Contemporary
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Book Review – The (Un)Popular Vote by Jasper Sanchez
I have so many feelings about this book. Firstly, as a cis British woman, I feel I am miles away from a shared understanding of life! The politics of American high schools is completely lost on me ;)
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Book Review – Cheer Up by Crystal Frasier
I loved every panel of this totally adorable graphic novel! Annie is so caustic and I love her for it. And Bebe is honestly the actual cutest. She’s so sweet and shy.
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Book Review – Here the Whole Time by Vitor Martins
This is not a book I would have necessarily picked up if I didn’t get an ARC free in a book box. And I’m glad I did because otherwise, I would have missed out.
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Book Review – Destination Anywhere by Sara Barnard
I loved everything about the roadtrip, and the fact she visits places I have been made me both nostalgic and bitten by the travel bug! The friendships she eventually makes there are so lovely, and it’s really nice to see Peyton learn to open up.
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Book Review – The Last Bear by Hannah Gold
This is SO PRETTY. Inside and out. Honestly, my first thought on seeing the book is that the art is even more stunning in person. And the naked hardback has amazing gold foiling. The story is equally as lovely - with illustrations to match.
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Book Review – The Switch by Beth O’Leary
Honestly I think I just like something about the way Beth O’Leary writes. Her writing makes me smile. In this one, the older characters in particular sang off the page. Eileen is a delight!
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Book Review – Meet Cute Club by Jack Harbon
The book club setting is cute, and it’s a pretty enjoyable romcom overall, albeit one without much depth.
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Book Review – You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson
I enjoyed this book a lot - as much as I will never understand the prom madness in America (let alone the additional pressure at this school!), it's an interesting look at the phenomenon for an outsider! It's also a good look at conservative America, in terms of homophobia and racism. In ways though, I expected that to be stronger.
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Book Review – Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall
I went into this sort of expecting a british Red, White and Royal Blue. And while similar because they’re both gay adult contemporaries, I ended up being surprised but pleased to discover this delves a little deeper. It’s still largely lighted hearted and it’s a lot of fun, but there’s also moments that challenge gaslighting and the pressures of being famous (or fame adjacent!)
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Book Review – Robin Hood: Hacking, Heists and Flaming Arrows by Robert Muchamore
A town. A forest. A hero. You can’t go far without a quick brain and some rule-bending in a place like Locksley. After its vast car plants shut down, the prosperous town has become a wasteland of empty homes, toxic land and families on the brink. And it doesn’t help that the authorities are in the clutches of profit-obsessed Sheriff of Nottingham, in cahoots with underworld boss Guy Gisborne. When his dad is framed for a robbery, Robin and his brother Little John are hounded out of Locksley and must learn to survive in the Sherwood forest, stretching three hundred kilometres and sheltering the free spirits and outlaws. But Robin…
