About This Book:
A girl risks everything to find her former best friend in this powerful debut mystery about trauma, girlhood, and what we deserve.
When Jo-Lynn Kirby’s former best friend—pretty, nice Maddie Price—comes to her claiming to be in trouble, Jo assumes it’s some kind of joke. After all, Jo has been an outcast ever since her nude photos were leaked—and since everyone decided she deserved it. There’s no way Maddie would actually come to her for help.
But then Maddie is gone.
Everyone is quick to write off Maddie as a runaway, but Jo can’t shake the feeling there’s more to the story. To find out the truth, Jo needs to get back in with the people who left her behind—and the only way back in is through Hudson Harper-Moore. An old fling of Jo’s with his own reasons for wanting to find Maddie, Hudson hatches a fake dating scheme to get Jo back into their clique. But being back on the inside means Jo must confront everything she’d rather forget: the boys who betrayed her, the whispers that she had it coming, and the secrets that tore her and Maddie apart. As Jo digs deeper into Maddie’s disappearance, she’s left to wonder who she’s really searching for: Maddie, or the girl she used to be.
Not Like Other Girls is a stunning debut that takes a hard look at how we treat young women and their trauma, through the lens of a missing girl and a girl trying to find herself again.
*Review Contributed by Elisha Jachetti, Staff Reviewer*
Mystery, Romance + Snark
NOT LIKE OTHER GIRLS by Meredith Adamo finds Jo-Lynn Kirby first reeling from her ex-best friend’s existence, literally right across the street, and then, her surprising disappearance. Even though Maddie and Jo-Lynn had grown to dislike one another, Jo-Lynn can’t deny her concern over Maddie’s vanishing, and when Hudson, Jo-Lynn’s attractive classmate, expresses his own suspicions, the two team up to find answers. What they don’t realize is their search for truth will force them to reexamine the past, including their own history, and finally, they may have an opportunity to reclaim it.
This novel is nearly perfect. The genre-blending is so unexpected and welcomed. I could’ve never imagined how mixing fake dating into a mystery with heavy trauma would work, but it does! Adamo blends the thrilling, comedic, and devastating elements together in a way that strikes such a refreshing tone. Leading the lighter side of the story is a swoony romance and a whippersnapper of a voice. Right from the first page, I got the sense that I was in for massive sass and snark, and I was not disappointed!
On the other side, the core of the novel is so heartbreaking, as it explores the depths of what many teenagers are facing. Adamo handles these topics with masterful skill and does so in a way that will provide people the tools they need to talk about these issues, as well as recognize them. I love how nuanced all the situations are, and how for most of the “villains” in the story, aside from Nick, there’s, at least, a level of understanding, making everything messy and complex, just like real life.
I truly could not put this book down. The pacing, world-building, and character development are top-notch. Adamo couldn’t have had a stronger debut novel. I highly recommend NOT LIKE OTHER GIRLS to anyone who wants to be swept up in a story. Side effects of reading this book: you may opt into finding out what happens next over sleep. Consider yourself warned!
Nothing Like the Movies (Lynn Painter)
About This Book:
For a few beautiful months, Wes had his dream girl: the strong-willed girl next door Liz. But right as the two were about to set off for college to start their freshman year together, tragedy struck. Wes was left dealing with the fallout, which ultimately meant losing Liz in the process.
Flash forward months later, and Wes and Liz find themselves in college, together. In a healthier place now, Wes knows he broke Liz’s heart when he ended things, but he is determined to make her fall back in love with him.
Wes knows Liz better than anyone, and he has a foolproof plan to win her back with rom-com-worthy grand gestures she loves. Only . . . Liz will have none of it! Wes has to scheme like a rom-com hero to figure out how to see her. Even worse, Liz has a new friend . . . a guy friend.
Still, Wes won’t give up, adapting his clever plans and going hard to get Liz’s attention and win back her affection. But after his best efforts get him nowhere, Wes is left wondering if their relationship is really over for good.
*Review Contributed by Elisha Jachetti, Staff Reviewer*
NOTHING LIKE THE MOVIES by Lynn Painter is the second novel in which we readers get to follow along as Wes and Liz’s love story unfolds. However, instead of picking up where we blissfully left off in BETTER THAN THE MOVIES, or the novellas in between, Wes’ life has gone off the rails, and as a result, the two are no longer the madly-in-love couple we knew. Wes has broken Liz’s heart and she’s determined to forget him. Only, Wes knows Liz is the one for him and once he gets his life together, he’s prepared to get her back. However, in their time apart, Liz has changed. She’s no longer the girl next door he knew, and Wes may no longer fit into her life at all.
The beginning of this book is very unexpected and it took a second for me to accept what had happened. However, I really like how Painter holds back on giving us all the details upfront, so that by the time we finally have the full story we can totally understand how it all transpired and appreciate both characters points of view. That said, I still find it hard to believe that Liz’s parents lived next door to Wes the whole time this was playing out and had zero inkling what was going on, nor did they offer to help beyond a singular phone call. Though, I’m willing to put that aside, because true to form, Painter takes us on a ride with this book!
I honestly believe only an author as talented as Painter could break apart such a solid couple, find the boy-loses-girl story, and make it so darn entertaining. The characters have definitely matured in this sequel, and I enjoyed getting to see them grow up and explore the world. I especially loved the role Wes’ sister plays in this narrative, and it’s fun to get more of her sassiness and snark. I also loved all of the new characters, particularly Wes’ teammates and Liz’s roommates.
This is such a slow burn of a novel, but it has an enormous payoff in the end. While the events are sad, I’m really glad Painter chose to shine a light on difficulties many young kids may experience, while at the same time, showcasing what it’s like to be there for your family, go after your dreams, and not always have the right answer.
NOTHING LIKE THE MOVIES is a solid follow-up to one of the best-penned romances that deserves its space next to all the love stories quoted in the chapter beginnings.
How to Get Over Your (Best Friend’s) Ex (Kristi McManus)
About This Book:
Hannah Taylor has lived in her best friend Braelyn’s shadow all through high school. But when she meets Seth, the handsome and charming newcomer, she wonders if, for once, she might finally be in the spotlight. Until Braelyn and Seth meet, and Brae sweeps his attention away as only she can. Hannah is left to watch the first boy she’s ever truly liked date not only someone else, but her best friend.When Seth unexpectedly breaks up with Brae months later, Hannah vows to help her friend get over the breakup while secretly trying to move on from Seth once and for all. Because even though Seth is no longer dating Brae, you never, ever date your best friend’s ex. But getting over Seth is easier said than done when Hannah learns that she was the reason for the breakup, and Seth may like her back.
*Review Contributed by Elisha Jachetti, Staff Reviewer*
HOW TO GET OVER YOUR (BEST FRIEND’S) EX by Kristi McManus is a cute rom-com in which Hannah makes it her mission to stop crushing on Seth. She already liked him a lot before her best friend, Brae, swooped in and asked him out, and because Hannah wasn’t honest about her feelings, she had to watch as her friend lived out her romantic fantasy. The truth is, though, that Brae and Seth were never a great fit for one another, and when he finally realizes that and dumps Brae, Hannah tries to secretly get over him alongside her best friend. Doing that, though, proves to be more difficult than she could have imagined, and now that he’s single again, she’s even more torn as girl code deems him completely off-limits.
This book has such a sweet story and is as much about Hannah’s relationship with Brae as it is with Seth. I love how the book examines the complexities of friendships and the rules we set around them, as well as the rules we set for ourselves. The takeaway message of this book is to be true to yourself because not doing so can put you in a messy place, which is exactly where Hannah finds herself. It also takes the idea of a guy coming between two friends and twists it, making it a unique and surprising narrative.
McManus populates her story with very different people, who want different things. Sometimes I found it hard to imagine them all as being friends, but overall, they are a fun group to follow. McManus does a good job at interweaving relationships, especially between Hannah and Seth. The chemistry flies off the page, and I really enjoyed his character and found him a refreshing addition to this genre.
Because this book flows so easily and is so fun, I’d highly recommend it for anyone who needs a beach read or something to bring on the plane with them for their summer travels. I read it in one sitting! Even though it’s been done before, I love how Romeo and Juliet are incorporated into this plot, as well as the theme of miscommunication Shakespeare is so well known for. Fans of SOMETHING BORROWED should like this!
Shadows of Perl (J.Elle)
About This Book:
The dazzling romantic fantasy world of House of Marionne continues in this dark and deadly sequel full of forbidden magic, devastating lies, and broken hearts.
A must read for fans of Stephanie Garber, Leigh Bardugo, and Alex Aster.
Unleash the darkness. Claim your power.
Quell Marionne’s explosive final Rite of Induction to House Marionne sent shockwaves through the magical world, unearthing long buried secrets and her own deadly power. But she paid a steep price: her family and her love. Fleeing Chateau Soleil for House of Perl, for once Quell is celebrated instead of shunned. She has finally found somewhere to belong. But secrets lurk in every House, and Quell’s quest to find her mom threatens to lead her deeper into the shadows.
Assassin Jordan Wexton, second-in command of the Dragun brotherhood, must protect the source of all magic, the Sphere. Yet the biggest threat to the Sphere is Quell Marionne—the girl he loved, until she claimed the deadly, outlawed toushana. As the Sphere cracks and war brews among the Houses, can the only way to save the world be to kill his own heart?
Now, these two lovers-turned enemies must confront their competing ambitions and conflicting loyalties. Or die. The future of magic hangs on their decision.
*Review Contributed by Elisha Jachetti, Staff Reviewer*
SHADOWS OF PERL by J. Elle is the second House of Marionne book, and one I’ve personally been waiting to get my hands on! The story picks up after Quell has bound with her toushana, forbidden dark magic, and fled from Chateau Soleil. At the same time, Jordan, her ex-boyfriend, finds himself in a position that requires him to exterminate anyone like Quell, and he’s determined to do whatever it takes to protect magic and the sphere. To survive, Quell knows she must stay far away from Jordan. However, fate has other plans.
I still love this world so much! I’m so intrigued by each house and the people who run them, and I enjoyed getting a deeper glimpse into them with this book. I also can’t get enough of the Quell-Jordan relationship. I love when they’re together, even when they are enemies, and that’s evidenced by how much the pace of the book picks up as soon as they’re in each other’s orbit. Before that, the first third of the book is quite slow.
What would’ve helped jump into the story more is recalls from the first book so readers don’t get stuck in remembering what happened and shortening the beginning and the third POV. For instance, I love the twist with Nore, but I often found myself skimming through her section. That said, once we got further into the book, Elle hit her stride and the book took off. From there, I could not put the novel down. I had so much fun imagining the ending and am so excited for the next book.
Overall, I’d highly recommend SHADOWS OF PERL and the HOUSE OF MARIONNE series to anyone who has been craving a lush, imaginative world of magic and romance.
About the Book:
The forest is more dangerous than ever in this highly-anticipated, pulse-pounding, and swoon-worthy conclusion to the bestselling Luminaries trilogy.
Winnie Wednesday’s future is looking bright. Hemlock Falls is no longer hunting the werewolf, she and Erica Thursday are tentative friends, and Winnie finally knows exactly where she stands with Jay Friday.
With everything finally on track, Winnie is looking forward to the Nightmare Masquerade, a week-long celebration of all things Luminary. But as Luminaries from across the world flock to the small town, uninvited guests also arrive. Winnie is confronted by a masked Diana and charged with an impossible task―one that threatens everything and everyone Winnie loves.
As Winnie fights to stop new enemies before time runs out, old mysteries won’t stop intruding. Her missing father is somehow entangled with her search for hidden witches, and as Winnie digs deeper into the long-standing war between the Luminaries and the Dianas, she discovers rifts within her own family she never could have imagined.
What does loyalty mean when family and enemies look the same?
*Review Contributed by Elisha Jachetti, Staff Reviewer*
The Luminaries are back in THE WHISPERING NIGHT, the third and final book, by Susan Dennard. The novel starts with Winnie Wednesday on top of the world. Jay Friday is her boyfriend, she has a group of friends she can count on, and with all her good work, her family is steps away from being fully reintegrated into society. However, Winnie is unaware that what was set in motion four years ago has come back around for completion: a foreign Diana has infiltrated Hemlock Falls with plans to destroy the town once and for all. The deeper Winnie gets sucked into the Diana’s plotting, the more she starts connecting all the unexplained events from the past, and the more she has to lose.
I’ve said it before, but Dennard’s worldbuilding in this series is fantastic. She’s visually painted this place and all its people so well, in addition to creating the culture and customs. I can totally imagine this story as a movie or TV show, because Dennard has a distinct skill for putting the reader right in the action – and this book has a lot of action, especially in the second half. Like Winnie, we as the readers get to figure out what’s happening right alongside of her, with the added pressure of the clock winding down.
I do wish that we had some more Winnie and Jay moments in the first half of the book, and while Dennard fits so much information in this third installment — and miraculously manages to tie up so many loose ends — I still have so much more that I want to see explored. For instance, I’d really like to meet Winnie’s grandma. I’d love to know more about Jay’s parents. I’d love to have some chapters from Jay’s perspective. I’d be curious to see what happens next for everyone. In other words, this book doesn’t feel like the end, and I’d love to read more.
Overall, THE WHISPERING NIGHT is a solid read that closes out a fun and inventive series. Anyone who likes to dive into fantastical trilogies should really enjoy this book, and hopefully, there will be more to come!
We would like to take a moment to thank all the wonderful authors, publishers, and publicists out there who have so graciously sent these books to our review staff. We would also like to thank all our YABC community members who visit our site each day.
