Bookworm Reads 2021 Part 7

City of Shattered Light by Claire Winn - ​I loved the concept of this story, the world building and most of the characters but the plot also fell a little flat and became predictable. Asa and Riven are great foils to each other but the overall recklessness of Riven made it hard to really want to see any ending other than the one provided. Hopefully the sequel will answer more questions and also give us more to guess. ⭐️⭐️⭐️📚

Call Me Athena: Girl from Detroit by Colby Cedar Smith - The writing of this book is beautiful. The poetry angle is refreshing and full of feeling. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the different couples and the dynamics between them and their families and how they intertwine. I absolutely loved reading it ​⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️📚

The Places We Sleep by Caroline Brooks DuBois ​Gorgeous poetry writing about the tragedy of 9/11 and the roller coaster of emotions of having an Army dad while also not wanting violence. All while being a girl in middle school growing into womanhood. Triggers include grief, trauma, bullying ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️📚

Never Say Never by Justine Manzano - ​Super cute fast read! Aphrodite is banished to earth for the events of Troy and hundreds of years later falls into Brynn’s life and is determined to make her believe in love again. Brynn wants nothing to do with love seeing as her own parents aren't in love anymore, it’s all just magic that doesn’t exist so why bother? ​⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️📚

Once Upon a Royal Summer by Terri Wilson, narrated by Brittany Pressley - ​Cute little rom com and a perfect Hallmark traditional story. Fake princess, real prince, a vacation that changes them both and love is in the air! Loved the narrator and it was a good light and quick listen! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️📚

Hexing the Ex by Susanna Shore - ​Way cute little read about a girl getting accidentally cursed by her boss's ex-wife and the shenanigans of that. Witty writing and fun new characters and a house of magic make it an enchanting novel and I'm excited to read the sequel! ​⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️📚

Reasons for Avoiding Friends by Megan Leavell - ​I love the relationship between Gwen and Iris. It's clear how much they still care for each other even after years of no contact. This story speaks to the true friendships people have, and it also speaks to the ridiculous pressure women are under in our society to be a specific way. Iris is struggling with keeping her husband happy and has a drinking problem, whereas Gwen is a homemaker who's husband is now unemployed and there's 3 kids to feed and take care of. Both women are refusing to open up about their problems when they truly need a friend to help them get through these dark times. Finally they talk and can be each other's support. I enjoyed their relationship and the proof that friends can make it through anything together. ​⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️📚

​All the Blues Come Through by Metra Farrari - Ryan has finally found a way to battle the CO2 levels polluting the earth! Her seemingly magical Weeping Diana’s are the only way for humans to breathe clean air - the problem? She’s the ONLY one that can get them to grow! Frustrated by the media playing her out as a cheapskate and by the disappointment of no other scientist being able to duplicate her process she is THRILLED when a postcard comes to her filled with pictures of her flowers! A mysterious island full of people that dress differently than she does and she can’t quite put her finger on what’s different about them……..but there IS something possibly magical going on here. Really good story and writing, I’m looking forward to a sequel! ​⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️📚