Flight Season, by Marie Marquardt | {ARC} Book Review #326

A huge Thank You to St. Martin’s Press via Netgalley, for allowing me to read Flight Season in exchange for an honest review. 

Trigger Warning: Death & Grief

Back when they were still strangers, TJ Carvalho witnessed the only moment in Vivi Flannigan’s life when she lost control entirely. Now, TJ can’t seem to erase that moment from his mind, no matter how hard he tries. Vivi doesn’t remember any of it, but she’s determined to leave it far behind. And she will.

But when Vivi returns home from her first year away at college, her big plans and TJ’s ambition to become a nurse land them both on the heart ward of a university hospital, facing them with a long and painful summer together – three months of glorified babysitting for Ángel, the problem patient on the hall. Sure, Ángel may be suffering from a life-threatening heart infection, but that doesn’t make him any less of a pain.

As it turns out, though, Ángel Solís has a thing or two to teach them about all those big plans, and the incredible moments when love gets in their way.

Written in alternating first person from the perspectives of all three characters, Flight Season is a story about discovering what’s really worth holding onto, learning how to let go of the rest, and that one crazy summer that changes your life forever.

---

Publication Date: February 20, 2018.

Flight Season is a story that has three very different points of view. You may think that they might not work together, since all three personalities are incredibly different. Yet, they all fit together like a puzzle—exceedingly well. The three characters’ points of view are from Vivi, TJ, & Ángel.

Speedbump, by Charli Coty | {ARC} Book Review #321

A huge Thank-You to Nine-Star Press, LLC, via NetGalley for allowing me to read Speedbump by Charli Coty in exchange for an honest review. 

Trigger Warning:
Mentioning of Self-harm, Mentioning of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, Abuse.

Ezra Cook is sole caregiver to older brother Tray, who was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s in his forties. They live outside the small town of Drop, Oregon, on property Tray bought with his Microsoft settlement money. For years, Ezra has been going on and off low doses of testosterone to maintain a comfortable level of androgyny. Ezra spends most days juggling Tray’s needs and the work required to survive in rural Oregon on a small income, ignoring their own needs, especially companionship and sleep.

Ellred “Red” Long escaped Drop at seventeen but returns to his hometown in disgrace after his band dumped him on the streets of LA. Coming back doesn’t seem like such a dead end, though, after he sees a guy walking along the side of the road in the rain and gives him a lift.

Ezra and Red’s chance meeting begins an uncomfortable friendship neither had expected, and both allow fear to keep it from escalating into a hookup, or worse, a romance. Red never meant to return to Drop and doesn’t want to get stuck there again, while Ezra’s protective walls may be too strong to breach, from either side.

---

All I really knew about Speedbump was that it was listed on NetGalley as a LGBTQIA, Romance. The synopsis was interesting so I thought that I’d check it out.

Speedbump tells the story of two very different individuals who are both queer. Each character has led different lives, and I like that they talk about it when they’re ready. I like that both Ezra and Red are supportive of the other.

The beginning of the book was a little iffy for me. There are two points of view, each individual chapter was slow to gain momentum since we’re getting to know everyone and their story from Ezra and Red. During the beginning of the book, I don’t know if it was the awkwardness of the characters, but the writing felt like the author was trying to find their way to write the novel.

Both Ezra and Red are interesting characters. They prove that time and time again. One thing that I like about this book is that we see in Ezra’s mind that they’re having quite a run with how they view them-self.

Speedbump story was never a dull story. Of course there are some really rude characters, but that’s life. And Speedbump certainly pertains to the LGBTQIA crowd. In a way, I kind of wish there were more LGBTQIA+ characters, but Speedbump IS about Ezra and Red. So keeping the focus on them was very important, and the point of this story.

Speedbump pleasantly surprised me. There were many moments in this book where I was legitimately worried for the characters in them. One thing that will stick with me though is that no one died a tragic death (since most of these characters are LGBTQIA+).

I give Speedbump 4 stars!

Happy Reading!
Adele

Goldfisch, Vol. 1, by Nana Yaa | {ARC} Manga Review #13

A huge Thank You to Diamond Book Distributors and TOKYOPOP, via Netgalley for allowing me to read Goldfisch by Nana Yaa in exchange for an honest review.

This review may contain spoilers. 

Say hi to Morrey Gibbs! A fisher-boy in a flooded world overrun with dangerous mutated animals known as “anomals”, he’s got his own problems to worry about. Namely, how everything he touches turns to gold! Sure it sounds great, but gold underpants aren’t exactly stylish — or comfortable!

Together with his otter buddy and new inventor friend Shelly, Morrey’s on a quest to rid himself of his blessing-turned-curse and undo the tragedy it caused. That is of course, if they can dodge the treasure-hungry bounty hunters…

---

Publication date: January 16, 2018.

With a cover like that, I did not expect the story to be as it is. I liked getting to know Morrey and his history, while getting to know what his future holds was great. 

Of Shadow and Stone, by Michelle Muto | ARC Book Review #282

Thank You to Amazon Publishing for allowing me to read Of Shadow & Stone by Michelle Muto in exchange for an honest review.

Gargoyles were created centuries ago to protect mankind, but something went horribly wrong. Now only the sentinel—a mortal chosen to control the stone beasts—stands between them and their human prey.

When the latest sentinel is killed, Kate Mercer is destined to take his place. But Kate has enough going on in her life—like a skyrocketing film career, a delusional ex-boyfriend, and a crazed stalker who will stop at nothing to get to her. But the powers that be have decided, and Kate is transported to Shadow Wood, a mysterious castle that serves as a sanctuary for the supernatural. Although beautiful, Shadow Wood is no safe place for a mere mortal. Yet Kate is drawn not only to the gargoyles but also to Ian McGuire, a charming novelist who might be in the greatest danger of all.

As Kate decides whether to accept the most perilous role of her life, she discovers there are more secrets than answers within the castle’s walls. Her survival and Ian’s depend on her ability to master the gargoyles before time runs out. Is fate really cast in stone?

---

Trigger Warning: Stalker, Murder, Torture, Blood

Everything You and I Could Have Been If You and I Weren’t You and I, by Albert Espinosa | Book Review #137

Everything You and I Could Have Been If You and I Weren’t You and I, by Albert Espinosa.

I received this title from Penguin Random House Group Editorial via Netgalley in exchanged for an honest review.

“Can you imagine a future where everyone has given up sleeping?

From the creator of the television series Red Band Society and author of the international bestseller The Yellow World comes this uniquely special novel.

What if I could reveal your secrets with just a glance? And what if I could feel with your heart just by looking at you? And what if –in a single moment– I could know that we were made for each other? Marcos has just lost his mother, a famous dancer who taught him everything, and he decides that his world can never be the same without her. Just as he is about to make a radical change, a phone call turns his world upside down.”

TRIGGER WARNING: Rape Mention, Attempted Murder Mention, Torture Mention.

From a Distant Star by Karen McQuestion | Book Review #126

“When Lucas Walker inexplicably recovers from a terminal illness, everyone is astonished –except for his girlfriend Emma, who never gave up hope. However, as friends and family celebrate the miracle, Emma becomes alarmed: Lucas has changed. He speaks haltingly, can’t recall past events, and even his own dog doesn’t recognize him. Emma begins to suspect something is terribly wrong. What happened to the Lucas she loved? Does his strange behavior have something to do with the shooting light that fell into Lucas’s backyard the night he recovered?

As the two set off on a road trip in search of the truth, the journey takes an unexpected turn. First they’re shot at by unknown enemies and then helped by unlikely allies. Before long, Emma and Lucas are plunged into a desperate life or death race against time.

Packed with intrigue and emotion, FROM A DISTANT STAR is a riveting novel about loyalty and the power of love.”

I received a copy of From a Distant Star by Karen McQuestion from the publisher, Skyscape, via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

ARC – The End of Feeling by Cindy C. Bennett | Review #9

‘Benjamin Nefer seems to have it all. He’s the most popular guy in school, the star quarterback with college scouts looking at him, his grades are near the top of his class, he can get any girl he wants . . . but he hides behind his dream life to mask the nightmare of his reality. 

Charlie Austin is the new girl. Forced to move in with a bitter aunt, she only wants to protect her fragile mom from the world’s cruelty. When Benjamin sets his sights on Charlie, she’s armored against his charm– friends warned her about Benjamin’s game of pursuing and then dumping a long line of girls, not caring about the broken hearts he leaves behind. She doesn’t count on how single-minded he can be when she refuses him, or how charismatic, easing into the life through what he claims is just friendship. 

Benjamin thought he could keep Charlie in the same place he keeps all girls–something to be used and then discarded. But Charlie has as many secrets as he does, secrets he’s determined to discover while keeping his own hidden. He realizes she’s the perfect girlfriend candidate . . . someone he can use to keep up the façade of a perfect life. Now he jsut has to keep his frozen heart from softening toward this unique girl, because if he doesn’t, his carefully constructed lies might just come thundering down aroudn him, crushing him beneath the burden of feeling. 

---

ARC – Portraits of Celina by Sue Whiting | Book Review #2

*****Portraits of Celina contains a Kidnapping scene*****

‘Make him pay, Bayley. Make him pay.

“It’s as if the wooden chest is luring me, urging me to open it — daring me almost. Open me up. Look inside. Come on, just for a second; it won’t hurt.”

ARC – Fairy Keeper by Amy Bearce | Book Review #1

‘Forget cute fairies in pretty dresses. In the world of Aluvia  most fairies are more like irritable, moody insects. Almost everyone in the world of Aluvia views the fairy keeper mark as a gift, but not fourteen-year-old Sierra. She hates being a fairy keeper, but the birthmark is right there on the back of her neck. It shows everyone she was born with the natural ability to communicate, attract, and even control the tiny fairies whose nectar is amazingly powerful. Fairy nectar can heal people, but it is also a key ingredient in synthesizing Flight, and illegal elixir that produces dreaminess, apathy and hallucinations. She’s forced to care for a while hive of the bee-like beasties by her Flight-dealing, dark alchemist father.

Then one day, Sierra discovers the fairies of her hatch are mysteriously dead. The fairy queen is missing. Her father’s Flight operation is halted, and he plans to make up for the lost income by trading her little sister to be an elixir runner for another dark alchemist, a dangerous thug. Desperate to protect her sister, Sierra convinces her father she can retrieve the lost queen and get his operation up and running.