Between Perfect and Real, nonbinary author Ray Stoeve’s heartfelt debut, chronicles the struggles and joys of coming out as trans in high school.
‘What Beauty There Is’ review: A dark, intensely rewarding debut from Cory Anderson
Cory Anderson puts her characters through a lot, but What Beauty There Is rewards persistent readers with a glimpse of something beautiful.
April 2021 New Book Releases: Both happy love stories and dark thrillers abound
Another month, another new batch of books to add to the TBR! As spring comes on in full force, the air is getting warmer (at least here in California), and businesses begin to open as vaccines are widely distributed. For…
‘Ravage the Dark’ review: Tara Sim offers revenge, heists, and alchemy in this dazzling sequel
Ravage the Dark by Tara Sim gives us a satisfying sequel to Scavenge the Stars, a fun and inventive retelling. Slipping back into this series felt warm and comfortable, even if the world is anything but that, because I enjoy…
‘Once Upon A Quinceañera’ review: Monica Gomez-Hira’s debut dives into the world of quinces and complicated family dynamics
Monica Gomez-Hira’s debut YA novel, Once Upon A Quinceañera, explores the ways in which a quinceañera can make, break, and shake families together and apart. Carmen Aguilar is an 18-year-old teenager working an unpaid internship as a party princess impersonator…
Meet Monica Gomez-Hira, the author making her debut with ‘Once Upon a Quinceañera’
Monica Gomez-Hira’s fascination with quinceañeras began more than 25 years ago when she attended one for the first time while she was an English major at Wellesley College. The spectacle of the 15-year-old’s party amazed the then aspiring author. “They…
‘You Have a Match’ review: Emma Lord’s sophomore novel explores sisterhood, bravery, and first love
A warm, feel-good story about family (especially sisterhood), friends becoming something more, and learning to be a brave person, You Have a Match by Emma Lord feels like it should be a rom-com, but turns out to be so much…