Today's Picks Feature Elite High Schools and a Historically Black Magical College/University

 
In keeping with my back-to-school theme for September we'll be looking at two very different novels for young adults. One features a first-generation only child of immigrant parents attending an elite high school. The other a young Black man with magical abilities who discovers he's not as alone as he thought after he is accepted into a Historically Black College that is a magical HBCU. 

image copied from Goodreads

First, let's talk about Ellen Zheng's debut novel, The Art of Overthinking. It's a wonderful contemporary young adult novel about first love, finding your voice, and learning to love yourself in the midst of a mental health breakdown.

Isla Wu is a junior in high school who is under tremendous pressure to succeed in order to be able to eventually attend an elite Ivy League college. The only child of immigrant parents, she is constantly judged by both her mom and dad in different ways and made to feel she doesn’t quite measure up. Author Ellen Zheng does an amazing job of helping us connect with Isla from the very first page and immediately understand her family dynamics and why she has body image issues as well as anxiety to constantly perform at the highest level academically. Isla’s voice is real, it’s engaging, and is instantly relatable.

At the same time, these serious dramatic aspects are beautifully balanced against the humorous and awkward moments that often accompany first love. Right from the beginning, Isla has what she calls a very “not-meet-cute” moment when she spills coffee on the hot new guy at her high school, Slater Westbrook. From there a friendship blossoms and then becomes something more. I loved how the author has Isla comparing her developing relationship with Slater against the common rom-com tropes. It made for some great wry humor. The poignancy of Isla’s emotional struggles and mental health concerns paired with the romantic elements of the story made this book one I could not stop reading.

The Art of Overthinking also deals with issues such as intentional and unintentional racism, toxic friendships, and offers up some very important information about how to identify when you are not okay mentally, and how to seek help for that when needed. It does not sugarcoat how hard it can be to cope with or overcome any of these things. Each of these elements was portrayed in a touching way through Isla’s eyes so that I truly felt I was experiencing them right along with her.

This is a great young adult read for anyone who enjoys a sweet, funny contemporary romance that doesn’t shy away from the real struggles many teens face today in our fast-paced, highly competitive world. This is one of the best books I've read so far for 2025 and I urge you to grab a copy for yourself.

image copied from Goodreads

Blood at the Root (BATR) by LaDarrion Williams is the first in a series and is also the author's debut novel. It is one of the first fantasy books that I've read that featured a young Black male protagonist. I have read fantasies that featured young Black or BIPOC female protagonists as main characters. But very few with young men as the main characters. I hope that this trend changes with the success of BATR. 

Malik Baron's life started off pretty normal in his small Alabama home town. But at the age of seven his childhood ends when he comes into magical powers he didn't know he possessed and is orphaned at the same time. Ten years later, Malik has managed to emancipate himself early from the foster care system and is intent on getting his foster brother, Taye, back so they can both start over. However, things do not go as planned and Malik is forced to use his magic to try and save them both. An action that draws the notice of family he never knew he had and that winds up with him getting the opportunity to attend Caiman University, a magical all-Black college. I loved this premise and was eager to see how things would transpire.

At first, Malik agrees to go there because he hopes it will help him discover what happened to his mama on the night she disappeared. The longer he's there though, the more Malik finds he loves attending college and learning to master his abilities. For the first time since he was "baptized in his magic," Malik feels that his abilities aren't a curse like he's always believed. They can be used for good and are a gift passed down from his ancestors. The way that magical abilities are portrayed as Malik gets a tour of Caiman's campus was amazing and instantly immersive. It was very reminiscent in some ways of Camp Half-Blood from the Percy Jackson series. However, this magical community is more diverse and expansive, I would say, than that series. We have conjurers, shape-shifters, people who can seem to fly, all mixed together. Each dorm even has its own tribe or part of this Black magic culture that it is tied to. It was easy to get lost in this story and in Malik's journey.

Williams does an amazing job with both the world-building and character development this story. Malik is a very angry and distrustful character at the start. His rage leaps off the page, but it is understandable considering all that he has lost and suffered through. The author balances that angst with the love that Malik feels for his younger foster brother, the only real family he feels he has in the world. Malik is willing to put a small measure of trust in his grandmother, who he rightly feels abandoned him, if it means providing care and a safe space for Taye to do so. One of the other things that I loved about this novel was the way that Williams portrays Malik as he explores this world and is reacquainted with an old childhood crush from his days in the group home Malik is placed in after his mother vanishes. Malik not only gets to come into his own power in the magical sense, but he's given a love interest in Alexis, his former crush, when he finds she attends Caiman U as well. 

Another interesting aspect of this novel is the way that the main conflict in the story is developed. As Malik comes to know more about Black magical society, he comes to realize just how diverse it is and also how divided it has become. One tribe controls and sets the rules for the Black magical community. But many are starting to question if that is for the best as more young Black kids from both the magical and nonmagical community start to disappear, only to be found dead, later. Malik feels that something should be done and the Black magical community should be using their powers to put a stop to this in the outside world. However, there are also some lines that Malik is unwilling to cross to help when Alexis introduces him to uses for their magic that he just can't condone. Williams also doesn't shy away from the idea that parents are flawed. As Malik delves more into the mystery of his mama and who she really was, he learns some very troubling things about her. Things that led to him never knowing his grandma or his mama's extended family at all. The stakes continue to grow and the pace of the story remains fast, but well developed as all the threads for the novel weave together to a breathtaking climax. And oh my, those last lines of that epilogue! Those are some of the best closing lines for a fantasy novel I've read in a long time. If you want a great fantasy read geared toward a young adult male audience, I highly recommend Blood at the Root by LaDarrion Williams. Even better, the second book in the series Bones at the Crossroads is available to read now too, which I fully intend to do!

Up next for review will be books that feature vampires, witches and ghosts for October and spooky season. Some up for consideration are: 

  Running an allegedly haunted bed & breakfast sounds a lot more fun to Hazel than  her current dead end job, but a trip to inspect a property with her three best friends has unearthed way more ghosts than she was willing to deal with...and only some of them are hers.

Hazel is surprised but pleased when her high school sweetheart Finn suggests they and their significant others go in together on purchasing a B&B, but their weekend trip to visit a potential property has a rocky start. The current elderly (and bizarre) owners seem to take issue with their presence. Dizzy spells plague her and...was that a person she just saw in the mirror?

Both her boyfriend and Finn's wife are also having a hard time coping with the creepiness of the place. They'd all assumed "haunted" was only a marketing strategy. Perhaps not. Finn, though, is resolute they're overreacting, and insists on moving forward with the purchase, despite their misgivings. The expansive property might not be big enough to house both Finn and Hazel's clashing personalities, or the secrets they've been keeping from each other.

They'll have to put those issues aside though, when both of their partners suddenly start behaving erratically. Are they sick? Are they just tired of Finn and Hazel's bickering? Or is something more sinister going on?

Riding to the rescue with quick wits and snappy one-liners.

Tobias Halson, a young paranormal hunter, is charged with protecting the city of Philadelphia from the undead creatures of the night. A corporate board member is thrown out of an office building showing signs of vampire attack, and Tobias is called in to investigate. But he soon realizes he's out of his element, lost in a world of white collar politics and water cooler plots. With the innocence of a young woman in danger, it's a race against time to find the killer, preferably before Tobias ends up the next victim.

Fans of Ilona Andrews, Jim Butcher, Patricia Briggs, Nalini Singh, Faith Hunter, and Nalo Hopkinson will enjoy John Evans's Urban Fantasy books.

I'm also considering reviewing:

A bewitching novel of a New England history professor who must race against time to free her family from a curse by Katherine Howe, New York Times bestselling author of The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane.

A magical bloodline. A family curse. Can Connie Goodwin break the spell before it shatters her future?

Connie Goodwin is an expert on America’s fractured past with witchcraft. A young, tenure-track professor in Boston, she’s earned career success by studying the history of magic in colonial America—especially women’s home recipes and medicines—and by exposing society's threats against women fluent in those skills. But beyond her studies, Connie harbors a secret: She is the direct descendant of a woman tried as a witch in Salem, an ancestor whose abilities were far more magical than the historical record shows.

When a hint from her mother and clues from her research lead Connie to the shocking realization that her partner’s life is in danger, she must race to solve the mystery behind a hundreds’-years-long deadly curse.

Flashing back through American history to the lives of certain supernaturally gifted women, The Daughters of Temperance Hobbs affectingly reveals not only the special bond that unites one particular matriarchal line, but also explores the many challenges to women’s survival across the decades—and the risks some women are forced to take to protect what they love most.

All the above images and blurbs were copied from Bookshop.org. I'm excited to delve into each of these novels and the works of these new-to-me authors. But I'm also happy to take any recommendations for other spooky season reads, provided that they aren't too terrifying. 

Magical School Fantasy Like You've Never Read Before

 

image copied from Goodreads

For my first September read, I thought it would be fitting to read a book about a magical school in honor of all those back in the classroom. However, this urban fantasy is unique in that it gives back-to-school a whole new perspective. That of a mundane human parent sending her daughter off to magical kindergarten. Parent and school drama take on another level of stressful when you have to help your child navigate her control over wolfing out, figure out where to buy magical supplies, like an athame, and try to fit in with parents who run the gamut of mages, immortals and cryptids. But all of this and more is part of kindergarten mom Vivian's new normal in The Grimoire Grammar School Parent Teacher Association by Caitlin Rozakis.

When a terrifying encounter causes Vivian's five-year-old, Aria, to be turned into a werewolf, not only do they have to rethink where Aria will start school for the first time, they have to move to a completely different town. Vivian and her husband Daniel both feel out of place as the only parents without magic or supernatural qualities in the Connecticut town of Veilport. In an attempt of make new friends and help her family adjust, Vivian volunteers to step in as treasurer for the Parent Teacher Association. An offer that is lukewarmly accepted. As an accountant, it is one of the few things Vivian feels confident she can do well. Little does she know that balancing the books for the PTA will involve her in a hotbed of scandal, doomsday prophesies, and danger. 

I really loved this premise for this urban fantasy. Rozakis weaves together a world that is both relatable and fantastic in nature. Despite the unique diversity living in a community with witches, mages, sirens, and other supernatural beings entails, the level of politics, bigotry, and power moves that occur in Veilport and Grimoire Grammar will likely be all too familiar to any parent of a primary school aged child. Turns out that mundane human behavior and that of the magical set are not all that different. What is different though is the mystery surrounding what happened to the previous headmaster the year before Vivian and her family arrived in town and enrolled Aria in school. Why did he suddenly retire without warning and then disappear from the community completely? Another nice twist on the magical school premise is the fact that instead of battling an evil villain who must not be named or not, Vivian and her family find themselves instead battling ever growing rumors that they are the first sign indicating an apocalyptic prophecy about the town is actually coming true. This plot point creates an original source of conflict. Not only do Vivian and her family have to find ways to fit in, but they also have to determine more about the prophecy and how they could possibly be indicators that it's about to unfold. I also loved the obvious references to the Harry Potter series, without any specific people or places from those books being named outright. One thing that did bother me a bit about the book was that Vivian spends the first half of it blaming herself for everything. Her insecurities and guilt did start to get a little repetitive after awhile. However, once she decides to start taking actionable steps to take up for herself and save her daughter, the story really takes off and the tension and suspense kept me turning pages and up far too late into the night, reading.

I will say, that while there is a lot of humor in this novel, there are also several moments when themes of mental health issues and trauma are explored. For that reason, while this novel does fall into the magical school trope, I would definitely say it is more of an urban fantasy than a comical, cozy one. Rozakis does not shy away from some heavier themes or social commentary about class, privilege, elitism and the fact that bullying doesn't always stop once a person reaches adulthood. It can very much be prevalent within parent and adult organizations as well. All in all, if you like relatable characters, fish-out-of-water stories with fantasy elements and references, as well as ones with unique mysteries to solve, then you will very much like The Grimoire Grammar School Parent Teacher Association.

In keeping with my back-to-school theme for this month, the next books I will be reviewing are The Art of Overthinking a debut novel by Ellen Zheng that is a contemporary young adult romance and Blood at the Root by LaDarrion Williams, a young adult magical school fantasy. Covers and blurbs for both are included below, both of which were copied from Goodreads. 

Set in the backdrop of New York City and immersed in the academically elite high school culture, “The Art of Overthinking” is a celebration of the ties that bond us and a love letter to mental health.

Isla Wu is fine.

Or, at least, that’s what she tells herself. She has friends, semi-supportive—albeit judgmental—tiger parents, and good grades, so why wouldn’t she be okay? Besides, anything other than “fine” is not suitable for an American-born Chinese girl with Ivy League dreams.

But still, the numbness claws at her.

Everything goes to crap when she spills coffee on a new guy (how meet-cute, NOT). Yet, as she starts to like him, everything she thought she once knew unravels until the numbness threatens to pull her under. Because when you’re at the top, the only way to go is down, and ignoring her problems or feelings doesn’t help anyone.

Maybe Isla Wu is not fine.

*Fans of "How It Feels to Float" by Helena Fox, "To All the Boys I've Loved Before" by Jenny Han, and "Every Last Word," by Tamara Ireland Stone will enjoy THE ART OF OVERTHINKING.

A teenager on the run from his past finds the family he never knew existed and the community he never knew he needed at an HBCU for the young, Black, and magical . Enroll in this fresh fantasy debut with the emotional power of Legendborn and the redefined ancestral magic of Lovecraft Country .

Ten years ago, Malik's life changed forever the night his mother mysteriously vanished and he discovered he had uncontrollable powers. Since then, he has kept his abilities hidden, looking out for himself and his younger foster brother, Taye. Now, at 17, Malik is finally ready to start a new life for both of them, far from the trauma of his past. However, a daring act to rescue Taye reveals an unexpected connection with his long-lost a legendary conjurer with ties to a hidden magical university that Malik’s mother attended.

At Caiman University, Malik’s eyes are opened to a future he never could have envisioned for himself— one that includes the reappearance of his first love, Alexis. His search for answers about his heritage, his powers, and what really happened to his mother exposes the cracks in their magical community as it faces a reawakened evil dating back to the Haitian Revolution. Together with Alexis, Malik discovers a lot beneath the surface at feuding covens and magical politics, forbidden knowledge and buried mysteries.

In a wholly unique saga of family, history and community, Malik must embrace his legacy to save what's left of his old family as well as his new one. Exploring the roots and secrets that connect us in an unforgettable contemporary setting, this heart-pounding fantasy series opener is a rich tapestry of atmosphere, intrigue, and emotion.

Ever Seas Blog Tour Spotlight

 Hi All! Since there is an extra Sunday in August, I thought I'd share a brief spotlight for a great duology that is being traditionally published with Ace Books. It is the Ever Seas series by LJ Andrews. Below is a brief summary of the series along with book covers and blurbs shared with me by the publisher and a brief bio of the author herself. The first book was released earlier this August. The sequel comes out September 16, 2025. Enjoy!!

From USA Today bestselling author LJ Andrews comes a sweeping romantasy debut with claws, crowns, and the kind of brooding antihero you’ll gladly drown for.  The Ever King launches the Ever Seas series with a storm of vengeance, Norse mythology, and undeniable slow-burn chemistry. Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Rebecca Yarros, and anyone who dreams of Viking-inspired kingdoms and dangerous romance, this viral sensation is finally making waves in hardcover—complete with exclusive bonus content. If you love your fantasy full of saltwater, spice, and scarred kings with shattered hearts, then this one will absolutely wreck you—in the best way.

Image provided by Ace Books

They stole his crown. So he stole their daughter....

For years, Erik, the scarred king of the Ever Kingdom, has thought of nothing but vengeance against the man who killed his father and trapped him beneath the waves, making him a prisoner in his own realm.

Until his enemy’s daughter unintentionally breaks the chains on the Ever, and Erik makes her the unwitting pawn in his vicious game of revenge.

She’s innocent. He’s vicious. But he will take back what he lost, no matter the price.

Unless she steals his heart first.

And if you love The Ever King, you’re in for a treat! Because from USA Today bestseller LJ Andrews comes the searing second volume in the Ever Seas romantasy saga—where vengeance simmers, love burns brighter, and the sea holds more than just secrets. The Ever Queen is a lush and blood-soaked continuation of a TikTok-favorite fantasy romance series that blends Norse mythology with irresistible spice.

Image provided by Ace Books

With his queen missing, the king’s wrath knows no boundaries.

Captive. Challenger. Queen.

Enemies took her from the man who holds her heart. They might see her as weak, as a pawn in wicked games, but they’re no match for the first Ever Queen.

Let them think they’ve won. Her heart belongs to a beautiful monster, and she will never stop fighting until she’s back in his arms.

Captor. Villain. King.

They’ll die for touching her.

His heart belongs to a stunning little bird. He will never stop searching for her light across the skies. Not until the blood of his enemies spills at her feet, and his queen wears their bones around her neck.

e

 

LJ Andrews is a USA Today bestselling author of fantasy romance. She could 

live in dark worlds with brutal romantic heroes all day. When she isn’t writing, 

she's keeping her four kids alive, spending time with her hot husband, 

or enjoying the mountains of Utah. 

Next weekend, I will begin my September reviews with a fun back-to-

school theme, starting with Caitlin Rozakis's unique urban fantasy

The Grimoire Grammar School Parent Teacher Association.

image copied from Goodreads

Two parents and their recently-bitten-werewolf daughter try to fit into a privileged New England society of magic aristocracy. But deadly terrors await them – ancient prophecies, remorseless magical trials, hidden conspiracies and the PTA bake sale.

When Vivian’s kindergartner, Aria, gets bitten by a werewolf, she is rapidly inducted into the hidden community of magical schools. Reeling from their sudden move, Vivian finds herself having to pick the right sacrificial dagger for Aria, keep stocked up on chew toys, and play PTA politics with sirens and chthonic nymphs and people who literally can set her hair on fire. 

As Vivian careens from hellhounds in the school corridors to demons at the talent show, she races to keep up with all the arcane secrets of her new society—shops only accessible by magic portal, the brutal Trials to enter high school, and the eternal inferno that is the parents’ WhatsApp group. 

And looming over everything is a prophecy of doom that sounds suspiciously like it’s about Aria. Vivian might be facing the end of days, just as soon as she can get her daughter dressed and out of the door…

Laugh-out-loud End of Summer Read

 

Image copied from Goodreads

I picked this one because it incorporated one of my favorite romance tropes, the blocked writer who finds love and is inspired to write her next great novel. In this case, the author is a popular romance writer who has been recently dumped. Yep, her fiancé left her for their wedding planner after knocking said wedding planner up. Ouch! The story opens with Gracie Landing paging through her old high school yearbook in a drunken stupor. Her friends sent her home from their night out to cheer her up after Gracie sees pictures of her ex's new baby. Gracie is a hot mess and shouldn't have been left to her own devices because she ends up sending an email to her old high school crush right before passing out.

From there the comedy begins in this cute romance. Her former crush, Colin Yarmouth is now a successful lawyer who has suffered his own breakup, recently. Even sadder, he'd only been married for six months, so barely enough time to even be out of the newlywed phase. I won't spoil what his ex did to him, but it's a doozy. Needless to say, he finds Gracie's accusatory drunk email, to his work email no less, intriguing. And yes, he does realize after reading it a second time that it was probably sent to him while Gracie was wasted. Colin surprises Gracie by replying, setting off a series of funny emails that move on from there to texts, then phone calls and eventually a meet up in person. The story is also told in dual points of view between Gracie and Colin. 

I found Gracie to be a real, delightfully imperfect character right from the first. I did get a little tired of all of her stomach issues she seems to develop. I did find those to be overdone. But overlooking some of that, the rest of her personality was wry, honest, and hilariously spot on in terms of her observations of the world. Some reviews I read complained that she seemed immature. I suppose you could say that. But I don't necessarily see not having your life together or all figured out after a devastating breakup like hers a sign of immaturity. Instead, I thought is was refreshing to read about a character who is unapologetically grieving and a hot mess. Colin in contrast is much more together on the surface. But inside he is just as hurt and depressed as Gracie. Its their shared relationship woes that help draw them together. I also liked the fact that Colin remembers Gracie as someone he thought was pretty in high school but never connected with because he had no real idea how to talk to girls. Being one of the youngest varsity players on the high school soccer team though meant that he never had to really learn, as girls were more than happy to flirt with him first. I liked this glimpse into Colin as it made his interest in Gracie after her initial email more plausible as to why he'd be so willing to respond and reconnect with her all these years later. 

The two decide that to help Gracie overcome her writer's block, she should use the details of Colin's breakup with his ex-wife in her next romance. This not only gives Gracie plenty of fodder for her plot, but also makes Colin feel he's helping someone again, which helps boost his confidence. Their plan ends up having some very unexpected consequences that aren't good for either of them. Again, I won't spoil it for you. But in trying to iron out the fallout, things go from really bad to awful. However, I did enjoy the eventual character growth for each. The relationship between Gracie and Colin ends up helping each of them face down their fears, and in Colin's case his overbearing parent. The two are able to come out the other side of their latest troubles stronger and more resilient and of course, because it's a romance, find their happily-ever-after. 

I have not read any books by K.J. Micciche before. But after enjoying The Book Proposal, I plan on reading more by this author! If you'd like to grab a copy of this laugh-out-loud romance for yourself, click on the link. It will take you to the page for a small local indie bookstore in my hometown, Next Chapter Bookstore, to order from. The Book Proposal is also available wherever books are sold.

Next month, I'm looking forward to reading a fun urban fantasy, with a unique back-to-school premise called The Grimoire Grammar School Parent Teacher Associaton by Caitlin Rozakis. Check out the book cover and the blurb for it below, both copied from Goodreads.

Two parents and their recently-bitten-werewolf daughter try to fit into a privileged New England society of magic aristocracy. But deadly terrors await them – ancient prophecies, remorseless magical trials, hidden conspiracies and the PTA bake sale.

When Vivian’s kindergartner, Aria, gets bitten by a werewolf, she is rapidly inducted into the hidden community of magical schools. Reeling from their sudden move, Vivian finds herself having to pick the right sacrificial dagger for Aria, keep stocked up on chew toys and play PTA politics with sirens and chthonic nymphs and people who literally can set her hair on fire.

As Vivian careens from hellhounds in the school corridors and demons at the talent show, she races to keep up with all the arcane secrets of her new society – shops only accessible by magic portal, the brutal Trials to enter high school, and the eternal inferno that is the parents’ WhatsApp group.

And looming over everything is a prophecy of doom that sounds suspiciously like it’s about Aria. Vivian might be facing the end of days, just as soon as she can get her daughter dressed and out of the door…

Second Chance Love Perfect for the Beach

 

Image copied from Goodreads

I found Heart Marks the Spot to be a charming and entertaining romantic adventure. The premise revolves around Stella, a focused and driven treasure hunter and Huck, a talented but seriously blocked, bestselling author. The two are given a second chance at love when Huck breaks Stella's heart after tagging along on one of her expeditions the first time around.

I was surprised that the first half of the novel is set in the past when the two characters first meet. But I actually enjoyed this, since it allows for plenty of character development for this vibrant cast of characters. Not only do we get to know the two main characters, but we get to know Stella's crew who are also her family. Once we get to the present in the second half of the book, we know these people well and have a good handle on what's at stake for them. In addition to that, we also get some great glimpses into the landscapes where the treasure-hunting quests take place. The beginning of the story is set in Iceland. The author does a good job of vividly painting this fascinating and rugged place, giving us a taste of its unique beauty and topography. She also weaves in elements about Viking treasure that are fun and seem like they could be plausible. In the second half of the story, we are introduced to the beauty and perils of deep-sea diving off the coast of Key West. But Hubscher sprinkles in some local flavor for that area as well with mentions of both real and probably some imagined places there. One reference to Judy Blume in the story had me chuckling.

The love story between Stella and Huck was just the right balance between steamy and emotional. Both have wounds from their past that make them simultaneously guarded and rawly vulnerable when it comes to trusting someone else with their hearts. There is even a bit of intrigue about why Huck walked away from Stella the first time. I will agree with some other readers that I'd love to get Teddy's love story someday. As Stella's best friend, he was one of my favorite characters. I thoroughly enjoyed this romantic adventure and am thankful to both NetGalley and Penguin Random House for allowing me to read an eARC of it right before it came out in exchange for an honest review. To get your own copy, simply click on the book title in this post which will take you to bookshop.org. Heart Marks the Spot  is also available with retailers wherever books are sold.

My next beach read for review will be The Book Proposal by K.J. Micciche. It is a fun rom-com. Check out the cover and blurb below both copied from Goodreads.

DESPERATELY SEEKING FICTIONAL HERO FOR HAPPILY EVER AFTER

Broke up with, broke, and with a vicious case of writer's block, romance writer Gracie Landing is a hot mess. She can hardly be blamed for drinking one (or a few) too many cocktails when out with her besties in an attempt to cheer herself up. Sometime in the foggy wee hours, she recklessly emails her unrequited high-school crush, Colin Yarmouth, who is now a successful attorney harboring regrets of his own. When she receives an intriguingly friendly (not to say flirty) response, her acute embarrassment is overcome only by her fervent curiosity―what would a hottie like Colin be like as a grown up? The two forge an unlikely friendship that's unmistakably headed for more. Colin's tales of his own woeful break-up become fodder for Gracie's fertile imagination and her current work-in-progress takes off. With the deadline looming and her checking account dwindling, Gracie has no idea that borrowing Colin's story could wreak havoc on her life, her career, and her own chance at happily-ever-after...

Great Middle Grade Fiction that Represents

In honor of disability pride month, I am continuing to review novels that represent characters who help raise awareness, challenge stereotypes and promote inclusion. Both novels I was able to read over the last couple of weeks do this very well and are written for a middle grade (ages 8-12) audience.

Image copied from Goodreads

Crystal Allen is an author I have long admired for her deft character development in her novels and for the humor she masterfully weaves into each story. While Between Two Brothers incorporates much of Allen's trademark humor and wonderful characterization, it is a slight departure from her other books. All of Allen's novels often contain elements and issues that can be serious in nature for the audience of young people she writes for, but involve plots that are more lighthearted in tone. But Between Two Brothers deals with some topics and problems that make much of the story more serious in tone. Main character Isaiah "Ice" Abernathy has always looked up to his older brother Seth. But as the two head into the school year, Ice begins to feel like his brother, who is a senior in high school, is starting to pull away. The results of his fear and sadness that Seth is poised to move on to the next stage in his life, college, without him cause the two to have a falling out. But a tragic accident soon after leaves Seth permanently changed from the older brother Ice always relied on. 

I loved the depiction of both Ice and Seth and how close they are at the start of the story. Seth encourages Ice to break out of his shell, knowing that Ice will need to be able to speak up for himself once Seth has graduated and gone off to college. Learning to not let "shy guy" psych him out is hard for Ice. But the effort he makes to tune "shy guy" out pay off for both brothers. Determined to help out while Seth recovers from his accident, Isaiah takes on more responsibility at home. When the doctors try to convince Ice and his parents that Seth may never recover or be able to recognize them or even speak again, Isaiah decides to work with his brother in order to help him continue to get the therapy he needs to prove the doctors wrong. I loved the fact that in spite of the tragedy that befalls this family, they continue to work together and to support each other, even when they disagree. I also appreciated the realistic way that Allen gives Ice agency as a main character to believably help his brother recuperate while still keeping the storyline realistic for a middle school aged person. There were times throughout this novel where I laughed and others times that brought me to tears. Sometimes though, they were happy tears. Ice and Seth's story ends on an uplifting, hopeful note, but not one where everything goes back to the way it was before. The author acknowledges the fact that life changing events often mean that people have to face a new normal in their life and their abilities but she also shows young readers that this does not mean they are any less important or strong. In fact, both characters prove to be stronger and more resilient in the wake of Seth's accident and I think that is a beautiful message to convey. An author's note at the end of this book also lets readers know that this story was loosely based on a real event that happened to Allen's own son. So, in many ways Between Two Brothers is a firsthand account of how to face a traumatic event and come out on the other side of it with your love as a family and faith still intact. 

Image copied from Goodreads

Similar to the other novel, El Deafo  tells the story of a character who develops an impairment, this time through an illness. Main character Cece, in this graphic novel, is largely based on author Cece Bell's childhood experiences. I call this a work of fiction though as the author does note that some events portrayed in the novel are composites of real events, character names have been changed, and the illustrations depict bunny-like individuals instead of human beings. However, Bell does a wonderful job through both her artwork and her prose of conveying the feelings and challenges she faced as a hearing girl who becomes deaf and still has to live largely in a hearing world. The feelings of insecurity, isolation, loneliness and fear of being different come through from the moment Cece is fitted for her first hearing aid. The novel starts when Cece loses her hearing at age four and continues to follow her journey throughout elementary school up through fifth grade. 

Bell manages to capture the feelings she set out to in a realistic and engaging way. We experience her joys and sorrows with her through friendships made and lost, in facing bullies, dealing with being misunderstood and navigating her first crush. I would say that this graphic novel is geared for a younger middle grade audience since it starts out right before Cece is school age and the characters are depicted as bunnies rather than people. However, the artwork throughout was terrific and colorful and for me reminiscent of traditional comic series with its superhero vibes. I thought all-in-all this graphic novel was a delight to read and a great one for younger readers to help them to feel seen or to help them understand the world from the perspective of someone who is hearing impaired. The fact that Cece learns to embrace her differences and see them as a super power is a message that I think any young reader could relate to.

One other novel that I would have liked to review, but ran out of time to read all the way through in time was Popcorn by Rob Harrell. Again, this one is semi-autobiographical in nature and deals with disabilities that are unseen rather than physically seen ones. Like El Deafo it has illustrations as well, though it is not a graphic novel, but more of an illustrated middle grade novel similar to the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. The portion I read of it was both humorous and moving as Harrell takes us through the course of picture day at school and how challenging a school day can be for a student dealing with anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). If you would like to read up more on this novel, click on the title to be taken to a link for it on bookshop.org. 

Next month, I am switching gears to adult reading fair with a beach reads theme for the end of summer. The first book I'll review, Heart Marks the Spot, is a new rom-com adventure by Libby Hubscher, involving treasure hunters, second chance love, and found family. Check out the cover and book blurb below, both copied from Goodreads. 

A treasure hunter and the bestselling adventure novelist who broke her heart after one successful expedition reunite for a summer to search for lost riches.

Treasure hunter Stella Moore dreams of having it all—wealth, love, and a flourishing career—but knows she’ll never be that lucky. Every summer she and her childhood friends travel to search for hidden treasure, but she can barely manage her bills, let alone a relationship. Then, a chance encounter with alluring novelist Huck Sullivan during an expedition in Iceland has Stella thinking maybe her fortune has changed.

After his last book bombed, Huck hasn’t written a word. Joining Stella and her crew on an adventure seems like the perfect distraction from his problems, and when the crew finally uncovers hidden treasure, he is certain that he’s found more than just inspiration for his next novel. Huck and Stella’s undeniable connection gives way to an unforgettable night on a black sand beach.

After Huck disappears without a goodbye, Stella vows to put the heartbreak behind her—but that’s easier said than done when, a year later, every bookstore has a life-size cutout of her ex-lover next to stacks of his latest record-breaking bestseller. Good thing it’s time for another summer treasure hunt. Stella throws herself into mapping the path to a shipwreck off Key West, but the last thing she expects is an extra crew member showing up in search of material for a sequel and a second chance. 

Stella and Huck are prepared for storms, sharks, sea sickness, even a tentative truce. But facing the feelings they buried and confronting the devastating truth about why Huck left is the only way to find what their hearts have been searching for all along.

 

Hilarious Regency Rom-Com

 

Image copied from Goodreads

This is not a new series for Beverley Watts. In fact, there is at least one other spin-off series to this one that is out now. But it was new to me when my sister recommended it. Both of us have been Julia Quinn fans for years. So, when she told me that this series featured a large family of almost all girls and their reverend father who is desperate to marry them off to affluent husbands, I was intrigued. Knowing that in May I was going to be traveling a lot, I looked up audiobooks for the series through my library's digital app. I was happy to find they have all nine of the books in this first series about the Shackleford family.

I was not disappointed in the least with Grace or the other two books in the series that I've listened to so far. Grace is the oldest Shackleford daughter. Soon after the newly titled duke of the estate, Nicholas Sinclair, returns, Grace finds herself inexplicably being married off to him. Of course, nothing ever goes smoothly to plan in rom-coms like this one. The two characters in the story do not have a good first encounter. But they are nevertheless reluctantly attracted to one another. Both Grace and the Nicholas carry their own scars and misbeliefs that make them certain they will not find love or true contentment in marriage to anyone, least of all each other. However, when the duke starts off their marriage ignoring Grace, she takes matters into her own hands to convince him that he would be better off letting her live an independent life and be married in name only. Hijinks of all kinds ensue. The one thing that I did find funny and surprising was the character of the father. Reverend Shackleford is every bit as impulsive, imaginative and headstrong as any of his girls. The plans he concocts are wild and wildly amusing. You expect that sort of thing from the heroines and even sometimes the heroes in these stories. But you rarely have the parents play an active role in this way in the stories.

The backstory for the Nicholas Sinclair was also interesting. He is not only the heir to the estate, but he is also a war hero in the Battle of Trafalgar against Napoleon. A severe injury ends his naval career, leaves him partially crippled and causes him to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. Nicholas also has a depressing family history, which is not that uncommon in a regency romance. But part of his trauma involves his nearest and dearest from his recent and distant past. It makes a nice counterpoint to Grace, who comes from a boisterous but close-knit family. Other side characters add to the humor and heart of the story, including the reverend's assistant Percy and the reverend's wife, Agatha. The book is told from multiple points of view, from Grace, to Nicholas, to the reverend and occasionally we get Percy's perspective as well. But unbelievably this was not a detraction for me in the least. It actually helped build some light suspense at times in the plot. I started this book as an audiobook, but I ended up finishing it as an ebook. I will say that at first, I enjoyed reading the ebook version better than listening to the audiobook. The story is read by two accomplished voice actors. But when the male voice actor had to switch to telling the story from Grace's perspective he sounded like an old woman more than the young early twenty something character he was portraying. When the audio went back to the female voice actor things were fine. But listening to the man do some of Grace's dialogue was a bit jarring at times, especially listening to the story for the first time. 

So, if that sort of thing puts you off listening to a book, you might want to stick with a print or ebook version to read. If you are fans of Julia Quinn, Karen Hawkins or other regency romance authors who incorporate lots of humor and heart into their stories, I highly recommend this series. 

Stay tuned for my next review this month. In honor of disability awareness month I will be reviewing another book that features a disabled character as this one did. But the ones that I'm considering for review will be for a younger reading audience. The three that I'm considering, and depending on how long some of them are, I might do two of the three, are in no particular order:

Between Two Brothers  a middle grade novel by Crystal Allen

Popcorn a middle grade novel by Rob Harrell

El Deafo a graphic novel by CeCe Bell

I am also open to any suggestions for good reads that feature disabled characters that any of you might want to suggest as well. The titles for all three of these books also serve as links that will take you to their bookshop.org page to find out more. As always, thank you for reading!