From Twinkle, with Love by Sandhya Menon

“Aspiring filmmaker and wallflower Twinkle Mehra has stories she wants to tell and universes she wants to explore, if only the world would listen. So when fellow film geek Sahil Roy approaches her to direct a movie for the upcoming Summer Festival, Twinkle is all over it. The chance to publicly showcase her voice as a director? Dream come true. The fact that it gets her closer to her longtime crush, Neil Roy-a.k.a. Sahil's twin brother? Dream come true x 2.

When mystery man N begins emailing her, Twinkle is sure it's Neil, finally ready to begin their happily-ever-after. The only slightly inconvenient problem is that, in the course of movie-making, she's fallen madly in love with the irresistibly adorkable Sahil.

Twinkle soon realizes that resistance is futile: The romance she's got is not the one she's scripted. But will it be enough?

Told through the letters Twinkle writes to her favorite female filmmakers, From Twinkle, with Love navigates big truths about friendship, family, and the unexpected places love can find you.” - taken from Goodreads.com

I didn't like Twinkle as a person as much as I did Dimple and Sweetie. Twinkle is an aspiring film director and the book is written as letters/diary entries to her favorite female directors. The one character flaw I found with Twinkle was her need to move up the social ladder at her high school. Fortunately, she realizes how her life was changing before she did anything really stupid or unforgettable to her new friends.

Visit Sandhya Menon’s website.

Winterwood by Shea Ernshaw

“Be careful of the dark, dark wood…

Especially the woods surrounding the town of Fir Haven. Some say these woods are magical. Haunted, even.

Rumored to be a witch, only Nora Walker knows the truth. She and the Walker women before her have always shared a special connection with the woods. And it’s this special connection that leads Nora to Oliver Huntsman—the same boy who disappeared from the Camp for Wayward Boys weeks ago—and in the middle of the worst snowstorm in years. He should be dead, but here he is alive, and left in the woods with no memory of the time he’d been missing.

But Nora can feel an uneasy shift in the woods at Oliver’s presence. And it’s not too long after that Nora realizes she has no choice but to unearth the truth behind how the boy she has come to care so deeply about survived his time in the forest, and what led him there in the first place. What Nora doesn’t know, though, is that Oliver has secrets of his own—secrets he’ll do anything to keep buried, because as it turns out, he wasn’t the only one to have gone missing on that fateful night all those weeks ago.” - taken from Goodreads.com

I was afraid that after reading a book I thoroughly enjoyed that this book would be a disappointment but I was pleasantly surprised that the story of Nora Walker and Jackjaw Lake is sucked me in quickly. I loved the entire mystery that surrounds this story and couldn't wait to get to the end to see if my theories were correct. (Somewhere and others were a shocking reveal.) I loved how the story ended and cannot wait to read more from this author. 

Visit Shea Ernshaw’s website.

Throw Like a Girl by Sarah Henning

“When softball star Liv Rodinsky throws one ill-advised punch during the most important game of the year, she loses her scholarship to her fancy private school, her boyfriend, and her teammates all in one fell swoop. With no other options, Liv is forced to transfer to the nearest public school, Northland, where she'll have to convince their coach she deserves a spot on the softball team, all while facing both her ex and the teammates of the girl she punched... Every. Single. Day.

Enter Grey, the injured star quarterback with amazing hair and a foolproof plan: if Liv joins the football team as his temporary replacement, he'll make sure she gets a spot on the softball team in the Spring. But it will take more than the perfect spiral for Liv to find acceptance in Northland's halls, and behind that charming smile, Grey may not be so perfect after all.” taken from Goodreads.com

I am so glad that I picked up this book when I did. Needless to say, I found it to be magical as well as sports authentic. Liv’s family is supportive but tough and Grey is a phenomenal guy. I didn't feel like their relationship imploded in an attempt to bring drama to the story but that also maybe because I couldn't put this book down. I cannot wait to read some more from this author. 

Visit Sarah Henning’s website.

The Toll by Neal Shusterman (Arc of a Scythe book 3)

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the first two books in the series, Scythe and Thunderhead, 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 book.

“It’s been three years since Rowan and Citra disappeared; since Scythe Goddard came into power; since the Thunderhead closed itself off to everyone but Grayson Tolliver.

In this pulse-pounding conclusion to New York Times bestselling author Neal Shusterman’s Arc of a Scythe trilogy, constitutions are tested and old friends are brought back from the dead.” - taken from Goodreads.com

WOW! That is all I can say without giving any of the wonderful details and conclusion of this story away. I hate to leave the world of the Scythedom behind but was satisfied with the ending of the story.

Visit Neal Shusterman’s website.

Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim (The Blood of Stars book 1)

“Maia Tamarin dreams of becoming the greatest tailor in the land, but as a girl, the best she can hope for is to marry well. When a royal messenger summons her ailing father, once a tailor of renown, to court, Maia poses as a boy and takes his place. She knows her life is forfeit if her secret is discovered, but she'll take that risk to achieve her dream and save her family from ruin. There's just one catch: Maia is one of twelve tailors vying for the job.

Backstabbing and lies run rampant as the tailors compete in challenges to prove their artistry and skill. Maia's task is further complicated when she draws the attention of the court magician, Edan, whose piercing eyes seem to see straight through her disguise.

And nothing could have prepared her for the final challenge: to sew three magic gowns for the emperor's reluctant bride-to-be, from the laughter of the sun, the tears of the moon, and the blood of stars. With this impossible task before her, she embarks on a journey to the far reaches of the kingdom, seeking the sun, the moon, and the stars, and finding more than she ever could have imagined.” - taken from Goodreads.com

This! This was an amazing fantasy read to start the new year off with. With undertones of Mulan, Maia poses as her brother to compete for the role of the emperor's new tailor. Don't despair thinking this book is nothing but a competition, it's not. Without saying anything more, this story ends on a bit of a cliffhanger that will be resolved in book two, Unravel the Dusk is out July 7, 2020.

Visit Elizabeth Lim’s website.

Echoes Between Us by Katie McGarry

“Veronica sees ghosts. More specifically, her mother's ghost. The afterimages of blinding migraines caused by the brain tumor that keeps her on the fringes and consumes her whole life haunt her, even as she wonders if it's something more...

Golden boy Sawyer is handsome and popular, a state champion swimmer, but his adrenaline addiction draws him to Veronica.

A girl with nothing to live for and a boy with everything to lose--can they conquer their demons together?” - taken from Goodreads.com

I adored this book and was so excited that I got to meet Katie and get a signed ARC this fall. Not a true series, we do meet one of the main characters from this book Veronica and her friends in a previous book Only A Breath Apart. Veronica and Sawyer both tugged at my heartstrings with their struggles and blooming relationship to become one of my favorite McGarry book couples. Once again, this story proves why Katie McGarry is one of my favorite authors. 

Visit Katie McGarry’s website.

Batman: Nightwalker. The Graphic Novel adapted by Stuart Moore. Based on the novel by Marie Lu.

“Based on the New York Times bestselling novel by Marie Lu, this graphic novel adaptation brings to life the dark mysteries behind the gates of Arkham Asylum. Nightwalkers are terrorizing Gotham City, and 18 year-old Bruce Wayne is next on their list.

Bruce Wayne is turning 18 and inheriting his family's fortune. But on the way home from his birthday party, he makes an impulsive choice that leads him to Arkham Asylym, the infamous mental hospital. There, he meets Madeline Wallace, a brilliant killer . . . and Bruce's only hope. Madeline is the mystery Bruce must unravel, but is he convincing her to divulge her secrets, or is he feeding her the information she needs to bring Gotham City to its knees?

Bruce Wayne is proof that you don't need superpowers to be a superhero, but can he survive Madeleine's game of tense intrigue and deception?

This graphic novel adaptation from New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu and artist Christian Wildgoose is a dark, action-packed thrill ride!” - taken from Goodreads.com 

This was an excellent graphic depiction of Marie Lu’s novel by the same name. I enjoyed seeing the book “come to life.”

The Mortal Instruments: The Graphic Novel, Vol. 3 by Cassandra Clare and Cassandra Jean

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

“Having her best friend, Simon, kidnapped and being attacked by the vampires already seemed too much for Clary to handle. But when she realizes her hidden power and that leads her to what she has been searching for, the truth exposed might be something that she absolutely cannot accept…” - taken from Goodreads.com

The third volume in this series with the storyline of City of Ashes. There is no exact information available but the last pages of the book tease to a fourth volume concluding this storyline arc.

Visit Cassandra Clare’s website.
Visit Cassandra Jean’s website.

Diamond & Dawn by Lyra Selene (Amber & Dusk book 2)

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

“Mirage, triumphant in her coup of the Amber Empire, returns to the palais prepared to take her place as Empress. With the support of her friends, Luca and Lullaby, and a tentative, blossoming romance with Sunder, Mirage is on the cusp of taking hold of everything she has wanted.

However, her place in the sun is not as sure as she expected; nor is it quite as bright as she imagined.

When the Empress Severine's body is recovered from the battle, she is not dead after all -- in a coma, she still represents a threat to Mirage's newfound power. Worse, a distant cousin, Gavin d'Ars, Duc de Douane, appears in court to challenge both women with his blood claim, and to propose a series of trials to determine the most deserving heir. In Mirage's fight to defend her vision for the empire, she begins to splinter all of her networks. Will the battle for control leave anyone untainted?” - taken from Goodreads.com

I really wasn't sure that I wanted to finish this series but I'm glad that I did. It took me a minute to get back into the story who some of the minor characters were. Once I remembered all of the details the story really took off for me. It really wasn't expecting that ending that was Pleasants they surprised and pleased that I ended up finishing this duology.

Visit Lyra Selene’s website.

There’s Something About Sweetie by Sandhya Menon (Dimple and Rishi book 2)

SPOILER ALERT! This is a companion story that takes place after When Dimple Met Rishi. While it’s not necessary to read the previous book first, I wouldn’t want to spoil any of the details for you. 

“Ashish Patel didn’t know love could be so…sucky. After he’s dumped by his ex-girlfriend, his mojo goes AWOL. Even worse, his parents are annoyingly, smugly confident they could find him a better match. So, in a moment of weakness, Ash challenges them to set him up.

The Patels insist that Ashish date an Indian-American girl—under contract. Per subclause 1(a), he’ll be taking his date on “fun” excursions like visiting the Hindu temple and his eccentric Gita Auntie. Kill him now. How is this ever going to work?

Sweetie Nair is many things: a formidable track athlete who can outrun most people in California, a loyal friend, a shower-singing champion. Oh, and she’s also fat. To Sweetie’s traditional parents, this last detail is the kiss of death.

Sweetie loves her parents, but she’s so tired of being told she’s lacking because she’s fat. She decides it’s time to kick off the Sassy Sweetie Project, where she’ll show the world (and herself) what she’s really made of.

Ashish and Sweetie both have something to prove. But with each date they realize there’s an unexpected magic growing between them. Can they find their true selves without losing each other?” - taken from Goodreads.com

This companion book centers around Rishi's younger brother Ashish after his breakup with Celia that began in the first book. Not only does the author continue to focus on Indian American culture but body image and self-esteem as well. Down in the dumps over his break up, Ash decides that if his parents’ arranged relationship for his older brother has worked out, then he is willing to try it as well. When Sweetie’s mother turns down Ash’s parents’ request to date, Sweetie decided to take matters into her own hands and goes against her parents’ wishes. Once again, another sweet romance that also centers on the main characters coming into their own.

Visit Sandhya Menon’s website.

When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon (Dimple and Rishi book 1)

“Dimple Shah has it all figured out. With graduation behind her, she’s more than ready for a break from her family, from Mamma’s inexplicable obsession with her finding the “Ideal Indian Husband.” Ugh. Dimple knows they must respect her principles on some level, though. If they truly believed she needed a husband right now, they wouldn’t have paid for her to attend a summer program for aspiring web developers…right?

Rishi Patel is a hopeless romantic. So when his parents tell him that his future wife will be attending the same summer program as him—wherein he’ll have to woo her—he’s totally on board. Because as silly as it sounds to most people in his life, Rishi wants to be arranged, believes in the power of tradition, stability, and being a part of something much bigger than himself.

The Shahs and Patels didn’t mean to start turning the wheels on this “suggested arrangement” so early in their children’s lives, but when they noticed them both gravitate toward the same summer program, they figured, Why not?

Dimple and Rishi may think they have each other figured out. But when opposites clash, love works hard to prove itself in the most unexpected ways.” - taken from Goodreads.com

I got to meet Sandhya Menon at a conference this fall but hadn’t read any of her books. With break coming up, I dove right in. The author does an incredible job of relating Indian culture to the reader. Told in dual POVs between Dimple, who wants to be a computer coder, and Rishi, who follows his parents’ wishes above his own dreams.

This cute romance starts with Dimple heading off to her dream coding camp only to meet Rishi, who excitedly informs her of their arranged marriage by their parents. Of course, it is a complete shock to Dimple. As the story progresses, these two learn to support one another’s dreams and of course, to find a happily ever after.

Visit Sandhya Menon’s website.

Broken Throne by Victoria Aveyard (Red Queen book 4.5)

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the Red Queen series, Stop! Several of the short stories in this collection do take place after the fourth book.

The first two stories in this new bind up, Queen Song and Steel Scars, were first published as Cruel Crown. 

Queen Song: This is the story of Cal’s mother, Queen Coriane.

Steel Scars: This is Farley’s story

World Behind: This was a story involving new characters. I didn’t read it.

Iron Heart: This is Evangeline’s story after the conclusion of War Storm.

Fire Light: This is Cal and Mare’s reunion after the events in War Storm. 

Fare Well: Cal and Maven’s last meeting as well as Cal’s final good-bye.

I thoroughly enjoyed the final epilogue.