Book Review: When Robbo Met Daniel by Liam Livings

When Robbo Met Daniel by Liam Livings is a contemporary romance. Robbo is broken. He’s split up with his girlfriend. Given up on love. Forever. And now he must pretend to be happy for a friend’s week-long birthday celebration. Daniel’s boyfriend refuses to go to the celebration with him. Another nail in the coffin for their relationship. So he brings his best friend, Sam. They notice the heart-broken straight guy has attractively filled swimming shorts and a body to draw their sunglasses-obscured gazes. If Robbo can put aside how he thinks others will see him if he comes out and if Daniel can escape the history of his dead relationship, maybe they have chance. 

When Robbo Met Daniel is a romance that works on every level. I will admit that some of the phrases and reactions were unusual to me, but they were accurate and completely in character and now I know more which always makes me happy.  I like that everything was not simple, nor was everything more complicated or more drawn out than it needed to be. I liked the natural development of friendship and attraction- and how everyone needed to deal with their own issues in their own time rather than the 'love fixes everything' which is sometimes used to ignore problems for a quick happy ending. Robbo and Daniel each had things to work out for themselves and I really enjoyed that while Robbo figuring things out is part of the story, the details of the process are not all agonized over.   Coming out and figuring things out is huge, but it is also very different for different people and I loved the way it was laid out but not the focus of the entire romance.  I also loved the level of communication and honesty between Robbo and Daniel, I think this is what really sold the story for me and made me root for the couple even more. Being open about the stumbling blocks they might face and leaning on the support system they had made me so happy for them. 

When Robbo Met Daniel is  an honest and heart warming romance that leave readers confident in a happy ever after for the characters. 

Book Review: Black Water Sister by Zen Cho

Black Water Sister by Zen Cho is a contemporary fantasy. When Jessamyn Teoh starts hearing a voice in her head, she chalks it up to stress. Closeted, broke and jobless, she’s moving back to Malaysia with her parents – a country she last saw when she was a toddler. She soon learns the new voice isn’t even hers, it’s the ghost of her estranged grandmother. In life, Ah Ma was a spirit medium, avatar of a mysterious deity called the Black Water Sister. Now she’s determined to settle a score against a business magnate who has offended the god—and she's decided Jess is going to help her do it, whether Jess wants to or not. Drawn into a world of gods, ghosts, and family secrets, Jess finds that making deals with capricious spirits is a dangerous business, but dealing with her grandmother is just as complicated. Especially when Ah Ma tries to spy on her personal life, threatens to spill her secrets to her family and uses her body to commit felonies.  As Jess fights for retribution for Ah Ma, she’ll also need to regain control of her body and destiny or the Black Water Sister may finish her off for good.

Black Water Sister is extremely well written and engaging. But, lets get a content/trigger warning out of the way. There are some scenes of abuse and assault in various degrees. They are important to the story, and not gratuitous, but if these are triggers for you please make sure you are prepared or wait until you are in a place to handle them. 

Life after college can be hard, more so when you move overseas with your parents while being haunted by your grandmother and trying to handle family pressures, relationship stress, and deciding on her next steps in life. There are many twists and turns, some of which I saw coming and many of which took me by surprise. Some still have me reeling even after having finished the read. I liked getting a better understanding of a country I honestly do not know much about, and the way different cultures mingle and collide there. Seeing the way beliefs and cultures combine, and how universal certain types of injustice and greed can be reminds readers that somethings have always been there and we still need to fight them and find a way forward. The characters are extremely dynamic, with the capacity for good and evil in almost every action and word. I still have questions about what happens to certain characters next, what paths they follow, but I was very satisfied with the conclusion to the immediate conflicts and the choices Jess made. 

Black Water Sister is a fascinating and engaging read. It is a roller coaster ride that stays with the readers.  

Early Book Review: Scales & Scoundrels Definitive Edition, Book 1 and 2 by Sebastian Girner and Galaad

Scales & Scoundrels Definitive Edition, Book 1 and 2, by Sebastian Girner and Galaad are graphic novels currently schedule for release on July 6 2021. This a a new, revised and expanded definitive edition of the all ages comic.

This multicultural fantasy adventure follows young treasure hunter Luvander in her search for gold and glory. Along with her companions—a prince, his stern bodyguard, and a plucky young dwarf—Lu dives into an epic journey and discovers a secret that will bring light to a world encroached upon by an ancient darkness. Book 1: Where Dragons Wander contains material previously collected in the Image Comics edition of Scales & Scoundrels Vol. 1 & 2, with completely reworked artwork. Lu’s adventure continues in Book 2: The Festival of Life, with more than 250 pages of original content. I only had access to a sneak peek of these volumes, so my review is only on the artwork and story I had access to. 

I have never before read Scales & Scoundrels so my review is based on looking at the previews of these two volumes with no nostalgia or prior knowledge of the story. I thought the idea and story was well done with quality artwork I thought the story was easy to follow, with some predictability, and the artwork matched the story well. The story starts fairly slowly, a standard fantasy adventure, but the characters and story to get more depth as the story continues. The art was not my favorite style, but we all have different tastes and I think it was a good match to the story. I think young fantasy fans and players of Dungeons and Dragons-  and similar games- will enjoy this the most. I did not wow me, but I do wish that I would have discovered the comics when they were first release as I think I would have enjoyed them more when I was younger and not so many graphic novels of this genre had already pass through my hands. 

Book Review: The Hate Project (Love Study) by Kris Ripper

The Hate Project is the second book in the Love Study series by Kris Ripper. You do not need to read the series in order to enjoy the read, although returning readers will have a head start in understanding the characters and the friend group dynamics. 

Oscar is a grouch. That’s a well-established fact among his tight-knit friend group, and they love him anyway. Jack is an ass. Jack, who’s always ready with a sly insult, who can’t have a conversation without arguing, and who Oscar may or may not have hooked up with on a strict no-commitment, one-time-only basis. Even if it was extremely hot. Together, they’re a bickering, combative mess. When Oscar is fired (answering phones is not for the anxiety-ridden), he somehow ends up working for Jack. Maybe while cleaning out Jack’s grandmother’s house they can stop fighting long enough to turn a one-night stand into a frenemies-with-benefits situation.  The house is an archaeological dig of love and dysfunction, and while Oscar thought he was prepared, he wasn’t. It’s impossible to delve so deeply into someone’s past without coming to understand them at least a little, but Oscar has boundaries for a reason—even if sometimes Jack makes him want to break them all down. After all, hating Jack is less of a risk than loving him. 

The Hate Project is another winner from Ripper. I loved getting to know Oscar and Jack- and the honest and open way their personalities and issues are part of the story and never felt like elements added to the story to tick check marks or create unnecessary drama. Oscar's anxiety and depression were very well described, as was the reality that everyone reacts to stimuli differently, and that medication has good and bad aspects including the difficulty of finding the right prescription. Evelyn is a great character, and I enjoyed seeing the group I came to care for in The Love Study again. The character interactions and growth had me fully engaged in the story and wanting more, I really want to know where the whole group goes from here. My only complaint is that I would have like to see at least some of this from Jack's point of view- because there a more than a few moments in the book were I really wanted to know where he was thinking and where he was coming from. 

The Hate Project is a solid romance with great characters. 

Book Review: Even and Odd by Sarah Beth Durst

Even and Odd by Sarah Beth Durst is a middle grade fantasy novel. Even and Odd are sisters who share magic. Lately, though, it seems like that’s the only thing they have in common. Odd doesn’t like magic, and Even practices it every chance she gets, dreaming of the day she’ll be ready to be a hero. When the hidden border between the mundane world the sisters live in and the magical land they were born in shuts abruptly, the girls are trapped, unable to return home. With the help of a unicorn named Jeremy, they discover a wizard is diverting magic from the border to bolster her own power. Families are cut off from each other on both sides of the border, and an ecological disaster is brewing. But the wizard cares nothing for the calamitous effects her appropriation of magic is having. Someone has to do something to stop her, and Even realizes she can no longer wait until she’s ready: she needs to be a hero now.

Even and Odd is a fun read with a nice blend of action, magic, and character growth. Even and Odd are sisters that are close in age, making them good friends but also tired of being compared to each other. I liked the way their relationship is described, as it felt like a very real dynamic and one I have often seen in life. I thought the set up for the magic and mundane world was well done, and the build up of concerns and crisis made the big confrontations feel that much more pivotal. The world building is smooth and interesting, making me want to read more about some of the characters living there. I do have to admit that I saw one of the twists coming, but it was well played and hit at a moment to make the most of the suspense and emotional decisions that had to be made. I really enjoyed reading along as Even came into her own and would not be opposed to following this family in a series.

Even and Odd is a charming coming of age story about siblings, magic, and finding yourself.

Book Review: Brindille by Frederic Brremaud, Federico Bertolucci

Brindille is a graphic novel written by Frederic Brremaud and illustrated by Federico Bertolucci. A frail young girl flees a roaring forest fire in the middle of the night desperately taking refuge in a cave where she quickly loses consciousness. She wakes up in a strange, tiny village populated by fairy-like creatures. Her hosts seem intrigued by the sparkles of light that seem to surround her. The village chieftain explains that one of their hunters found her passed out in the forest and brought her back here for treatment. He asks who she is, but she remembers nothing except for a wall and flames. The chief is baffled by her tale as there has not been any fire in the forest lately, and yet the young woman does indeed show signs of burns. Somewhat recovered and dressed in woodland clothes made by the villagers, the young lady asks to meet the hunter who found her in the forest. She asks her savior to take her to where he found her, hoping that seeing the place will restore her memory. But Meliss refuses -- the rules of the village say that only hunters can enter the forest, and all of the sparkles surrounding the girl would catch the eyes of predators living in these woods. What follows is a tale of discovery, magic, tragedy, and adventure, as the girl discovers powers that may or may not be borne of an ancient evil. She befriends a cunning, talking wolf along the way, and together the two set out on a journey.

Brindille is a graphic novel that is suitable for middle grade and older readers, including adults of course. I liked the detail, movement, and expression in the art work. I thought it showed great skill and talent. I thought some of the color choices could have been different, to help clarify some of the differences of characters and meanings in the story- but it is very possible that I messed some significance there. There were some really good moments where I thought I had it all figured out and a grasp of what exactly was happening, but more often than not I was a little lost. I liked the book, and saw great skill in both the story and the art, but wonder if there is a bit of folklore I do not know or something of the story that I either missed or was lost in translation, because even when the story was over I was still confused about some of what happened. 

Early Book Review: Out of Character by Annabeth Albert

Out of Character by Annabeth Albert is the second book in the True Colors series and is scheduled for release on July 6 2021. You do not have to have read the previous book in order to enjoy this one, but knowing the characters and some history does make it even more enjoyable. 

Milo Lionetti is not a gamer. Not even close. But when a stupid bet costs him his brother's prized cards, he'll do anything to replace them before anyone notices they're gone. To do that, he'll need a little help from the best gamer he knows, who also happens to hate him. Jasper Quigley is known for moonlighting on a popular gaming blog, but he's eager to stop playing the sidekick. The last thing he wants is to help out Milo and dredge up feelings he'd rather forget. But helping Milo comes with some perks, including getting his help running a cosplay event at the local children's hospital. All that forced proximity was not supposed to come with kissing, and definitely not falling in love.

Out of Character is an enemies to lovers romance that hit just the right notes for me. I like that both Milo and Jasper grew in the story- it was not all Milo's changing after not being the greatest guy in the past. They both had to come to terms with their past, their present, and what they wanted from the future. Sometimes in these enemy to lovers stories only one of the characters needs to change for things to work, and I simply loved that growth was seen on all sides. I also adore the depth the author gives to secondary characters- everyone is well fleshed out even if they do not seem to have a big role to play in this story. It makes me want to know even more about them and hope that some might have a role to play in future book in this series- or maybe in one of the author's other series (which I badly need to catch up on). 

Out of Character is exactly what I wanted from this read. It is a must read for fans of the author and series, and a good read for just about everyone else. 

Book Review: Maddie's Saturday to Remember by Karen Jonice Bricker, Samela St. Pierre

Maddie's Saturday to Remember is a picturebook written by Karen Jonice Bricker and illustrated by Samela St. Pierre. Maddie cannot imagine a better way to spend a Saturday afternoon than with her Grandpa. They meet a colorful cast of locals in her hometown: a street musician, a fruit seller, and a pizza chef are all part of this adorable adventure. When Maddie meets the mysterious Lydia, who allows her a sneak peek into the creative and fun behind-the-scenes world of window dressing, she is truly inspired!

Maddie's Saturday to Remember is a cute story about a girl and her grandfather's Saturday activities. I like that it was a very inclusive book, and portrayed the kind of neighborhood I always wished I lived in- where everyone knows each other and is like family. I like that Maddie explores safely and is excited about new things, and is not looked down on or spoken to condescendingly by the adults around her- and her grandfather is also treated with respect. It is a sweet story, and I liked it, and I think there are many young readers and families that will enjoy it. 

Book Review: The Bookshop of Second Chances by Jackie Fraser

The Bookshop of Second Chances by Jackie Fraser is contemporary fiction. Thea Mottram is having a bad month. She’s been let go from her office job with no notice—and to make matters even worse, her husband of nearly twenty years has decided to leave her for one of her friends. Bewildered and completely lost, Thea doesn’t know what to do. But when she learns that a distant great uncle in Scotland has passed away, leaving her his home and a hefty antique book collection, she decides to leave Sussex for a few weeks. Escaping to a small coastal town where no one knows her seems to be exactly what she needs. Almost instantly, Thea becomes enamored with the quaint cottage, comforted by its cozy rooms and lovely but neglected garden. The locals in nearby Baldochrie are just as warm, quirky, and inviting. The only person she can’t seem to win over is bookshop owner Edward Maltravers, to whom she hopes to sell her uncle’s book collection. His gruff attitude—fueled by an infamous, long-standing feud with his brother, a local lord—tests Thea’s patience. But bickering with Edward proves oddly refreshing and exciting, leading Thea to develop feelings she hasn’t experienced in a long time. As she follows a thrilling yet terrifying impulse to stay in Scotland indefinitely, Thea realizes that her new life may quickly become just as complicated as the one she was running from.

The Bookshop of Second Chances is a story that I was not sure about in the beginning. I was not sure what category or sub category to label it is, and as I became invested in Thea's life it did really matter to me anymore. Thea had a rough month, getting fired for any reason is hard and then having a marriage split that includes friend and home division on top of it is horrific. I could understand the emotional and mental crisis Thea was going through- wondering what went wrong and what could possibly come next. I think that the fact that I am in the same age range as the main characters made it much easier to picture myself in their shoes, and empathize with the feelings that these kind of life changes bring on. I also liked that while there is romance there, and it certainly helped Thea move forward, it was not the key to what helped her see her worth and find her place. I liked reading alone as she made friends, and figured out how to move forward. I liked how she continued to try and make things better for those around her without compromising her own values or needs. When waves of trouble hit she dealt with it (got some good cries in because we all deserve that) and then pivoted and  adjusted. I am not sure that I could have been so calm and collected as Thea given the same circumstances, although her worries lined what perfectly with what I think I would have been thinking in her place. I will be thinking about these characters for a while now.

The Bookshop of Second Chances is a story that took a minute to grab me, but now after finishing it will not let go. 

Book Review: Hooked on You (Maple Falls) by Kathleen Fuller

Hooked on You by Kathleen Fuller is a sweet contemporary romance, and the first in the Maple Falls series. Riley McAllister is living the dream in New York City, if the dream means being a struggling mixed-media artist, part-time food delivery driver, and having a carefully curated social media to hide all of the above. She refuses to admit defeat and move back to small-town Maple Falls, but when her grandmother breaks her leg sliding into third base during a softball game (she was safe, by the way), Riley reluctantly agrees to go home and help the woman who raised her—while secretly hoping she can convince Mimi to sell her house and yarn shop and move in with a good friend. Then Riley can return to her new life in NYC, on her own and for good. But Mimi has her own plans, which include setting Riley up with local baseball star Hayden Price, who returned to Maple Falls after an injury ended his major league career. Now he works at his father’s hardware store, coaches the church softball team, and worries about the declining town. It’s not the life he dreamed of having.

With a little meddling and a lot of kindness from the town, Hayden and Riley find themselves unexpectedly falling for each other as they discover the true meaning of home. 

Hooked on You is all about the feels. Riley has some issues, thanks to a less than happy childhood, and has spent most of her life pushing people away so they do not ask questions or have a chance to hurt her. The only person she let in was her grandmother, so when she called looking for help and not taking no for an answer Riley does as asked. I liked that there is a solid slow brewing relationship growing between Riley and Hayden through the story, they each do some personal growth and soul searching as well. Love does not instantly make everything better, but gives them reasons to try. I like that the issues Riley and Hayden face are real, challenging issues and that therapy, friendship, and communication are what helps everyone move forward and figure things out. I liked the characters and thought even the secondary characters were well fleshed out and interesting. I think there will be many readers eager to continue this series in order to see their favorites find happiness, and to see Riley and Hayden again. There is a christian romance feel here, and super low heat  (kissing and thoughts of attraction only ). Fans of the author might expect this, but it was my first time reading their work.

Hooked on You is a romance with low heat, and high emotions.