Tag Archives: Romance

Review: The Lure of Wolves and Whispers by Amanda Connolly

Book Review and Content, Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , , ,
The Lure of Wolves and Whispers by Amanda Connolly

The Lure of Wolves and Whispers
Amanda Connolly
Sarah Barley Books
Published July 7, 2026

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About The Lure of Wolves and Whispers

A darkly addictive romantasy debut about a girl who sacrifices everything to buy the dangerous magic that could save her sister—the first in a trilogy perfect for fans of Powerless and Throne of Glass.

On the mist-shrouded Isle of Eireann, buying magic comes with a price.

But when her beloved older sister is gravely injured, Maeve risks everything to buy the forbidden magic that might save her. In exchange, Maeve trades her life to a ruthless and dangerously alluring rebel leader. Bound to do his bidding, Maeve finds herself thrown into a deadly competition to become the next queen and stand beside a prince rumored to be more brutal than his tyrannical father.

With the isle on the brink of war, trust and survival come at a terrible cost—one that will tear Maeve’s world, and her heart, in two.

What would you sacrifice to survive?

My Review

There are a lot of elements about this book that appeal to me. The wrestling with how to take down an unjust government, and how to figure out whom to trust. Maeve struggles against the idea that she’s simply a pawn in the hands of the rebellion. What agency does she have? How can she serve her own ends while protecting herself and her sister?

The romance between a rebel leader and Maeve, an unwilling spy, reminds me of the kinds of romances we’ve seen in Divergent by Veronica Roth or Heir of Storms by Lauryn Hamilton Murray.

Several scenes contain extended gratuitous violence. Guards maim and murder simply because they can. Prisoners and accused magic users are tortured and executed. I’m probably toward the more sensitive side of the scale as a reader, so the long descriptions and repeated reminders of the cruelty of those in power were a lot for me to take.

As I read, I found myself asking, is this book marketed as young adult fiction because of genre trends and not because it’s actually young adult fiction? The magical contest and scrappy rebel romance remind me of The Red Queen or Throne of Glass, so I can see why this book could do well on the YA shelf.

Besides those themes, though, the story seemed very adult to me. Maeve didn’t read as much like a teenager as she did like a repressed young woman escaping an oppressive home life. I could see this appealing to fans of Fourth Wing with the emphasis on political maneuvering and the hate-to-love romance.

I certainly think there are teens who would read this book and enjoy it. It just hits a particular nerve for me to continue seeing books that seem like adult fiction pushed onto young adult fiction shelves. (This happens more often when the books are written by women.)

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 18 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Strong profanity used fairly frequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing. An extended scene shows explicit sex.

Spiritual Content
Some characters have the ability to perform magic. It’s woven into the lore and religious practice, though magic has been outlawed now.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. Gratuitous violence and torture. Battle scenes show graphic injuries and fatalities.

Drug Content
One contest involves drinking poison.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review: Where Lost Girls Go by Kody Keplinger

Book Review and Content, Contemporary, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , , , , ,

Where Lost Girls Go
Kody Keplinger
Scholastic Press
Published July 7, 2026

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About Where Lost Girls Go

From New York Times bestselling author Kody Keplinger comes an addicting read that’s The Girls by Emma Cline meets The Scammer by Tiffany D. Jackson.

There are many reasons why six girls have ended up living with Sol in a cabin deep in the Kentucky woods. But the girls don’t talk about what has brought them each here or who they were before. The have become sisters and are grateful to have a place to call home.

Iris knows she owes everything to Sol. He has promised to keep them safe from their pasts. All he asks in return is for their loyalty, which Iris freely gives. With her sisters and Sol as her family, she feels happier than she has in a long time. Until a new girl arrives and everything changes. Sol dubs her Rose and the sisters are quick to welcome her.

Iris is drawn Rose, but as they grow closer, Rose has Iris questioning things about this life in the woods. When Sol notices, he challenges Iris to prove her commitment to their family. Her sisters tell her that she should be willing to do anything for the man who saved her. But with each new ask, Iris realizes there is more to Sol – and her sisters – than she knows, and some secret should stay buried deep.

New York Times bestselling author Kody Keplinger weaves a stunning story about girlhood, power, and desperation that asks just how far we’ll go to save ourselves – and those we love.

My Review

It’s so easy to feel for the main character, Iris. The bottom falls out of her whole world, and she’s left entirely vulnerable. As she spends more time in the cabin with Sol and the other girls, it becomes ever clearer the danger she’s in if she stays– or tries to flee.

Keplinger does an amazing job maintaining the tension in the story without ever showing any explicit physical or sexual abuse or even using profanity. The story is dark and explores dark themes. The bulk of the story follows girls living in the woods with a middle-aged man who has total control over them. They think of him as a mentor, and it’s hinted that he sleeps with at least one girl, but nothing is ever shown or overtly referenced on the page.

I haven’t read any of the author’s other books, but this one convinces me that I should put them on my reading list. This is a great book for early young adult readers interested in dark stories but who might not be ready for some of the more graphic descriptions of abuse that are common to cult-like groups.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 12 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
Death of a parent (happens off-scene). Manipulation and abuse in a cult-like setting. One character steals items. Someone commits arson. Brief descriptions of murder. Someone demands that someone else kill a person. Two characters fight. A character has serious injuries.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review: To Dance the Moon and Stars by Tasia M. S. and Barbara Perez Marquez

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To Dance the Moon and Stars
Tasia M. S.
Barbara Perez Marquez
Joy Revolution
Published July 14, 2026

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About To Dance the Moon and Stars

In a kingdom where dance is forbidden, a future high priestess must bend the rules to stop an ancient evil from destroying everything and everyone she loves, including the crown prince, in this sweeping romantasy graphic novel.

Eighteen-year-old Myra has spent her entire life training to replace her grandmother as High Priestess. But with the day of her ascension rapidly approaching, she’s not sure if she’s meant for this path. How can she become the herald of the god Alrun when he forbids the thing she loves most: dancing?

Her kingdom can’t afford her hesitation though. Not only is the emperor looking for Alrun’s wisdom ahead of a peace treaty, but forces of darkness are seeping through the barrier between worlds. The only source of light Myra has is her childhood best friend, the crown prince. Without his support and…love, she may not be able to stop what’s coming.

To save her people, Myra must delve into her kingdom’s forgotten history, even if it means defying the laws of the land. But the key to salvation may just require her to make the biggest sacrifice of all.

My Review

The artwork in this graphic novel is nothing short of stunning. Bold, romantic colors fill the pages. The chemistry between Myra and Eyden is so clear in every image of them. I love the scenes showing Myra dancing and Eyden playing music. Every page is just absolutely gorgeous. The illustrations create a very immersive storytelling experience. I felt like I could almost hear and smell what was happening in each scene.

I wish that some of the plot elements had unfolded a little bit more slowly. At some points, I think the story would have benefited from an extra scene showing a transition or experience. Despite that, I still enjoyed every page.

Despite some of the quick transitions, the plot of the story is easy to follow and understand. The tension is well-portrayed. The cast size is perfect for the story. There are enough named side characters to make the story feel full and interesting, but not so many that it’s hard to keep track of them all.

I also really appreciated the Author’s Note from Tasia M. S. that explained what inspired her to create the book. I love that she has such a personal connection to the theme about dance being forbidden despite its importance to the culture.

All in all, this is a beautiful graphic novel. I think fantasy fans will want a copy of this on their shelves.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 12 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing.

Spiritual Content
The main character is training to become High Priestess serving the god of her kingdom. The visions he sends her seem to contrast what she’s been taught. The story shows ceremonies and prayers.

Violent Content
References to threats of war. Someone is poisoned. Dark shadows possess people, leading them to do things they don’t remember later.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review: Deathly Fates by Tesia Tsai

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Deathly Fates
Tesia Tsai
Wednesday Books
Published April 12, 2026

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About Deathly Fates

“Rich and wholeheartedly poignant. Deathly Fates sings with profound spirit, exploring the consequences of war and the scars cut by nobility during trying times. An entrancing world that will certainly linger.” —Chloe Gong, #1 New York Times bestselling author of These Violent Delights

A sweeping debut inspired by the Chinese folk practice of necromancy, Deathly Fates is perfect for fans of Descendant of the Crane, The Bone Shard Daughter, and A Magic Steeped in Poison.

As a corpse-driving priestess, a holy servant paid to guide the deceased home, Kang Siying has never feared death. But when her beloved father collapses due to his declining health, Siying realizes that even she is not free from the cruel grasp of mortality. Desperate to provide her father with the medical aid he needs, Siying accepts a dangerous job that promises a generous commission, and travels to a hostile state to retrieve the corpse of a missing prince.

But the moment Siying places her reanimation talisman on the dead prince’s head, rather than make the corpse obedient to Siying’s commands, the talisman brings the prince back to life. Worse, he won’t stay alive for long―not unless he absorbs enough qi, or life force, to keep his soul anchored to his body.

In return for a reward worth twice her original commission, Siying agrees to aid the frustratingly handsome prince in finding and purifying evil spirits for their qi. But as they journey across the countryside, encountering vengeful ghosts and enemy spies alike, they gradually uncover dark secrets about the prince’s death―secrets that could endanger both Siying’s father and their entire kingdom.

My Review

The idea of benevolent reanimation of the dead drew me to this book. Usually, that’s something pretty soundly reserved for the villains, or heroes slipping toward a villain arc. Here, it’s more of a compassionate relocation effort to allow burial rites to be performed in someone’s hometown. It’s a fascinating premise.

Some moments in a book beg to be acted out on screen. The moment that Ren, the dead soldier she’s been sent to recover, speaks to her, making a joke and sending her spinning into shock, has to be one of those. I loved that.

The relationship between Siying and Ren was a lot of fun. I loved seeing it unfold. His playfulness disarmed her and helped her unbend. Her seriousness made him work for things he might have otherwise considered out of his reach.

Siying is also dealing with a lot of grief over her parents. Her mom has died and left her to care for her dad, who is in fragile health, and her younger sister. That felt very raw and present throughout the story. At first, she’s desperate to bring Ren home because the money it will bring could save her father’s life. Eventually, she wants to save Ren for his own sake, in addition to using him as a vehicle to help her dad. I found the slow-burn romance between Siying and Ren really sweet.

Throughout the book, Siying encounters many different faces of grief. She meets a woman lost in despair and rage over the death of her infant daughter. She visits a healer banished after being wrongfully blamed for her mistress’s death. A whole village shares its grief over family members executed as traitors by an unjust ruler.

The echo of the weight and power of grief, both to cause further harm and to motivate people to protect one another, rings throughout the whole book. As Siying faces her own grief, she has to decide how she will respond.

Conclusion

All in all, I liked this book more even than I predicted I would. The characters are engaging, the fantasy landscape intriguing, and the pacing kept me hustling to read one more chapter until the end. I think fans of Lori M. Lee and Joan He will enjoy this one.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 16 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Mild profanity used infrequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing.

Spiritual Content
Siying is a priestess of an order that uses spells and sacred objects to reanimate the dead and walk them to their homes, so the families can bury them and grieve. Evil spirits of the dead emerge when someone dies in dark circumstances. These spirits can drain the qi (life force) and harm or kill anyone they encounter. Siying must refill the prince’s qi by collecting and purifying the qi of these spirits.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. References to war and the deaths of soldiers. References to death by suicide and murder. Battles between Siying and powerful evil spirits bent on killing her.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review: The Lovers, the Liars, and Me by DeAndra Davis

Book Review and Content, Contemporary, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , , , , , , , ,

The Lovers, the Liars, and Me
DeAndra Davis
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Published June 23, 2026

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About The Lovers, the Liars, and Me

A teen travels to Jamaica hoping to answer questions about her absent mother, only to discover more about her identity than she could have ever expected—and find herself caught up in an unexpected love triangle—in this dazzling young adult coming-of-age novel.

Jaliya Powell has never had a real adventure, a real boyfriend, or spoken up for herself. She’s never even been kissed. Despite being valedictorian of her high school class, Jaliya is used to fading into the background.

But this summer will be different.

This summer, Jaliya is visiting her uncle and his family in Jamaica. Under the guise of one last vacation before college, she plans to find out more about her estranged mother, whose absence has remained an unspoken mystery. But things have changed in the seven years since Jaliya last visited. Her cousin has his own life and is reluctant to let Jaliya in, her childhood crush has only gotten hotter and more unavailable, and her aunt and uncle aren’t everything she remembered, either. Then she meets India, who’s vibrant, gorgeous, and free-spirited. And who makes Jaliya feel something she’s never felt before.

While searching for traces of her mother across the island, Jaliya finds herself entangled in complicated relationships, tricky secrets, and a passionate new love. As she navigates this perfectly complicated summer, Jaliya must choose between who she has always been or who she hopes to become.

My Review

I first read this author’s work in This is How We Roll, edited by Rosiee Thor, a collection of short stories with Dungeons and Dragons themes. It’s an incredible collection —my favorite anthology I’ve ever read. DeAndra Davis has a short story in the collection that I quite liked, so when I received a copy of this book, I knew I wanted to check it out.

The theme of searching for connection with estranged family members while also searching for self-identity is super relatable. Jaliya’s longing for connection with her mom and her desire to find validation in that relationship are palpable, especially in the book’s early chapters. I liked that she finds connections with peers, including reconnecting with her cousin in Jamaica, even though those relationships prove complicated.

The story also explores the difference in risks for queer girls versus queer boys in Jamaica, which I think is worth talking about. It makes Jaliya have to stop and think about the difference between the risks she faces, both as a girl and someone soon returning to the States, and those a boy who lives in Jamaica faces.

The romance is a lot of fun. I like that it kind of sneaks up on Jaliya. She has so much fun with India, who always seems to know how much to push her while still respecting her boundaries. She has to untangle her feelings for this bright, unpredictable girl with her feelings for the charming boy she’s known since childhood.

Toward the end of the book, Jaliya learns something unexpected that puts her whole quest into a new perspective. I loved that moment. It reframed so much of the story, but it also showed Jaliya’s growth in a beautiful way.

It’s a totally different story, set in a different country, but the yearning for connection with an absent parent reminded me a little of Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo. I think readers who enjoyed that book will want to check out this one, too.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 16 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Strong profanity used infrequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing.

Spiritual Content
Jaliya pulls tarot cards each day to help her make decisions and stay connected to her mom, who once owned the deck. The story references the high number of churches in Jamaica and their impact on the culture. Jaliya attends a church service with her cousin, though she does not personally have any Christian beliefs.

Violent Content
Homophobic comments and discussion about how unsafe it can be for someone, especially a man, to come out as queer.

Drug Content
Teens drink alcohol in several scenes. The legal drinking age in Jamaica is 18, but Jaliya is still 17.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review: Lake Life by Tanya Boteju

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Lake Life
Tanya Boteju
Quill Tree Books
Published May 26, 2026

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Lake Life

Perfect for fans of Becky Albertalli, this charming, chaotic romance follows two teens who agree to fake-date when stuck together one summer in a quirky, scenic lake town.

This is definitely not how Maya wanted to spend the summer—depressed at her once-beloved cabin in Spruce Lake, and unable to avoid seeing her lifelong best friend, Rashida, after confessing her woefully unrequited love to her last year. Maya can’t decide if she wants to escape, or convince Rashida they’re still meant to be.

Gabe is sent to Spruce Lake by her mom in hopes she stays out of trouble. Gabe is NOT excited to be here. She does NOT like nature. She does NOT want to spend her summer in a tiny town with outdoorsy environmentalist types.

Gabe is pretty sure she’ll be spending this entire summer bored and alone…until she meets Maya. Together, they hatch a fake-dating scheme to make Rashida jealous and convince Gabe’s mom that Gabe has turned a wholesome new leaf.  

But as the plan plays out, and Gabe and Maya contend with protests, a relentlessly concerned community, and romantic twists, they start to realize that their assumptions about friendship and love might have led them completely astray. Can they find their way through this mess without hurting each other in the process?

My Review

There are so many fun summer themes in this book. I love the vacation setting and all the outdoor activities. The romance blossoms at just the right moment.

Far from simply being a summer romance, this book explores the impact of gentrification on natural spaces and the power of activism and allyship in support of an Indigenous group. Gabe, a girl thrust into a tiny lakeside community as punishment for causing trouble at home, finally finds her feet when an older Indigenous woman mentors her. Their relationship happens haltingly. It’s not something either of them necessarily looked for. But it’s clear they sense some kind of resonance in each other. And Gabe begins exploring new ways of seeing the small town and the potential for her to make a difference there.

The fake dating trope plays out in some charming and funny ways. Maya and Gabe aren’t an obvious fit, so they have to figure out how to enjoy activities together convincingly. I liked how each of them brings strengths to the relationship. For instance, Gabe’s zero tolerance for teasing Maya about things she finds painful helps give Maya a reprieve and space to heal from her heartache.

Maya’s passion for her community and her knowledge of the area help Gabe discover new outdoor activities that are surprisingly fun. The two of them ultimately make a great team, and it’s a lot of fun watching them discover that.

All in all, I enjoyed this book. I could see fans of Jennifer Dugan’s Summer Girls finding plenty to love in this summer romance.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 16 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Strong profanity used somewhat frequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing.

Spiritual Content
References to Indigenous spirituality and beliefs.

Violent Content
None.

Drug Content
Teens drink alcohol in a few scenes.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.