two friends and too many books
**Disclaimer: I received a free advanced reader copy of Smash It by Francina Simone from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to them for this opportunity.
Smash It by Francina Simone is a young adult contemporary novel. It is an #ownvoices coming of age story, and also a retelling of the Shakespearean play Othello. The book publishes on September 22nd, 2020. I rated it four stars.
** Disclaimer: I received a free advanced reader’s copy of Even If We Break by Marieke Nijkamp through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this opportunity.
Even If We Break by Marieke Nijkamp is a young adult mystery thriller set at an isolated cabin on a mountain. It is about five friends who play a roleplay game together, and who are getting together for the last time only for things to go horribly wrong. Even If We Break is set to publish on September 15th, 2020. I rated it 4 stars on Goodreads.
**Disclaimer: I received a free advanced reader’s copy of Fable by Adrienne Young through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this opportunity!
Fable by Adrienne Young is the first of two books in the Namesake duology. It is a young adult fantasy novel set in a seafaring world, and tells the story of a teenage girl named Fable who is just trying to survive and get by. Fable is set to be published on September 1st, 2020. I gave it 4 stars on Goodreads.
***Disclaimer: I received a free early access copy of Where Dreams Descend by Janella Angeles from NetGalley through Wednesday Books for review purposes. Thank you to Wednesday Books for the opportunity!
For an excerpt of this amazing book, be sure to check the end of the post!
I’ve heard this book be compared to Moulin Rouge and Caraval mixed together. While I haven’t read Caraval yet (I know, I know it’s on my TBR!), you had me at that comparison! This definitely did not disappoint!
**Disclaimer: I recieved a free advanced reader’s copy of Cinderella is Dead through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the publishers and to NetGalley for this opportunity.
Cinderella is Dead by Kalynn Bayron is a young adult fantasy novel that takes place in the same world as Cinderella, but 200 years after Cinderella died. It’s feminist and queer, and plays with that familiar story we all know. The book published on July 7th, 2020. I rated it three stars.
I have been loving my summer vacation. It’s really not the ideal kind of summer vacation obviously, but after this school year I really needed it. I have been thriving while hanging out at home and reading. I also adopted some cats. It’s been a really, really interesting month. Anyways, let’s just jump into my wrap up!
**Disclaimer: I received a free advanced reader’s copy of Harrow Lake by Kat Ellis through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this opportunity.
Harrow Lake by Kat Ellis is a stand-alone novel. It’s classified as a young adult horror novel and deals with some rather sensitive topics, so readers beware. It’s about a girl named Lola who is learning more about her family history in a rather spooky small town. Harrow Lake, according to NetGalley, is set to be published on August 25th, 2020. I gave it five stars on Goodreads.
**Disclaimer: I received a free early advanced reader’s copy of More Than Maybe by Erin Hahn in exchange for a honest review through NetGalley. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this opportunity.
More Than Maybe by Erin Hahn is a YA contemporary romance novel. It features a dual point of view with both of our main love interests, and takes place in Michigan. The novel features Hahn’s signature mix of music and romance, and was a sweet and fun read. I gave it 5 stars on GoodReads. It publishes on July 21st, 2020.
**Disclaimer: I received a free early access readers copy of One Year at Ellsmere by Faith Erin Hicks from the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for this opportunity.
One Year at Ellsmere by Faith Erin Hicks is a Middle Grade contemporary graphic novel with some elements of magical realism. It’s set at a fancy boarding school and focuses on a young girl named Juniper who transfers into the school in order to improve her education. I gave the graphic novel 4 stars on Goodreads. It publishes on July 14th, 2020.
I’m so excited about my summer vacation even though I’m not necessarily doing all that much this summer. I do, however, plan on getting a lot of reading done this summer though and try to keep myself entertained. I’m looking forward to all my summer reads. So what am I reading in July? You’ll find it below the cut.