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#2ifbyseabrook book review
2ifbyseabrook · 3 years
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Under the Whispering Door
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Under the Whispering Door- 5 stars
By- TJ Klune
Wallace Price is a bit of an asshole.  When he dies not too many tears are shed.  At his funeral Wallace meets Mei, a reaper, who brings him to a tea shop.  At the tea shop he meets Hugo, a ferryman.  Also at the tea shop lives Hugo grandfather, Nelson, and dog, Apollo...both of who are dead.  Confused yet?
What happens next is a tale of love, understanding, kindness, grief, and learning to how truly live life.
This book was amazzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzing.  TJ Klune really knows how to pull at your heartstrings and I may or may not have cried for the latter half of this book.  I was immediately invested in Wallace's journey to become a better person.  Add to that the cast of colorful characters and there's no putting this book down.  This story deals with very dark topics, but in a way that is relatable and not heavy handed.  Do not hesitate to pick up this book when it's released.
I was given this book in exchange for my honest opinion.  Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan-Tor/Forge for this ARC.
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2ifbyseabrook · 2 years
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The Ballerinas
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The Ballerinas- 3 stars
By- Rachel Kapelke-Dale
The Ballerinas is a story of female friendship.  Delphine Leger and her friends share a deep and troubling secret.  Delphine left the prestigious Paris Opera Ballet for a new life in St. Petersburg only to return several years later.  She hopes this will be a new chapter in her life but she soon learns secrets never stay buried.
This book was fine.  It was a little confusing with all the time jumps but the characters were interesting enough to hold my attention.  The mystery was compelling and while the plot flowed in a lot of different directions overall this was a decent read.
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2ifbyseabrook · 3 years
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Jay’s Gay Agenda
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Jay's Gay Agenda- 4 stars
By- Jason June
Jay Collier is the only out gay student in his small town high school. In order to keep his spirits up while all of his classmates are achieving romantic milestones he creates The Gay Agenda...a list of the things he'll do when he finally meets another gay teen boy. This may happen sooner than he thinks when he moves to Seattle because of his mother's job. Ready to make up for lost time now that he's living in a gay metropolis Jay throws himself headfirst into crossing items off of his list. Unfortunately Jay soon learns that life doesn't always go according to plan...especially when you stop thinking with your heart.
This book was great! All of the characters acted like genuine teenagers. Jay wasn't perfect and when he messed up he owned it. All of the side characters were very layered and interesting. I found myself rooting for them...laughing with them...shaking my head at them. It really felt like I was getting to know them throughout the story. The only part I wasn't crazy about was all of Jay's lists. Yes, I understand that he was a very statistic driven person, but the lists were cumbersome and some of them were repeated several times, which was annoying. But yes overall...would recommended!!!
I was given this book in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books/HarperTeen for this ARC.
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2ifbyseabrook · 2 years
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The Inheritance Games
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The Inheritance Games- 3 stars
By- Jennifer Lynn Barnes
The Inheritance Games tells the story of Avery. She unexpectedly inherits a fortune from Tobias Hawthorne, a man she's never met. In order to collect the money she must stay with the family from whose money she just 'stole' for one year. During this time she, along with the four Hawthorne grandsons, realizes there's more to this inheritance than meets the eyes. This book was enjoyable. The mystery was interesting and the characters were fun, but there were a few too many different plots that were less gripping than the main one. I did, however, like the puzzle aspect of the storyline (along with the bite sized chapters). I really could have done without Avery's friend from back home, though...her 'non swearing' swearing was really grating. The book ends on a twist which sets up the sequel.
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2ifbyseabrook · 2 years
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Payback’s A Witch
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Payback's a Witch- 4 stars
By- Lana Harper
Witch Emmy Harlow has left her magical home of Thistle Grove behind and moved to Chicago.  She's mostly accepted the fact she will never call Thistle Grove home again until she's called back to serve as arbiter for the traditional spellcasting tournament.  On her first night back she runs into her ex, Gareth Blackmoore.  He's as awful as ever...and she finds out from her bff, Linden Thorn, and resident badass Talia Avramov that his two timing ways haven't ceased in her time away.  The two witches recruit Emmy to help them bring down Gareth once and for all.
There was a lot about this book that was enjoyable.  The author created a very detailed and vivid world in Thistle Grove.  The history and use of magic was very clear and easy to follow.  Sometimes fantasy books can get bogged down, but not this one.  Emmy was an interesting character.  I enjoyed watching her grow and come into herself and her magic.  Emmy and Talia were cute together and watching their relationship blossom was very sweet.  All of the tournament scenes were well written and exciting.  You really felt like you were caught up in the magic.  The only fault I can find is that of why Emmy left home in the first place.  As the book develops you come to understand it was more than just Gareth Blackmoore's rejection, BUT the fact that a high school heartbreak was such a large part of the reason she left seems silly.  It also seems silly that two women like Linden and Talia would fall/be so upset about Gareth as well.  But overall, this was a very fun read.
I was given this book in exchange for my honest opinion.  Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for this ARC.
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2ifbyseabrook · 3 years
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May the Best Man Win
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May the Best Man Win- 2 stars
By: ZR Ellor
Right before coming out as a transgender male Jeremy Harkiss broke up with his boyfriend Lukas Rivers (on the day of his brother's funeral).  Now the exes are running against each other for Homecoming King.  The story is set against the backdrop of an old school private school that takes Homecoming VERY seriously.  Another thing they take seriously is their archaic and terrible policies against bullying.  With love and the Homecoming dance on the line can these two put aside all of their baggage and reunite?
SPOILERS!!!  This book was NOT what I thought it was going to be.  I walked in expecting a rom com and instead got a very angsty teen nightmare.  It was so hard to like Jeremy.  He was angry and confused, and I can understand why, but his meanness was just too much.  Even when he was nice I still couldn't get behind him.  
I never attended a private school and I'm long out of high school so I might be wrong, but do people take Homecoming this seriously?  I honestly doubt you'll get into the college of your choice because you were crowned Homecoming King.  
So much of this book just seemed unrealistic...
1. The school only taking bullying seriously when it got physical...verbally harass anyone you want but DON'T HIT.  
2. The ending sequence to 'save the dance' by selling candles???  
3. The whole school (teachers included) didn't speak to Phil and that's what pushed him over the edge?
4. The entirety of Homecoming being planned by ONE child?  
5.  Terry asked Lukas what year he was born in order to access the PIN for the debit card. If Terry had his wallet couldn't he just have looked at his ID or Driver's License for his birthday?
I appreciated the diversity of the characters, but otherwise...no thanks.
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2ifbyseabrook · 3 years
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Kiss & Tell
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Kiss & Tell- 3 stars
By- Adib Khorram
Hunter is in the Canadian boy band Kiss & Tell with his closest friends.  He's the only gay member and is having a hard time with the very public and painful breakup of himself and his first boyfriend.  The band is about to embark on their first major tour of the United States and Canada.  Hunter wants to be excited, but it's hard when the label and the tabloids are breathing down his neck.  When Hunter's ex releases very private texts the label wants to rebrand Hunter as the perfect queer role model.  They enlist the help of Kaivan, a member of the opening act band, to be his fake boyfriend...but soon enough real sparks begin to fly.
This book gave me a lot of feelings.  First, let me say I really enjoyed how real Hunter and Kaivan were.  They were characters that were thrown into the spotlight and didn't deal with everything perfectly.  They had flaws that weren't sugar coated.  I thought that was cool.  I liked how the book called out the music industry and fans for how controlling and demanding they can be on the talent's mental health.  That felt real.  I also appreciated the fact that Hunter and Ashton came from a hockey background.  Being a hockey lover myself that was a fun aspect to the plot.  However, the rest of this book left a lot to be desired.  I never felt like I got to know any of the other boys in the band.  They were like one dimensional beings that had a line or two...not fully formed people at all.  I feel like I got dropped into this book in the middle.  The writing felt rushed and disjointed.  Parts of the story also seemed repetitive.  Hunter feels upset...Hunter and Kaivan go on a date...rinse, repeat.  And the media articles and interviews between chapters added nothing to the story.  So while a lot of this book was enjoyable equal parts of it were not.
I was given this book in exchange for my honest opinion.  Thank you to Edelweiss and Dial Books for this ARC.
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2ifbyseabrook · 3 years
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The Heartbreak Bakery
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The Heartbreak Bakery- 4 stars
By- A.R. Capetta
Syd works at the Proud Muffin bakery in Austin, Texas.  Syd and Syd's girlfriend just broke up and Syd pours Syd's feelings into baking.  Too bad Syd's feelings result in break up brownies...causing anyone who eats them to break up.  Syd is determined to make things right and enlists the help of Harley, the bike delivery person at the Proud Muffin.  The more Syd tries to correct Syd's mistakes the more Syd learns.
This book gave me a lot of warm feelings!  Watching Syd come to terms with Syd's breakup and gender identity was so fulfilling.  Syd's relationship with Harley was very cute.  I'd read a whole book about them just baking!  Speaking of baking...don't read this book on an empty stomach.  The recipes were mouthwatering.  Syd wanted to correct Syd's mishaps so much and I enjoyed the outcome of each magic bake.  All of the characters in this book really made the plot feel full...I enjoyed getting to know every one of them.  It was nice to read a book about representation and people coming together for a common goal.
I was given this book in exchange for my honest opinion.  Thank you to Edelweiss and Candlewick Press for this ARC.
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2ifbyseabrook · 3 years
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The Final Girl Support Group
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This book centers around Lynnette Tarkington, a final girl who survived a massacre when she was in high school. Every month she attends a meeting with five other final girls. One of the girls is killed and Lynnette, once again, finds herself fighting for her life.
I really liked The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires, but this book was just not for me. It was hard to feel any sympathy for Lynnette because I felt like I didn't know anything about her. I also kept mixing up all the other characters and found myself unable to tell them apart. There were so many scenes in this book that were just unnecessary (trying to break Michelle out of hospice and everything with Crazy Chrissy). The story dragged on and on. I did appreciate all the slasher movie nods throughout the story but not enough to enjoy this book.
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2ifbyseabrook · 3 years
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Idol Gossip
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Idol Gossip- 5 stars
By- Alexandria Leigh Young
Alice Choy and her sister have recently moved to South Korea for their mother's job.  Alice has always been a singer at heart, but has not sung since the move.  When she and her sister go to karaoke one night Alice is discovered by a scout for Top10Entertainment.  From there Alice is swept up into the world of Kpop (the good and the bad) when she begins training at Star Academy and is set to debut with the new girl group A-List.
This book was great!  I loved living in the world of Kpop while I read.  While I highly doubt anything like what happened to Alice would ever actually happen I didn't care...because this book was fun and had so much heart.  It was great to see Alice grow as a person and an artist and become a team player.  I also enjoyed all of the side characters and what they brought to the table.  The ending left me hanging!  I'd love to see a second book about A-List post debut.
I was given this book in exchange for my honest opinion.  Thank you to Walker Books US Candlewick Press and Edelweiss for this ARC.
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2ifbyseabrook · 3 years
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Survive the Night
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Survive the Night- 2 stars
By- Riley Sager
College student Charlie Jordan needs to get away fast.  Her roommate, Maddy, was murdered months ago and the guilt of leaving her alone at a bar on her last night alive is eating away at her.  She puts up a request on a ride board so she can get home to Ohio.  Handsome stranger Josh Baxter answers the call.  What unfolds is a game of cat and mouse that spans the course of one night.
Ugh.  Why do I keep doing this to myself?  ALL RILEY SAGER BOOKS ARE THE SAME...and that's not a compliment.  This story was not meant to be a book...maybe a movie, but even then I'm sure I'd just be yelling at my tv screen instead of my Kindle about how STUPID Charlie was.  All of the characters in this book are beyond idiotic and the motivation behind the revenge plot was absolutely ridiculous.  The only reason I gave this two stars instead of one was because I was surprised by the identity of the killer...though I probably shouldn't have been because again ALL RILEY SAGER BOOKS ARE THE SAME.  At least the chapters were short.
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2ifbyseabrook · 3 years
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People We Meet on Vacation
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People We Meet on Vacation- 5 stars
By- Emily Henry
Poppy and Alex are best friends and complete opposites.  After college Alex moved back to their hometown while Poppy (who didn't even finish college) moved to NYC to pursue her dreams.  Despite all their differences they are best friends and the highlight of their year is their shared Summer Trip.
Two years ago the Summer Trip took a strange turn and they pair haven't spoken since.  Poppy is desperate to get out of the rut she's stuck in and repair her friendship with Alex so she invites him on a Summer Trip and he agrees.
Now Poppy has one week so fix years of history.
I cannot believe how much I loved this book (you might even say it spoke to me).  Alex and Poppy are such interesting and layered characters.  I loved reading about their present lives as well as their past Summer Trip selves.  I was rooting for them the whole time.  The only part that kind of fell flat for me was the build up around their friendship breakup.  By the time I got to the big reveal I was expecting something epic and it really wasn't much of anything.  Emily Henry's writing style is so fun and easy to read.  I cannot recommend this book enough.
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2ifbyseabrook · 3 years
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The Final Child
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The Final Child- 4 stars
By- Fran Dorricott
Eighteen years ago Erin and her brother, Alex, were abducted by 'the Father', a serial killer who wreaked havoc throughout England taking pairs of siblings from their homes in the night.  Erin escaped, but her brother did not.  Erin has moved on as best she can and has no memories of her time with the Father.  She meets Harriet, a writer whose cousins were the Father's first victims.  Harriet is writing a book about the victims and is following a lead that might prove there were victims before her cousins.  Erin is not interested in talking to Harriet until strange things start to happen...weird gifts, a break in...maybe she does need Harriet's help to put the past behind her for good.
I really enjoyed this book.  The backstory surrounding the Father was interesting and terribly creepy.  The characters of Erin and Harriet were fully developed and diving into their minds was fascinating.  The book was well written and well paced.  Every time I thought I figured out what happening there was another layer added to the story that kept me guessing.  I'm not sure if the love story element was necessary...it didn't really add much to the story.  Overall I thought this was a great read and I would recommend to a thriller lover.
I was given this book in exchange for my honest opinion.  Thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for this ARC.
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2ifbyseabrook · 3 years
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We Can’t Keep Meeting Like This
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We Can’t Keep Meeting Like This- 5 stars
By- Rachel Lynn Solomon
Quinn Berkowitz and Tarek Mansour have know each other for years. Quinn's parents run a wedding planning business and Tarek's family own a catering company. The summer before Tarek left for college Quinn sent him an email professing her crush on him...he never responded. Now Tarek is back for the summer and the two are working together again. Along with that drama Quinn is questioning her role in her family's business, dealing with her OCD, and just trying to figure herself out. I LOVED this book. I checked it out of the library on a whim and I am so happy I did. The writing felt spot on for two people on the brink of adulthood. They were real and messy and didn't have everything figured out. I also appreciated the way the author dealt with mental illness/health. It never felt heavy handed or preachy. The love story was great, but I really enjoyed watching Quinn and Tarek deal with their own feelings and issues regarding their parents and how to be true to themselves. I cannot recommend this book enough!!!
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2ifbyseabrook · 3 years
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Ripped Away
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Ripped Away- 3 stars
By- Shirley Reva Vernick
Abe Pearlman visits a fortune teller who reveals his future shows him saving someone's life. And then before he knows it he's been transported to Victorian London during the reign of Jack the Ripper. While there he finds Mitzy Singer, his crush. She visited the same fortune teller and was suddenly transported as well. The two must find their way home. This book was okay. I liked the idea of time travel and it was interesting to see Abe and Mitzy work together to try and fulfill the fortune teller's prophecies. I also didn't know about all the anti-Jewish sentiment involved in the Ripper case so it was eye opening to learn about that. But I'm not really sure what Abe and Mitzy were supposed to get out of their journey. The book seemed to be over before it had really begun. I was given this book in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you to Edelweiss and Fitzroy Books for this ARC.
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2ifbyseabrook · 3 years
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A Duke in Time
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A Duke in Time- 3 stars
By: Janna MacGregor
After the death of her husband, Meri, Katherine Vareck is shocked to find out she wasn't his only wife.  At the reading of the will she meets the two other Lady Meris.   As the owner of a successful linen business she is worried that if this news spreads her chance to become a royal supplier will vanish.  Christian, Duke of Randford and Meri's brother, is called in to help sort out the mess.  He hasn't been involved with his family for years and has no idea how to right his brother's wrongs.  He does, however, know he has feelings developing for his brother's widow.  Kat has no time for the Duke what with trying to keep her business afloat, helping to care for her new sister wives, and trying to keep her past in the past...but as she finds herself in Christian's company time and time again she realizes maybe she does have room for him after all.
What I liked about this book was that even though it was a historical romance the historical aspect wasn't heavy handed.  This easily could have been a modern day rom com.  I also enjoyed Katherine's character.  She was very independent and it was nice to see female characters (the other wives and Kat's companion) with agency.  In this book what can go wrong will go wrong and it's not until the very end that the reader can take a breathe.  It was a nice escape and all aspects were well written.
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.  Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC.
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