Majesty (American Royals, #2) by Katharine McGee | A very good conclusion to the duology!

This is not my usual type of book, but OMG… it was just as addictive as the first installment! «Majesty» picks up right after the events of the first book, «American Royals», which I read and reviewed last year. If you haven’t read it, I wouldn’t recommend reading this review. Even though I’ll try to keep it as spoiler-free as possible, the blurb for the second book does give away a lot of things that happen in the first one.

I mentioned in my review of the first book that reading this story reminded me a lot of my favorite TV shows – «Gossip Girl» and «The Royals». There was just enough drama to keep me flipping pages as fast as possible without being overly-exhausting to read.

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Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman | The descend into the Challenger Deep!

Such a powerful novel about mental illness, «Challenger Deep» explores what’s it’s like to go through the period of life when your brain tricks you into believing that your delusions and hallucinations are actually real. Written in a way that allows you to understand Caden’s struggles on a deeper level, the story was rich with fantasy elements, that helped to bring the emotions forward.

I’m currently reading «The Toll», the third book in the Arc of Scythe trilogy by the same author, and I have to say that I prefer his writing in «Challenger Deep». It reads and flows much better for me. That is not to say that there is a big difference between the two, but somehow the writing style in his dystopian series doesn’t pull me in the same way.

Every Little Piece of my Heart by Non Pratt | It’s been a while since I read a YA contemporary!

I’ve been doing a great job this year keeping up with popular new releases and trying books by new-to-me authors. In the last couple of weeks, I spoke about Silvia Moreno-Garcia and Elizabeth Acevedo, this week it will be all about Non Pratt. Probably next year I’ll need to adjust my goals a bit and read books by the authors I read before instead. 😀

To be honest, other than «Giant Days» which I learned about from Jadeyreads YouTube channel, I’ve never seen or heard about any of Non Pratt books before. Even though I wasn’t “wowed” by «Every Little Piece of My Heart», I definitely want to read some more of her books in the future.

Visiting Spain | With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo.

«With the Fire on High» was my first Elizabeth Acevedo book and now I understand why there has been so much hype around her books. The writing is beautiful, flaws seamlessly, which made the whole reading experience an absolute pleasure from the beginning till the end.

This is one of those “unputdownable” books that will make you addicted to the story and the characters from the very first pages.

In an Instant by Suzanne Redfearn | I haven’t cried that much in a long time

I love it when the ARCs I choose end up on my favorites of the year list. It doesn’t matter how many of them might not be the best, and how many I might DNF during the year, because there are always a couple that will stand out in the best way possible. 

After reading «In an Instant», I will read anything Suzanne Redfearn publishes in the future. Atmospheric and utterly heartbreaking, the story of the Millers family made me cry multiple times, the tears of sadness and joy. 

What Kind of Girl by Alyssa B. Sheinmel | The contemporary book that you might be “forced” to like

When I first started blogging, I threw myself into every book I heard about online. It didn’t matter if it was mentioned on youtube or on one of the blogs I followed, as long as the book was “hyped enough” I had to get my hands on it. 

This led to me reading a lot of YA contemporary novels that I wasn’t a big fan of.Lately, I try to avoid YA contemporaries as Adult Fiction tends to be so much more interesting and more relatable in a way as well, as I’m sloooowly approaching my 30s (did I just say this out loud?!)

American Royals by Katharine McGee | Scandals, drama and gossip of the American monarchy!

When I was just out of high school, I was obsessed with the Gossip Girl TV show with Blake Lively as Serena and Leighton Meester as Blair, this TV show was the most stylish drama of my youth. It was actually my high school boyfriend who introduced me to the show, I remember that we watched some episodes together.

If you’ve never seen Gossip Girl, it’s the most addicting show that follows the lives of privileged teens in the upper east side, NYC. I was always wondered what was the budget of this series considering the settings and some of the most iconic wardrobes. I loved Serena’s style ❤ 

Much later, I’ve watched a couple of episodes of another TV show, called «The Royals». Basically, again the drama infused story about the royal family showcasing all the luxury but also the lack of privacy that comes with that life. 

«American Royals» is a perfect mix of these two shows, following the lives of royal children – Princess Beatrice, the eldest and the heir to the throne, and Princess Samantha and Prince Jeff – the twins who are always loud and in trouble. Every family, especially royal, needs a couple of troublemakers.

Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow

This has happened again! Just like with «Miracle Creek» by Angie Kim, «Ten Thousand Doors of January» by Alix E. Harrow didn’t grab my attention enough to care about the characters or the destiny of different worlds. And while in my review of «Miracle Creek» I mentioned that there wasn’t anything I hated about the book, in «Ten Thousand Doors of January» I can say with confidence that I would have enjoyed this book so much more if not for the writing style. 

After seeing such a warm and loving feedback from the bookish community for this Alix E. Harrow novel, I’m very disappointed that I didn’t love it. And, although, my opinion is in minority, I still saw those 2 and 3 stars reviews on GoodReads of people who felt similarly to me. 

Tinfoil Crowns by Erin Jones | The story of a YouTube Star, of betrayal and forgiveness

Considering the current rise of social media influence and YouTube channels, almost every single person in this world has some sort of social account. Many watch YouTube channels every day, and some have tried filming their own videos. It’s only natural that the authors would pick up on this trend and incorporate it in their stories. After all, when we read Contemporary, we want to see the world familiar to ours.

In my early teens, we dreamt about Hogwarts and magic schools. Nowadays, teenagers dream of being YouTube stars.

In «Tinfoil Crowns» we follow Jessica and her early rise of YouTube popularity. But there is so much more to this story than that. This is a story of loss, betrayal, forgiveness, and hope; and most importantly family relationships.

The Quiet You Carry by Nikki Barthelmess | A glimpse into the life of foster care kids

Warning: This book contains mentions of sexual abuse, child abuse, mental illness, violence, suicide attempt.

Have you ever thought about what it is like to be a kid in the foster care system?

«The Quiet You Carry» inspired by Nikki Barthelmess own experience in the foster care, gives us a glimpse into the life of foster care kids.

Victoria Parker is a senior and only a few months away from turning 18. And just one moment changes her life forever. When her father locks her out of the house, Victoria is placed in the foster care system and ends up in a different town, different school and different home.

The Universe is Expanding and so am I by Carolyn Mackler |Don’t get fooled by the amazing cover!

Virginia Shreves is back in this follow up to «The Earth, my Butt and Other Big Round Things».

Q: Is it absolutely necessary to read the first book?

No, I haven’t read it and didn’t feel like I missed anything. Just treat this as a completely new book and you will be fine.

Q: Did it make me want to purchase and read the first book?

Also, no. I had a hard time connecting to any of the characters and only the shortness of the book made me plunge through it till the end.  

All the Little Lights by Jamie McGuire | Did I enjoy more the love story or the creepy settings? Or maybe THE twist?

Who would have thought that the popular hit Titanium would sound so amazing in music box version? I surely didn’t. But now I am completely in love with the tune. And I have to agree that the Spotify list for All the Little Lights that I found on Jamie McGuire’s website is spot on! Listening to it as I am writing this review, brings back all the feelings.

Make sure to turn this playlist on and get to know Elliott Youngblood and Catherine Calhoun.

This Is Not a Love Letter by Kim Purcell | A Suspenseful love story with wide spectrum of important topics

«In your neat handwriting, you wrote that I reminded you of sunshine and sunflowers, which is kind of funny because sunflowers are so stinky that stink bugs love them. I didn’t keep that love letter, and I’m sorry. It wasn’t that they didn’t mean anything, but I’m not sentimental like that.»

Surprisingly, «This is not a Love Letter» by Kim Purcell didn’t show up very often on the social media. In fact, not a single bookstagram account that I follow featured this on their page at any point during January or beginning of February. Which I found rather starnge considering that (A) this book has a gorgeous cover, (B) it’s a YA contemporary that is incredibly popular and (C) it’s incredibly mysterious and emotional!  

Carry Me Home by Jessica Therrien | A series of dramatic events

San José, gangs, guns, fighting… In the beginning I was slightly hesitant to start reading, as I already was expecting to dislike it. BUT! HOW WRONG WAS I?! It was an absolutely amazing book and I haven’t been able to stop talking about it since I picked it up!!

Jessica Therrien created the most gripping, realistically unrealistic story that makes your jaw drop in awe! The events that took place within this quite short novel were very INTENSE, definitely not for the light-hearted.

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell |Where I didn’t like Eleanor… Park was alright though!

Rainbow Rowell’s books will always hold a very special place in my heart.  2016 was the year of everything happening at once (good and bad) and one of the greatest things I’ve done last year was starting my blog and devouring «Fangirl» in one sitting, and I have been obsessed with her novels ever since.

After reading three of her contemporary novels, I was expecting «Eleanor and Park» to be just as warm and lighthearted. Oh, how wrong was I!