Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley

 

“Keep the secret. Live the lie. Earn your truth.

As a biracial, unenrolled tribal member and the product of a scandal, eighteen-year-old Daunis Fontaine has never quite fit in, both in her hometown and on the nearby Ojibwe reservation. Daunis dreams of studying medicine, but when her family is struck by tragedy, she puts her future on hold to care for her fragile mother.

The only bright spot is meeting Jamie, the charming new recruit on her brother Levi’s hockey team. Yet even as Daunis falls for Jamie, certain details don’t add up and she senses the dashing hockey star is hiding something. Everything comes to light when Daunis witnesses a shocking murder, thrusting her into the heart of a criminal investigation.

Reluctantly, Daunis agrees to go undercover, but secretly pursues her own investigation, tracking down the criminals with her knowledge of chemistry and traditional medicine. But the deceptions—and deaths—keep piling up and soon the threat strikes too close to home.

Now, Daunis must learn what it means to be a strong Anishinaabe kwe (Ojibwe woman) and how far she'll go to protect her community, even if it tears apart the only world she’s ever known.” - taken from Goodreads.com

This book was phenomenal and definitely lives up to all of the hype. Daunis Fontaine is fearless, despite everything she faces. The author dives deep into the Native American culture of the Ojibwe community in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. For maximum enjoyment, go into this book without knowing a whole lot about it. Definitely will remain one of my all-time favorites.

Visit Angeline Boulley’s website.

You Have a Match by Emma Lord

 

“A new love, a secret sister, and a summer she'll never forget.

From the beloved author of Tweet Cute comes Emma Lord's You Have a Match, a hilarious and heartfelt novel of romance, sisterhood, and friendship...

When Abby signs up for a DNA service, it’s mainly to give her friend and secret love interest, Leo, a nudge. After all, she knows who she is already: Avid photographer. Injury-prone tree climber. Best friend to Leo and Connie…although ever since the B.E.I. (Big Embarrassing Incident) with Leo, things have been awkward on that front.

But she didn’t know she’s a younger sister.

When the DNA service reveals Abby has a secret sister, shimmery-haired Instagram star Savannah Tully, it’s hard to believe they’re from the same planet, never mind the same parents — especially considering Savannah, queen of green smoothies, is only a year and a half older than Abby herself.

The logical course of action? Meet up at summer camp (obviously) and figure out why Abby’s parents gave Savvy up for adoption. But there are complications: Savvy is a rigid rule-follower and total narc. Leo is the camp’s co-chef, putting Abby's growing feelings for him on blast. And her parents have a secret that threatens to unravel everything.

But part of life is showing up, leaning in, and learning to fit all your awkward pieces together. Because sometimes, the hardest things can also be the best ones.” - taken from Goodreads.com

I really thought this book was going to be a cute retelling of Disney's The Parent Trap. And it was to some extent but the reasoning behind the girls’ separation was a bit heartbreaking if not a little bit unbelievable. There is a touch of romance but it is not the main focus of the story. I couldn't put down this book in my attempt to discover why Abby and Savannah were separated. I can definitely see why Reese Witherspoon picked this title for her YA book club.

Visit Emma Lord’s website.

A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow by Laura Taylor Namey

 

“For Lila Reyes, a summer in England was never part of the plan. The plan was 1) take over her abuela’s role as head baker at their panadería, 2) move in with her best friend after graduation, and 3) live happily ever after with her boyfriend. But then the Trifecta happened, and everything—including Lila herself—fell apart.

Worried about Lila’s mental health, her parents make a new plan for her: Spend three months with family friends in Winchester, England, to relax and reset. But with the lack of sun, a grumpy inn cook, and a small town lacking Miami flavor (both in food and otherwise), what would be a dream trip for some feels more like a nightmare to Lila…until she meets Orion Maxwell.

A teashop clerk with troubles of his own, Orion is determined to help Lila out of her funk, and appoints himself as her personal tour guide. From Winchester’s drama-filled music scene to the sweeping English countryside, it isn’t long before Lila is not only charmed by Orion, but England itself. Soon a new future is beginning to form in Lila’s mind—one that would mean leaving everything she ever planned behind.” - taken from Goodreads.com

I love this author's first book but her second was even better. Lila’s life has been turned upside down. Her grandmother recently died, her boyfriend of three years dumped her right before prom, and her best friend has decided to take a gap year and spend it as a volunteer in Africa and didn’t tell her. When Lila breaks down over the stress, her parents sent her to England for the summer to spend it with a cousin. This book was phenomenal! Lila doesn't want to leave Miami but it doesn't take long for her to find her place in England and to move forward from past hurts and discovered an unimaginable future. A definite read!

Visit Laura Taylor Namey’s website.