Jill's Book Blog

Review: Sibylline

Title: Sibylline
Author: Melissa de la Cruz
Genre: New Adult, Fantasy, Contemporary
Publisher: G. P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
Source: Publisher
Format: Paperback arc
Release Date: February 3, 2026
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Three teens infiltrate the magical ivy league in this heart-stopping dark academia romantasy, the first in a young adult duology from #1 New York Times bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz.

Raven, Atticus, and Dorian have dreamed of attending Sibylline for as long as they can remember. But when the magical ivy league rejects them, the friends’ plans of a future together studying the arcane begin crashing down.

Until they decide to steal an education.

Getting jobs on campus, they sneak into lectures and swipe forbidden texts, dodging the administration’s watchful eye. In the quiet of night, in the thrill of secrecy, their magic awakens. And so do long-buried attractions that turn their friendship into something more.

But like magic, love can create, and it can destroy. As unrequited feelings and resentment threaten to fracture their bond, the trio discovers an insidious magic that has sunk its claws into Sibylline, killing students and corroding the very bones of the university. Now the three intruders may be the key to saving the institution from wreckage . . . if they don’t wreck one another first.

Review:

This was a fun and exciting new adult fantasy! It was fast-paced and thrilling. The magical world was well developed right from the beginning. There was a love triangle, which I know can be controversial, but I like love triangle tropes because they can be realistic.

Sibylline is a great fantasy!

Thank you Penguin Teen Canada for providing a copy of this book!

Have you read Sibylline? What did you think of it?

Review: Unfairies

Title: Unfairies
Author: Huw Aaron
Genre: Graphic Novel, Middle Grade, Fantasy
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: January 27, 2026
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Prepare to enter the world of the Unfairies! A hilarious new full-colour graphic novel series from breakout talent Huw Aaron, where the epic adventure of Amulet meets the super silly humour of Bunny VS Monkey and Dog Man . . . all on the scale of The Borrowers . . .
Some stories will tell you fairies are sweet, kind, magical creatures. Well, those stories are WRONG.
It’s time everyone knew the fairies are sneaky, violent and about as magical as slugs.
Join our RECKLESS, FEARLESS and, well, CLUELESS, hero Pip on a breakneck adventure among the warring unfairy tribes of The Garden.

Expect sinister plots, dubious ancient prophecies, thrilling centipede chases, a bit of bug-bum honey . . . and a hero who doesn’t give two hoots about anything.

Review:

This is a fun graphic novel about a silly fairy who is always getting in trouble. Pip is clueless about the tasks he’s given and how his actions affect others. He just wants to have a party. There were a number of funny parts that I think young readers will love!

Unfairies is a great middle grade graphic novel!

Thank you Penguin Teen Canada for providing a copy of this book!

Have you read Unfairies? What did you think of it?

Review: Oak Logs and Gasoline

Title: Gas Logs and Gasoline
Author: Jake Knox
Genre: Nonfiction
Publisher: Spines
Source: Bookinfluencers.com
Format: Ebook
Release Date: January 2, 2026
Rating: ★★★★★

Synopsis:

EVERY PERSON CARRIES A FIRE INSIDE — A SPARK OF POTENTIAL, STRENGTH, AND PURPOSE.

BUT FIRE NEEDS TENDING. IT NEEDS FUEL. IT NEEDS GUIDANCE.

Oak Logs and Gasoline is a book for young people finding their way, and for the mentors walking beside them. Through honest stories and timeless lessons, Jake Knox offers a grounded path toward self-awareness, integrity, and strength that lasts.

It’s not about being perfect — it’s about being real.

About learning who you are, what you stand for, and how to keep your fire burning steady when life gets hard.

Because the world doesn’t need more noise.

It needs more light.

Review:

Everyone has a fire burning inside. If you feed it gasoline, it burns hot and dies out fast. If you feed it oak logs, it burns steadily until you can replenish it and keep it going so that it doesn’t stop. That’s what this book is about. It’s a guide with thoughtful questions about your strengths and how to become self-aware. As a content creator, I could relate to a lot of the points about your self image and public image. This is a great book for anyone at any stage of life, but especially for young adults or readers at the beginning of your career.

Oak Logs and Gasoline is a great book!

Thank you Bookinfluencers.com for providing a copy of this book as part of a sponsored campaign!

Have you read Oak Logs and Gasoline? What did you think of it?

Review: The Purpose of Getting Lost

Title: The Purpose of Getting Lost
Author: Tracy Smith
Genre: Memoir
Publisher: Compass Story Press
Source: Bookinfluencers.com
Format: Ebook
Release Date: January 11, 2026
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

The Purpose of Getting Lost isn’t a story about travel—it’s a story about what happens when a woman finally stops living on autopilot and starts choosing herself.

As Tracy Smith approached fifty and her kids grew up, she realized she’d spent years taking care of everyone but herself. So she booked a trip. Then another. And another. Thirty countries and five continents later, the miles she collected turned into something she didn’t clarity.

In airports, alleys, homestays, temples, and the quiet moments in between, Tracy found pieces of the woman she used to be—and the one she wanted to become. Written in a candid, heartfelt voice that explores what it means to be a woman at midlife—independent, curious, a little scared, and completely alive—this memoir traces how getting lost taught her to build a life that feels like her own.

For readers who

Honest, emotionally rich memoirsStories of reinvention and midlife transformationSolo female travel and self-discoveryBooks that blend adventure with heartThe Purpose of Getting Lost is a testament to the courage it takes to step into the unknown—and the joy of finding yourself there.

Review:

This is an entertaining memoir about how the author found herself through travel. I enjoyed reading about her world travels. The trips that she went on were more adventurous than the trips I go on, so I enjoyed reading about this different perspective. Tracy had the courage to step outside of her comfort zone and discover herself along the way!

The Purpose of Getting Lost is a great memoir!

Thank you Bookinfluencers.com for providing a copy of this book as part of a sponsored campaign!

Have you read The Purpose of Getting Lost? What did you think of it?

Review: Beth Is Dead

Title: Beth Is Dead
Author: Katie Bernet
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Thriller
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Paperback arc
Release Date: January 6, 2026
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Beth March’s sisters will stop at nothing to track down her killer—until they begin to suspect each other—in this debut thriller that’s also a bold, contemporary reimagining of the beloved classic Little Women.

When Beth March is found dead in the woods on New Year’s Day, her sisters vow to uncover her murderer.

Suspects abound. There’s the neighbor who has feelings for not one but two of the girls. Meg’s manipulative best friend. Amy’s flirtatious mentor. And Beth’s lionhearted first love. But it doesn’t take the surviving sisters much digging to uncover motives each one of the March girls had for doing the unthinkable.

Jo, an aspiring author with a huge following on social media, would do anything to hook readers. Would she kill her sister for the story? Amy dreams of studying art in Europe, but she’ll need money from her aunt—money that’s always been earmarked for Beth. And Meg wouldn’t dream of hurting her sister…but her boyfriend might have, and she’ll protect him at all costs.

Despite the growing suspicion within the family, it’s hard to know for sure if the crime was committed by someone close to home. After all, the March sisters were dragged into the spotlight months ago when their father published a controversial bestseller about his own daughters. Beth could have been killed by anyone.

Beth’s perspective told in flashback unfolds next to Meg, Jo, and Amy’s increasingly fraught investigation as the tragedy threatens to rip the Marches apart.

Review:

This is a fantastic reimagining of Little Women. In this story, the March sisters’ father wrote the book Little Women about his daughters. Beth died at the end of that novel, but she was alive in real life, until New Year’s Eve when she’s found dead. This story was thrilling and suspenseful. It kept me guessing until the end. I loved this story!

Beth Is Dead is a great retelling of Little Women!

Thank you Simon and Schuster Canada for providing a copy of this book!

Content warnings: death, murder, sexual assault (off page), grooming

Have you read Beth Is Dead? What did you think of it?

Review: Lovely Recipe

Title: Lovely Recipe
Author: Mira Rose Nino
Genre: Graphic Novel, Young Adult, Romance
Publisher: Random House Graphic
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: February 3, 2026
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

In this savory and sweet sapphic YA Romance graphic novel, a klutzy high schooler strives to learn her grandma’s recipes and ends up falling for a no-nonsense classmate whose family owns a restaurant.

What does cooking have in common with falling in love? They’re both matters of chemistry!

It’s Sofia’s last year in high school. All her friends are getting ready to go to far away colleges, but she doesn’t know if that path is right for her. What Sofia does understand is that, ever since her grandma died, her mom has been distant. But maybe, if Sofia can learn how to make one of grandma’s most cherished recipes, she and her mom’s relationship can go back to the way it used to be. The only problem with that idea? Sofia is terrible at cooking.

Enter Anna Marie, Sofia’s super cute classmate who’s everything Sofia isn’t– driven, disciplined, and a gifted chef. Despite getting on each other’s nerves, Anna Marie starts teaching Sofia how to cook in exchange for her help around Anna Marie’s family’s restaurant. And soon enough, they discover that the sparks between them are more than just stovetop flames.

But can love blossom when Sofia’s and Anna Marie’s lives are changing so much? Or will the impending pressures that come with graduation break them apart?

Review:

This is such a cute graphic novel. Sofia wants to connect with her Italian heritage and learn how to cook her grandmother’s recipes. However, she can’t cook. She’s also dealing with her final year of high school and her friends moving on to different places. The romance in this story was sweet and slow. Sofia and Anna Marie were opposites in personality, but they had great chemistry.

Lovely Recipe is a cute YA graphic novel!

Thank you Penguin Teen Canada for providing a copy of this book.

Have you read Lovely Recipe? What did you think of it?

Review: Move It or Bruise It (Blood City Rollers #2)

Title: Move It or Bruise It (Blood City Rollers #2)
Author: V.P. Anderson, Tatiana Hill
Genre: Graphic Novel, Middle Grade, Paranormal
Publisher: Labyrinth Road
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: January 20, 2026
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

BCRD lives on!

Mina is ready to roll…but her new team is nowhere to be found. After a summer skating around town looking in every dark corner for the Blood City Rollers, Mina and her other human teammate Swan are finally reunited with their squad at an abandoned asylum. It’s old, creepy, and has a basement full of zombies…perfect.

But if the asylum is going to be the new freaky forever home for the Vamps, they’ll have to fight for it. A new team of outcast monsters are also looking for a new home, and the only solution to a turf war this bloodthirsty is a Sudden Death Scrimmage.

Mina just wants to help her team win, but she can’t help but feel like she still has to prove she belongs. And when the competition with Swan heats up, she’ll have to learn that being a teammate isn’t about being the best player…it’s about being the best friend.

Review:

This sequel is about a 13-year-old girl who left her ice skating hobby and started roller skating with a vampire team. I love paranormal stories so this one was so fun. I know I would have loved it when I was a kid too. It ended on a bit of a cliffhanger so I look forward to the next book in the series!

Move It or Bruise It is a fun middle grade graphic novel!

Thank you Penguin Teen Canada for providing a copy of this book!

Other books in the series:

Blood City Rollers

Have you read Move It or Bruise It? What did you think of it?

Review: Sparking Fire Out of Fate (Forging Silver Into Stars #3)

Title: Sparking Fire Out of Fate (Forging Silver Into Stars #3)
Author: Brigid Kemmerer
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Publisher: Bloomsbury Books US
Source: Bookinfluencers.com
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: January 27, 2026
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Broken loyalties. Uncertain fates. Two kingdoms hanging in the balance. . . The exhilarating finale in bestselling author Brigid Kemmerer’s Forging Silver series will leave readers breathless!

Callyn has grown closer to Queen Lia Mara in Syhl Shallow, bonded by the secret magic they share. But their magic can stay hidden only so long, especially when a dangerous plot on the Queen’s life forces Callyn to work with the man who betrayed her.

In Emberfall, Tycho and Jax are struggling to rebuild their connection after months apart, complicated when they learn of Truthbringers causing trouble at the borders. Sent to investigate together, Jax and Tycho soon discover that the rebellious faction has formed a devil’s bargain with the magical scravers to destroy human magic once and for all.

When their missions bring them together, Tycho, Jax, and Callyn find themselves facing threats from all sides. With one last chance to save their magic and their kingdoms, they must work together, or lose everything.

War has erupted. Love is tested. And without sacrifice, magic could destroy everyone . . .

Review:

This book is a fantastic conclusion to the Forging Silver Into Stars trilogy. I didn’t want this series to end. I wasn’t sure if there was enough space in the book for everything to be wrapped up, but I loved the ending. It was a little open ended, so there could be more books in this world. I hope there will be another series because I love the characters and their world.

Sparking Fire Out of Fate is a great ending to the trilogy!

Thank you Bookinfluencers.com and Bloomsbury Books US for providing a copy of this book!

Other books in the series:

Forging Silver Into Stars
Carving Shadows Into Gold

Have you read Sparking Fire Out of Fate? What did you think of it?

Review: The Compassionate Writer

Title: The Compassionate Writer
Author: Anne E. Beall
Genre: Nonfiction
Publisher: Beall Research
Source: iRead Book Tours
Format: Ebook
Release Date: October 24, 2025
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Write with courage. Edit with kindness. Share your story with the world.
Every writer struggles with self-doubt, fear of rejection, and the pressure to get it just right. But what if the secret to powerful writing isn’t striving for perfection—it’s embracing compassion?

In The Compassionate Writer, you’ll discover how your inner critic and trust your creative voice.Write with vulnerability, emotional depth, and authenticity.Craft complex characters and conflicts through empathy.Overcome writer’s block and rejection with resilience.Edit your work without losing confidence in your vision.Build a supportive writing community that nurtures your growth.Through psychological insights, practical exercises, guided visualizations, and writing prompts, this book will help you cultivate self-kindness, write with emotional honesty, and create stories that resonate deeply.

Your words matter. Your voice deserves to be heard. Whether you’re writing fiction, memoir, or personal essays, this book will guide you toward a writing practice that is both fulfilling and transformative.

Are you ready to write with compassion—and change the way you tell your story?

Review:

This is a great book for writers! It teaches how to be compassionate to your readers as well as yourself while you write. This is an important skill for every writer. Each chapter had some exercises to learn how to put the ideas to use. I liked that this book discussed both fiction and nonfiction writing. They’re different types of writing, but they can use the same compassionate approach.

The Compassionate Writer is a great writing book!

Thank you iRead Book Tours for providing a copy of this book as part of a sponsored campaign!

Have you read Doctor Who: Origins? What did you think of it?

Review: His Choice

Title: His Choice
Author: Sheila Kell
Genre: Romance, Thriller
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Source: Publisher
Format: Ebook
Release Date: May 12, 2015
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Will his choice mean certain death to the woman he promised to protect? In Sheila’s passionate novel of deception and desire, a smoking-hot enforcer and a determined reporter are destined to make choices that will change everything.

Enforcer AJ Hamilton is no longer on the right side of the law. Tangled up with Baltimore’s largest crime boss, he has been tasked to threaten a bothersome reporter. After a heated encounter, his attraction to her is as unexpected as it is unwanted. Failing to warn her off, AJ is forced to protect her from her stubborn self and his criminal boss. With tensions high, their passion flares as they battle to stay one step ahead of a criminal mastermind.

Review:

This is a great romantic suspense novel! Megan was a journalist who took risks to expose a crime ring in the city. AJ was an enforcer who had to distract her from her investigation. They were thrown together in unexpected circumstances which started their romance. There were many twists that kept me guessing until the end.

His Choice is a great suspenseful romance!

Thank you The Wild Rose Press for providing a copy of this book as part of a sponsored campaign!

Content warnings: death, gun violence, murder

Have you read His Choice? What did you think of it?