Gah, another group of May books that hit it out of the park! Legit enjoyed all of these, and I hope you will too!
How to Live Without You by Sarah Everett
Twin Crowns by Catherine Doyle & Katherine Webber
Just Like Mother by Anne Heltzel
Gideon Green in Black and White by Katie Henry
This Is Not the Real World by Anna Carey
See You Yesterday by Rachel Lynn Solomon
How to Live Without You by Sarah Everett
Published by Clarion Books on May 17, 2022
Pages: 400
Format:eARC
Source:Copy provided by publisher for review, via Netgalley 
In this heart-wrenching coming-of-age story about family, grief, and second chances, seventeen-year-old Emmy returns home for the summer to uncover the truth behind her sister Rose's disappearance--only to learn that Rose had many secrets, ones that have Emmy questioning herself and the sister Emmy thought she knew.
When her sister Rose disappeared, seventeen-year-old Emmy lost a part of herself. Everyone else seems convinced she ran away and will reappear when she's ready, but Emmy isn't so sure. That doesn't make sense for the Rose she knew: effervescent, caring, and strong-willed. So Emmy returns to their Ohio hometown for a summer, determined to uncover clues that can lead her back to Rose once and for all.
But what Emmy finds is a string of secrets and lies that she never thought possible, casting the person she thought she knew best in a whole new light. Reeling with confusion, Emmy decides to step into Rose's life. She reconnects with their childhood best friend and follows in Rose's last known footsteps with heart-wrenching consequences.
An honest and intimate look at sisterhood and the dark side of growing up, Sarah Everett's latest novel is a stunning portrayal of how you can never truly know the ones you love.
After falling wholly in love with Sarah Everett’s Some Other Now last year, I knew I needed How To Live Without You in my life. Turns out, I was right. And I do love being right. In this lovely book, we meet Emmy, whose sister has been missing. Emmy’s family has of course tried to locate Rose, but the majority seem to think that Rose left of her own volition and will turn back up. Emmy has doubts, big doubts, so she returns to her dad’s where Rose was living to search for answers.
What she finds is not Rose, but the ghosts of her childhood. And wow, it is hard to go back. It reminds her of when her family was all together, and she knows that no matter whether she finds Rose, she’ll never be in that situation again. During her search for clues, she reconnects with their childhood best friend, who she has a very complicated relationship with now.
As Emmy’s search for Rose gets more intense, she finds out a great many things she never knew about Rose. That in itself is hard to come to terms with, because Emmy thought that she and Rose were incredibly close. Obviously, Rose has always loved Emmy, but the fact that she was able to hide so many facets of her life from Emmy is a gut punch. But as the story continues, one thing becomes abundantly clear: this journey is going to be about Emmy finding her own self far more than her locating Rose.
The book tackles a lot of issues surrounding mental illness, so please use caution if this subject matter is triggering to you. I thought that the author handled the sensitive subjects very well, too. I also loved that Emmy had to come to terms with the fact that she can’t ever fully know someone else, even someone she loves more than anything. And the only person she has any control over, is herself. There were a lot of wonderful messages wrapped into this book, and I loved the focus on family dynamics and relationships throughout. And yes, there is a bit of romance to boot!
Bottom Line: Another emotional hit with a lot of important topics and wonderful characters from Sarah Everett!
Twin Crowns by Catherine Doyle, Katherine Webber
Series: Twin Crowns #1
Published by Balzer + Bray on May 17, 2022
Pages: 480
Format:eARC
Source:Copy provided by publisher for review, via Edelweiss, via Netgalley
A high-stakes fantasy rom-com about twin princesses separated at birth—one raised as the crown princess, and the other taken as an infant and raised to kidnap her sister, steal the crown, and avenge the parents' murders.
Wren Greenrock has always known that one day she would steal her sister’s place in the palace. Trained from birth to return to the place of her parents’ murder and usurp the only survivor, she will do anything to rise to power and protect the community of witches she loves. Or she would, if only a certain palace guard wasn’t quite so distractingly attractive, and if her reckless magic didn’t have a habit of causing trouble…
Princess Rose Valhart knows that with power comes responsibility. Marriage into a brutal kingdom awaits, and she will not let a small matter like waking up in the middle of the desert in the company of an extremely impertinent (and handsome) kidnapper get in the way of her royal duty. But life outside the palace walls is wilder and more beautiful than she ever imagined, and the witches she has long feared might turn out to be the family she never knew she was missing.
Two sisters separated at birth and raised into entirely different worlds are about to get to know each other’s lives a whole lot better. But as coronation day looms closer and they each strive to claim their birthright, the sinister Kingsbreath, Willem Rathborne, becomes increasingly determined that neither will succeed. Who will ultimately rise to power and wear the crown?
Twin Crowns was such a delightful fantasy that I absolutely devoured. It’s fun (and funny), but also a really great fantasy story. And look, perhaps it isn’t particularly groundbreaking, but I enjoyed it, I was thoroughly entertained, and frankly, that is all that matters. Especially to me.
I loved the characters, and found them to be really well-developed, even the more minor characters. Wren and Rose were separated at birth, Rose not even knowing that she had a sister until after she’s been kidnapped. Wren, however, has always known that her role is to take Rose’s place as queen. Both girls are absolutely delightful, in their own, very different ways. And I also loved their romantic interests, too. I won’t say too much about that, because it’s more fun to figure out who is in love with who on your own, yeah?
There’s magic, a wonderful coven of witches waiting for their chance to return to the world, and a lot of antics that will really endear you to both Wren and Rose. And really, the story is just plain entertaining. I flew through it, definitely invested in Wren and Rose’s stories, as well as their relationships. Sure, some things were predictable, but it didn’t particularly bother me while reading.
I absolutely look forward to reading the next installment of this series, which was both great fun and super easy to read!
Bottom Line: It’s fun, it’s swoony, and it’s just plain delightful!
Just Like Mother by Anne Heltzel
Published by Nightfire on May 17, 2022
Pages: 320
Format:eARC
Source:Copy provided by publisher for review, via Netgalley
A girl would be such a blessing...
The last time Maeve saw her cousin was the night she escaped the cult they were raised in. For the past two decades, Maeve has worked hard to build a normal life in New York City, where she keeps everything—and everyone—at a safe distance.
When Andrea suddenly reappears, Maeve regains the only true friend she’s ever had. Soon she’s spending more time at Andrea’s remote Catskills estate than in her own cramped apartment. Maeve doesn’t even mind that her cousin’s wealthy work friends clearly disapprove of her single lifestyle. After all, Andrea has made her fortune in the fertility industry—baby fever comes with the territory.
The more Maeve immerses herself in Andrea’s world, the more disconnected she feels from her life back in the city; and the cousins’ increasing attachment triggers memories Maeve has fought hard to bury. But confronting the terrors of her childhood may be the only way for Maeve to transcend the nightmare still to come…
Ah, cults. So deliciously creepy, and such great fodder for a thriller story! Maeve and her cousin Andrea escaped the cult in question as kids, and as such were separated, and urged never to ask questions about what went down in their lives before. While Maeve did seek out answers, she also didn’t want to upset her new family, so she let it go. Well, as she’s come into adulthood, she finds herself unable to forget the past completely, and lucky (or unlucky) for her, DNA sites are easy to use. She and Andrea reconnect immediately, and she is thrilled to have her cousin back in her life.
Andrea has done really well for herself, and lives in a creepyass perfectly lovely old mansion in upstate New York with her husband. After some very unfortunate events befall Maeve, her cousin convinces her to stay on a more full time basis. The more Maeve gets pulled into Andrea’s life- and her friend circle’s belief that a woman cannot be fulfilled without children- the more she notices that everything is not really what it seems.
I didn’t fully connect to Maeve, honestly, but I felt sympathetic toward her which was good enough for this sort of novel. Obviously, the reader can tell that something is amiss with Andrea and company from early-ish, but exactly what is not clear at first. I was able to figure out some of the twists before Maeve, but it was still exciting wondering whether Maeve herself would figure things out in time.
The second half of the book especially is very thrilling, with a lot of excitement and twists. The first half is more of a set up for what is to come, and I suppose the psychology behind why Maeve doesn’t run for the hills at the very first signs of shadiness. The end is fairly satisfying, and while I wasn’t sure whether I loved it, hated it, or both, it certainly was well crafted. I would have perhaps liked a little more backstory about the cult itself, but it’s definitely a messed up one, which I loved!
Bottom Line: Certainly delivered on levels of messed up, just as the creepy disembodied baby head cover promises!
Gideon Green in Black and White by Katie Henry
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on May 17, 2022
Pages: 384
Format:eARC
Source:Copy provided by publisher for review, via Edelweiss, via Netgalley
Gideon's short-lived run as a locally-famous boy detective ended when middle school started, and everyone else--including his best friend, Lily--moved on while Gideon kept holding on to his trench coat, fedora, and his treasured film noir collection. Now, he's sixteen and officially retired. That is, until Lily shows up suddenly at Gideon's door, needing his help.
He might be mad at her for cutting him off with no explanation, but Gideon can't turn down a case. As a cover, Gideon joins Lily on the school paper. Surprisingly, he finds himself warming up to the welcoming, close-knit staff . . . especially Tess, the cute, witty editor-in-chief.
But as the case gets bigger than Gideon or Lily could have anticipated, Gideon must balance his black-and-white quest for the truth with the full colours of real-life--or risk a permanent fade to black.
Katie Henry has become a really solid go-to author for me, so I was super excited to see that she had a new book coming out! Gideon Green was wonderfully unique, and I found Gideon himself to be a truly one-of-a-kind character whose story I found myself really enjoying.
Gideon is…. he’s not your typical teenage boy. He’s high key obsessed with old noir movies from the ’30s and ’40s, he wears a trench coat, and he’s pretty cool with being alone pretty much always. In an interesting turn of events, his former best friend Lily asks him for help, which he finds himself agreeing to. In doing so, he has to join the school paper. This not only appeases Lily, but Gideon’s dad who has insisted he find something to do other than sitting in his room watching century old movies.
Gideon fancies himself a bit of a detective, like those he spends his time watching. He even had solved a case as a kid. Thing is, Gideon is really smart, and a great detective… but he isn’t so great at knowing when to shut up or slow down. So, as you can imagine, things won’t exactly go smoothly in this case, either. The case, for me personally, took a backstage to Gideon’s personal story. I loved Gideon getting out and rekindling friendships and making new ones, seeing him giving the school paper his all. I also loved Gideon’s relationship with his father, and how both men were trying so hard to navigate their bond. It was clear that they loved each other deeply, they just didn’t know how to do it for a while. The development of that relationship was kind of perfect.
I also loved Gideon finally figuring out more about himself. He wallowed, for a really long time, about some embarrassing situations years ago. Instead of facing them, he retreated into himself, and I think Lily bringing him into the school paper was the best thing that ever happened to him. Sure, he made some mistakes. Okay fine, he made loads of mistakes. But as the story went along, Gideon’s motivations became more altruistic, and he really learned and grew as a person, gaining a much better understanding of who he is and how he treats the people around him.
And while the book tackled some more serious issues (and some crime), it was so very funny and clever, that I really enjoyed reading the story, even if I wasn’t quite as invested on the outcome of the investigation. I was wholly invested in Gideon.
Bottom Line: Gideon Green definitely delivered with the author’s usual blend of unique subject matter combined with really heartfelt characters and a ton of humor.
This Is Not the Real World by Anna Carey
Series: This Is Not the Jess Show #2
Published by Quirk Books on May 24, 2022
Pages: 304
Format:ARC, eARC, Hardcover
Source:Copy provided by publisher for review, via Netgalley
In the explosive, thrilling sequel to This Is Not the Jess Show, 18-year-old Jess is out for revenge as she confronts the corrupt media empire that documented every moment of her childhood.
Finally free of Swickley and a life that was broadcast to the whole world on Stuck in the 90's, Jess is doing her best to adjust to existence on the outside–but she can't outrun her past forever.
Like-Life Productions has tracked down Jess and her boyfriend, Kipps, and forced Kipps to come back to set for the rest of his contract. Determined to rescue Kipps and exact revenge on Like-Life Productions for what they did to her, Jess teams up with a reporter who's investigating the seedy underbelly of the TV production company–including a series of suspicious disappearances. Jess agrees to return to set under the guise of missing her friends, family, and old life. Then she can take them down from the inside.
Jess must play along in order to gain the power she needs to expose the truth–but fact and fiction blur as Jess struggles to stay one step ahead of Like-Life Productions. How far will she go to maintain control of the narrative, and what will it cost her?
Packed with twists that race toward a shocking ending, this second book will keep you guessing.
After really loving This Is Not the Jess Show, I was super excited to get to the sequel to find out what the heck will happen to Jess next. Now- if you have not read Jess Show, you should just… leave and go do that. Because inevitably, this will contain some form of spoiler for the first book. It’s simply impossible to discuss this one at all without at least some spoiler territory for Book 1. So off you go.
Just kidding, never leave me.
Okay, so. If you have read the first book, we pick up not too long after Jess has escaped, fully into 2037, where she has to kind of learn how the heck the world works now. It’s pretty interesting in that respect, because imagine the internet barely exists one day, and the next, you literally have access to the world on your phone. Obviously it’s even a little more technologically advanced than we are now, since it is 15 years in the future. I definitely enjoyed that aspect of the story, Jess learning to live in the actual world.
Still, the producers of the show don’t care much about what Jess wants. They want their show to make money, and fans want to see Jess back. To see the fallout from her knowing that she was lied to and betrayed her whole life, that she never even knew what millennium she was living in. Kipps is still 17, so he ends up being forced back to the set. And sure Jess could let him go it alone, but she’s not about that. Plus, there have been some mysterious staff disappearances, and the group trying to find out what is going on could benefit greatly by having Jess as an inside man. So, back she goes.
The production lady high key reminded me of Dr. Crazyflakes (thanks Beth for inventing her perfect name) from The Wilds. Cares zero percent about kids’ lives, as long as she is reaching her endgame. Making bank here is just like Dr. C insisting she has a great study that will make her famous. In Jess’s world, Chrysalis is going to do whatever it takes to make sure her production succeeds- no matter who gets hurt (or goes “missing”) in the process. Jess now has to not only be a spy, finding out as much info as she can, but she is forced to come face to face with all the people she had trusted her whole life. Her parents, her “best friends”, literally every person she has known forever, and who has lied to and deceived her, are now back in her daily life.
While I enjoyed Jess dealing with these folks, I had a hard time remembering who some of them were from the first book. Especially because who they really were was obviously not who they’d been pretending to be, so it was often hard to keep everyone straight. But I did like the impact that these people had on Jess.
I also wished the ending had been a little more fleshed out, as I felt there were a few threads that could have been tied up better. But overall, it was an exciting conclusion to a really solid and unique duology, one that I would definitely recommend!
Bottom Line: Love Jess and her story in every millennium, frankly.
See You Yesterday by Rachel Lynn Solomon
on May 17, 2022
Pages: 432
Format:eARC
Source:Copy provided by publisher for review, via Netgalley
Barrett Bloom is hoping college will be a fresh start after a messy high school experience. But when school begins on September 21st, everything goes wrong. She’s humiliated by the know-it-all in her physics class, she botches her interview for the college paper, and at a party that night, she accidentally sets a frat on fire. She panics and flees, and when she realizes her roommate locked her out of their dorm, she falls asleep in the common room.
The next morning, Barrett’s perplexed to find herself back in her dorm room bed, no longer smelling of ashes and crushed dreams. It’s September 21st. Again. And after a confrontation with Miles, the guy from Physics 101, she learns she’s not alone—he’s been trapped for months.
When her attempts to fix her timeline fail, she agrees to work with Miles to find a way out. Soon they’re exploring the mysterious underbelly of the university and going on wild, romantic adventures. As they start falling for each other, they face the universe’s biggest unanswered question yet: what happens to their relationship if they finally make it to tomorrow?
Just when I think that Rachel Lynn Solomon cannot possibly outdo herself… she adds time loops. See You Yesterday has all the wonderful aspects of the usual RLS fare: incredible characters that you immediately fall in love with, a wonderful story that pulls you in, a great swoony romance, and a ton of humor and heart. You can literally never go wrong. But then! Then, we get a story with time loops. I love time loops! And I love them even more when added to all the aforementioned awesomeness.
I also love a “beginning of college” story, because I feel like that is such a tumultuous time in a person’s life, and there frankly are not enough books about it. And as always, Barrett is just so, so relatable. She is just such a well-developed and enjoyable character, that you cannot help but root for her. And obviously, her relationship with Miles is fun.
Honestly, I could drone on and on about why I loved this book so much, but you should just read it at this point. It offers:
✓ Incredibly likable and realistic characters, well developed and perfectly imperfect.
✓ Great family dynamics, especially in terms of the changes that undergo familial relationships when moving out.
✓ A romance that will one million percent give you feels.
✓ A very entertaining plot point of the time loop, including the characters’ filling days with a mix of fun and poignant shenanigans, and of course wondering when -or if- the loop will end.
✓ Characters navigating being away from home and starting over in college, figuring out what that entails and growing as a person.
✓ Tons of humor and heart, as always.
Bottom Line: I dare say this is Rachel Lynn Solomon’s best work to date- and that is saying a lot, since they are all spectacular.
Have you read any of these books? Plan to? Let us chat about them!
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