinging to the hope that her stepbrother Charles will remain with her in this path. As the true Earl of Norfolk, Charles is deeply entangled in the deadly politics of the court. When he brings Drew, a physician in training, to Windsor Castle to help save the ailing monarch, old feelings for Drew rekindle in Cecily’s heart, but her love faces impossible odds under the strict rules of the crown. As their futures hang by a thread, will Charles and Cecily’s web of secrets unravel and ensnare them in an inescapable destiny?

Gabrielle Meyer delivers an enthralling tale of love, sacrifice, and the relentless pull of time in her newest Timeless series installment.

Thank you to the author and Bethany House for a gifted copy.

ABOUT DID ME IN.

Those emotions though!! I was legitimately worried that there wouldn’t be a satisfying/happy ending but good havens, it came through at the final hour. I really liked the faith elements and sentiments included in this one. They were relatable and not over the top and made you feel that depth of despair and hope.

I loved all of these characters. The strength of self to continue pressing forward and making the best moves from what lay in front of you. I would have LOVED Drew’s perspective too, but that’s okay. Charles and Cecily were wonderful stories to follow.

I really enjoyed learning about both timelines and did a bit of googling after because my history nerd self wanted even more. I loved well researched historical novels!!

These was very romantic, heartfelt, and filled with forgiveness and courage. Another wonderful story for this series and not one to miss!

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: closed door between a married couple
  • Violence: moderate
  • Content warnings: affair (recounted), loss of loved ones, near death experiences

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ALC Book Review: Fallen City (Fallen City Duology #1) by Adrienne Young

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Rating: ★★★☆
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 416 pages
Author: Adrienne Young
Publisher: Saturday Books
Release Date: November 4th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

In the great walled city of Isara, political turmoil ignites a rebellion one hundred years in the making. But when a legionnaire falls in love with a Magistrate’s daughter, their love will threaten the fate of the city and the will of the gods.

Luca Matius has one purpose—to carry on the family name, maintaining its presence in the Forum once his powerful and cruel uncle dies. But his noviceship with the city’s Philosopher places him in the middle of a catastrophe that will alter the destiny of his people.

Maris Casoeria was raised amidst the strategic maneuvers of the Citadel’s inner workings, and she knows what her future holds—a lifetime of service to a corrupt city. But her years of serving as a novice to the last Priestess who possesses the stolen magic of the Old War has made her envision a different kind of future for the city. When she meets Luca, a fated chain of events is set into motion that will divinely entangle their lives.

Thank you Saturday Books for the eARC and MacMillan Audio for the ALC.

IT WAS ALRIGHT.

By the time I picked this up I knew of one person that gave it over four stars. I was definitely nervous when I knew I needed to get to this.

I will say, the audiobook? Good. I loved that there were two narrators for both POV’s. Great narration. Easy listen.

I honestly didn’t mind most of this book and loved the Roman-esque influence woven throughout. I liked the main characters and there’s a good story at the core of the pages.

What I struggled with was being tossed into the romance rather than being led in. It starts at an awkward junction and to get your footing in a short fantasy novel was a quest on its own. It felt like it was trying to be romantic but missed a few of those key notes that would have been helped with stronger character development over the heavy focus on the world/politics.

I’m not a fan of flashback chapters, especially in fantasy books. And this made me stand by that statement too. A reorganization is in needed.

BUT. I’ll read the next book. I’ll keep with my audiobook format. I love a dramatic cliffhanger so hopefully the sequel follows through.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: mild
  • Romance: brief open door
  • Violence: high

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Book Review: Perfect Distraction by Allison Ashley

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 254 pages
Author: Allison Ashley
Publisher: Entangled: Amara
Release Date: March 23rd, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Lauren Taylor isn’t thinking about love, especially not with the impossibly attractive man she accidentally spilled coffee all over. He’s out of her league and she’s focused on finishing her oncology pharmacy residency. She’s sworn off men who are too handsome for their own good, anyway.

Andrew Bishop can’t stop thinking about the gorgeous redhead who crashed into him and then disappeared, even though he should have way more on his mind – like dealing with his Hodgkin Lymphoma diagnosis and finishing out his last year in law school. When Andrew and Lauren run into each other at the cancer center where she’s working and he’s being treated, they try to keep it professional. They can be friends, and nothing more.

But sometimes life has other plans…

MY HEART.

This admittedly had much heavier subject matter than I like to pick up. And I didn’t read the summary which means I was a little blindsided, but that’s okay because this book took over my entire day.

I loved loved loved the swoon. Good heavens the quotable moments melted me. I loved the relationship between Lauren and Andrew. Gosh it was so sweet. I was obsessed with every interaction, every call, text and passing glance. The forbidden love characteristics were perfect and the way Andrew could NOT do anything but love Lauren was amazing.

The banter and tension are top tier and the audiobook was incredible. It’s fast paced and easy to love every moment. I could love on this book all day.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: low
  • Romance: fade to black
  • Violence: low
  • Content Warnings: cancer is the main theme throughout

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