The Way You Make Me Feel by Maureen Goo

“Love has a way of finding you.”

“Clara Shin lives for pranks and disruption. When she takes one joke too far, her dad sentences her to a summer working on his food truck, the KoBra, alongside her uptight classmate Rose Carver. Not the carefree summer Clara had imagined. But maybe Rose isn't so bad. Maybe the boy named Hamlet (yes, Hamlet) crushing on her is pretty cute. Maybe Clara actually feels invested in her dad’s business. What if taking this summer seriously means that Clara has to leave her old self behind?” - taken from Goodreads.com

This is another book that I pulled off of my TBR pile and I literally devoured it in days. Clara Shin is a prankster and pulls the ultimate prank when she is crowned Junior Prom Queen by reenacting the blood scene from Carrie. Getting into a fight with Rose Carver, her enemy, a fire breaks out, putting an end to prom. To compensate for the damaged cafeteria, Clara's dad makes her work on his Korean Brazilian food truck over the summer. Rose's parents think that this is a good idea and make her work on the KoBra as well 

Slowly, Clara and Rose learn to work together and discover that their perceptions of one another are false. In Clara's life is turned upside down when a cute boy named Hamlet enters her life. I thoroughly enjoyed this story of two girls and their burgeoning friendship. The romance play as a secondary part in the story.

Visit Maureen Goo’s website.

Starry Eyes by Jenn Bennett

“The woods
The stars
And the boy who broke her heart”

“Ever since last year’s homecoming dance, best friends-turned-best enemies Zorie and Lennon have made an art of avoiding each other. It doesn’t hurt that their families are the modern day, Californian version of the Montagues and Capulets.

But when a group camping trip goes south, Zorie and Lennon find themselves stranded in the wilderness. Alone. Together.

What could go wrong?

With no one but each other for company, Zorie and Lennon have no choice but to hash out their issues via witty jabs and insults as they try to make their way to safety. But fighting each other while also fighting off the forces of nature makes getting out of the woods in one piece less and less likely.

And as the two travel deeper into Northern California’s rugged backcountry, secrets and hidden feelings surface. But can Zorie and Lennon’s rekindled connection survive out in the real world? Or was it just a result of the fresh forest air and the magic of the twinkling stars?” - taken from Goodreads.com

This was a unique take on a romantic tale of friends/neighbors becoming significant others and the many uphill challenges they faced to finally be together again. Thrown together during a glamping trip gone wrong, Zorie and Lennon soon find themselves stranded in King’s Forest National Park. Their friends abandon the two of them after Zorie and her friend Reagan have words. With nowhere really else to go, the two hike through the backcountry of the Sierra Nevada Mountains to reach Condor Park, where Zorie is to meet a friend for a star watching party. The further they hike, Zorie and Lennon reveal the pain from the past year being apart and realize their feelings for one another still remain. 

What truly makes the story different is that the author drew several maps outlining Zorie and Lennon’s journeys. Definitely loved reading this book! 

Visit Jenn Bennett’s website.

Ignite the Stars by Maura Milan (Ignite the Stars book 1)

¨Keep your enemies close¨

“Everyone in the universe knows his name. Everyone in the universe fears him. But no one realizes that notorious outlaw Ia Cocha is a seventeen-year-old girl.

A criminal mastermind and unrivaled pilot, Ia has spent her life terrorizing the Olympus Commonwealth, the imperialist nation that destroyed her home. When the Commonwealth captures her and her true identity is exposed, they see Ia’s age and talent as an opportunity: by forcing her to serve them, they will prove that no one is beyond their control.

Soon, Ia is trapped at the Commonwealth’s military academy, desperately plotting her escape. But new acquaintances—including Brinn, a seemingly average student with a closely-held secret, and their charming Flight Master, Knives—cause Ia to question her own alliances. Can she find a way to escape the Commonwealth’s clutches before these bonds deepen?” - taken from Goodreads.com

OMG! I don't know what it is about a strong-willed but flawed female main character with a space setting, but those books are becoming my new fav of mine. Told from three different POV, readers are quickly immersed into the life of Ia Cocha, Brinn Tarver and Knives at a prestigious military academy where the Commonwealth sentences Cocha for her crimes. The generals reasoning is who better to fight are the Commonwealth when it's most notorious criminal is only a 17-year-old girl. Loved where this story took our three heroes on separate but intertwined soul-searching journeys to reach that climactic conclusion.

Not exactly a cliffhanger but I'm super excited to see where these three characters go next.

Book two, Explore the Skies, is to out on September 9th, 2019. 

Visit Maura Milan’s website.

A Reaper at the Gate by Sabaa Tahir (Ember Quartet book 3)

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the first two books in the quartet, An Ember in the Ashes and A Torch Against the Night, Stop! I don’t want to ruin the story for you.

Check out Book Series Recaps for a refresher of the first two books.

Please visit the Recaptains blog if you need a refresher of the first two books.

“Beyond the Empire and within it, the threat of war looms ever larger.

The Blood Shrike, Helene Aquilla, is assailed on all sides. Emperor Marcus, haunted by his past, grows increasingly unstable, while the Commandant capitalizes on his madness to bolster her own power. As Helene searches for a way to hold back the approaching darkness, her sister's life and the lives of all those in the Empire hang in the balance.

Far to the east, Laia of Serra knows the fate of the world lies not in the machinations of the Martial court, but in stopping the Nightbringer. But while hunting for a way to bring him down, Laia faces unexpected threats from those she hoped would aid her, and is drawn into a battle she never thought she'd have to fight.

And in the land between the living and the dead, Elias Veturius has given up his freedom to serve as Soul Catcher. But in doing so, he has vowed himself to an ancient power that will stop at nothing to ensure Elias's devotion–even at the cost of his humanity.” - take from Goodreads.com 

The only good reason I can find about not reading this book sooner is that I now have seven fewer months to wait for the conclusion. WOW! To try and keep this spoiler free, I’m not going into a lot of details. Some of the events that transpire, you knew had to happen but others were complete jaw-droppers. One event, in particular, left me speechless. (Oh, how I wish I had someone to talk to about it.) The ending with its wicked plot twists to set up the final book will leave readers eager for the final book.

The final book in the quartet is expected to be published in 2020.

Visit Sabaa Tahir’s website.

Smoke in the Sun by Renee Adhieh (Flame in the Mist book 2)

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the first book in the series, Flame in the Mist, Stop! I don’t want to ruin the story for you.

Check out Book Series Recaps for a refresher of the first book.

“For weeks, seventeen-year-old Mariko pretended to be a boy to infiltrate the notorious Black Clan and bring her would-be murderer to justice. She didn't expect to find a place for herself among the group of fighters—a life of usefulness—and she certainly didn't expect to fall in love. Now she heads to the imperial castle to resume a life she never wanted to save the boy she loves.

Ōkami has been captured, and his execution is a certainty. Mariko will do what she must to ensure his survival—even marry the sovereign's brother, saying goodbye to a life with Ōkami forever.

As Mariko settles into her days at court—making both friends and enemies—and attempting Ōkami's rescue at night, the secrets of the royal court begin to unravel as competing agendas collide. One arrow sets into motion a series of deadly events even the most powerful magic cannot contain. Mariko and Ōkami risk everything to right past wrongs and restore the honor of a kingdom thrown into chaos by a sudden war, hoping against hope that when the dust settles, they will find a way to be together.

Set against the backdrop of feudal Japan, Smoke in the Sun is the breathless, romantic, not-to-be-missed fiery conclusion to a spell-binding adventure.” taken from Goodreads.com

Picking up immediately where the first book left off, Mariko and Okami find themselves in the clutches of Emperor Roku. Mariko is desperate to free Okami, even if it means giving up her own chance at happiness. Finding herself in a rapidly escalating power struggle, she finds that sticking to her principles wins over the one person that matters. I did feel like the ending was wrapped up a little too neatly, but this is still an enjoyable read.

There are also two enovellas available that take place between the two books, Okami and Yumi that give a bit of insight into both of these characters’ minds between books one and two. 

Visit Renee Adhieh’s website.

Two Dark Reigns by Kendare Blake (Three Dark Crowns book 3)

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the first two books in the series, Three Dark Crowns, and One Dark Throne, Stop! I don’t want to ruin the story for you.

Check out Book Series Recaps for a refresher of the first two books.

“While Arsinoe, Mirabella, and Katharine all have their own scores to settle, they aren’t the only queens stirring things up on Fennbirn Island.

Queen Katharine has waited her entire life to wear the crown. But now that she finally has it, the murmurs of dissent grow louder by the day. There’s also the alarming issue of whether or not her sisters are actually dead—or if they’re waiting in the wings to usurp the throne.

Mirabella and Arsinoe are alive, but in hiding on the mainland and dealing with a nightmare of their own: being visited repeatedly by a specter they think might be the fabled Blue Queen. Though she says nothing, her rotting, bony finger pointing out to sea is clear enough: return to Fennbirn. 

Jules, too, is in a strange place—in disguise. And her only confidants, a war-gifted girl named Emilia and her oracle friend Mathilde, are urging her to take on a role she can’t imagine filling: a legion-cursed queen who will lead a rebel army to Katharine’s doorstep.

This is an uprising that the mysterious Blue Queen may have more to do with than anyone could have guessed—or expected.” - taken from Goodreads.com

Without giving too much away of the plot lines in this third book, I'll keep it simple. Arsinoe and Mirabella have left the island of Fennbirn while Jules stayed behind. When paranormal forces bring the two sisters back to the island, they discover that Queen Katharine has a tenuous hold on her throne. With rebel forces trying to overthrow the triplet queens, the unthinkable happens. 

The book ends in what is once again a cliffhanger.

Book four, yet untitled, is due out on September 3, 2019. 

Visit Kendare Blake’s website.

Snow in Love by Melissa de la Cruz, Nic Stone, Aimee Friedman, & Kasie West

“What's better than one deliciously cozy, swoon-worthy holiday story?

Four of them, from some of today's bestselling authors.

From KASIE WEST, a snowy road trip takes an unexpected detour when secrets and crushes are revealed.

From AIMEE FRIEDMAN, a Hanukkah miracle may just happen when a Jewish girl working as a department store elf finds love.

From MELISSA DE LA CRUZ, Christmas Eve gets a plot twist when a high school couple exchange surprising presents.

From NIC STONE, a scavenger hunt amid the holiday crowds at an airport turns totally romantic.

So grab a mug of hot cocoa, snuggle up, and get ready to fall in love…” - taken from Goodreads.com

I devoured this short collection of four holiday stories. Snow and Mistletoe by Kasie West was a cute, romantic story about secret crushes. I almost wish it had been a bit longer. Working in a Winter Wonderland by Aimee Friedman is a tale of a Jewish girl working in a Christmas shop for a special dress to impress a secret crush on New Year’s Eve. This story had a sweet twist at the end. The Magi’s Gifts by Melissa de la Cruz just didn’t do it for me. I’ve never enjoyed the original story by O. Henry. Grounded by Nic Stone took me a while to get into but I really enjoyed it.