so powerful, really resonated

Love is a Revolution – Renee Watson

Love, dating, self-acceptance, social action, Jamacian Americans, Harlem, New York, Young Adult, POC representation, fiction. 

Rating 10/10

Nala goes to an open mic night with her cousin for her birthday. When one of the poet activists, Tye, goes on stage her attention is drawn to him. She makes herself more relatable to him by omitting lies and she struggles to keep them straight as she is falling more and more for Tye. Her relationship with her cousin isn’t easy either and Nala learns to stop and reflect. She needs to love herself first and in turn love Tye. 

My heart vibed with what the author wanted to express through this narrative. Love can really change and inspire a person to love themselves better. I loved the place and this felt so real that I was there. I was witnessing everything happening with Nala and her interactions. Everyone needs to go pick up this book and read this novel. I can’t express how much I love this book. I did borrow this from the library and I am definitely going to buy the book. Then most likely read it again because it was so good. I finished this book in one day and it’s that type of book that can be read in one sitting because the pacing is perfect. I do not see enough hype but this book deserves so much more hype.

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this wasn’t easy to read.

Beautiful Façade – Kathryn S. Rose

New Adult, romance, fiction.

Rating 9/10

A blast from the past, Kai, runs into Winter. Winter hadn’t seen him in a decade, and they catch up. Winter tells him she’s engaged to Liam and happy. Liam doesn’t like how the two have been spending time together. She learns to grow with the past and proclaims she is no longer a victim of what happened that decade ago. She goes on a soul-searching journey of self-healing.

I really loved this book. It wasn’t easy to read but the topic is never an easy topic. Always hard and it’s the reality that hurts. I would want to see this more openly discussed without the stigma behind mental health. The main character really grew as she confronted her past. I enjoyed that this was a new adult novel. I want to see more new adult novels or literature. I can hardly find them and would love to see this on the shelf. I will most likely get a physical copy. I had obtained an e-book, but I want to hold this book and read it once more. The author understands social work and has a background which gives authority of a literary work. I enjoyed this book. Highly recommend this.

then its not really a mistake

By Mist@ke – Sigal Ehrlich

Romance, new adult, fiction.

Rating 9/10

Anna receives a mysterious email and replies. Liam realizes that he sent the email to the wrong person. However, both decide to spark a conversation that led to Liam and Anna having feelings for each other. Liam offers to meet in person and Anna decides why not meet in person. They slowly get to know each other and right when their friendship was going to become a romance, he is faced with his reality of being a resident doctor and he has tried a relationship before that combusted. He tells her its over and she is left heartbroken. While he is at Doctors Without Borders, he has an epiphany and returns to make amends.

This was an interesting romance novel and I have had a hard time trying to find the new adult genre. This was one of the few I could find. I loved this novel and wished it was longer. Knowing that this is to become a series, I am invested in reading the next installation. The author has an excellent way of writing comedy alongside romance with a touch of slow burn. The characters felt like real people and their interactions felt like chemistry. I would want to read more of this author, and I would recommend this novel.