The Dangerous One (Osborn Brothers #1) by Lori Foster

The Dangerous One by Lori Foster
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I could not put this new book in a series down; Foster introduces the reader to Hunter Osborn & Jodi Bentley but we also are re-acquainted with the MCKENZIE family from another great Foster series,
McKenzies of Ridge Trail! Their first meeting sizzles and the mystery, chemistry, and yearning between the two "neighbors" was palpable! I loved Hunter's dog, while Jodi is a take no prisoners strong woman, she is a goner for this rescued basset hound. Pick this book up now, readers will love this new hot romance!

View all my reviews

My Life in the Fish Tank by Barbara Dee

My Life in the Fish Tank by Barbara Dee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book as part of the 2nd #BitAboutBooks Winter Reading Challenge, Book by Same Author. Zinny is a happy 12 yr old with a large family and friends and a love of science. Life suddenly stops and takes an abnormal turn when her beloved oldest brother, Gabriel, has a car accident and is diagnosed with bipolar disorder, while a freshman in college. Trying to grasp what is happening, their devastated parents tell Zinny, Scarlet, and Aiden to keep Gabriel's condition private without really explaining what that means. As her concerned friends try to comfort her, Zinny will not tell them anything about Gabriel, staying true to her parents wishes. Zinny begins going to her science teacher's classroom at lunch because she loves science and wants to dodge her friends' judgments. What I liked about this book is that Dee explores all the aspects of family dynamics, mental illness, Zinny's confusion, parent and teacher concern in a way that feels vital to the characters and the larger story. The closure of the story was positive and I was so happy with Zinny's journey. This was a stunning and inspiring novel, students will be sharing and talking about this book! Highly recommended!

View all my reviews

Bruja Born by Zoraida Cordova

Bruja Born by Zoraida Córdova
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this awesome 2nd book in the Brooklyn Brujas series for my empowering female twitter chat with #yearofya to be held on 9/6 at 8PM EST, please join us as we talk titles that feature females in the lead, girls supporting each other or overcoming the many challenges young women face and oh was this book perfect as sisters Lula, Alex and Rose struggle mightily. Lula uses her magic to bring back her boyfriend, Maks, after a bus crash that kills everyone but her. But is that really what happens? As Lula finds Maks and keeps him close, other more sinister things are afoot- why does Lady de la Muerte say Lula has upset the balance? Why does her heart hurt and the magic her family used to heal her not seem to be working? Why does Maks break up with her before the crash telling her "You're not the same person I fell in love with. It's like your fire is gone." Bruja Born was even better than Labyrinth Lost, the female power was strong, wicked, and to know them is to love them.
I loved the relationship between Lula and her sisters as brujas, they fight, they shout, they stick together. Readers will love the addition of the Thorne Hill Alliance and The Knights of Lavant; Nova is back, Lula's Dad has more time but there is still uncertainty about him, and Rose really will surprise everyone! I could not stop turning the pages of this urban fantasy; so looking forward to the 3rd book in this spectacular series (reminds me so much of another series I love-Daniel Jose Older's ShadowShaper series!!!)

View all my reviews

Hero at the Fall (Rebel of the Sands #3) by Alwyn Hamilton

Hero at the Fall by Alwyn Hamilton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved Amani's development throughout the series; but Book 3, for me, saw her really selfless-caring and torn up about so many of her decisions, losing friends (and family) in the fighting, and her growing love for Jin, which she keeps subverting because she must get Ahmed on the throne--- and the awful, twisted Sultan off the throne (oh is he one character I have hated- he has done so much harm to his family, his subjects, really to anyone!!!) like yesterday. There was so much suffering in this third book, but I saw so much cooperation among Amani and her compadres (but Amani still keeps too many secrets...) I could not stop turning the pages, this is definitely one of my favorite series! I loved how Amani loved the desert, how Tamid loved his home enough to return to it, Amani meeting her brother Noorsham again, ghouls, Djinni and magic, Leyla the back stabbing daughter of the Sultan, and always the question, who will survive the rebellion. There were many stories about Amani, the princes, etc., will these stories survive or will they become legend in the telling?

View all my reviews

If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo

If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG what a beautiful story! I loved the character of Amanda Hardy; how she related to her friends, family and Grant. As she moved through her life, from present, then back into the past, I wanted so much for her- and as she made friends, grew close to Grant, and navigated a new relationship with her father (she was born, Andrew) I rooted for her to succeed in finding happiness as a transgender teen in a new life that was honest. But Amanda could not stop remembering her past, the bullying, and the judging- will this help Amanda succeed or fail? As her life in a new school and now living with her dad moves forward, I wanted the best of all things for Amanda, will that be what she gets? A mesmerizing read that is honest, raw, and educational (I learned so much about her medical process)--- teens will want to read this brave book! I especially liked the author's A Note From the Author and her acknowledgments at the end. I am looking forward to more books from Meredith Russo- she has much to impart to teen readers, parents, guidance counselors, nurses, teachers and readers.

View all my reviews