paperbacks_and_planners's reviews
1177 reviews

I received an arc of this from Simon and Schuster via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

This book is wonderful and important and I drank up every word ❤❤❤

Summary
After a terrible year, and coming out as transgender Chris needs an escape. So he goes to stay with his aunt in a small town. His first day there, he almost runs over his new neighbor, Maia. Maia is battling her own demons after the recent and sudden death of her older sister. The two of them form and bond and slowly heal the wounds of the last year.

Overview
This is told in alternating chapters from dual POVs - Chris and Maia

This book is soft and precious but it definitely hits on some tough topics. Chris has just come out transgender and his parents are struggling with the revelation. Chris was beaten to the point of hospitalization by members of his track team. Maia's parents are divorced but still living together and the tension has created a uncomfortable and hostile living environment. And Maia's sister died suddenly of an undiscovered heart defect leaving her reeling about their strained relationship.

But while all of this could have been overwhelming, Amber Smith managed to make this book feel hopeful and inspiring.

Content Warnings: Bullying, Death, Homophobia

What I Liked
1. Everything. Honestly.
2. Chris and Maia's relationship made my heart burst. The handled each other with such care and respect. They helped each other through some insanely difficult things
3. The representation in this book was wonderful. While I personally don't identify with the representation, Amber Smith herself is queer. The author note at the end (which I highly recommend reading! It made me cry.) talks about her own experiences and her inspiration for the story.
4. That ending. I can't say too much because spoilers. But it was perfection.
5. This whole story felt so raw and real. Chris's parent's struggling, Maia lashing out and lying, Maia's parents shutting down. I loved how messy and imperfect things were. This story felt like it could belong to many people.
6. This book really focused on the importance of consent. Chris and Maia were always checking in with each other. While I love and sexy, domineering story as much as the next person, this was the real deal. This is what real love and respect is.

What I Didn't Like
There is literally nothing I didn't adore about this book. I was completely consumed by this story from start to finish and never wanted it to end.

Pick. Up. This. Book. ❤❤

The first 2/3 of this was a solid 5 star for me. But the last few pages brought it down a little. I enjoy a good open ended story but this one was a little to open for my taste.

Synopsis
This takes place in secluded college town in California. A college student falls asleep and no one can wake her. Now the sickness and panic are spreading as more and more people fall asleep.

Overview
This is a speculative fiction that definitely won't be for everyone. This story does not give reasoning or closure so if this is something you need, I'd suggest skipping this one. However if you love beautiful, dream like writing, mystery, and slow paced world building I can't recommend this enough!

What I Liked
1. The writing in this was absolutely beautiful. The entire book actually felt like a dream. Every time I picked this up I was immediately pulled in and absorbed into the world.
2. I read a lot of reviews that said they felt nothing for the characters but I didn't feel that way. Some of them I liked more than others (just like in real life) but I loved all the small snippets into so many lives. It was so interesting to get small moments throughout the experience from so many different points of view.
3. Mei was my favorite character. My heart broke for her. And her death hit me a lot harder than I anticipated

What I Didn't Like
1. My main complaint about the ending what HOW open ended it was. I can't really talk about this without getting spoiler-y so only continue if you've read the book.

Spoiler

I strongly disliked how Mei's story played out. She felt like the heart of the story and it was over and brushed aside SO quickly. I understand it was meant to hit hard, this was a tragic event. But I was still disappointed. On top of that, the couple that was put back to sleep (it was a little confusing) was a really strange choice...

Overall this is a story that will stick with me. I find myself thinking about this book a lot since I've finished it. If you're into open-ended, speculative fiction, please check this one out!

I finally of finished an audiobook!
This was really good! Hands down my favorite Schwab book.
I loved the characters in this. I loved the dynamic between the main character, Cassidy, and the ghost that "haunts" her, Jacob. And later her friendship with Lara (who might be my favorite character). Cassidy's parents are ghost enthusiasts and actually active in her life - yay for non-absent parents in YA lit!
The villain was really well developed and spooky. I love when a villain is given a backstory the reader can sympathize with. And this was definitely the case here.
The narrator did a great job for this. I will say sometimes her male, Scottish accent leaned more toward Dracula, but it didn't come up often enough to bother me.
It looks like this is going to be series, which I definitely plan to continue with!
I highly recommend this if you're looking for a fun, quick, paranormal book!

Even in such a short story, Taylor Jenkins Reid crafted a story and characters I fell in love with. I read this whole thing at the gym and actually yelled out loud at the ending 😅 I'm pretty I will love everything she writes

I keep going back and forth on how to rate this but I think I'm settling on 4 stars.
I really loved this story. The magical elements and characters were so beautiful. And the rep in this book was next level. This has trans characters, gay characters, Latina characters, victims of abuse. And each of their stories and struggles was handled so perfectly. I grew so attached to each of the main characters.
The main reason this isn't a 5 star is because the flowery, overly-descriptive prose is not my thing. So this star deduction is purely a personal preference thing. If you love whimsical, descriptive narrative, this is your book. But I found I started skipping over a lot of the description as the book went on. It was beautiful, it just slowed the story down for me.

ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Oh man where to even begin...

Synopsis
This is a YA mystery/thriller that follows the main character Cobain after his girlfriend, Molly, goes missing. Everyone thinks she just ran off, but Cobain thinks something more malicious is has happened.

Overview
This book was all over the place to me. It's told in second person which was such an odd choice. It's also told from multiple perspectives and multiple timelines. It jumps between the present day and a couple months ago when Cobain and Molly met. But all the perspectives with the second person narrative made this hard to follow and connect with. But beyond the odd style choice the rest of the story just didn't do it for me either.

What I Liked
1. Once I got into this story I couldn't put it down. I had to know how it all wrapped up because I has SO many questions. And overall it did a pretty good job of connecting all the loose ends and questions (even though I didn't love the twist)

What I Didn't Like
1. The relationship in this was really problematic and I just couldn't get behind it. They are manipulative and codependent. And no part of their relationship seemed healthy. All the adults kept talking about what good things they did for each other but as a reader I just kept going "where?! how?!"
2. Cobain is such an odd main character. He felt so dang creepy and I didn't like being in his head most of the time. I couldn't understand his actions and motivations. And even when things were revealed I still couldn't empathize with him.
3. The twists... This twist was so over the top (and felt a lot like the Pretty Little Liars twist - show version, I never read the book(s)). I don't know maybe mystery/thriller just isn't my genre. I find mosts of the twists so outrageous that it lowers my enjoyment.

Overall I didn't love this one. It's a fast read with lots of twists. But I didn't connect with or particularly like any of the characters or writing style.

ARC provided by Simon Teen via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Summary
This story follows Birdie, a mystery-loving teen who just got her first job working the graveyard shift at a hotel in downtown Seattle. She meets Daniel, the hotel's shuttle driver, and the two have an instant connection. They team up to solve a mystery and grow closer, but Daniel has secrets and Birdie is scared to let her guard down.

Overview
This is a YA, contemporary romance told from Bridie's point of view. It follows her romance with Daniel, her struggles with narcolepsy, and her learning to find her way in a world her Grandmother isolated her from for years.

This book has narcolepsy representation which was really interesting to read about! However I can't comment on the accuracy as I've never read anything about narcolepsy.

Content warnings: Narcolepsy, depression, attempted suicide, death of a parent

What I Liked
1. Birdie and Daniel's relationship was really sweet. I definitely found myself "aw-ing" through a lot of the second half. They both - but especially Birdie - have huge character growth throughout the book. And they way they come together is really heartwarming.
2. This book is fantastically sex-positive.
3. I really appreciated the unconventional but healthy depictions of home and family. Birdie was raised by her "aunt" and grandparents and Daniel lives in communal housing with his mom and grandparents.
4. Mona was a quirky, fun side character. She definitely danced to the beat of her own drum, but she was also a good role model and support system for Birdie.

What I Didn't Like
1. My main issue with this was the pacing. This book was way too long in my opinion (over 400 pages) and took on a few too many things - romance, family, physical & mental health concerns, mystery, etc. There were times the story dragged or felt like it was repeating - ie. Birdie and Daniel seemed to get into the same argument a few too many times.

Overall this was a really sweet, diverse contemporary. I definitely recommend this for anyone who loves contemporary romance!

Snow and Mistletoe by Kasie West ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Working in a Winter Wonderland by Aimee Friedman ⭐️.5
The Magi's Gifts by Melissa de la Cruz ⭐️
Grounded by Nic Stone ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Overall I really enjoyed this collection! There was only 1 story I really didn't like. And Kasie West's story was so stinkin' precious! I definitely recommend this is you're looking for a light, festive holiday read.

Let's say 3.5
This was good. It piqued my interest from the very beginning and had me engaged through the whole book. But now that I'm done with it I just don't have any strong feelings about it. The characters were fine albeit a little flat and the story arc was good although not super unique. Overall I enjoyed this, I just don't think it's gonna be super memorable for me in the long run. Definitely a solid real world fantasy though.

Officially settling on 4.5 stars for this

Summary
Lauren and Ryan have been together for 11 years. But their marriage is breaking at the seams and they can't stand being around each other anymore. So they decide to take a year apart - no seeing each other or contacting each other. Can this time apart heal what's been broken?

Overview
This story is told in first person from Lauren's POV.
This really revolves around miscommunication and the resentment that can harbor. It's an intense look inside a failing relationship and what it means to love each other.
These characters are not necessarily likable. They are real and severely flawed.

Content Warnings: Death of a family member, cheating, marriage troubles

What I Liked
1. This book felt so relatable. I don't know if it's because I'm the same age as the characters or because I've been in my own relationship for the same amount of time. But this book felt so real. And I'm sure for many people it has. TJR always blows me away with out authentic her stories and characters read.
2. This book does not shy away from the ugly side of relationships. Lauren and Ryan are in the throws of their resentment for each other from page one and you see first hand how unhappy they are. You see fights, angry emails, and lots and lots of blame. I read a lot of romance where the love interests are put pedestals and end in happily ever after. It was refreshing to read what comes after that HEA.

What I Didn't Like
1. I struggled to lay my finger on what was missing, keeping this from a full 5 star read for me. But I just didn't feel connected to these characters. I loved the story - the plot and execution really tugged at me - but not to the characters. When the ending came around I didn't have an emotional reaction. And I realized I would have given this book the same rating even if it had worked out differently. Perhaps if we had seen some of Ryan's perspective, I would have felt more attached.

Overall this is another novel from TJR that I absolutely love and will gush over forever. If you have't check out her books yet, I can't recommend doing so enough!