Torn (A Wicked Trilogy, #2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Torn by Jennifer L. Armentrout
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a tough read as narrator, Amy Landon continues her stellar narration of Ivy's plight as halfling, her romance with Ren, and the Prince's horror filled punishing of Ivy. I can't wait to finish this series. Ivy is suffering as a prisoner of the Prince with daily torment. An awesome audiobook!

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Alone by Megan E. Freeman

Alone by Megan E. Freeman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this middle grade novel in verse about a 12 year old girl who is caught alone when she lies to her family. Maddie plans a sleepover with girlfriends and when they can't come, Maddie is left by herself at her grandparents cabin when everyone (her family, friends, community) disappears during an evacuation due to "imminent threat" and as time slips by Maddie and a neighbor's dog, George, try to survive in a new world with no people, no food, and many times no hope. I could not stop turning the pages, hoping for Maddie and George to survive and hopefully make their way back to family.

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Dirty Little Secret (Forbidden Desires, #1) by Kendall Ryan

Dirty Little Secret by Kendall Ryan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this first in the Forbidden Desires, the chemistry between Emma and Gavin was tense and oh so good. Gavin and his two brothers own the Forbidden Desires company which is NOT what the title implies. The brothers have a large interest in keeping women safe and as librarian Emma falls for middle brother Gavin, in a coffee shop, their futures collide. I kept turning the pages and already have the 2nd book in the series!

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In Her Tracks (Tracy Crosswhite, #8) by Robert Dugoni

In Her Tracks by Robert Dugoni
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this 8th book in the Tracy Crosswhite series; Tracy is returning to work but finds her nemesis boss has taken her beloved job in Violent Crimes and given it to someone else. Instead she must take the Cold Case job since the one investigator is retiring. Moving at a fast pace; Dugoni does it again with psychological suspense as Tracy works 3 cold cases and one violent crime case. I could not stop turning the pages as Tracy tries to find a small child who disappeared in a Halloween patch 5 years ago and 2 prostitutes who mysteriously disappeared without a trace. Kins, her 0ld partner, pulls her into the missing person, Stephanie Cole, a jogger who disappears on a running trail. I have read and continue to love every single Dugoni book; this one was exciting, sad, and rip roaring fast; a must read!

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Wicked (A Wicked Trilogy, #1) by Jennifer l. Armentrout

Wicked by Jennifer L. Armentrout
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a new adult series featuring 22 yr old Ivy Morgan who is a college student by day and a member of the Order who hunts fae by night. Ivy had something awful happen years ago to her boyfriend and parents and as a result she does not let anyone in who she might care for. I loved her sceret little friend, the brownie Tink. Awesomely narrated by Amy Landon, her voices were the BEST! I liked Ivy but she annoyed me with her whining and she is angry and too tough most of the time (for me). I loved Ren and fingers crossed for Ivy and Ren as a team because they are lots of smoldering chemistry. As Ivy becomes more entangled in Ren and she learns there is a whole lot more going on in the Order, she begins to question many things in her life with the order. Taut, mesmerizing, I could not stop listening to this fantasy!

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If I Tell You the Truth by Jasmin Kaur

If I Tell You the Truth by Jasmin Kaur
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, I loved Kiran and Sahaara's voices as they relate their stories in prose, poetry and illustrations! The author, Jasmin Kaur weaves an all to real plot about being undocumented, sexual assault, fear, and deep seated anxiety. Kiran is Sahaara's mom, an undocumented immigrant. She never speaks of what happened to her daughter, but the reader knows Kiran was raped, thrown away by her mother who labels her a liar, and arrives in Canada to begin college. Staying with her aunt, Kiran reveals to her mother and aunt, she is pregnant. Her aunt will not help her and go against the Punjabi family rules and Kiran's awful mother does not believe her and blames her. Kiran wants to keep the baby and her mother orders her to get an abortion. Kiran wants something of her own, not to be judged as less than and with this in mind, Kiran confides in her friend, Joti, and Joti and her mother take her in where she lives in a real family (that she has never known) of strong, loving women and Sahaara has a best friend in Jeevan and a love of art as the best way to express herself. I ached as I read the lives of this mother and daughter; so many mysteries, secrets, and questions silenced. I could not put this deep examination of what it is to be a woman who does not matter in a man's world that includes lies. I loved being a part of Kiran and Sahaara's journeys and urge adults as well as young adults to read this story. Highly recommended!

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Nubia Real One by L.L. McKinney ill by Robyn Smith

Nubia: Real One by L.L. McKinney
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Nubia's life has certainly been different and most certainly challenging when her mothers keep telling her to keep her head down so she doesn't call attention to herself and stay safe. Nubia has been different since she was a child and what the author and illustrator do is give the reader a kick ass story about family, friendship, helping others, racism, and finding out who you are. I loved Nubia, her friends, and family!

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