Frankly in Love by David Yoon

 

“High school senior Frank Li is a Limbo--his term for Korean-American kids who find themselves caught between their parents’ traditional expectations and their own Southern California upbringing. His parents have one rule when it comes to romance--“Date Korean”--which proves complicated when Frank falls for Brit Means, who is smart, beautiful--and white. Fellow Limbo Joy Song is in a similar predicament, and so they make a pact: they’ll pretend to date each other in order to gain their freedom. Frank thinks it’s the perfect plan, but in the end, Frank and Joy’s fake-dating maneuver leaves him wondering if he ever really understood love--or himself--at all.” - taken from Goodreads.com

Frank Li (Frankly, pun intended) is a first-generation Korean-American. His parents are racist, having disowned his older sister for marrying a black man and believing that Frank should only date fellow Korean teenagers. He knows that his parents will never tolerate him dating his white girlfriend. So when the opportunity arises to fake date a friend in the same situation that he's in, it seems like the perfect plan.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading a Korean-American male POV, especially after reading I'll Be the One by Lyla Lee. This was a heartwarming story about trying to be true to oneself while still upholding your parents’ beliefs.

Visit David Yoon’s website.

Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam

 

“The story that I thought

was my life

didn’t start on the day

I was born

Amal Shahid has always been an artist and a poet. But even in a diverse art school, he’s seen as disruptive and unmotivated by a biased system. Then one fateful night, an altercation in a gentrifying neighborhood escalates into tragedy. “Boys just being boys” turns out to be true only when those boys are white.

The story that I think

will be my life

starts today

Suddenly, at just sixteen years old, Amal’s bright future is upended: he is convicted of a crime he didn’t commit and sent to prison. Despair and rage almost sink him until he turns to the refuge of his words, his art. This never should have been his story. But can he change it?” - taken from Goodreads.com

A powerful story in verse about Amal, an African American teenager, who finds himself wrongfully imprisoned for assaulting a white teenager.  

Visit Ibi Zoboi’s website.

Visit Yusef Salaam & the Innocence Project.

The Assignment by Liza Wiemer

“SENIOR YEAR. When an assignment given by a favorite teacher instructs a group of students to argue for the Final Solution, a euphemism used to describe the Nazi plan for the genocide of the Jewish people, Logan March and Cade Crawford are horrified. Their teacher cannot seriously expect anyone to complete an assignment that fuels intolerance and discrimination. Logan and Cade decide they must take a stand.

As the school administration addressed the teens' refusal to participate in the appalling debate, the student body, their parents, and the larger community are forced to face the issue as well. The situation explodes, and acrimony and anger result. What does it take for tolerance, justice, and love to prevail?” - taken from Goodreads.com

Could you stand up for something you believe in, even if you have to do it alone? Logan and Cade take offense when their teacher, Mr. Bartley, assigns a debate on Hitler’s Final Solution, the extermination of the Jewish race. When Mr. Bartley refuses to change the assignment, Logan and Cade don’t back down. Soon, the class and the community become divided as true colors and closely kept secrets are revealed. Based on a real-life event, this book explores what it means to stand up for what you believe in.

Visit Liza Wiemer’s website.

Wings of Shadow by Nicki Pau Preto (Crown of Feathers book 3)

 

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the first two books in the series, Crown of Feathers, and Heart of Flames, Stop! I don’t want to ruin one of my favorite series for you.

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

“I had a sister, once…

Veronyka is no longer an orphaned stable boy or a nameless Phoenix Rider apprentice: she is the daughter of Pheronia Ashfire, the last queen of the Golden Empire…and the niece of Avalkyra Ashfire, the resurrected rebel queen who tore the empire apart.

We shone brightly, burned fiercely.

Now that the secret is out, everyone at the Eyrie treats Veronyka differently, and with Tristan still a hostage of the scheming Lord Rolan—and Sev with him as a spy—Veronyka feels very much alone. Except for her beloved phoenix, Xephyra, of course, and her new friend, Kade, who has his own reasons for wanting to save Tristan.

Was it always going to come down to this? Sister against sister? Darkness against light?

Veronyka is determined to do whatever it takes to get Tristan back, even if that means revealing her identity to the world and inheriting a throne she’s not sure she wants. But when she discovers that Avalkyra has bonded with a strix—a legendary creature of darkness that feeds off the life force of others—Veronyka realizes she has more to deal with than an encroaching war with the empire. Val is willing to destroy everything to get her revenge on a world that rejected her, and if Veronyka wants to bring peace to the empire and Pyra alike, she must face down her sister once and for all.

The world began with Ashfire queens…perhaps they will also be its destruction.” - taken from Goodreads.com

This was a thrilling and dramatic end to this stupendous epic fantasy trilogy. In this battle between “sisters”, only one Ashfire can come out on top to rule. Not everything is wrapped up neatly in a bow, but the ending is extremely satisfying. One of my all-time favorite fantasy series. I cannot wait to see what this author’s next book will be.

Visit Nicki Pau Preto’s website.

Kisses and Croissants by Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau

 

“Seventeen-year-old Mia, an American girl at an elite summer ballet program, has six weeks to achieve her dreams: to snag an audition with one of the world’s best ballet companies. But there’s more to Paris than ballet—especially when a charming French boy, Louis, wants to be her tour guide—and the pair discover the city has a few mysteries up its sleeve.” - taken from Goodreads.com

Mia dreams of becoming a professional ballerina. Nothing comes before ballet and she is off to an elite summer program in Paris. What Mia doesn’t expect is to meet a handsome French boy who helps unravel a family mystery. This is a quick and satisfying summer romance that takes place in Paris.

Visit Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau’s website.

The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna (Deathless book 1)

“Sixteen-year-old Deka lives in fear and anticipation of the blood ceremony that will determine whether she will become a member of her village. Already different from everyone else because of her unnatural intuition, Deka prays for red blood so she can finally feel like she belongs.

But on the day of the ceremony, her blood runs gold, the color of impurity--and Deka knows she will face a consequence worse than death.

Then a mysterious woman comes to her with a choice: stay in the village and submit to her fate, or leave to fight for the emperor in an army of girls just like her. They are called alaki--near-immortals with rare gifts. And they are the only ones who can stop the empire's greatest threat.

Knowing the dangers that lie ahead yet yearning for acceptance, Deka decides to leave the only life she's ever known. But as she journeys to the capital to train for the biggest battle of her life, she will discover that the great walled city holds many surprises. Nothing and no one are quite what they seem to be--not even Deka herself.” - taken from Goodreads.com

I really didn't know too much about this book going in except that it has been compared to Children of Blood and Bone. What this girl power fantasy has going for it is its unique story. Deka, who bleeds gold at her purity ceremony, is immediately ostracised by her father and the entire community. Locked in a cellar, Deka is subjected to her death several times over. Deka's life is virtually Immortal. Rescued from her torture by the Lady of Equus, she and another girl, Britta, are taken to a training camp to learn how to defeat the imposing enemy.

Deka lives in a world where males dominate while females are taught to be subservient. She craves to learn more about her mother and the secrets being kept from her. Lots of secrets, intrigue, sisterhood, and a touch of romance, readers will be left in an uproar for the next segment in this trilogy. 

Book two, The Merciless Ones, is due out on April 5, 2022.

Visit Namina Forna’s website.

 

This Is Not the Jess Show by Anna Banks (Jess Show book 1)

 

“Like any other teenager, Jess Flynn is just trying to get through her junior year without drama ... but drama seems to keep finding her. Between a new crush on her childhood best friend, overprotective parents cramping her social life, and her younger sister's worsening health, the only constant is change--and her hometown of Swickley, which feels smaller by the day.

Swickley is getting weirder by the day, too. Half the population has been struck down by a mysterious flu. Conversations end awkwardly when Jess enters the room. And then one day, a tiny, sleek black device--with an apple logo on it--falls out of her best friend's backpack and lands at Jess's feet.” - taken from Goodreads.com

This book started off slow for me and I was trying to figure out what was going on along with Jessica Flynn herself. Without giving away too many details, unbeknownst to her Jess is the star of a reality television show about her life. As things start to come apart at the seams, can Jess escape from her own life? Be prepared, Jess’s story will be continued in a second book. 

Visit Anna Banks’ website.

Every Reason We Shouldn’t by Sara Fujimura (Every Reason book 1)

 

“Warning: Contains family expectations, delightful banter, great romantic tension, skating (all kinds!), Korean pastries, and all the feels.

Fifteen-year-old, biracial figure skater Olivia Kennedy’s Olympic dreams have ended. She's bitter, but enjoying life as a regular teenager instead of an athlete... until Jonah Choi starts training at her family's struggling rink. Jonah's driven, talented, going for the Olympics in speed skating, completely annoying… and totally gorgeous. Between teasing Jonah, helping her best friend try out for roller derby, figuring out life as a normal teen and keeping the family business running, Olivia's got her hands full. But will rivalry bring her closer to Jonah, or drive them apart?” - taken from Goodreads.com

This story reminded me of one of my favorite movies, The Cutting Edge but with several different twists. Olivia Kennedy's parents are Olympic gold medalist ice skating champions. Her own Olympic dreams have recently gone up in flames. She and her mother are struggling to keep their own ice rink afloat when Jonah Choi and his father walk through the doors. A speed skating Olympic hopeful, Jonah's rental is much-needed income for the rink. But soon sparks fly between Olivia and Jonah as they grow closer to each other and support each other's Olympic dreams. 

Visit Sara Fujimura’s website.

Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean (Tokyo Ever After book 1)

 

“Izumi Tanaka has never really felt like she fit in—it isn’t easy being Japanese American in her small, mostly white, northern California town. Raised by a single mother, it’s always been Izumi—or Izzy, because “It’s easier this way”—and her mom against the world. But then Izzy discovers a clue to her previously unknown father’s identity… and he’s none other than the Crown Prince of Japan. Which means outspoken, irreverent Izzy is literally a princess.

In a whirlwind, Izzy travels to Japan to meet the father she never knew and discover the country she always dreamed of. But being a princess isn’t all ball gowns and tiaras. There are conniving cousins, a hungry press, a scowling but handsome bodyguard who just might be her soulmate, and thousands of years of tradition and customs to learn practically overnight.

Izzy soon finds herself caught between worlds, and between versions of herself—back home, she was never “American” enough, and in Japan, she must prove she’s “Japanese” enough. Will Izumi crumble under the weight of the crown, or will she live out her fairytale, happily ever after.” - taken from Goodreads.com

This book definitely lived up to all of the hype surrounding it. Izumi Tanaka and her mother live in Northern California. A high school senior, her mother doesn't talk about who her birth father is. One night at home with her friend Noora, they discover an inscription in a book by her mother's bed that is signed and dated the same year she was born. Noora decides that she is going to find out who this mystery man is. What Noora uncovers is that Izumi is the spitting image of the Crown Prince of Japan. When Izumi reaches out to her father, little does she know the firestorm her newfound identity causes.

 Definitely one of my top reads of 2021. 

Visit Emiko Jean’s website.

Sunkissed by Kasie West

 

“Will the stars align?

Avery has always used music as an escape. But after her best friend betrays her, even her perfectly curated playlists can't help her forget what happened. To make matters worse, her parents have dragged her and her social-media-obsessed sister to a remote family camp for two months of "fun." Just when Avery is ready to give up on the summer altogether, she meets Brooks—mysterious, frustratingly charming Brooks—who just happens to be on staff—which means he's off-limits.

What starts as a disaster turns into . . . something else. As the outside world falls away, Avery embarks on a journey of self-discovery. And when Brooks offers her the chance of a lifetime, she must figure out how far is she willing to go to find out what she wants and who she wants to be.” - taken from Goodreads.com

An entire summer spent at a camp as a family with no internet is not how Avery Young planned to spend her vacation. When she meets Brooks Marshall, a camp employee who is supposed to be off limits, her life changes as she begins to step out of her comfort zone and spread her wings. Full of ups and downs, another cute Kasie West rom-com. This would be perfect as a Hallmark movie. 

Visit Kasie West’s website.