The Female of the Species by Mindy McGinnis

The Female of the Species by Mindy McGinnis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I so so loved the 3 main characters as they are nearing the end of high school in a small stifling town offering no prospects- 4.0 student Alex Craft is really the focal point - her sister was viciously murdered and it changed Alex- Alex is the quiet girl who rights wrongs but uses violence. As she works in a shelter with Claire AKA Peekay (Preacher's kid), both girls learn the true meaning of friendship and trust with each other and it changes their life. Also involved is Jack Fisher who helped look for Alex's sister the night she was found. Popular, athletic, smart Jack Fisher hasn't been able to stop thinking of Alex that night when Anna was discovered. Fate has jumped in and Jack wants to know Alex in every possible way. These 3 teens will explore the hazards of senior year and along the way find love, belonging, and the protection of friends. I so did not like the end !!! But Mindy McGinnis wrote a can't put it down book about the fierceness of girls (the positives & negatives) the sex obsessed, drinking guys and the compulsion of one lone girl to turn from violent retribution to living life that showed "other paths and other people." I will not soon forget Alex Craft and the two friends who mean so much to her - Jack and Claire. A must read!

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The Heart of Darkness (Remnant Chronicles #3) by Mary Pearson

The Beauty of Darkness by Mary E. Pearson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The final book in The Remnant Chronicle series is over and I am happy (such a GREAT series), devastated (I will miss the characters & narrators) and I still want more of Lia and Rafe! The narration by Emily Rankin, Ann Marie Lee, Ryan Gesell, Kirby Heyborne, Kim Mai was superb! The voices of Caden, Lia, Pauline, Rafe and the mystical gods foretelling the future just made the book that much better and this book was superb! I found my self listening all the time and then waking up thinking about all the drama, the continued machinations of the evil Vendan Comisar and all the betrayals these different characters had to suffer but work together to forge forward to unite against evil that was so deeply ingrained in a kingdom. But Lia, Rafe, Caden and Pauline do not disappoint as strong protagonists!!! A Highly recommended & favorite series & glad I could not get to it as each book was published- it was awesome jumping from Kiss of Deception to The Heart of Betrayal and finally The Beauty of Darkness!!!

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A Tragic Kind of Wonderful by Eric Lindstrom

A Tragic Kind of Wonderful by Eric Lindstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley, and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for the ARC A Tragic Kind of Wonderful by Eric Lindstrom. I really enjoyed debut author, Eric Lindstrom’s first book, Not If I See You First and his second book nails the fear and anxiety one teen, Mel Hannigan suffers as a result of being diagnosed and living with bipolar disorder. Her aunt has it, her brother “had” it and Mel does not want her friends or the world to know about her mental illness as she grapples with memories, taking meds, and dealing with highs and lows that are bipolar disorder. Lindstrom paints an authentic portrait of a teen haunted by secrets. Mel loves working at The Silver Sands Suites, she caters to each senior lovingly and I especially liked her friendship with retired psychiatrist and resident, Dr. Jordan. He is not Mel’s real doctor, except she sees him as “her real doctor.” It is through this friendship/relationship the reader really learns about bipolar disorder through their conversations – since Mel is busy hiding it from everyone but her family. As she navigates her world of high school, the retirement home, and doctor appointments the reader sees Mel as this normal, sincere girl who has suffered and does not want anyone to know about it. Everyone loves her but doesn’t know the real Mel Hannigan. What if they find out? Will they still like her and want to be her friend? This is a must read about teens, mental illness, and the fears of hiding your true self. Mel Hannigan is someone we all need to know, highly recommended!

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The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill

The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Loved the world building, characters, and skill of Kelly Barnhill's sumptuous fantasy feast. Luna is a baby when she is inadvertently fed moonlight by friendly witch Xan. So rather than have another family raise her Xan, a swamp monster, Glerk and tiny dragon, Fyrian all lovingly tend to Luna as she grows. For luscious middle grade read, you will not get much better. An excellent fairy tale for all!

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The Love that Split the World by Emily Henry

The Love That Split the World by Emily Henry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time travel, love, two different worlds are what senior Natalie Cleary deals with as she loses a boyfriend, gains a one true love, and struggles to make sense of her worlds colliding. I loved Natalie and Beau's story and you will too!

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The Love That Split the World by Emily Henry

The Love That Split the World by Emily Henry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time travel, love, two different worlds are what senior Natalie Cleary deals with as she loses a boyfriend, gains a one true love, and struggles to make sense of her worlds colliding. I loved Natalie and Beau's story and you will too!

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The Kiss of Deception (Remnant Chronicles 1) by Mary Pearson

The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved the narration of this audiobook by Emily Rankin, Ann Marie Lee, Ryan Gesell, Kirby Heyborne, Kim Mai were stellar. Guest Book One of the Remnant Chronicles, The Kiss of Deception, tell the story of a princess who bolts on the day of her wedding to freedom from an unwanted marriage, to a new life as a bar maid. In this new town with her best friend, Pauline, Lia beings a new life all the while unaware she has been followed by an assassin and her jilted prince. Oh the deception, it was delicious. A must read! I can't wait to listen to Book 2.

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