This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune
Published by Penguin on May 7, 2024
Genres: Fiction / Coming of Age, Fiction / Romance / General, Fiction / Women
Pages: 368
Format: Paperback
Source: Bookstore

THE INSTANT #1 NATIONAL BESTSELLER!

A glorious and tantalizing new escape from #1 New York Times bestselling author Carley Fortune.

This summer they’ll keep their promise. This summer they won't give into temptation. This summer will be different.

Lucy is the tourist vacationing at a beach house on Prince Edward Island. Felix is the local who shows her a very good time. The only problem: Lucy doesn’t know he’s her best friend’s younger brother. Lucy and Felix’s chemistry is unreal, but the list of reasons why they need to stay away from each other is long, and they vow to never repeat that electric night again.

It’s easier said than done.

Each year, Lucy escapes to PEI for a big breath of coastal air, fresh oysters and crisp vinho verde with her best friend, Bridget. Every visit begins with a long walk on the beach, beneath soaring red cliffs and a golden sun. And every visit, Lucy promises herself she won’t wind up in Felix’s bed. Again.

If Lucy can’t help being drawn to Felix, at least she’s always kept her heart out of it.

When Bridget suddenly flees Toronto a week before her wedding, Lucy drops everything to follow her to the island. Her mission is to help Bridget through her crisis and resist the one man she’s never been able to. But Felix’s sparkling eyes and flirty quips have been replaced with something new, and Lucy’s beginning to wonder just how safe her heart truly is.

This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune

I first heard about this book from a girl I follow on Instagram who lives on Prince Edward Island. She talked about how much she loved that it represented PEI since that is where it mostly takes place. Now, Reader, I am a huge fan of the island and tend to go almost every year, so when I heard that this story took place on the island, I just had to read it. I picked this book up back in July, and again, I used it for a readathon I participated in over the summer. I am so glad that I read this book, even though I will say it made me homesick for the island, even though I have never lived there. Silly, I know, but the descriptions were spot on, and it completely transported me there. It has been months since I read it, so I am not going to try to give a detailed review, but I do have some things I want to say. I enjoyed watching Lucy and Bridget’s friendship develop throughout the book. They really complimented one another, and I love that Bridget would take Lucy home with her for breaks and such because Lucy had a hard time fitting in with her parents at home. I thought the way that Bridget’s folks and brother took to Lucy from the very start was great. Maybe Felix took to Lucy a bit more than the rest since they secretly would sleep together, hiding it from the folks, but especially from Bridget. Bridget told Lucy that she was not to fall in love with her brother, which seems like a weird thing to say, but once you discover why, it makes complete sense, and it is her fear talking. Lucy is frustrated with herself because no matter how much she tries to stay away from Felix, she is still constantly drawn to him, and this results in her hiding/lying to her bestie about it. There is so much more going on, though, other than Felix and Lucy. Bridget is going to be getting married very soon, and she is harboring a secret or two of her own. If you are looking for a fun vacation read about female friendship, a small island, and romance, then absolutely give this one a go. Like I said I loved this book and who knows maybe it will even be a reread for me in the future.

Trigger Warnings:

Grief Surrounding a Loved One’s Death
Mentions of a Breakup

Medusa by Katherine Marsh
Series: The Myth Of Monsters #1
Published by HarperCollins on February 20, 2024
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Family / General, Juvenile Fiction / Fantasy & Magic, Juvenile Fiction / Monsters, Juvenile Fiction / People & Places / Europe
Pages: 288
Format: eBook
Source: Amazon

"You won’t be able to stop turning pages . . . it is so stinking good!” —Colby Sharp, author of The Creativity Project: An Awesometastic Story Collection

From National Book Award finalist Katherine Marsh: Percy Jackson meets Wednesday Addams in this fantastical adventure about Ava, who attends a boarding school for the descendants of Greek monsters and uncovers a terrible secret that could change the world forever.

Ava Baldwin has always tried to keep her anger in check, just like her mom taught her. But when know-it-all classmate Owen King tries to speak over her yet again, Ava explodes . . . and Owen freezes, becoming totally unresponsive.

Although Owen recovers, Ava's parents whisk her off to her mother’s alma mater, the Accademia del Forte, a mysterious international boarding school in Venice. There, Ava and her brother, Jax, discover that the Olympian gods founded the Accademia to teach the descendants of mythological monsters how to control their emotions and their powers and become functioning, well-adjusted members of society.

But not everything at the Accademia is as it seems. After her friend Fia is almost expelled for challenging a teacher, Ava realizes the school is hiding a dangerous secret. To uncover the truth, Ava and her new friends embark on an adventure that could change the way they view history, mythology—and themselves—forever…or end their lives.

Praise for Medusa

"I'm in love with this book. Like the best Pixar movies, Katherine Marsh's Medusa is full of layers." —Jennifer La Garde, The Adventures of Library Girl!

"Here is a novel that casts young people as agents of that change, while acknowledging the risks they face when adults, or a pack of patriarchal gods, lie in wait to silence those who speak truth to power. In this feminist retelling, girls take the lead while boys support and trust them." —The New York Times

"Sound the sirens! Katherine Marsh has gifted us with the Greek mythology series we didn't know we were missing!" —Melissa LaSalle, The Book Mommy and What to Read to Your Kids

"A unique and distinctly feminist fantasy series launch set in a contemporary world." —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"A fast-paced adventure offering a fresh, feminist take on popular themes." —Kirkus Reviews

"A story flipping traditional mythology and the voices telling them on their head starring a resourceful, brave Gorgon. Suggested where mythology stories are popular.” —School Library Journal

One of Kirkus's most anticipated books of 2024!

Medusa by Katherine Marsh

I read this book back in July again for the readathon I participated in over the summer. When I picked it up, I had no idea what to expect because I am not a reader of Greek Mythology and have had little interest in it throughout the years. I will say that I was very pleasantly surprised when I read this book because I found it to be simply wonderful and I am so excited to get into the next book and continue on with the series. I am not going to go in-depth on this review because some time has passed since I read it, but I do have some thoughts I want to share. First off, I have seen reviews comparing this book to Percy Jackson, and I can not say if I think they are similar or not because I have never read Percy Jackson, but for me, Medusa reminded me of Harry Potter. I am a huge fan of the Harry Potter Series, and I grew up with it, so there is a special place in my heart for it. Imagine my excitement when I was getting the vibes of Harry Potter while reading Medusa. I loved the main female character and her dedication to her friend and their friend group. I think that Ava was extremely brave in standing up for what she believed to be the right thing. I also loved that she has a strong sense of self, especially at such a young age. Reader, if you are looking for a magical adventure with good versus evil in a magical school, then definitely give this book a go because I do not think you will be disappointed. As I said, I am excited to continue with the series.

Trigger Warnings:

Sexism

Oathbringer by Brandon Sanderson
Series: The Stormlight Archive #3
Published by Tor Publishing Group on November 14, 2017
Genres: Fiction / Fantasy / Action & Adventure, Fiction / Fantasy / Epic, Fiction / Fantasy / Military
Pages: 1248
Format: Audiobook
Source: Audible

The #1 New York Times bestselling sequel to Words of Radiance, from epic fantasy author Brandon Sanderson at the top of his game.

In Oathbringer, the third volume of the New York Times bestselling Stormlight Archive, humanity faces a new Desolation with the return of the Voidbringers, a foe with numbers as great as their thirst for vengeance.

Dalinar Kholin’s Alethi armies won a fleeting victory at a terrible cost: The enemy Parshendi summoned the violent Everstorm, which now sweeps the world with destruction, and in its passing awakens the once peaceful and subservient parshmen to the horror of their millennia-long enslavement by humans. While on a desperate flight to warn his family of the threat, Kaladin Stormblessed must come to grips with the fact that the newly kindled anger of the parshmen may be wholly justified.

Nestled in the mountains high above the storms, in the tower city of Urithiru, Shallan Davar investigates the wonders of the ancient stronghold of the Knights Radiant and unearths dark secrets lurking in its depths. And Dalinar realizes that his holy mission to unite his homeland of Alethkar was too narrow in scope. Unless all the nations of Roshar can put aside Dalinar’s blood-soaked past and stand together—and unless Dalinar himself can confront that past—even the restoration of the Knights Radiant will not prevent the end of civilization.

Other Tor books by Brandon Sanderson

The Cosmere
The Stormlight Archive
● The Way of Kings
● Words of Radiance
● Edgedancer (novella)
● Oathbringer
● Dawnshard (novella)
● Rhythm of War

The Mistborn Saga
The Original Trilogy
● Mistborn
● The Well of Ascension
● The Hero of Ages

Wax and Wayne
● The Alloy of Law
● Shadows of Self
● The Bands of Mourning
● The Lost Metal

Other Cosmere novels
● Elantris
● Warbreaker
● Tress of the Emerald Sea
● Yumi and the Nightmare Painter
● The Sunlit Man

Collection
● Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection

The Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians series
● Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians
● The Scrivener's Bones
● The Knights of Crystallia
● The Shattered Lens
● The Dark Talent
● Bastille vs. the Evil Librarians (with Janci Patterson)

Other novels
● The Rithmatist
● Legion: The Many Lives of Stephen Leeds
● The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England

Other books by Brandon Sanderson

The Reckoners
● Steelheart
● Firefight
● Calamity

Skyward
● Skyward
● Starsight
● Cytonic
● Skyward Flight (with Janci Patterson)
● Defiant

At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Oathbringer by Brandon Sanderson

Oathbringer is the third installment in the Stormlight Archive Series which is a high fantasy series that I listened to on audio. This book is a chunker, much like the two books before it, and takes some time to get through. I started this book in the middle of June and finished it toward the end of August. I am not going to say too much about this book since it is the third in a series, and I do not wish to spoil it for anyone. I will say, though, if you enjoy a full cast of characters that are completely fleshed out with all differing personalities, then this is a book for you. Some of the characters deal with some serious mental illness and grief, but I feel that it is done in a realistic way if that makes sense. If you love good versus evil, creatures, gods, magic, romance, family, friendship, war, and an epic world, among other things, then please pick this up, Reader, because I do not think that you will be disappointed. I have loved the series so far, and I am looking forward to continuing on with it. I would recommend reading these books in order because I think if you just jump in anywhere, you will be a bit lost. I will include Trigger Warnings, but you may want to double-check them in case I have forgotten any because a lot happens in this story.

Trigger Warnings:

Addiction
Alcoholism
Murder
Slavery
Classism
Suicide Ideation
War
Mental Illness
Death
Child Abuse
Grief
Violence

The Dream Guy Next Door by Lauren Blakely
Series: The Guy Who Got Away #5
Published by Lauren Blakely Books on September 5, 2024
Genres: Fiction / Romance / Romantic Comedy
Pages: 302
Format: Audiobook
Source: Audible

A sexy, swoony falling-for-the-neighbor standalone romance from #1 New York Times bestselling author Lauren Blakely!

Just my luck - my new next door neighbor is a unicorn. Yep, the British hottie is clearly a mythical man because - get this - he's a sexy, witty, charming, big-hearted single dad.

Who, wait for it, wants to find Mrs. Right and get hitched. Darn shame I'm not on the market. I'm a single parent like him, and raising my teenage daughter is my top priority. Plus, falling for a guy who shares your property line is a line you shouldn't cross.

Still, I'm an outgoing gal, so I do the neighborly thing and offer to be his dating insider. Surely, I can help this small town's most eligible bachelor ever navigate his way through all the fantastic single ladies eager to make his acquaintance. What could possibly go wrong in helping the dream guy next door find his one true love?

So I set him up on one date, two dates, three dates -- and I'm about to find out exactly how dangerous my offer is.

The Dream Guy Next Door by Lauren Blakely

I listened to this book back in July on Audible, and I have to say that it was a quick read. I do not have much to say about it because, for me, it was not memorable, and with all the spice in the story, I just lost interest. At the beginning of the book, I enjoyed getting to know the female lead and her daughter, along with the male lead and his son. I enjoyed learning about them. The story was very much like a fluffy read until the steam hit, and then I was just over it. Reader, if you are looking for a romance with a strong female character who has a great relationship with her daughter, then give this one a go because you may like it. If you like steamy romances, then chances are you will enjoy this story. If you are a fan of a closed-door romance, then maybe do not give this story a go because, over halfway through, the steam picks up. As I said, this book was just not memorable, and sadly, the steam ruined it for me.

Trigger Warnings:

Death of a Parent
Sick Parent
Talk of Cancer
Divorce

Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller
Series: Daughter of the Pirate King #1
Published by Macmillan on February 28, 2017
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General, Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / Pirates, Juvenile Fiction / Love & Romance, Juvenile Fiction / Royalty, Young Adult Fiction / Action & Adventure / Pirates, Young Adult Fiction / Fantasy / Romance, Young Adult Fiction / Romance / Historical, Young Adult Fiction / Social Themes / Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance
Pages: 320
Format: eBook
Source: Amazon

There will be plenty of time for me to beat him soundly once I've gotten what I came for.

Sent on a mission to retrieve an ancient hidden map—the key to a legendary treasure trove—seventeen-year-old pirate captain Alosa deliberately allows herself to be captured by her enemies, giving her the perfect opportunity to search their ship.

More than a match for the ruthless pirate crew, Alosa has only one thing standing between her and the map: her captor, the unexpectedly clever and unfairly attractive first mate Riden. But not to worry, for Alosa has a few tricks up her sleeve, and no lone pirate can stop the Daughter of the Pirate King.

In Daughter of the Pirate King, debut author Tricia Levenseller blends action, adventure, romance, and a little bit of magic into a thrilling pirate tale.

Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller

I read this book back in July as a buddy read and as part of a readathon that I was participating in over the summer. I had never heard of this book and knew nothing about it except that it had to do with pirates, which was all that mattered to me at the time because I needed a pirate book to fill a prompt. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by this book, and I absolutely loved it. It has been months since I read it, so I am not going to try to give a detailed review, but I do have some things I want to say. When I was reading this book, I had a very difficult time putting it down because I needed to know what would happen next. I was so interested in Alosa’s story and the kind of relationship she had with her father. I am just going to say it here: the man is a DINK. I hated the way he treated his daughter, and I am going to say that if child abuse is a TRIGGER for you, then maybe don’t pick this book up. Like I said, the man is a DINK. Alosa was not the only character that I was interested in finding out what made them tick because Riden was just as interesting to me as Alosa. Again, if child abuse and neglect are TRIGGERS for you, then beware because Riden’s relationship with his father was not a good one. He had a very interesting relationship with his brother as well, who I am going to say was a DINK as well. Reader, if you are looking for a pirate story that is full of adventure, thieving, a strong female lead character, yearning, and typical pirate behaviors, then maybe give this book a go. I found Daughter of The Pirate King to be a fun read, and I look forward to carrying on in the series.

Trigger Warnings:

Child Abuse
Child Neglect
Violence
Murder
Rape and Sexual Assault
Torture
Kidnapping and Confinement
Alcohol Consumption