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.