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[mmreadsbooks]

On the Come Up, Angie Thomas

4/5 stars

Great! I definitely connected and felt a greater emotional impact from The Hate U Give, but I feel like Bri continued the lessons Starr taught me. It was great to return to Garden Heights and see a whole different point of view (from Starr and from myself).I can't wait for this movie adaptation. Definitely recommend this read. It's super funny and has tons of great references. The raps are also AMAZING.

[mmreadsbooks]

Sadie, Courtney Summers

4/5 stars

Chilling. And that ending...this one is going to sit with me, just like The Female of the Species did. A stark reminder of all the horrible things that happen to little girls, even in our own neighborhoods.

[mmreadsbooks]

The Vanishing Stair (Truly Devious #2), Maureen Johnson

4.5/5 stars

What a fabulous sequel! My heart was pounding reading those last few pages. The mystery continues to unfurl while more important questions are being asked.

I think I know the secret about Alice, but what happened to her?!

The staircase riddle was so cool, and it was especially intriguing to learn about the origin of the Truly Devious riddle.

I wonder how Dr. Fenton and her nephew are further connected (also OMG!) and Edward King and David.

I cannot wait for the final novel in this trilogy! This story is so exciting...and nobody is free of suspicion!

[mmreadsbooks]

Always and Forever, Lara Jean (To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before #3), Jenny Han

3.5/5 stars

Another cute, down-to-earth, relatable story in the Lara Jean saga. I love her family, her friends, her relationships and most importantly I love her!

I can’t believe it’s over and honestly, I loved the ending. Even though I wanted to know more, I think it’s best left up to imagination.

[mmreadsbooks]

Two Can Keep A Secret, Karen M. McManus

4.5/5 stars

Had me guessing up until the very end. There's so many characters and motivations and loose ends. It's hard to put together what happens to each victim and connect the dots between so many murders/disappearances. I was pleased to know I guessed what happened to Sarah. Definitely recommend this read! It's a great mystery that'll for sure keep you guessing up until the end. If you liked One of Us Is Lying, this one will not disappoint.

[mmreadsbooks]

Escaping from Houdini (Stalking Jack the Ripper #3), Kerri Maniscalco

3/5 stars

This mystery kept me guessing. While I had an idea about what clues were important to finding the killer, I never truly knew who to suspect throughout. The romantic subplot was interesting, too. Not to mention, the entire story was set on a ship, which makes it that much more difficult for characters/story arcs when there's not that many places to go. I'll definitely read the series' conclusion, however, I don't find myself waiting at the edge of my seat. I'm pretty much always sure the main characters will survive and solve the crime laid before them.

[mmreadsbooks]

Hunting Prince Dracula, Kerri Maniscalco

3.5/5 stars

Cute, feminist and entertaining. Audrey Rose and Thomas’ adventures are never boring. However, there were some tropes that I couldn’t ignore. It’s always about family, ain’t it?

That setup with Eliza’s letter...she had to be talking about Houdini!

The murderer definitely kept me guessing and I liked that we saw AR’s PTSD.

[mmreadsbooks]

Muse of Nightmares (Strange the Dreamer #2), Laini Taylor

4/5 stars

This book answered so many questions and weaved Taylor’s multi-verse together oh so very well.

(So many adorable mentions of her Daughter of Smoke and Bone series!)

Lazlo and Sarai are truly in it. At the end of the first novel, they’re in a truly how-will-they-possibly-get-out-of-this predicament.

I also truly loved Nova’s story, as well as learning more of Eril-Fane’s. What I love about this series is how gray/morally ambiguous it is. You understand characters’ actions, which means you can’t necessarily hate them. And sometimes I don’t find myself rooting for who I’m supposed to.

The drama and adventure and edge-of-your-seat action never stops and never feels inorganic. Taylor is truly a master of her craft, and her detail and imagery skills are off the charts.

Another great audiobook, as well! Definitely recommend this duology. Hopefully, there’s more page time in the future for these characters, this world and this multi-verse!

[mmreadsbooks]

Girls of Paper and Fire, Natasha Ngan

4.5/5 stars

Amazing and compelling, I couldn’t put it down. The imagery and culture and details of every character and location was so lush and decisive.

That ending! I need more.

Lei’s character was fierce and vulnerable, and it’s no surprise she makes a great protagonist. In all honesty, this book probably could have toggled between Wren’s POV as well. Her life is so interesting, and she was an equally fierce and compelling and important part of the plot. (As well as Zelle).

The sexual assault that takes place in this book—the horrible misogyny and patriarchy—is handled so well by Ngan.

There’s so many fates and characters that I need to know more about. I sure hope there’s a sequel!

[mmreadsbooks]

P.S. I Still Love You, Jenny Han

3/5 stars

Very cute, but the story’s progression wasn’t as compelling as the first book. What was the point? Peter and Lara Jean’s relationship with a game of tag and some twists? At least there was an arc in the first book: whole sent Lara Jean’s letters?

Will probably still read the next book, however, this one didn’t grab me like the first.

[mmreadsbooks]

Archenemies (Renegades #2), Marissa Meyer

4/5 stars

Great follow up! I was at the edge of my seat with all the action and near-misses (when will those identities ever be revealed?!). I was surprised by the way things ended, though I think our most evil villain's fight scene was both realistic but also a bit of a let down. I think I wanted more page time for this character, since we rarely read about them but they're so often talked about.

Can't wait for the next one! Nova and Adrian have a lot of explainin' to do!

[mmreadsbooks]

Where the Crawdads Sing, Delia Owens

4/5 stars

GREAT read, one of those stories you can’t put down. It wasn’t a thriller, and though there was a mystery, the slow and melodic electric energy of this story is driven by its protagonist, Kya.

Her trauma, her normal days, her likes and the people around her—all the small town and marshland drama is so much more than petty cliché tropes.

This story ended so perfectly, and not how I expected. I’m glad Chase’s murderer was revealed, but the whole trial was background noise to learning about Kya’s life. I liked the non-linear structure of this story, too. Definitely recommend!

[mmreadsbooks]

Every Breath, Nicholas Sparks

2.5/5 stars

Though predictable and seeming to follow the same classic Nicholas Sparks formula (like falling in love in like two days and ending in a way that hurts no matter what), this was still a semi-enjoyable read. Definitely not my favorite of Sparks' characters, but it was an interesting story. If it had been any longer, I don't know if I could've stuck through it.

What was great about this book was how it was based on a true story. I enjoyed the foreword and epilogue where Sparks explained the real-life people, his trips to Africa and how he decided to write the book.

[mmreadsbooks]

Because You Love To Hate Me, Ameriie

3.5/5 stars

Fun to read, especially in short snippets. Some of these stories have really stuck with me. They truly dig into the moral and emotional parts of villains (and the people who think they’re heroes).

[mmreadsbooks]

Stalking Jack the Ripper, Kerri Maniscalco

3/5 stars

Was a fun, fast read! I really enjoyed Audrey Rose's character, but I knew the identity of the killer the whole time. I really enjoyed Audrey Rose's interactions with Thomas Cresswell, but I wasn't surprised whatsoever by their relationship. The opening line of this book was creepy and cool! You don't often hear of women, especially young ladies, in the 1880s cutting open bodies and working in mortuaries. Will definitely read the next one!

[mmreadsbooks]

A Very Large Expanse of Sea, Tahereh Mafi

4/5 stars

Great perspective and definitely eye-opening to read from the POV of a POC post-9/11. While I thought the romance escalated quickly, I was still shipping it. That ending though! My heart cannot!

Would definitely recommend this book. A quick and insightful read that gives much-needed perspective to the USA and the world.

[mmreadsbooks]

Vengeful (Villains #2), V.E. Schwab

4/5 stars

Great sequel to Vicious. Our favorite characters are back after some time (with wonderful non-linear flashbacks peppered in) with some fierce new additions.

The ending left me wanting, there were definitely some open threads for certain characters and my heart is aching. However, I can see the series ending as is.

Marcella’s character was a great way to reintroduce the series. She’s so slick and ambitious and watching her rise to power (we only saw her reaching for power, she never quite took over the mob, she never did any mob-like actions) was fascinating.

June, also so interesting, had me confused sometimes. Why the obsession with Sydney? Why cling to Marcella to begin with? Why did Jonathan stick around Marcella and co. when he was so depressed?

Loved Victor and Eli and Mitch, though honestly they weren’t even my favorite parts. You can always expect a showdown between the former roommates. Getting a glimpse into Eli’s life was great. And I have to say, I was surprised by the ending.

Syd definitely grew as a person, especially coming to terms with Serena and her death. Mitch stayed the same, though I did like seeing him question how he ended up where he was. Stell—I don’t even know if I should feel bad for him? Always a step behind. And Dominic! Always the short end of the stick.

Everyone is a villain in their own way, and no one is a better example of that than Victor. Who, I would argue, is more of a protagonist than Eli.