Review: AMERICA'S NEXT REALITY STAR, by Laura Heffernan

As the first in what will surely be a great series, America's Next Reality Star is a lovely, breezy read that kept me engaged from beginning to end. Though predictable at times, the voice of the main character pops off the page and the supporting characters are colorful and intriguing. Bonus points to the fun cover! I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series--and anything Laura Heffernan writes in the future.

Stars: 5/5
Recommended for: I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in contemporary stories with quirky, realistic characters, and especially to anyone who likes reality shows!

Review: WHEN DIMPLE MET RISHI, by Sandhya Menon

WHEN DIMPLE MET RISHI is beautifully written and a lot of fun! I really enjoyed the colorful characters and their journey to find one another. This book will appeal to teen readers as well as adults because of its relatable stakes. Don't let the diversity in this book trick you into thinking it's not for you--there is A LOT to love about these teen characters trying to find their place in the world.

Stars: 5/5
Recommended for: I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves teen romances, especially teen romances with diversity.

May You Find Inspiration, Too

When I discovered The Perks of Being a Wallflower in high school, it felt like I’d discovered the best-kept secret in existence. I was scared to death to tell anyone why I loved it so much, but I was comforted by the idea that there was a book I could relate to so easily—and it was marketed to teenagers! The story contained a side character who was queer and struggled with a lot of the same issues I was struggling with: hiding who they were and facing backlash when they actually opened up about themselves. And to top it off, the main character’s story centered around the after-effects of childhood sexual abuse—an issue I silently struggled with but wouldn’t tell anyone about until I became an adult.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower kept me afloat as a teenager. It gave me the power to keep going, and taught me that something good could still come out of dark times. I write YA contemporaries to pass on that feeling. My stories are the types I wish I could have read as a teenager, putting the marginalized characters at the forefront instead of on the sidelines. I hope to affect even one young adult out there who needs the courage to know they’re not alone—bonus points if I can inspire more.

*Note: This post originally appeared as a comment on Laura Heffernan's blog, in response to a prompt for marginalized writers to share their story.

Cover Reveal: FRIEND (WITH BENEFITS) ZONE, by Laura Brown

I am extremely excited to reveal the cover of Laura Brown's newest book, FRIEND (WITH BENEFITS) ZONE. I mean it, folks. I had the honor of reading several versions of this book at earlier stages, and I'm thrilled to see the final product. Mark your calendars for the book's release on June 27!

And if you haven't read her debut novel that came out last year (SIGNS OF ATTRACTION), you better get to it pronto. The two books are in no way related--aside from their mutual exploration of hearing loss--but I guarantee that if you love one, you'll love the other.

Without further ado, here's some more information about FRIEND (WITH BENEFITS) ZONE, followed by the stunning cover!

I’m ridiculously attracted to my best friend.

Today is a bad day. The worst actually. After dealing with the constant manhandling that comes with being a cocktail waitress at a dive bar and surviving a date from hell, I see an eviction notice slapped on the door of my sketchy basement apartment. Great.

When my best friend Devon shows up at my door and uses his stubborn charm (emphasis on stubborn) to get me to move in with him, I give in. We’ve had about a million sleepovers since we met in the kindergarten Deaf program, but this time it’s different because I can’t stop thinking about his hard body covering mine, every single night. 

I know Devon would do anything for me, but I’m afraid what I want to happen will ruin our friendship forever. And the more time we spend together in close quarters, the harder it’ll be to resist the spark of attraction I’ve always felt. But maybe it’s possible to have the best of both worlds: keep the one relationship I can’t live without and indulge in an attraction I can’t deny.

I guess the only thing we can do is try…

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(Author fun fact: Before you check out the amazing cover, there are two details I absolutely love; be on the lookout for them. One, the model's hands appear to be in motion, almost as if he's signing. Two, the amazing graphic artist managed to add a hearing aid, as Devon himself normally wears two.)

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Available for pre-order at Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | and more!
You can also add to your Goodreads list!

About the author:

Laura Brown lives in Massachusetts with her quirky abnormal family. Her husband’s put up with her since high school, her young son keeps her on her toes, and her three cats think they deserve more scratches. Hearing loss is a big part of who she is, from her own Hard of Hearing ears, to the characters she creates.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Review: DEAD END GIRL, by L.T. Vargus and Tim McBain

DEAD END GIRL was an absolute delight, by which I mean it was a twisted, disgusting, vomit-inducing ride that I thoroughly enjoyed. This new series contains vivid characters and heart-stopping surprises, and the authors, as always, have a knack for turning phrases. Vargus and McBain know how to hook their readers and never let go. Book 1 has really kicked off the series in the best of ways, and I'm confident the sequels will be even better. You can count me in for the rest of the books in this series!

Stars: 5/5
Recommended for: Readers of dark crime novels (extra heavy on the "dark")

Review: OPENLY STRAIGHT, by Bill Konigsberg

Simply put, I loved this book enough to read it twice. The buildup of tension was spot-on, to the point that I simply could not stop reading. I enjoyed the realistic scenarios presented here--very appropriate for the the 21st century, and a nice break from some of the heavier LGBT "issue" books. Reading this book has prompted me to read all other books by Bill Konigsberg, each of which was equally amazing. Next on my to-be-read list is HONESTLY BEN, the sequel to OPENLY STRAIGHT that was released just last week!

Stars: 5/5
Recommended for: Anyone who loves YA contemporaries that approach diversity in a unique way.

Review: MR. PENUMBRA'S 24-HOUR BOOKSTORE, by Robin Sloan

Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore is a rare delight, in that perfect space where bibliophilia and technology intersect. I wasn't sure what to expect out of this book when I first picked it up; I was merely intrigued by its mystery. From the start, it became clear that mysterious scenarios would abound throughout the book, taking the reader on a journey through high-rising bookshelves and the depths of technological advancement. I really enjoyed the unique-yet-relatable characters and the pacing.

Stars: 4/5
Recommended for: anyone interested in twists on mysterious general fiction