Book Review: Dark of Night by Colleen Coble

 

Dark of Night - Colleen Coble - 4.5 to 5 Stars - What a great second book in this series! SO action packed! (Book 2 in the Annie Pederson Series)

WOW I didn't think I would love this as much as I did but what a great second book in this series! 4.5 to 5 stars. I loved this better than book 1! In book 2, we follow the family drama that occurred in book 1 (not going to say, because spoilers) but Annie is trying to figure out what to do about the newly found information from book 1 and how to tell those who need to know. A big part of this story though was a woman named Michelle Fraser is abducted and they are needing to figure out who took her so Jon and Annie are working to piece together that puzzle as well.

I just loved this so much, I had the same feeling I did as when I read the If I Run trilogy by Terri Blackstock. So fast paced and SO much happening! My favorite part of this story is our characters, Annie and Jon and the relationship with Annie's daughter. There was a bit more faith sentences I LOVED at the end of this, but still has more of a light faith element. Either way, still loved those parts of the story at the end. Make sure you read book 1 before picking this up because this book picks up right where book 2 leaves off.

You will NOT be able to put this series down, it's just that good!

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5448881142
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Ol5EMB
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/459711
YouTube Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CNQJYuJxRg

Book Review: Edge of Dusk by Colleen Coble

 

Edge of Dusk - Colleen Coble - 4 Stars - My first Colleen Coble and it DID NOT disappoint! LOVED! (Book 1 in the Annie Pederson Series)

This was my first Colleen Coble book and it did not disappoint! Really liked this story - 4 stars. It kept me engaged the entire time, I really connected with our characters and it had so much drama, suspense and action! Highly recommend the audiobook because the narrator really keeps you invested in the story.

This story is about Annie Pederson, a law enforcement ranger whose life changed forever the night her little sister was kidnapped. She has recently been through additional trauma with the loss of her husband and parents in a boating accident. She has truly been through it and then they discover remains that bring up old cold cases, a dead body that starts a new case, and the investigations take place. Her first love, Jon, comes back into town - he seems like a suspect in one case but is trying to clear his name there while rekindling his relationship with Annie. The story takes off here...

I really liked our characters and how fast paced this story was. The narrator really made the story for me. The first little bit was just OK but around 35% when some DRAMMMMA comes in, ya'll I was invested and NEEDED TO KNOW the tea! LOL Also liked the light faith elements and hope we have more in the next book. We saw more faith content at the end but it was still a small portion of the story I would love to see expanded upon in the next books.

By the end of this book, so much was revealed....I have to know what happens next so I'm gonna try to get book 2 ASAP! If you like romantic suspense, you will love this.

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5356271313
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Q3nTas
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/418294
YouTube Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CNQJYuJxRg

Book Review: A Match in the Making by Jen Turano

 

A Match in the Making - Jen Turano - 4.5 to 5 Stars - A GREAT matchmaking story with lots of humor! (Book 1 in The Matchmakers Series)

4.5 stars, rounding up to 5. We love a good matchmaking story and this one will not disappoint! So much humor, great characters, and a story that reels you right in!

This is the second Jen Turano book I have read so far and ya’ll – she brings so much great, witty banter to the table between characters that is over the top, but also believable. I LOVE IT! We have a fun match making story of Gwendolyn who is hired to find the perfect match for Mr. Walter Townsend, the catch of the season, but could the perfect match be her after all?

Such a delightful story as SO many other reviews have said. The humor she brings is what makes the story – you find yourself laughing out loud and feeling all the heartwarming feelings you want to from a story like this. This is a great lighthearted read that I really needed this week. The romance in more of a friendship building - slow burn - realization/beginning a relationship at the end of the story. I did somewhat want a bit more of a romance development sooner, but loved the time spent on Mr. Townsend's children with Gwendolyn - it makes sense why it was done the way it was because the who plot is we are trying to find a mother for his unrully children. Which, the children were HILARIOUS throughout the story. I loved seeing what they were going to get into next! :)

Speaking of Gwendolyn, she is a new favorite character of mine because she stands up for what she beleives in, speaks her mind and cares about others in such a way that she truly stands out. She goes above and beyond in so many aspects of this story, I loved it.

I can't wait to read book 2!

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5351562568
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3rykXbF
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/465081
YouTube Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CNQJYuJxRg

Book Review: Honest June: The Show Must Go On - Tina Wells

Honest June: The Show Must Go On - Tina Wells - 4.5 Stars - loved June's journey into theater! (Book 2 in the Honest June Series)

This continues to be an amazing series about sweet June learning what it means to tell the truth and have integrity! In this story, we follow June as she goes out for the main lead in the school production of The Wiz. With June still under here fairy godmother's spell, honesty remains a requirement for June. She is constantly getting herself in tons of shenanigans and learning what the right thing to do should be in each one. She is discovering herself, her talents and growing as a young girl. The ending had me shocked - ya'll I gotta get to the next book asap!

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5441494867
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3DwqrGZ
YouTube Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CNQJYuJxRg

Book Review: Please Return to the Lands of Luxery by Jon Tilton

 

Please Return to the Lands of Luxury - Jon Tilton - 4 Stars - A fun middle grade dystopian story!

What a fun middle grade dystopian story! Great characters and a heartwarming story with life lessons for kids. 4 stars!

This story is all about a young girl, Jane, who lives in a junkyard with her friends and others. We see it as its own little world. One day, Jane finds a doll that has a note on it to return to a totally different world. She is determined to return this little doll to its rightful owner so she embarks on the quest to do so. Her 2 friends, Timothy and Rodney realize she is gone and they set out to find her. Jane finally makes it to where she can return the doll but realizes the owner is no longer there. She meets someone that helps her find the rightful owner and boy is it an adventure! This doll leads her to a couple who hasn't been able to have children of their own and they feel it's the right time to adopt and help this young girl. What happens next will keep you guessing as we follow Jane and her friends along the way.....

Really enjoyed the story as we see great themes of friendship, doing the right thing, helping others, forgiveness, bravery, and so much more in this short story. That is something I always want in a good middle grade! The world was also very interesting here. I did want a little more story at the end after everything "happened" but overall enjoyed the story and think it's perfect for kids/teens.

Thank you to the author for sending me a copy of the audiobook to honestly read and review. The narrator does a great job!

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5419186013
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3OaQ9GS
YouTube Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CNQJYuJxRg

Book Review: Castle of Refuge by Melanie Dickerson

 

Castle of Refuge - Melanie Dickerson - 4.75 to 5 Stars - I LOVED this! I truly related to our main character. An ugly duckling retelling. (Book 2 in The Dericott Tales Series)

What a SURPRISE ya'll! LOVED this so much. This is an "Ugly Duckling" retelling - book #2 in The Dericott Tales series and I thoroughly enjoyed this one! 4.75-5 stars, rounding up to 5.

"Their scars were not things to hide and be ashamed of. Their scars kept them humble, which was pleasing to God, and kept their hearts soft. And it was a bond between them that she was confident would never break."

Set in the late 14th century in England, we follow 2 sisters, Audrey and Maris. They are daughters of a viscount and their father expects Audrey to get married - specifically to Lord Edwin Dericott - but things take a turn for the worse when her older sister, Maris, purposefully causes Audrey to get scars on her face by tripping her into the fire. Maris is sent away for many years but after 4 years, she returns and her father plans to marry off Audrey to a man she doesn't want to marry.... Audrey flees her father's house in fear of Maris and his plans in search of her own destiny. When she flees, she ends up finding herself sick and in need of help. She passes out near Lord Edwin Dericott's Castle and he takes her in to help her. The story takes off here.

I really enjoyed this ya'll. I could really relate to Audrey and her scars - as I have a scar on my face from an accident as a child and felt many of the feelings she felt / went through in this story. The quote I reference at the beginning of the review - AMEN - we are not ashamed of our scars, they keep us humble and heart soft - which the Lord loves. I could relate on a personal level and it just truly impacted me on her journey. Love the faith content here and our characters. Loved seeing Audrey teaching young kids and finding her purpose.

There were some things at the end with Maris I wish could have been expanded on, but I overall loved the story, romance, setting, growth, making life changing decisions, etc. Maris was such a broken character who had personal trauma and needed help with her mental health. She blamed her sister for everything in her own life that didn't turn out as she intended and hated her for it. She needed the love of the Lord in her life and I would love to see a short story or redemption arc for her in some way as all Audrey wanted to do was be kind to her sister no matter what she did to her. I will say Melanie Dickerson sure knows how to write a villain!

Edwin and Audrey were the perfect couple. My heart<3 Loved them.

Can't wait to continue on with this series!

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4738696351
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3OcUr0x
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/265265
YouTube Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CNQJYuJxRg

Book Review: The Cracked Spine by Paige Shelton

 

The Cracked Spine - Paige Shelton - 4 to 4.5 Stars - A new favorite cozy mystery series! (Book 1 in The Scottish Bookshop Mystery Series)

I really enjoyed this Scottish Cozy Mystery! 4 to 4.5 stars. A new favorite series to dive into! Full of scottish dialect, cozy family and bookish vibes and great characters - this was an AMANDA book! We see the descriptions of Scotland so beautiful painted, it makes me really want to be there. One thing I liked about this, while the beginning is a slow start, Paige Shelton really introduces us to the characters and setting in such a unique way. I felt like we really get to know them. Loved seeing a little romance too included, that's always a must have for me in Cozy Mysteries and loved that.

This story is all about American Delaney Nichols. She answers an ad to work at The Cracked Spine Bookstore in Edinburgh, Scotland. She packs up and leaves Kansas so fast - and it's quite the journey. The bookstore is one I would LOVE to visit in real life from everything I read. The owner, Edwin MacAlister, hires her to be apart of the bookstore team with young Hamlet, Rosie and their little dog. From the moment Delaney meets her cab driver, Elisas, just the hospitality from him alone, I knew I was going to love these sweet characters who feel like home. Delaney sparks up a small romance with Tom, a handsome scotsman who works across the street from the bookstore as a bartender. The mystery kicks off when Edwin's sister Jenny is murdered and a "First Folio of Shakespeare's Plays" disappears.... His sister has a history of drugs, so they're not sure if it's a drug deal gone bad or if someone knew about the folio and killed her after stealing it.... Delaney feels instantly connected to this family, friends and city and starts to help them track down the clues to the killer.

This was such a great start to this series. Super excited to read the next one!

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5423946392
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3DekwGe
YouTube Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CNQJYuJxRg

Book Review: Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

 

Hatchet - Gary Paulsen - 5 Stars - A page turning survival story! (Book 1 in the Brian's Saga Series)

This was a favorite book of mine as a young kid and I remember why!! Such a page turning survival story! 13 year old, Brian Robeson, is flying in a small plane to meet his father, when all of a sudden his pilot has a heart attack and dies mid flight. Brian is scared to death and doesn't know what to do....he manages to get the plane down but he's alone in the Canadian wilderness and no one knows where he is....we see his journey of survival with nothing but a hatchet and his windbreaker take place. It's emotional and fast paced from the very beginning. I have to give this 5 stars just because of the level of engagement I had from the moment I picked this book up. He's also keeping a secret about his mother after his parent's divorce and he continues to relive some of that trauma.

I realize now that I LOVE survival stories!

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5346131202
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3NRH0lp
YouTube Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CNQJYuJxRg

Book Review: Autumn by the Sea by Melissa Tagg

 

Autumn by the Sea - Melissa Tagg - 4 to 4.5 Stars - So much more then your typical christian contemporary romance!

Ya'll, I really enjoyed this book! The first 50% took me a bit to get through, but that last 50% was fast paced with so many twists and turns!! This is between a 4 and 4.5 star for me. Can't wait for the second one!

This is a Christian Contemporary Romance that is so much more than just your typical romance. We have a true found family in this story that I LOVE and it really shows a beautiful process of the Lord leading our main character's Sydney and Neil to one another, and Sydney to this beautiful family, when they least expected it. (Plus, Neil is Scottish soooo SAY LESS YA'LL. I was here for it!)

We are following Maggie Muir as she is trying to find her lost granddaughter, after an accident with her daughter many years ago left her granddaughter unable to be found. The search leads her to Sydney Rose. No one knows if Sydney is who she is looking for but so many clues point to her being who Maggie is looking for.... Sydney comes to Muir Blueberry Farm (WHICH I LOVED) and meets Maggie's adoptive children/family. Neil is the only one who wasn't technically adopted, but he has been part of their family since he was a teenager. Maggie and her family have been through several different people and attempts to find her granddaughter, but something feels different this time with Sydney....

Sydney has always wondered about her family and their past. She has never truly belonged. She's excited and a bit nervous to embark on this journey. Her and Neil develop a relationship that was beautiful to see and she grows on this beautiful family in the 2 weeks she is there.

Maggie is such a strong willed woman - she has been through so much loss in her life and is just looking for answers. I loved the letters she writes to Robert, my heart....

The romance between Neil and Sydney was so precious, I really enjoyed it. They didn't start off on the right foot but they started getting to know each other very well over the 2 weeks she is there. Sydney truly finds herself belonging to the Muir Farm and Family....

The faith content was also really nice. I highlighted many passages. The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars was because the first 50% took me a bit to get into, but STILL LOVED this story and this family.

They entire family continues to search for answers and the ending was somewhat of a cliffhanger! I can't wait to dive into book 2! SO much I need to know about this family!

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5005322056
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3XT2MtF
YouTube Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CNQJYuJxRg

Book Review: Deserts, Driving & Derlicts - Tonya Kappes

 

Deserts, Driving and Derelicts - Tonya Kappes - 3.5 to 4 Stars - Always a fun time in Normal, Kentucky! (Book 2 in the Camper and Criminals Series)

Enjoyed being back in Normal, Kentucky with Mae West! 3.5-4 stars rounding up on goodreads. Always a fun and interesting time with these characters. I’m gonna continue on with the series for sure.

In this book, we are seeing Mae getting settled into her RV lifestyle as the owner of the local campground, Happy Trails. They are bringing in tourists and seeing everything come to life in the once run down campground. We love to see it! Mae agrees to help her good friend, Betts Hager, with her cleaning service by agreeing to help clean up Tammy Jo Bentley's mansion, later helping take care of Tammy Jo's prized poodle, Fifi. Things go south when they find Fifi's nanny killed in Tammy Jo's house. Suspects add up...who did it? Mae is determined to find out!

The characters in this story really make the books so much fun. I also love the southern vibes. We have a bit of a love triangle trying to come in for Mae too, but not much development there yet. Interested to see how that plays out. Mae is just trying to make Happy Trails the best campground but crazy stuff always seems to be happening. Check these out if you like fun cozy mysteries!

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5421177313
Amazon: https://amzn.to/44GawkL
YouTube Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghDr4wiLXDY

Book Review: Murder in the Mystery Suite by Ellery Adams

 

Murder in the Mystery Suite - Ellery Adams - 4 Stars - Great bookish cozy mystery with some fun characters! (Book 1 in the Book Retreat Mysteries Series)

Great cozy mystery with some fun characters! Lots of bookish references! In this story, we follow Jane Steward, who is hosting a fun Murder and Mayhem week at Storyton Hall in Virginia (which I would LOVE to be a real place!!). I loved reading about all of the fun costumes everyone dresses up in for the event. People really get into it and that's awesome! But in cozy mystery fashion, we have some drama surrounding the prized book award, one of the guests who ended up mysteriously dead in one of the rooms and some other random murders. Really enjoyed the setting, book vibes, mystery aspect and the characters. I'll be continuing on with this one!

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5058022809
Amazon: https://amzn.to/44s0O5Y
YouTube Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghDr4wiLXDY

Book Review: The Body Under the Piano - Aggie Morton Mysery Queen, Book 1 by Marthe Jocelyn

 

The Body Under the Piano - Marthe Jocelyn - 4 Stars - If you love Agatha Christie, you will love this! (Book 1 in The Aggie Morton, Mystery Queen Series)

This was SO fun!! If you love Agatha Christie, you will LOVE this! Such a great middle grade spin off! Aggie Morton lives in a small town in England during the early 1900s when she meets 12 year old Belgian immigrant Hector Perot and they discover a dead body on the floor of the Mermaid Dance Room under the piano! SOO many suspects pile up and they work to figure this mystery out!

I had a lot of fun with this and the audiobook is wonderful. Only hard thing for me is so many characters, which is the same as in Agatha Christie's mystery stories for me, but I still really enjoyed this!

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5127620311
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3pVuE3v
YouTube Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghDr4wiLXDY&t=1s

Book Review: Buried in a Good Book by Tamara Berry

 

Buried in a Good Book - Tamara Berry - 3 Stars - A cozy mystery series I didn't fully connect with. (Book 1 in the By the Book Mysteries Series)

I enjoyed this in general, but also didn't fully connect to the characters and felt some of the details surrounding the murders were a bit more gruesome for my taste for a cozy - which this may not really be a cozy mystery - but that's what I went in thinking it was. Still a good ending - didn't expect the killer at ALLLLLL! I liked all the bookish references since the main character is an author. 3 stars

This is all about best selling author, Tess Harrow. She has intertied her grandfather's cabin in the woods in Washington. She takes her 14 year old daughter Gertrude to spend the summer there at the cabin. As soon as they get there though, an explosion happens and they find fish parts and a human arm nearby.....the mystery begins....she meets a local Sherriff, Victor Bond and they work together to figure this out.

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5399866645
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3rrIU4v
YouTube Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghDr4wiLXDY

Book Review: Focused by Alyson Gerber

 

Focused - Alyson Gerber - 4.5 Stars - My younger self would have loved this. So relatable.

My younger self felt so seen reading this. I have ADHD and absolutely relate to Clea. I had and have some of the same struggles as she does and boy did this book really hit home for me thinking back to my struggles in school. Loved this. SO close to 5 stars but I didnt love seeing the romance/relationship thrown in at the end. Overall loved this though and feel like it's an excellent representation of someone with ADHD. So relatable.

This is all about Clea who is struggling with keeping up with school work and her chess team hobby/practice. Clea's thoughts are out of control, from speaking out of turn, interrupting people, getting distracted, not being able to focus, etc. These signs all point to ADHD. She's falling behind and needs help. She goes to the doctor to get evaluated and the story goes on here.

Loved seeing Clea and her family, the support was so nice, her little sister was so sweet, and the book in general was very heartwarming. I liked how the author took us through the entire process of ADHD with the testing too and how Clea's support team was going to put a plan together to work with her and help. Highly recommend.

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5343950073
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3rrIP0H
YouTube Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghDr4wiLXDY

Book Review: A Boy Called Bat - Elana K. Arnold

 

A Boy Called Bat - Elana K. Arnold - 4 Stars - Such a cute and heartwarming story! 

This was so cute! This is all about an autistic boy named Bixby Alexander Tam (nicknamed BAT) and his mom, who is a veterinarian, brings home a baby skunk one day as she needs to take care of it until she can hand him off to a wild-animal shelter. The minute Bat meets this little kit, he loves it and wants to help raise it as his pet.

I really enjoyed this story. It was a good representation of an autistic child that showcases their special interests and some of their struggles. You can see his sister struggles with his quirks but she is slowly starting to open up by the end. What I liked most about this is that it was just a story about a little boy who loves animals and learns how to go after what he wants to do and how to make friends. He does complain quite a bit but he is also a very young boy and that's typical as they learn and grow. I love that this wasn't just "about autism" but about Bat and his life with his family and at school. This book will make you smile and laugh. Very heartwarming.

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5395850467
Amazon: https://amzn.to/44omkbH
YouTube Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELA8SzwYdKM

Book Review: Pulp Friction by Julie Anne Lindsey

Pulp Friction - Julie Anne Lindsey - 4.5 Stars - LOVED being back in Blossom Valley, WV!

This is book 2 in the Cider Shop Mystery series after Apple Cider Slaying and I loved being back in Blossom Valley, WV! In this book we follow Winnie at her new cider shop as she is hosting a wedding at Smythe Orchards in June. Her ex Hank shows up and is caught in an argument with the groom to be. She sees him running off and then the groom ends up dead, hit by the honeymoon getaway car. Hank ends up being the main suspect, he's nowhere to be found and Winnie is off to find the truth! Detective Colton is back as well as he and Winnie work together to figure this new mystery out....

I had so much fun with this second book! I love the characters most of all, very easy to relate to and just enjoy her interactions with the characters. I wish we had a bit more of her Granny here and I never was fully attached to some of the suspects but overall loved this book! I did love learning more about Colton's past and I'm dying to see more of Winnie and Colton together in the next book to see what happens with that storyline from his past. Lots of action going on in this book, very well engaging story and I can't wait for the next one.

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5392938323

Amazon: https://amzn.to/44omhwx
YouTube Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELA8SzwYdKM

Book Review: The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams

 

The Cheat Sheet - Sarah Adams - 4 Stars - A cute, funny friends to lovers sports romance!

What a cute, funny friends to lovers story! I was cracking up the whole time! I thoroughly enjoyed my time with this! Sarah Adams writes such fun rom coms with engaging characters! The sports aspect was also really fun.

This is all about Bree Camden, who is in love with her best friend and NFL star, Nathan Donelson. Each one loves each other but doesn't think the other likes them back LOL - SO GOOD. They keep hiding their feelings and getting into very funny situations. Bree has her own dance studio and wants to expand it but the rent has increased....buttttt Nathan comes in and buys the entire building - HA We love to see it!! Bree isn't very thrilled about that but one night they're out and she has a few too many drinks, spills her secret love for Nathan to a TMZ reporter and her video goes viral! EVERYONE wants Nathan and Bree together so Nathan's publicist says they should pretend to be in love for 3 weeks - AHH WE LOVE A GOOD FAKE DATING TROPE LOL Story goes on from there as they start to realize their true feelings for one another.

I had the BEST time with this book, made me laugh SO many times and I just really appreciate this author writing a clean closed door story for those of us who do not want to read smut. Especially since her books are very popular in the big bookstores - SO awesome to see that!

The whole idea of the "cheat sheet" inside this story was so fun too.

Content—closed door secular romance, mention of panic attacks, some drinking, mild language

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5019881478
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3pE39M0
YouTube Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELA8SzwYdKM

Book Review: Forget Me Not by Ellie Terry

 

Forget Me Not - Ellie Terry - 2 Stars - Enjoyed learning about Tourette syndrome, but the way this was told in verse, it wasn't my favorite.

A 7th grade girl, Calliope June, has Tourette syndrome and starts at a new school She tries to hide her quirks mostly because her Mom tells her to. Her Mom is not much of a mother to her - she leaves her alone, is always finding a new boyfriend and is moving her from place to place all the time. Her Dad passed away so it's just Calli and her Mom. At this new school, she makes a new friend and potential love interest, but he is afraid to embrace their friendship in front of everyone....

I am having a hard time fully understanding this book. Maybe because it's told in verse (poetry style) I must be missing something because the ending of this book was just....bad. Our main girl struggles with not having a present mom, being bullied at school, not being able to be who she truly is with her TS, etc. I liked seeing her point of view with TS and learned a lot about TS. However, the scenes and details with her mom were so sad. Mostly, this book was so depressing - yes it was realistic in many ways - but I didn't get the feel good ending I was looking for as we usually get in a middle grade. The connection just wasn't there. The ending frustrated me. Yes we got to see her embrace who she was but the way this ended -without spoiling it- was not what I hoped. It was too centered about her mom. It just feels unfinished.

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5343953382
Amazon: https://amzn.to/44NC1Jj
YouTube Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELA8SzwYdKM

Book Review: A Kind of Spark by Elle McNicoll

 

A Kind of Spark - Elle McNicoll - 5 Stars - So many adults should read this book!

THIS BOOK MADE ME CRY YA'LL. 5 stars. A middle grade book about an young 11 year old autistic girl - Addie - who lives in a small town in Scotland near Edinburgh. She learns about innocent women who lost their lives during the witch trials centuries ago and she sets out to honor those falsely accused so long ago. But not everyone wants her to do this... Addie's sister, Kaddie - is also autistic and is in college and helps her along the way. Addie goes through so much in this book. SO MANY ADULTS SHOULD READ THIS! It truly gives you the perspective of an autistic child. The importance of understanding sensory overload and overstimulation.

Addie: "While you may be neurotypical and I'm autistic, I promise. We are more alike than we are different."

This poor girl went through so much in school and it shows just how important it is that we support children with special needs and those that are different / neurodivergent. This teacher in this story, Miss Murphy, is a terrible person and teacher. I am SO thankful for the teachers my autistic son has today in his Pre-K class. This book also makes you think of how appreciative we, as parents, are for the good teachers we do have.

Highly recommend this book. So glad my friend told me about it!

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5343578328
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3pLjH4w
YouTube Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELA8SzwYdKM

Book Review: Honest June by Tina Wells

 

Honest June - Tina Wells - 5 Stars - A precious story about a young 11 year old girl named June!

Y’all what a precious story about a young 11 year old girl - June. She just wants to make everyone else happy, but struggles with telling the truth…she learns just how important it can be to tell the truth. She’s visited by her fairy godmother, Victoria, who puts her under this spell where she can’t lie- if she does, she will basically start sneezing uncontrollably! So she starts to learn all about why it’s important to be honest and not hold everything inside. Very important message here. I truly related to her, especially my inner child, because I am always such a people pleaser. Can’t wait to read more about June! Sweet middle grade story!

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5353113803
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3NRrjuj
YouTube Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELA8SzwYdKM