Book Review: A Princess for Christmas by Jenny Holiday

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Rating: ☆☆☆ 1/2
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 400 pages
Author: Jenny Holiday
Publisher: Avon
Release Date: October 13th, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Leo Ricci’s already handling all he can, between taking care of his little sister Gabby, driving a cab, and being the super of his apartment building in the Bronx. But when Gabby spots a “princess” in a gown outside of the UN trying to hail a cab, she begs her brother to stop and help. Before he knows it, he’s got a real-life damsel in distress in the backseat of his car. 

Princess Marie of Eldovia shouldn’t be hailing a cab, or even be out and about. But after her mother’s death, her father has plunged into a devastating depression and the fate of her small Alpine country has fallen on Marie’s shoulders. She’s taken aback by the gruff but devastatingly handsome driver who shows her more kindness than she’s seen in a long time. 

When Marie asks Leo to be her driver for the rest of her trip, he agrees, thinking he’ll squire a rich miss around for a while and make more money than he has in months. He doesn’t expect to like and start longing for the unpredictable Marie. And when he and Gabby end up in Eldovia for Christmas, he discovers the princess who is all wrong for him is also the woman who is his perfect match.

PRETTY CUTE.

I adored this on some levels, and others maybe not so much.

What I did love was the overall story. There was plenty of Hallmark vibes and I love a good princess story. There was a fun meet cute, and I felt the connection between Leo and Gabby immediately. I was surprised that even though this is a small timeline, that things didn’t feel forced between them. Not really insta-love or anything like that, a nice change!

The love scenes were out of place. It went from Hallmark to whoa whoa whoa steamy scenes, that were long and very open door. My general issue is when those scenes don’t match up with the vibe and tone of the rest of the novel.

Without that it was cute. Leo’s little sister Gabby and his friend Dani were wonderful additions. And y’all, there was a ball at the end. I’m a sucker for a good ball in a book and this was definitely hit the mark. Totally cheesy, totally perfect.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: a handful of very open door scenes
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of loved one(s)

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Book Review: I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: YA Contemporary Romance
Length: 329 pages
Author: Mason Deaver
Publisher: Push
Release Date: May 14th, 2019
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

When Ben De Backer comes out to their parents as nonbinary, they’re thrown out of their house and forced to move in with their estranged older sister, Hannah, and her husband, Thomas, whom Ben has never even met. Struggling with an anxiety disorder compounded by their parents’ rejection, they come out only to Hannah, Thomas, and their therapist and try to keep a low profile in a new school.

But Ben’s attempts to survive the last half of senior year unnoticed are thwarted when Nathan Allan, a funny and charismatic student, decides to take Ben under his wing. As Ben and Nathan’s friendship grows, their feelings for each other begin to change, and what started as a disastrous turn of events looks like it might just be a chance to start a happier new life.

At turns heartbreaking and joyous, I Wish You All the Best is both a celebration of life, friendship, and love, and a shining example of hope in the face of adversity.

GREAT READ.

I read this via audio (which had a great narrator and recommend if you’re interested in that format option!) and really enjoyed it. It’s one of those where afterwards you just realize, it was a notable book all around.

It felt incredibly important to read this story about Ben and how they chose to find their voice. There were many tough conversations and resonating ones throughout. I liked the therapy sessions, the reconnecting Ben was able to work through with their sister and the absolutely sweet romance between them and Nathan. Ben and Nathan just made me smile. Nathan was the right kind of counter balance for Ben and they really clicked from the beginning.

The scenes depicting anxiety and depression were raw and I sensed everything through the pages. It’s full of heartfelt desire for friendships and a true place to belong and Ben just wanting to understand and find themselves as a person. I felt like I learned a lot and I think it would be a great read for others looking to learn more about a non-binary experience.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Contemporary Romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: kisses
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: coming out scenes (some received well, others not), disownment from parents, misgendering, transmisia, homomisia, ableism, suicidal ideation, slut-shaming (side character), physical/emotional/verbal parental abuse, depression and anxiety (including on page depictions), underage alcohol consumption

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Book Review: A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow by Laura Taylor Namey

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Audience: YA Contemporary Fiction + Romance
Length: 320 pages
Author: Laura Taylor Namey
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Release Date: November 10th, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

For Lila Reyes, a summer in England was never part of the plan. The plan was 1) take over her abuela’s role as head baker at their panadería, 2) move in with her best friend after graduation, and 3) live happily ever after with her boyfriend. But then the Trifecta happened, and everything—including Lila herself—fell apart.

Worried about Lila’s mental health, her parents make a new plan for her: Spend three months with family friends in Winchester, England, to relax and reset. But with the lack of sun, a grumpy inn cook, and a small town lacking Miami flavor (both in food and otherwise), what would be a dream trip for some feels more like a nightmare to Lila…until she meets Orion Maxwell.

A teashop clerk with troubles of his own, Orion is determined to help Lila out of her funk, and appoints himself as her personal tour guide. From Winchester’s drama-filled music scene to the sweeping English countryside, it isn’t long before Lila is not only charmed by Orion, but England itself. Soon a new future is beginning to form in Lila’s mind—one that would mean leaving everything she ever planned behind.

SMITTEN.

Absolutely loved this. What a gem. And to think I chose it at random because it was available on my library app and was less than 10 hours of a read (I listened on audio).

I connected with Lila on so many levels. Struggling with grief and loss. How she’s an avid baker. Loves to run (and also uses it as a coping mechanism). Many things just resonated with me.

Throw in a cute British boy and I became hooked. What I love about the evolution of their relationship was that it truly started out as a friendship. There wasn’t a dive into the romance. It was slow and progressive. It had room to breath as we found more about Orion’s history and Lila coping with hers. I found it beautiful and even more romantic for the way they came together.

Not to mention, all of the new friendships Lila made. This side cast solidified my love too. The way everyone took in Lila, as she was, and allowed her to be with them as she was ready. And all of the baking!! My mouth was watering every few pages. I desperately need to find some good Cuban food now.

This was a magnetic young adult contemporary. Highly recommend. A new favorite.

Overall audience notes:

  • Young adult contemporary + romance
  • Language: a little
  • Romance: kisses
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a loved one(s), depictions of grief and depression

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Book Review: Exile (Keeper of the Lost Cities #2) by Shannon Messenger

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: Middle grade fantasy
Length: 576 pages
Author: Shannon Messenger
Publisher: Aladdin
Release Date: October 1st, 2013
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Sophie Foster thought she was safe. Settled into her home at Havenfield, surrounded by friends, and using her unique telepathic abilities to train Silveny–the first female alicorn ever seen in the Lost Cities–her life finally seems to be coming together.

But Sophie’s kidnappers are still out there. And when Sophie discovers new messages and clues from the mysterious Black Swan group, she’s forced to take a terrifying risk—one that puts everyone in incredible danger.

As long buried secrets rise to the surface, it’s once again up to Sophie to uncover hidden memories—before someone close to her is lost forever.

In this second book in the Keeper of the Lost Cities series, Sophie must journey to the darkest corners of her luminous world in a sequel that will leave you breathless for more.

GOOD CONTINUATION.

I’m really enjoying this series! I feel like getting two books in, I’m starting to settle into the characters and story and am feeling my investment increase.

I know this book is about Sophie and I’m loving her as a main character, but y’all, KEEFE. I am head over heels for Keefe. I beg this series to let him continue to be present because it will easily become a favorite.

This had some second book syndrome vibes. I thought it was a bit slower with the plot and where things were going. There wasn’t as much of a focus on the wider story, but more on Sophie and solving some things in her life. I’m glad we got some more info on her background. Though I’m more curious where the Black Swan and the rest of that group is up to.

Without a doubt, I’m going to be continuing this series and seeing what happens next!

Overall audience notes:

  • Middle grade fantasy
  • Language: none
  • Violence: magical, physical

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