This gender-bent Beauty and the Beast retelling with Ella Enchanted (the movie) vibes was an absolute treat. It genuinely made me laugh out loud with all its smart quips and the adorable romance made me swoon, repeatedly. The two main characters have chemistry that leaps off the page and there's a lovable diverse friend group that you won't want to part with. Get ready for balls, masquerades, and posh garden parties as well as enchanted forests, silly princes, and a support group for those who've been cursed. Also Tevin is a total dreamboat and I love him. That is all.
A delightful queer romance with a fun sci. fi. setting. There's a nice balance between cute relationship moments and unraveling an interplanetary mystery full of political intrigue. I listened to the audiobook on Libro.fm and it was top notch.
If you want something that will pull you in and be a great time, pick this one up, you'll thank me later.
P.S. Your heart is NOT ready for Prince Kiem and Count Jainan <3 <3
If life has sucked out all of your creative energy like a vampire with no self control, this is the pep talk you need. It's a reminder to treasure what inspires you and to savor the act of making something. Try a different medium, use your hands, cut, paste, paint, type, etc. Let it fill you up whether it turns into something good or bad, it doesn't really matter at this moment, just make something. It's also a reminder that while you can't control when you'll have a stroke of genius sent by the muses, you can control your routine, your workspace, and small actions that will make you more likely to create. I highly recommend this book for any creative who needs a pick me up right now.
This book was so much fun! It's set in a futuristic world where everyone has a "baku", which is like a smart phone but shaped like an animal that is the perfect, little companion. Lacey Chu dreams of one day working for MONCHA, the huge tech firm behind Bakus, and to do so she needs to get into the prestigious Profectus Academy. However, Lacey can only afford a Level 1 Baku that isn't good enough to get into the Academy. But then Lacey stumbles upon a broken cat baku that's surprisingly advanced and she suddenly finds herself accepted into the Academy of her dreams. And thus begins a fun adventure full of twists and turns as Lacey meets friends and enemies at her new school, puts her mechanic skills to the test with baku battle training and discovers that this little cat baku she found might actually be a part of something much bigger than she ever could have expected.
If you're looking for a romance you can root for, pick this one up. This book called my name because it had a Hallmark movie premise that sounded fun during a very unfun time in the world. Right off the bat, I was hooked by the two main characters being sworn enemies who had lots of snarky banter together (I'm a sucker for a classic hate to love situation). It's also set in Hawaii, a definite plus, where these two foes go on a fake honeymoon together to redeem a free trip where there are lots of couples-only activities where they maybe, possibly start to not hate each other as much. I recommend it if you want a funny, sexy, good time.
