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SEE YOU YESTERDAY by Rachel Lynn Solomon - Review

About the Book:

Barrett Bloom is hoping college will be a fresh start after a messy high school experience. But when school begins on September 21st, everything goes wrong. She’s humiliated by the know-it-all in her physics class, she botches her interview for the college paper, and at a party that night, she accidentally sets a frat on fire. She panics and flees, and when she realizes her roommate locked her out of their dorm, she falls asleep in the common room. The next morning, Barrett’s perplexed to find herself back in her dorm room bed, no longer smelling of ashes and crushed dreams. It’s September 21st. Again. And after a confrontation with Miles, the guy from Physics 101, she learns she’s not alone—he’s been trapped for months. When her attempts to fix her timeline fail, she agrees to work with Miles to find a way out. Soon they’re exploring the mysterious underbelly of the university and going on wild, romantic adventures. As they start falling for each other, they face the universe’s biggest unanswered question yet: what happens to their relationship if they finally make it to tomorrow?

Review:

It’s truly no surprise that I loved this book. To begin, I absolutely love Rachel Lynn Solomon and everything she puts onto paper. What was special about this book in particular was both its genre bending AND its audience bending. Rachel has previously written both YA and Romance however this book was steadily in the New Adult category with its college placement and sex positivity. I am always on the hunt for NA books, especially college books, because these didn’t exist when I was going through these experiences. As a Jewish girl (who also happened to write for her university school paper!) I felt a kinship to Barrett in a way I hadn’t with other Jewish characters before. She was explicitly written as NOT being skinny, having large curly hair, and being unapologetically Jewish, everything I was too at that age. From roommate bonding, to new college experiences, these were the very details I did at this point in my life, though I fortunately wasn’t trapped in a time loop! Without giving more away, I am just so happy this book exists. From my low sci-fi and romance loving heart, I hope more people realize books like this can exist (AND WITH AN AMAZING EDIT THAT THIS IS NOW AN NYT BEST SELLER!!!!!!) and I’m looking forward to reading and reviewing them whenever I get that chance.

About the Author:

Rachel Lynn Solomon writes about imperfect people falling in love. She is the New York Times bestselling author of Today Tonight Tomorrow, See You Yesterday, The Ex Talk, and more. Originally from Seattle, she's currently navigating expat life with her husband in Amsterdam, where she can often be found exploring the city, collecting stationery, and working up the courage to knit her first sweater. Connect with her on Instagram @rlynn_solomon.

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THE FRAUD SQUAD - by Kyla Zhao

ABOUT THE BOOK

For fans of CRAZY RICH ASIANS, THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, and INVENTING ANNA

A working-class woman who infiltrates Singapore’s high society to fulfill her dreams risks losing everything in the process—including herself—in this propulsive millennial women’s fiction novel by debut author Kyla Zhao.

For as long as she can remember, Samantha Song has dreamed of writing for a high-society magazine—and she’d do anything to get there. But the constant struggle to help her mom make ends meet and her low social status make her dream feel like a distant fantasy. 

 Now, Sam finds herself working at a drab PR firm. The closest she’ll get to that life is living vicariously through her socialite coworker and friend, Anya Chen. Then she meets Timothy Kingston: the disillusioned son of one of Singapore’s elite families—and Sam’s one chance at infiltrating the high society world to which she desperately wants to belong.

 To Sam’s surprise, Tim and Anya both agree to help her make a name for herself on Singapore’s socialite scene. The borrowed designer clothes and plus-ones to every glamorous event can only get her so far; the rest is on Sam, and she’s determined to make an impression on the editor-in-chief of Singapore’s poshest magazine. But with a mysterious gossip columnist on the prowl for dirt, the deeper Sam wades into this fraud, the more she fears being exposed—forcing her to reconcile her pretense with who she really is before she loses it all.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kyla Zhao had her first women’s magazine byline at the age of sixteen, writing about weddings for Harper’s Bazaar Singapore before she even had her first kiss. Since then, she has also written for the Singapore editions of Vogue and Tatler. A native Singaporean, Kyla now works in Silicon Valley after graduating from Stanford University in 2021. She’s still trying to understand why Californians adore hiking and Patagonia fleeces so much.

Pre-order your copy of THE FRAUD SQUAD today!

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AS IF ON CUE by Marisa Kanter - Blog Tour + GIVEAWAY!

I am SO EXCITED to be working Simon Teen and Marisa Kanter again to showcase her second book AS IF ON CUE!

About the Book:

A pair of fierce foes are forced to work together to save the arts at their school in this swoony YA enemies-to-lovers romance that fans of Jenny Han and Morgan Matson are sure to adore. Lifelong rivals Natalie and Reid have never been on the same team. So when their school’s art budget faces cutbacks, of course Natalie finds herself up against her nemesis once more. She’s fighting to direct the school’s first ever student-written play, but for her small production to get funding, the school’s award-winning band will have to lose it. Reid’s band. And he’s got no intention of letting the show go on. But when their rivalry turns into an all-out prank war that goes too far, Natalie and Reid have to face the music, resulting in the worst compromise: writing and directing a musical. Together. At least if they deliver a sold-out show, the school board will reconsider next year’s band and theater budget. Everyone could win. Except Natalie and Reid. Because after spending their entire lives in competition, they have absolutely no idea how to be co-anything. And they certainly don’t know how to deal with the feelings that are inexplicably, weirdly, definitely developing between them…

About the Author:

Marisa Kanter is a young adult author, amateur baker, and reality television enthusiast. She is the author of What I Like About You and As If On Cue. Born and raised in the suburbs of Boston, her obsession with books led her to New York City, where she worked in the publishing industry to help books find their perfect readers. She currently lives in Los Angeles, writing love stories by day and searching for the perfect slice of pizza by night. Follow her at MarisaKanter.com.

Review:

I absolutely LOVED this book! I was a huge fan of What I Like About You (read my review here) but As If On Cue BLEW ME AWAY. I felt so gripped by the inner turmoil of the main character Natalie and how she believed she was doing everything right, despite the setbacks she seemed to face. While a school year is not a new place to set a YA novel, this story really showed how teens can take charge of their own futures and hold themselves (and bureaucracy) accountable and was extremely relatable to my own high school experience. As I’m sure I’ve written before, I went to an arts based high school where every student had an art major which drove the culture of the school. My school’s “band kids” were the musical theatre students and all of our school’s funding went to them, despite every art having so-called validation, and it was incredibly disheartening to see them achieve everything and all opportunities presented while us “lesser” art students got the bare minimum. I felt proud reading As if On Cue because these students had the guts people in my year never did, though I wish I could have produced something half as cool as “Boiled” (teehee if you’ve read the book).

As for Marisa’s writing, I loved What I Like About You, because it was the first time I had ever seen myself represented in a book, not just as a Jew but as a young girl finding myself within a large book community. I was worried I would never find that feeling again... and then I read As If On Cue. I was blown away by the difference in representation and how I connected so deeply with both of the Jewish families represented. Their holidays and celebrations felt authentic and their experiences of micro aggressions real, and is another reason why I wish I had the strength of these characters when I was their age. I also felt and understood the ‘jewish guilt’ that was very powerful to me. Every jew experiences the idea of letting down their parents in some way, or not connecting how they wish they could or be understood. This is a universal experience but hits so close to home for myself and so many others, and to see this relationship so carefully realized in this book brought a lot out of me that I didn’t realize I had bottled in. Regardless of religion or culture, these universal experiences showcased in As If On Cue are written in such a relatable way, which is why I believe Marisa Kanter’s writing is just getting better and better.

Giveaway:

Simon & Schuster is YET AGAIN generously providing a hardcover copy of AS IF ON CUE for 1 lucky winner! Must have a valid U.S. address to enter:

ENTER HERE

[bookishlyjules]

Egg Marks the Spot by Amy Timberlake with pictures by Jon Klassen - Blog Tour + Spotlight

About the Book:

When roommates Skunk and Badger head out on a rock-finding expedition, they find surprises behind every boulder in this follow-up to the bestselling, award-winning Skunk and Badger. “X Marks the Spot!” Buried in the heart of every animal is a secret treasure. For rock scientist Badger, it’s the Spider Eye Agate he found as a cub, stolen years ago by his crafty cousin, Fisher. For Badger’s roommate, Skunk, the treasure is Sundays with the New Yak Times Book Review. When an old acquaintance, Mr. G. Hedgehog, announces his plan to come for the Book Review as soon as it thumps on the doorstep, Skunk decides an adventure will solve Badger’s problems as well as his own. Surprisingly, Badger agrees. Together they set off on an agate-finding expedition at Badger’s favorite spot on Endless Lake. But all is not as it seems at Campsite #5. Fisher appears unexpectedly. Then a chicken arrives who seems intent on staying. Something is up! Indeed! Secrets, betrayals, lies . . . and a luminous, late-Jurassic prize. In a volume that includes full-color plates and additional black-and-white illustrations by Caldecott medalist Jon Klassen, Newbery Honor author Amy Timberlake takes readers on a second adventure in the new series reviewers have called an instant classic, with comparisons to Frog and Toad, Winnie-the-Pooh, and The Wind in the Willows.

About the Author:

Amy Timberlake’s novels for young readers have received a Newbery Honor, an Edgar Award, a Golden Kite Award, and the China Times Best Book Award. She grew up in Hudson, Wisconsin, but now calls Chicago home. She is a graduate of Mount Holyoke College, and holds an MA in English and Creative Writing from the University of Illinois. You can find her walking on Chicago’s Lakefront Trail on cool, crisp fall days. 

About the Illustrator:

Jon Klassen is a Canadian-born author-illustrator. His books include I Want My Hat Back; This Is Not My Hat, winner of the Caldecott Medal; and We Found A Hat. He is a member of the Order of Canada in recognition of his contributions to children's literature. He currently lives in Los Angeles with his wife and two sons.

Pick up your copy on September 14th!

[bookishlyjules]

Up All Night edited by Laura Silverman - Blog Tour + Spotlight & Review

About the Book:

When everyone else goes to bed, the ones who stay up feel like they’re the only people in the world. As the hours tick by deeper into the night, the familiar drops away and the unfamiliar beckons. Adults are asleep, and a hush falls over the hum of daily life. Anything is possible. It’s a time for romance and adventure. For prom night and ghost hunts. It’s a time for breaking up, for falling in love—for finding yourself. Stay up all night with these thirteen short stories from bestselling and award-winning YA authors like Karen McManus, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nina LaCour, and Brandy Colbert, as they take readers deep into these rarely seen, magical hours.

About the Editor:

Laura Silverman is an author and freelance editor in Brooklyn, NY. She earned her MFA in Writing for Children at the New School. Her books include Girl out of Water, You Asked for Perfect, It’s a Whole Spiel, and Recommended for You.

Review:

I didn’t think I would be someone interested in anthologies and this is the first one I’ve reviewed, and it honestly blew me away. In college, I read lots of short stories for a literary magazine I was an editor of and none of them grabbed me the way the stories in Up All Night did. Each chapter told such a unique story with many important and gripping additions. From disability representation to micro-aggressions and childhood trauma, to first loves and exploring friendships, this anthology really had it all.

What I was most impressed by was how easily one story moved into another. You may be gripped by a powerful last sentence (I’m looking at you Tiffany D. Jackson) and then you’re transported into a story about prom or new-found siblings/friends. This anthology really has something for everyone whether you’re a diehard fan of contemporary romance like me, or the creepy and gut gripping stories of some of the contributors listed, this anthology will have you thinking about each story long after you’ve moved onto the next one, and even past the last page.

Order your copy TODAY!

Don’t forget to check out the Up All Night virtual tour events:

Thank you to Algonquin Young Readers for the ARC copy for participation and review.

[bookishlyjules]

We Can’t Keep Meeting Like This by Rachel Lynn Solomon - Review and Mood Board

About the Book:

Quinn Berkowitz and Tarek Mansour’s families have been in business together for years: Quinn’s parents are wedding planners, and Tarek’s own a catering company. At the end of last summer, Quinn confessed her crush on him in the form of a rambling email—and then he left for college without a response. Quinn has been dreading seeing him again almost as much as she dreads another summer playing the harp for her parents’ weddings. When he shows up at the first wedding of the summer, looking cuter than ever after a year apart, they clash immediately. Tarek’s always loved the grand gestures in weddings—the flashier, the better—while Quinn can’t see them as anything but fake. Even as they can’t seem to have one civil conversation, Quinn’s thrown together with Tarek wedding after wedding, from performing a daring cake rescue to filling in for a missing bridesmaid and groomsman. Quinn can’t deny her feelings for him are still there, especially after she learns the truth about his silence, opens up about her own fears, and begins learning the art of harp-making from an enigmatic teacher. Maybe love isn’t the enemy after all—and maybe allowing herself to fall is the most honest thing Quinn’s ever done.

About the Author:

Rachel Lynn Solomon is the bestselling author of love stories for teens and adults, including The Ex Talk, Today Tonight Tomorrow, We Can't Keep Meeting Like This, and Weather Girl. Originally from Seattle, she's currently navigating expat life with her husband in Amsterdam, where she's on a mission to try as many Dutch sweets as possible.

Review:

I love Rachel Lynn Solomon and that is a hard fact. I love Today Tonight Tomorrow with my entire being so much that I was worried another YA from Rachel wouldn’t live up to that love in my head and in my heart, but man oh man did this one live up to it and more. 

Rachel has a deep understanding of her characters and their worlds which can be seen in all of her stories but this one was more gut gripping than usual for me. It’s not secret that I struggle with my mental health, (having been diagnosed with General Anxiety Disorder, OCD, Clinical Depression, AND MORE!) and when I heard this story tackled these topics, I was a little wary at how they would be discussed, however knowing Rachel and the way she commands the use of words I shouldn’t have been. Rachel nailed the feelings and expressions that are so tied to these illnesses with ease to the point that I felt as though I was living inside each of the characters, and even discovering more things about myself that even years of therapy haven’t discovered. Their stories resonate, even if you aren’t an 18 year old cater waiter or wedding harpist (lol). 

It struck me how much I was enjoying this book and the characters when I was talking to my mom on the phone today and she asked me such a simple question about reading and this book that I went on a full tangent trying to express my feelings about reading it and even still couldn’t express everything I wanted to say and honestly, this is something that only happens when I read a Rachel Lynn Solomon book. There are a lot of experiences in this book that can be relatable to all or few, but no matter who you are Rachel’s words will resonate and I think that’s just the power of her storytelling. 

Some more incoherent thoughts:

I loved that the reader was let in on the miscommunication before the characters were? It was something that had me yelling at the book like “THE BOAT WAS FOR YOU!” 

Also the mention of queer couples so passively was exciting to see. I lost track of how many queer couples, and their weddings, were mentioned and that makes me smile.

Judaism is such an important topic to me and Rachel really understands how to incorporate religion and culture in her books without it being the main plot of the story. From casual discussions of high holidays and kosher practices, to finding community and wedding traditions, each mention really connected me with the story because it allowed me to see myself and my families values reflected on paper.

I also think the mention of family relationships is handled so well in this story. From parent and child miscommunication to losing touch with siblings, I felt each emotion as if it was my own family going through the same experience and nothing really gets me more than feeling that I am personally inside of the book which is what I got from this reading experience.

Another point, I think we all need a Maxine in our lives.

Lastly, I’m going to hold firm that Rachel named the character Julia after me and I will not be told (or believe) otherwise.

Ultimately, regardless of where you are in your life’s journey, whether that be discovering yourself, your passions, or even in love, We Can’t Keep Meeting Like This feels like coming home and is a story that I firmly believe will resonate with anyone who picks it up.

Mood Board:

WE CAN’T KEEP MEETING LIKE THIS COMES OUT TOMORROW (06/08/2021) Head to your local indie bookstore and pick it up!

[bookishlyjules]

Cool for the Summer by Dahlia Adler - Book Review and GIVEAWAY!

About the Book:

Lara's had eyes for exactly one person throughout her three years of high school: Chase Harding. He's tall, strong, sweet, a football star, and frankly, stupid hot. Oh, and he's talking to her now. On purpose and everything. Maybe...flirting, even? No, wait, he's definitely flirting, which is pretty much the sum of everything Lara's wanted out of life. Except she’s haunted by a memory. A memory of a confusing, romantic, strangely perfect summer spent with a girl named Jasmine. A memory that becomes a confusing, disorienting present when Jasmine herself walks through the front doors of the school to see Lara and Chase chatting it up in front of the lockers. Lara has everything she ever wanted: a tight-knit group of friends, a job that borders on cool, and Chase, the boy of her literal dreams. But if she's finally got the guy, why can't she stop thinking about the girl? Cool for the Summer is a story of self-discovery and new love. It’s about the things we want and the things we need. And it’s about the people who will let us be who we are.

Review:

This book was probably one of the easiest reads I’ve picked up in a while. I felt submerged into the story right away. 

The contrast between the past and present helped me fully invest in both Larissa and Jasmine’s story. I felt the confusion and the angst but ultimately the love and friendship between the two of them. I understood Larissa’s anger and frustration at Jasmine but I could also see the underlying want for connection. I thought Chase would be a bigger point to the story strictly based on the book’s tag line but I was so happy to see Larissa’s change through him. 

I also really appreciated the representation in this book. As a Bi Jew myself, this was one of the first times I really saw myself on the page. Both Larissa and Jasmine are Jewish but not in the conventionally written way. They don’t talk about Shabbat and prayers, but just the fact that they are Jews and for myself who didn’t grow up traditionally Jewish and only culturally, I really appreciated that though they are both Jewish, that is not their only identity. I also loved the exploration within this book. Not just figuring out identity but also friendship. I think this aspect makes this book relatable to all.

Ultimately I loved this story because at its core it’s all about exploration and friendship and we all need a little bit of that. 

Giveaway:

To celebrate Pride Month I am giving away 2 copies of #CoolfortheSummer, one on Instagram and one on Twitter. Follow me @bookishlyjules on both of those platforms for details!

[bookishlyjules]

Match Made in Paradise by Barbara Dunlop - Blog Tour + Excerpt 

About the Book

What happens when a spoiled supermodel from Los Angeles decides to move to the harsh landscape of the Alaskan frontier? Swipe right on this hilarious, opposites-attract romance to find out!

After the death of her much older husband, supermodel Mia Westberg finds herself in a difficult legal battle over the ownership of his fashion house and under the scrutiny of the media. In order to stay out of the public eye, Mia packs her bags and leaves Los Angeles, escaping to visit her cousin Raven, a shipping expeditor working in a remote part of Alaska—a place where no reporter would follow. It’s immediately clear Mia isn’t ready for everything Paradise, Alaska has in store for her: the wild animals, insanely harsh weather, and a gorgeous bush pilot who is immune to her charms.

When pilot Silas Burke flies a beautiful blonde into town, it doesn’t take him long to figure her out. She’s an entitled city girl who had no business in the rough terrain of Alaska. After seeing her struggle, he helps her acclimate to life in Paradise despite his better judgment. He’s an impatient teacher and she’s a frustrated pupil—and nothing gets them more fired up than each other. Can these two polar opposites find common ground and possibly something more?

About the Author

Barbara Dunlop is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who has published more than fifty novels. Her stories have ranged from lighthearted comedies to family sagas. Barbara is a four-time finalist for the RWA RITA award, and her Tule novel His Jingle Bell Princess has been optioned by Motion Picture Corporation of America for a Hallmark movie. Barbara resides in Yukon, Canada with her bush pilot husband. You can find her at www.barbaradunlop.com.

Excerpt:

Get your copy TODAY! penguinrandomhouse.com/books/667589

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Tigers, Not Daughters by Samantha Mabry - Blog Tour

About the Book:

The Torres sisters dream of escape. Escape from their needy and despotic widowed father, and from their San Antonio neighborhood, full of old San Antonio families and all the traditions and expectations that go along with them. In the summer after her senior year of high school, Ana, the oldest sister, falls to her death from her bedroom window. A year later, her three younger sisters, Jessica, Iridian, and Rosa, are still consumed by grief and haunted by their sister’s memory. Their dream of leaving Southtown now seems out of reach. But then strange things start happening around the house: mysterious laughter, mysterious shadows, mysterious writing on the walls. The sisters begin to wonder if Ana really is haunting them, trying to send them a message—and what exactly she’s trying to say.

About the Author:

Samantha Mabry, author of the acclaimed novels A Fierce and Subtle Poison and All the Wind in the World, credits her tendency toward magical thinking to her Grandmother Garcia, who would wash money in the kitchen sink to rinse off any bad spirits. She and her family split their time between Mineral Wells and Dallas, Texas where she teaches writing and Latinx literature at a community college. 

Review:

This book is not the typical style of book you will see me read, however, it was just the book I needed. It was hauntingly beautiful in its story and pace and has kept me thinking long after the last page. I felt as though I understood each of the sisters through their pain and understanding in the world they were forced to live in. I truly felt as though I lived as each of them in their chapters, and that made for a wonderful reading experience. I still have so many questions, but I am also comfortable in the fact that they will go unanswered. This book will make you question reality and the space between life and death and is the perfect introduction to magical realism that all readers need.

Order your copy today!

Thank you to Algonquin Young Readers for the paperback copy for participation and review.

[bookishlyjules]

Float Plan by Trish Doller - Blog Tour + Excerpt! 

I’m really excited to share with all of you an excerpt from Float Plan, Trish Doller’s adult women’s fiction debut! 

About the Book:

Heartbroken by the loss of her fiancé, adventurous Anna finds a second chance at love with an Irish sailor in this riveting, emotional romance. After a reminder goes off for the Caribbean sailing trip Anna was supposed to take with her fiancé, she impulsively goes to sea in the sailboat he left her, intending to complete the voyage alone. But after a treacherous night’s sail, she realizes she can’t do it by herself and hires Keane, a professional sailor, to help. Much like Anna, Keane is struggling with a very different future than the one he had planned. As romance rises with the tide, they discover that it’s never too late to chart a new course. In Trish Doller’s unforgettable Float Plan, starting over doesn't mean letting go of your past, it means making room for your future.

About the Author:

Trish Doller is the author of novels for teens and adults about love, life, and finding your place in the world. A former journalist and radio personality, Trish has written several YA novels, including the critically acclaimed Something Like Normal, as well as Float Plan, her adult women's fiction debut. When she's not writing, Trish loves sailing, traveling, and avoiding housework. She lives in southwest Florida with an opinionated herding dog and an ex-pirate.

Excerpt:

Buy your copy TODAY! https://read.macmillan.com/lp/float-plan/

[bookishlyjules]

2021 Anticipated Releases - The Books I Currently NEED In My Life!

I’ve never actually done a TBR check, or waiting on list, but these 2021 releases made me think long and hard about how I need to be sharing my excitement for them to come into the world!

1. You Have a Match - Emma Lord

By NO surprise at all, the first book I’m excited for is Emma Lord’s second title YOU HAVE A MATCH! I absolutely loved Tweet Cute (and still claim to be it’s number 1 fan) so knowing Emma is coming out with another title made me shake from excitement!

“A new love, a secret sister, and a summer she'll never forget. When Abby signs up for a DNA service, it’s mainly to give her friend and secret love interest, Leo, a nudge. After all, she knows who she is already: Avid photographer. Injury-prone tree climber. Best friend to Leo and Connie…although ever since the B.E.I. (Big Embarrassing Incident) with Leo, things have been awkward on that front. But she didn’t know she’s a younger sister.”

Edit: I wrote this list without posting it and I have since read YOU HAVE A MATCH and it met all of my expectations and MORE! And lucky news for you it’s OUT NOW! (full review coming soon!)

2. We Can’t Keep Meeting Like This - Rachel Lynn Solomon

Another book that should not surprise anyone is Rachel Lynn Solomon’s next YA book, WE CAN’T KEEP MEETING LIKE THIS! 

“A wedding harpist disillusioned with love and a hopeless romantic cater-waiter flirt and fight their way through a summer of weddings” 

sign me UP!

3. Last Chance Books - Kelsey Rodkey

A first DEBUT on my list is LAST CHANCE BOOKS by Kelsey Rodkey! If you are on Book Twitter this name will sound familiar and we finally get a chance to read something from an up and coming star. 

“Don’t you just love the smell of old books in the morning?

Madeline Moore does. Books & Moore, the musty bookstore her family has owned for generations, is where she feels most herself. Nothing is going to stop her from coming back after college to take over the store from her beloved aunt.

Nothing, that is—until a chain bookstore called Prologue opens across the street and threatens to shut them down.

Madeline sets out to demolish the competition, but Jasper, the guy who works over at Prologue, seems intent on ruining her life. Not only is he taking her customers, he has the unbelievable audacity to be… extremely cute.

But that doesn’t matter. Jasper is the enemy and he will be destroyed. After all—all’s fair in love and (book) wars.”

I’m getting such ‘Recommended for You’ vibes and I canNOT wait to dive right in!

4. Hot British Boyfriend - Kristy Boyce

The cover and title were really enough to seal the deal for me needing this book TBH.

“After a horrifying public rejection by her crush, Ellie Nichols does what any girl would do: she flees the country. To be more precise, she joins her high school’s study abroad trip to England. While most of her classmates are there to take honors courses and pad their college applications, Ellie is on a quest to rebuild her reputation and self-confidence. And nothing is more of a confidence booster than getting a hot British boyfriend”

5. Cool for the summer - Dahlia Adler

Bisexual representation and Jewish representation are all I need to scream YES to this book (doesn’t even matter that it comes out the day after my birthday).

Cool for the Summer is a story of self-discovery and new love. It’s about the things we want and the things we need. And it’s about the people who will let us be who we are.

6. The Ex Talk - Rachel Lynn Solomon

I mean she’s already on this list once so I had to put her on it again when I found out she was writing her first Romance being published by Berkley! I adore Rachel and her words and I can’t wait to read her older audience stuff. Her YA stuff is already brilliant so I have no doubt this will be magnificent.

“Shay Goldstein has been a producer at her Seattle public radio station for nearly a decade, and she can't imagine working anywhere else. But lately it's been a constant clash between her and her newest colleague, Dominic Yun, who's fresh off a journalism master's program and convinced he knows everything about public radio...”

7. The Intimacy Experiment - Rosie Danan

This is a follow up to The Roommate which blew my socks off (and many others I’m sure). I’m excited for the Jewish rep and to dive right back into this world!

“Naomi Grant has built her life around going against the grain. After the sex-positive start-up she cofounded becomes an international sensation, she wants to extend her educational platform to live lecturing. Unfortunately, despite her long list of qualifications, higher ed won't hire her. Ethan Cohen has recently received two honors: LA Mag named him one of the city's hottest bachelors and he became rabbi of his own synagogue. Taking a gamble in an effort to attract more millennials to the faith, the executive board hired Ethan because of his nontraditional background. Unfortunately, his shul is low on both funds and congregants. The board gives him three months to turn things around or else they'll close the doors of his synagogue for good. Naomi and Ethan join forces to host a buzzy seminar series on Modern Intimacy, the perfect solution to their problems--until they discover a new one--their growing attraction to each other. They've built the syllabus for love's latest experiment, but neither of them expected they'd be the ones putting it to the test.”

There are SO MANY more books coming out in 2021 that I know this will either be updated or I’ll have to make a whole other post but these are the books that are on the tip of my tongue and I cannot wait to read them!

[bookishlyjules]

Life Update: Where I’ve Been and What’s Next?

Hi All,

As you can see by my lack of updates these past few months I have been a bit inactive. There’s really one simple answer for that, life got in the way. I have dedicated my time to school because each day brings me closer and closer to graduation and my career. I’m not going to avoid the fact that my mental health has dipped because of this pandemic and that is definitely the case for my lack of reading...my poor Goodreads shelf :’( HOWEVER, the fact that I haven’t posted has not once changed my EXTREME passion to one day work in publishing and be a book marketer. It’s the one thing I know, and while yes my posts are now slow to come, I am still here and will still be reading, even if life sometimes gets in the way.

Until my next post, stay safe, stay kind, and see you all soon.

xoxo - Jules

[bookishlyjules]

Recommended For You by Laura Silverman - Blog Tour + Giveaway!

About the Book:

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before meets You’ve Got Mail in this charming and hilarious rom-com following two teen booksellers whose rivalry is taken to the next level as they compete for the top bookseller bonus. Shoshanna Greenberg loves working at Once Upon, her favorite local bookstore. And with her moms fighting at home and her beloved car teetering on the brink of death, the store has become a welcome escape. When her boss announces a holiday bonus to the person who sells the most books, Shoshanna sees an opportunity to at least fix her car, if none of her other problems. The only person standing in her way? New hire Jake Kaplan. Jake is an affront to everything Shoshanna stands for. He doesn’t even read! But somehow his sales start to rival hers. Jake may be cute (really cute), and he may be an eligible Jewish single (hard to find south of Atlanta), but he’s also the enemy, and Shoshanna is ready to take him down. But as the competition intensifies, Jake and Shoshanna grow closer and realize they might be more on the same page than either expects…

Review:

Any book that can make me cry, giggle, and swoon MULTIPLE times is an instant 5 stars to me. I absolutely adored this book. As a young Jewish girl (whose Hebrew name is Shoshanna!) I absolutely related in almost every aspect to this book, but what I noticed most was I related to Shoshanna’s personal struggles with family, friends, and feelings of home more than anything else. I loved that this book dealt with real and personal issues that were fixable and not life-altering/ending. Everything felt exactly like issues I would have faced (and probably did) as a Teen.  What surprised me the most about this book was the “lack” of romance! I went into this thinking the entire story would be enemies to lovers (the best trope) and I was genuinely surprised to find more substance to the characters than just their feelings for each other. I loved that we got to enjoy Shoshanna and Jake’s feelings grow for each other, but I also loved that there was more to the story than just their connection... though their romance and their parents cheering them on.. woo that got me in the feels. All in all this book would make the perfect Hallmark holiday movie in my opinion. So if Hallmark/Netflix/Any RomCom movie making company ever decides to finally make a Hanukkah movie - I hope they do it justice like this book did for me.

About the Author:

Laura Silverman is an author and editor currently living in Brooklyn, New York. She earned her MFA in writing for children at the New School. Her books include Girl Out of Water, You Asked for Perfect, It’s a Whole Spiel, and Recommended for You. Girl Out of Water was a Junior Library Guild Selection. You can contact Laura on Twitter @LJSilverman1 or through her website LauraSilvermanWrites.com.

Giveaway!!

Simon & Schuster is generously providing a hardcover copy of Recommended For You for 1 lucky winner! Must have a valid U.S. address to enter:

ENTER HERE

[bookishlyjules]

Today Tonight Tomorrow by Rachel Lynn Solomon - Blog Tour + Review

About the Book:

Today, she hates him.

It’s the last day of senior year. Rowan Roth and Neil McNair have been bitter rivals for all of high school, clashing on test scores, student council elections, and even gym class pull-up contests. While Rowan, who secretly wants to write romance novels, is anxious about the future, she’d love to beat her infuriating nemesis one last time.

Tonight, she puts up with him.

When Neil is named valedictorian, Rowan has only one chance at victory: Howl, a senior class game that takes them all over Seattle, a farewell tour of the city she loves. But after learning a group of seniors is out to get them, she and Neil reluctantly decide to team up until they’re the last players left—and then they’ll destroy each other.

As Rowan spends more time with Neil, she realizes he’s much more than the awkward linguistics nerd she’s sparred with for the past four years. And, perhaps, this boy she claims to despise might actually be the boy of her dreams.

Tomorrow…maybe she’s already fallen for him.

Review:

I think this book changed me as a person and reader. To say it was excellent would not give this book the justice it deserves. From the enemies to lovers trope done in the BEST way, to perfectly describing Jewish microaggressions, this book was profound for the YA space in the most amazing way. I always enjoy characters that feel whole and rich with backstories and flaws that keep readers entertained, and Rowan and Neil did not disappoint. I loved that as readers we got to understand Neil, as Rowan was beginning to understand him for herself. I loved seeing Rowan's feeling change and grow, and I loved learning the little details that made each character tick (Free Puppies! I mean come on! Too cute!) But most importantly, I loved the message of the book. I love that it took time for Rowan to figure herself out and to realize the goals she set for herself at 14 were not what she should expect from herself at 18. I feel like this is a lesson I need to work on for myself and I'm sure so many people can relate as well. Though I don't think I'll be joining any open mic nights in the near future, I know I can look to Rowan's bravery and optimism, and Neil's self-assurance, in my own life and choices going forward. As a book with two Jewish main characters, I also need to point out that though this may not be the entirety of the book, it is so important to mention. This book can be read by anyone, and everyone can take something away from it, however, for my fellow Jews, this book does everything right and I’m so happy to add this book to my never ending list of books I will shout out about. To Rachel Lynn Solomon, Thank you for letting this little Jewish blogger feel seen through your masterful writing.

About the Author:

Rachel Lynn Solomon is the author of You’ll Miss Me When I’m Gone, Our Year of Maybe, and Today Tonight Tomorrow. She is a Seattle native who loves rainy days, her tiny dog, tap dancing, old movies, red lipstick, and books with flawed, complicated characters. Learn more at RachelSolomonBooks.com

Just for some extra fun I made starter kits for the two main characters

Pick up your copy of Today Tonight Tomorrow on July 28th!

[bookishlyjules]

Mayhem by Estelle Laure Blog Tour + Review

Synopsis:

It's 1987 and unfortunately it's not all Madonna and cherry lip balm. Mayhem Brayburn has always known there was something off about her and her mother, Roxy. Maybe it has to do with Roxy's constant physical pain, or maybe with Mayhem's own irresistible pull to water. Either way, she knows they aren't like everyone else. But when May's stepfather finally goes too far, Roxy and Mayhem flee to Santa Maria, California, the coastal beach town that holds the answers to all of Mayhem's questions about who her mother is, her estranged family, and the mysteries of her own self. There she meets the kids who live with her aunt, and it opens the door to the magic that runs through the female lineage in her family, the very magic Mayhem is next in line to inherit and which will change her life for good. But when she gets wrapped up in the search for the man who has been kidnapping girls from the beach, her life takes another dangerous turn and she is forced to face the price of vigilante justice and to ask herself whether revenge is worth the cost. From the acclaimed author of This Raging Light and But Then I Came Back, Estelle Laure offers a riveting and complex story with magical elements about a family of women contending with what appears to be an irreversible destiny, taking control and saying when enough is enough.

Review:

I went into this book without looking at the synopsis, and knowing very little of the plot except for the fact that it has been compared to The Lost Boys. With this said, I will say I am not a historical reader, or a dark/gothic reader, or a magic/fantasy reader, and yet Mayhem managed to win me over. With its real characters and relationships, strong female empowerment and family dynamic, including the sensitive and overwhelming mother daughter relationship found in May and Roxy, I couldn’t help but be moved and swayed with how each character comforted and took control of each other. 

As well, seeing each character blossom over the course of the story was written so well. I absolutely adored Kidd and her fearless attitude towards every situation, where Jason was more reserved, yet when he was with Mayhem we got to truly see him. 

When it came to Neve, I couldn’t help but feel entangled by her. She is a force of nature that grabs readers and puts them in her shoes, even until the end when you feel her changing around the others. It was powerful writing that made a great character.

Though this book deals with heavy topics including domestic abuse, sexual assault, and suicide, each topic is discussed tastefully and meaningfully and there is so much reason and purpose for the topics so they don’t feel superfluous. Estelle Laure’s writing is stunningly beautiful through her expressions and phrasing that draws readers in and has them yearn for more.

Though I felt it was slow to start and confusing, once the pacing picked up I could not put this book down! To me, it read like a movie and there are so many action sequences, and artfully depicted moments, I would absolutely love to see on the big screen.

I enjoyed that this book wrapped up nicely, yet still left questions unanswered for the reader to ponder, which, in my opinion, is always the perfect ending.

I can’t say Mayhem is for everyone, and I would definitely read into it to see if it’s for you, but I will say from this YA rom-com loving reviewer, Mayhem will stick with me for a long time in the best way... and I think it will with you too.

About the Author:

Estelle Laure, the author of This Raging Light and But Then I Came Back believes in love, magic, and the power of facing hard truths. She has a BA in Theatre Arts and an MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts in Writing for Children and Young Adults, and she lives in Taos, New Mexico, with her family. Her work is translated widely around the world.

Pick up your copy of Mayhem now!

[bookishlyjules]

Review - More Than Maybe by Erin Hahn

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A thousand ‘eye-closers’ for More Than Maybe by Erin Hahn

I don’t even know where to begin with my love for this book. Quite possibly the best slow burn I’ve ever read in a YA, Luke and Vada’s story gave me all of the butterflies all of the time. With a rich backstory for each character, this book didn’t read like a typical romance but more raw and real than most in the genre. It was an excellent read that went by way too fast and I’d recommend it to all fans of romance and music a million times over.

Each character felt so complete in a way I rarely see in YA. I felt for Luke and his need to create music in the shadows and Vada who just needed a Phil in her life. As a reader, you may think “why can’t Luke just perform?” And “why can’t Vada reconcile with Marcus” but it’s their characters and Erin Hahn’s masterful writing that shows these characters are complete in their convictions. They don’t need to be swayed to societal pressures like we believe is best for them and I think that’s why this book is perfect.

Also if you love music in books and music as a love language, my goodness does this book deliver! I need to make a playlist of every song mentioned because it brought out the 90s kid in me that forgot about punk rock and those obscure ballads.

Ultimately, this book was phenomenal and is a must read for any reader. It will make you swoon, it’ll make you scream “KISS ALREADY!”, and it’ll leave your heart full for days.

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More Than Maybe ARC provided by Wednesday Books

[bookishlyjules]

Review - The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins - SPOILER FREE

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

If you know anything at all about me, you know that my one undying true love is The Hunger Games (in all forms). I have been a diehard THG fan since 2008 and honestly, I credit this series with finding my passion for reading and the publishing industry. I cry - and I mean SEVERELY cry - at the end of Mockingjay Pt. 2 every time I watch it (I had to be dragged out of the theatre the first time I saw it). This series means more to me than I can possibly put into words. I found it when I experienced depression for the first time, and it became my coping mechanism. I fell into this series like a never ending well and I just keep falling and falling hoping there will never be a bottom and my love can continue to grow and grow and never end. 

When TBOSAS was announced, I had just signed a lease for my first NYC apartment (a few blocks away from Scholastic’s head office) to begin my career in publishing - something started because of this series, so to finally have this book in my hands feels like a dream come true and something I could never imagine 11 year old Julia experiencing when she found The Hunger Games for the first time.

When I saw this book is perfect, I mean this book is perfect. I wouldn’t call is the best book every written, and it’s certainly not the best book in this series, but it is perfect for every person who has ever read The Hunger Games and is invested in the carefully crafted story Suzanne Collins created.

There were many theories and skepticisms surrounding this book in the THG fandom. Was Suzanne going to make Snow sympathetic? How does he become evil? the list goes on. So I went into this book with a clear mind and open heart, and boy am I glad I did so. YES Snow appears sympathetic... until he’s not. This book demonstrates just how unsettling his character is in the original trilogy, and how he got to be that way. Suzanne perfectly wraps this up in the epilogue (she is the literal QUEEN of writing epilogues okay don’t @ me), and readers can clearly see how Snow begins and becomes who we see him as in the trilogy.

The foreshadowing is literally impeccable. I flagged and tabbed so many sections in this book with how they relate to the trilogy. Knowing Suzanne Collins and her writing, we know everything has a reason in her books which makes the reading experience so much better.

This is the perfect prequel/non-prequel because it perfectly demonstrates Snow and Panem before the start of The Hunger Games, however, I would seriously urge new readers to read this series in order of publication. If I had read TBOSAS before THG, I think it would’ve been ruined for me. There are so many instances when I would GASP out loud when I made a connection to the series, and I think that is so important to the story and the understanding of the world Suzanne Collins built. I’ve been asked a lot if I think there will be more after this, and honestly, I don’t know. My THG heart begs Suzanne for a Dark Days prequel just as much now as it did in 2010 when I finished Mockingjay. But, this book perfectly stands on its own and gives readers another taste of Panem, something we have been wishing for, for a while, in a perfect wrapped package.

I’ll never say never to more THG content, but I can be thoroughly content with what we have been given.

P.S. remember there’s still a movie to look forward to, so THG will always live on!