jilljemmett

Review: Joy to the Girls (She Gets the Girl #1.5)

Title: Joy to the Girls (She Gets the Girl #1.5)
Author: Rachael Lippincott, Alyson Derrick
Genre: Romance, Contemporary, LGBTQ
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
Source: Publisher
Format: Paperback arc
Release Date: September 30, 2025
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

For Alex and Molly, the last three years have felt like Christmas every day. So what better way to celebrate their final winter break of college than a romantic holiday getaway in a town right out of a Christmas-card?

Aside from sampling all the holiday cheer Barnwich has to offer, Alex and Molly have an important mission this weekend: to help their friend, Cora, get her crush to fall for her. But in between ice skating, snowball fights, and matchmaking schemes, it becomes obvious that both of them have another mission this weekend: to not reveal the huge secrets they’re each keeping from the other. Secrets about their post-college plans that just might threaten to tear them apart.

Will these two be able to help Cora get the girl and keep theirs—or will this be the last Christmas of Alex and Molly’s love story?

Review:

This is a cute holiday novella. It’s a companion novella to the novel She Gets the Girl, however it can be read as a stand-alone. There was a fun cameo appearance of the characters from Make My Wish Come True. There was romance and lots of tension because both of the main characters were keeping secrets from each other.

Joy to the Girls is a fun holiday novella!

Thank you Simon and Schuster Canada for sending me a copy of this book.

Other books in the series:

She Gets the Girl (She Gets the Girl #1)

Have you read Joy to the Girls? What did you think of it?

Review: A Heart for Christmas

Title: A Heart for Christmas
Author: Sophie Jomain
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
Source: Publisher
Format: Paperback
Release Date: September 30, 2025
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

A teen reclaims her independence and opens her heart to Christmas with the help of a handsome ski instructor in this swoon-worthy young adult holiday romance told in a groundbreaking advent calendar format, with chapter-a-day reading making it a true slow-burn!

When eighteen-year-old April heads to the foothills of Mont Blanc in the Alps to spend her first Christmas at her father’s chalet, she’s hoping for a change. Ever since her heart operation two years ago, she’s lived as carefully as possible. Supervised exercise, green tea, rice cakes, focusing only on her studies. But now, she’s healthy and there’s a world out there that she’s missing.

When April’s ski instructor turns out to be her best friend’s older brother, Augustin, it feels like a sign. As Augustin encourages April to build up her strength, April feels drawn to him in ways she wasn’t expecting. Augustin is daring and gorgeous, and April doesn’t want to let her life pass her by any longer. But is her just-healed heart ready for a Christmas miracle?

With this book’s unique advent calendar format, each of the twenty-four chapters is sealed by its own perforated enclosure that readers can gently tear open—by hand or with the help of a ruler—to read a chapter a day in the weeks leading to Christmas!

Review:

This is an advent story, with 24 chapters. Each chapter is sealed so they can be opened and read in the 24 days leading up to Christmas. Each chapter ended in a way that made me want to keep reading. April had a heart transplant 3 years earlier so she had to protect her heart both literally and figuratively. This YA romance had a heartwarming holiday romance.

This is a great advent YA romance!

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

Content warnings: heart transplant, hospital scenes, attempted suicide (mention), bullying (mentions)

Have you read A Heart for Christmas? What did you think of it?

Review: Hunger

Title: Hunger
Author: Nihaarika Negi, Joe Bocaroda, José Villarrubia
Genre: Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Science Fiction
Publisher: The Lab Press
Source: Bookinfluencers.com
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: October 28, 2025
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

In 1896 Bombay under British rule, famine-stricken mutant Izna embraces her monstrous nature to seek revenge against oppressive forces.

In 1896 Bombay, under British rule, a concentration camp holds IZNA, a plague-infected and famine-stricken being. Mutated through medical experiments, she, along with others, becomes a mutant. British officers invite famine photographer William Wallace Hooper to document the mutants, unaware he’s controlled by a shape-shifting vampire called Pisach. The Pisach infects prey with insatiable hunger, while Hooper bonds with Izna amidst rulers’ games with famine slaves.

Unbeknownst, Izna descends from women embracing monsters. Discovering Hooper’s role in her mother’s death, she wishes to become a monster herself. Transformed into a half-human, half-mutant, half-beast, she embraces her hunger, consuming oppressors and drenching her land in blood. This infinite hunger mirrors trauma’s generational and cultural impact, forging an inseparable link between oppressed and oppressor. The graphic novel blends True Blood, Kill Bill, and Spiral Into Horror, delving into hunger’s exploration of trauma’s pervasive influence.

Review:

This is a beautifully illustrated graphic novel. It’s about experiments that were performed in a concentration camp in India in 1896. The experiments turned many subjects into mutants who were further experimented on. The illustrations were at times gruesome, but that suited the horrific subject matter. This would be a great graphic novel for a book club or other literary discussions.

Hunger is a powerful graphic novel!

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

Content warnings: body horror, famine

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

Review: The Thieves’ Carousel

Title: The Thieves’ Carousel
Author: Briana Chen
Genre: Fantasy, Fiction
Publisher: Z-Choice International
Source: iRead Book Tours
Format: Ebook
Release Date: August 8, 2025
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

What price would you pay to undo a death?

In the shadowed streets of Aspizia, two thieves—Lyo Morandi and Jasper Bray—risk everything to rewrite the past. Haunted by the death of their friend Milo, they set their sights on a forbidden a ring reputed to alter time.

To steal it, they must infiltrate the Thieves’ Carousel, a ruthless exhibition where the city’s most dangerous criminals flaunt their treasures—and fight to keep them. But as Lyo and Jasper descend deeper into the catacombs beneath Aspizia, they uncover a truth far more dangerous than they the ring’s power comes at a devastating cost.

Loyalties splinter. Betrayal lurks around every corner. Loyalties splinter. As the game turns deadly, they must ask How far will they go to rescue the past and save the future—and how much of themselves are they willing to lose?

The Thieves’ Carousel is a gripping tale of ambition, sacrifice, and the haunting price of second chances.

Review:

This is a gripping fantasy set in a dark world of secret societies and thieves. Lyo and Jasper want to play the Mago’s trial to bring back their friend Milo. However, it comes at a cost. This story kept me guessing until the end. It was fast paced and thrilling!

The Thieves Carousel is a thrilling fantasy!

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

Content warnings: death, knife violence

Have you read The Thieves’ Carousel? What did you think of it?

Review: Avarice (A Hollywood Mystery #3)

Title: Avarice (A Hollywood Mystery #3)
Author: Britt Lind
Genre: Thriller, Contemporary
Publisher: Bublish
Source: iRead Book Tours
Format: Ebook
Release Date: August 21, 2025
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Taking a long-awaited holiday in Pacific Beach, California, ex-cop, now prosecutor, Rosemaria Baker and her fiancé, singer-songwriter Josh Sibley are enjoying the sun and each other, anticipating a few days of focusing on the good things in life, but their vacation is interrupted by an attempt on Rosemaria’s life. The assassins escape while Rosemaria is hospitalized severely injured. The police cast a wide net and clues lead them to investigate suspects amongst the wealthy denizens of Beverly Hills, former roommates who lived in drug infested squalor in the worst part of Hollywood, and criminals Rosemaria helped convict. Working with her ex-homicide-detective father, and her former partners in the Beverly Hills Police Department, Rosemaria helps track down possible offenders who have fled California while all her instincts tell her that the person who wants her dead is much closer to home.

Review:

This is an intense thriller. I think it could be read as a stand-alone, even though it’s the third in the series. Most of the characters were new to this book, and there were some references to what happened in the past. There were a lot of characters to keep track of and some had similar names so that could get confusing at times. I enjoyed this thriller.

Avarice is a great thriller.

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

Content warnings: gun violence, death of parent (mentions), drug use (mentions)

Other books in the series:

Deception (A Hollywood Mystery #1)
Malevolence (A Hollywood Mystery #2)

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

Review: Deception (A Hollywood Mystery #1)

Title: Deception (A Hollywood Mystery #1)
Author: Britt Lind
Genre: Mystery, Thriller
Publisher: Bublish
Source: iRead Book Tours
Format: Ebook
Release Date: May 12, 2020
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Blood and dreams run red through the magical land of Hollywood, and rarely do kind souls win the spoils of war…

Singer/songwriter Josh Sibley is handsome, talented, and smart, but he tries to appease his demons with alcohol in an effort to break free of his complicated past. When he gets the opportunity to write songs for a multi-million dollar feature film, he throws himself in head first, determined to shake his bad luck streak. Then he meets Lila Levy, the sexy singer/actress who is married to the producer of the movie. She attempts to use her sexuality to hook Josh into a secret love affair—but Josh surprises himself by keeping his feelings under wraps while trying to teach Lila to sing his songs.

But this is Hollywood, and dark souls are clothed in glamour and secrets. When Lila’s husband Stan is murdered, Lila disappears, leaving Josh to deal with the woman determined to track her down—Sergeant Rosemaria Baker of the Beverly Hills Police Department. Beautiful yet disenchanted with the glitz of Hollywood, Rosemaria considers Josh a delusional loser but he’s her best lead. Too bad Josh doesn’t know Lila in the way he thought he did. When the cops finally bring Lila in, she declares herself innocent and builds her case around disturbing childhood trauma that will twist Josh’s soul.

Review:

This was an intense thriller. I liked the Hollywood setting. Many of the characters were in show business. I liked that this story showed every part of the crime from before it happened to the trial afterwards. I’m curious to see how this series continues!

Deception is a suspenseful thriller.

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

Content warnings: death, gun violence, incest, adultery

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

Review: That Kind of Girl

Title: That Kind of Girl
Author: Natalie C. Anderson
Genre: Young Adult, Thriller
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books
Source: Publisher
Format: Paperback arc
Release Date: June 24, 2025
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

In this gripping YA thriller perfect for fans of Jessica Goodman and Amber Smith, two girls from opposite worlds play a dangerous game of cat and mouse when a rich classmate is murdered and they’re both prime suspects. The race is on to find out which one is a killer.

Sixteen-year-old amateur sleuth Roxie is shrewd, nimble, cunning, and only a little bit damaged. She also has a real knack for finding things, making her the perfect go-to detective for her rich classmates at St. Margaret when they’re looking to retrieve the things they’ve “lost”— no questions asked. So when queen bee Kirsten Montgomery-Wiggins pays Roxie a hefty sum to track down a mysterious blonde who “stole” her phone, Roxie accepts. Although Kirsten is a bully and she and Roxie have bad blood between them, Roxie could really use the cash. But that same night, Roxie finds Kirsten murdered in her mansion, and police zero in on her as a prime suspect.

On the outskirts of town in a trailer park, Inez, a part-time maid and part-time sex-worker, keeps finding blood everywhere. Crusted in her earring, threaded into her shoelace. She should really toss her shoes so there’s nothing to tie her to the body, but these shoes cost her a few “favors” and several hours of cleaning houses. How could the night have gone so wrong? She really thought she was working her way to a better life, but now she could be headed to jail if the wrong someone puts two and two together.

Roxie doesn’t know who she’s looking for and Inez doesn’t know who she’s hiding from. But all roads seem to lead to Montgomery House, as Roxie works to clear her own name and Inez attempts to stay one step ahead of the law and the men who hurt her.

Review:

This was a thrilling and suspenseful story. The short chapters made this a quick read because I couldn’t put it down. There were a few mysteries that didn’t seem to be connected but they were interwoven by the end. There were also some tough subject matters, such as cults and the dangers of sex work.

That Kind of Girl is an intense and thrilling story!

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

Content warnings: death of parent, murder, gun violence, sex work, sexual assault, drugging, cult

Have you read That Kind of Girl? What did you think of it?

Review: Sister Acts

Title: Sister Acts
Author: Sharon Adelman Reyes
Genre: Fiction, Historical
Publisher: Lake Grove Press
Source: iRead Book Tours
Format: Ebook
Release Date: August 6, 2025
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Four sisters. Four clashing personalities. Four different ways of living in the world.

Sister Acts explores the impact of loss on three generations of one family –- in particular, the degree to which, to paraphrase Phyllis Chesler, women are capable of inhumanity toward other women. At times heartbreaking and at times hilarious, the novel illuminates the resilience that can come from knowing one’s roots and the estrangement that can result from trying to escape them.

Sophie Malinsky’s sudden death leaves her Left-wing Jewish family in disarray. Rather than bringing her young daughters closer, the loss creates a tangle of jealousies and recriminations. Rose, the eldest, recognizing their father’s limitations, at first tries to become a surrogate mother for her three sisters. But they resent her efforts, each one channeling – or repressing – her grief in a different way. In the absence of Sophie’s love and guidance, two sisters lose their way. Naomi moves to Mexico and tries to shed her Jewish identity. Betti ends up in Nashville pursuing a dream, never realized, of stardom as a rockabilly musician. A fourth sister, Marla, strives for dominance from an early age. Her jealousy of Rose leads to a toxic rivalry that persists well into middle age, affecting their own daughters as well. Lurking behind the conflicts is a family secret that Sophie had planned, but failed, to reveal. Decades later, when Rose finally uncovers it, the Malinskys’ saga finally comes into sharp focus.

Review:

This book is a family drama that follows four sisters as they grow from children into adults. Their relationships morphed as they aged and had different life experiences. They each went on their own paths, even though they had the same upbringing. There was a fun twist at the end that I didn’t expect, but it made the ending satisfying.

Sister Acts is a great family saga!

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

Content warnings: death of parent, attempted suicide, miscarriage, Alzheimer’s, alcoholism

Have you read Sister Acts? What did you think of it?

Review:The Jurassic Winter Classic

Title: The Jurassic Winter Classic
Author: Harry Caminelli, Jack Stubbs
Genre: Children’s, Board Book
Publisher: Taffy Tales
Source: Publisher
Format: Board book
Release Date: November 4, 2025
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Get ready for a dino-mite hockey adventure that’ll have your little one laughing, cheering, and maybe even sharpening their slapshot! Thomas Rex is big, strong, and ready to play hockey—but there’s just one little problem: He can’t skate! (Yikes!) Luckily, his dino-pal Alex is here to help, but soon enough, they discover a way bigger problem—Thomas doesn’t know how to stop! But, hey, what’s a little thing like that when you’re a T. rex with a dream? As the Jurassic Winter Classic draws near, Thomas and his crew of dino friends decide to throw caution to the wind and enter the tournament. After all, the Raptors have won it every year, and no one thinks Team Dino has a chance… right? WRONG! With Thomas’ sick hands and a little practice, they just might have a shot at taking down the Raptors and ending their winning streak for good. Will Thomas learn how to skate, how to stop, and maybe even how to score? Will the Raptors’ smug faces get a major comeuppance? Will Team Dino finally shine?

Review:

In this story, Thomas Rex wants to play hockey but he struggles with it. When the Raptors make fun of him and his friend one day, it motivates them to practice hard so they can win the Jurassic Winter Classic game. Thomas learned that with practice and teamwork, he could become a successful hockey player and win the tournament.

The Jurassic Winter Classic is a fun hockey board book!

Thank you Taffy Tales for providing a copy of this book as part of a sponsored campaign!

Have you read The Jurassic Winter Classic? What did you think of it?

Review: Hockey ABC

Title: Hockey ABC
Author: Taffy Tales
Genre: Children’s, Board Book
Publisher: Taffy Tales
Source: Publisher
Format: Board book
Release Date: October 1, 2024
Rating: ★★★★★

Synopsis:

Lace up your skates and get ready to learn your ABCs–Hockey ABC is the ultimate alphabet board book for toddlers and preschoolers who love hockey! Part of Taffy Tales’ best-selling Fun Flaps series, this chunky, interactive board book is packed with hockey-themed words, silly surprises, and flap-filled fun, making learning the alphabet a total power play.From A is for Assist to Z is for Zamboni, each page is bursting with hockey-related words, colorful illustrations, and fun facts that bring the game to life. Kids will discover everything from gear (J is for Jersey) to game rules to key team roles–like the Captain with the big C on their sweater and Assistants proudly wearing their As.Every sturdy flap hides a surprise, encouraging hands-on exploration and adding a playful twist to early learning. With hockey humor, wacky details (yes, even a moose on skates!), and lively illustrations, Hockey ABC is the perfect mix of education and entertainment.

Review:

This board book teaches the ABCs with hockey themed words. There are fun flaps that lift up to make the book interactive. It teaches lots of aspects of hockey including penalties like icing and offside. I loved all the vibrant illustrations too.

Hockey ABC is a great board book!

Thank you Taffy Tales for providing a copy of this book as part of a sponsored campaign!

Have you read Hockey ABC? What did you think of it?