Jill's Book Blog

Review: Never Trust a Gemini (Never Trust a Gemini #1)

Title: Never Trust a Gemini (Never Trust a Gemini #1)
Author: Freja Nicole Woolf
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, LGBTQ, Romance
Publisher: Walker Books US
Source: Publisher
Format: Paperback
Release Date: May 9, 2023
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Cat Phillips has her head in the stars, but her romantic fantasies may ruin her shot at real-life love in this sweet and funny lesbian story.

It’s Libra Season, and Cat Phillips is ready to run headfirst into love. The only problem is that her crush is on her best friend, Alison Bridgewater, who is more interested in chatting with boys. Maybe Cat should take this as a sign to get over Alison, even if that means dating the musically challenged Jamie Owusu. After all, a new boyfriend is the best cleanse, at least according to Cat’s friends. Unfortunately, having a boyfriend is a lot harder than Cat expected. And then Morgan Delaney swoops in with her green glasses, enigmatic smile, and talent for teasing Cat in ways that make her feel überlicious. But Morgan is a Gemini, and there’s no way that’s in Cat’s horoscope. Will Cat finally get the girl of her dreams? Or is there a chance there’s more to life than Alison Bridgewater? The stars align for the cast of this energetic romp full of comedic misunderstandings and sparkling language.

Review:

Fourteen-year-old Cat Phillips follows her horoscope exactly, so when she finds out that this Libra season is for falling in love, she’s ready. Cat has had a crush on her best friend Allison for a long time, and she’s finally ready to reveal it. When she goes to tell Allison, she finds Allison with a boy, who’s her new boyfriend. Cat takes that as a sign that it’s time to get over her crush and start dating a boy too. Dating a boy isn’t what Cat expected though, and she’s suddenly interested in Morgan, the new girl at school. However, Morgan is a Gemini and Cat can’t date a Gemini. Cat must figure out if she should try to date Allison again or if she can open her heart to Morgan.

This was such a fun book! It reminded me of the Georgia Nicholson books that I loved when I was a kid. Cat was like a younger Georgia. There was a lot of bullying between girls, including homophobic comments. However, that was resolved in such a sweet way at the end. I’m so excited that there’s a sequel to this book that’s going to be published this fall!

Never Trust a Gemini is a fun queer YA romance!

Thank you Candlewick Press and Walker Books US for sending me a copy of this book!

Content warnings: homophobia, fire

Have you read Never Trust a Gemini? What did you think of it?

Happy Pub Day – June 11

Happy Pub Day to these authors!

The Ghost of Us by James L. Sutter

Do What Godmother Says by L.S. Stratton

Hearts of Snow and Fire by David Bowles and Guadalupe Garcia McCall

That Night in the Library by Eva Jurczyk

Thank you Wednesday Books, Manda Group, Bloomsbury YA, and Poisoned Pen Press for providing copies of these books!

What books are you most excited for this week?

Review: Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies

Title: Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies
Author: Catherine Mack
Genre: Mystery, Contemporary
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: April 30, 2024
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Ten days, eight suspects, six cities, five authors, three bodies . . . one trip to die for.

All that bestselling author Eleanor Dash wants is to get through her book tour in Italy and kill off her main character, Connor Smith, in the next in her Vacation Mysteries series―is that too much to ask?

Clearly, because when an attempt is made on the real Connor’s life―the handsome but infuriating con man she got mixed up with ten years ago and now can’t get out of her life―Eleanor’s enlisted to help solve the case.

Contending with literary rivals, rabid fans, a stalker―and even her ex, Oliver, who turns up unexpectedly―theories are bandied about, and rivalries, rifts, and broken hearts are revealed. But who’s really trying to get away with murder?

Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies is the irresistible and hilarious series debut from Catherine Mack, introducing bestselling fictional author Eleanor Dash on her Italian book tour that turns into a real-life murder mystery, as her life starts to imitate the world in her books.

Review:

Eleanor Dash is a famous author of nine mystery books in the Vacation Mystery series. Her series features the detective Connor Smith, who is based on her ex-boyfriend. When Connor found out she wrote a novel about him ten years ago, he blackmailed her into giving him some of the royalties. Now, Eleanor is ready to kill off Connor. Her character. When she goes on a ten day book tour in Italy, including five other authors and the real Connor, Eleanor begins plotting her character’s death for her next book. However, someone is trying to kill the real Connor. Eleanor has to solve the real mystery of who is targeting Connor and herself, before real life turns into one of her murder mysteries.

This was one of those books that I didn’t want to end! As a writer, I loved seeing Eleanor’s life as a bestselling author. Her comments on the publishing industry were funny and accurate. This story was told from Eleanor’s perspective and she broke the fourth wall often by addressing the reader. She included many footnotes that were funny comments about the story. I’m so excited that this is the first book in a series because Eleanor’s voice was so entertaining!

Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies is an awesome first book in the series!

Thank you Minotaur Books for providing a digital copy of this book.

Content warnings: death of parents (off page), robbery, mugging, poisoning, gun violence

Have you read Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies? What did you think of it?

Review: Princess of Prophecy

Title: Princess of Prophecy
Author: Alexander Thomas
Genre: Fantasy, Humour
Publisher: Self-published
Source: Author
Format: Paperback
Release Date: October 19, 2023
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

A soothsayer promises timeless romance to anyone that defeats an invincible sorcerer king three times. Would you mess with a prophecy like that?

You might, if it messed with you first.

Princess Maryan flees an arranged marriage and takes up the challenge of the prophecy. In her way stand ravaging hordes of the undead, ignorant politicians, and her own conniving parents. She tries to recruit great warriors to her cause, but she’s stuck with a bankrupt knight, a magic-less mage, and an ex-barbarian.

Yet when battle is joined, even the unluckiest of failures can become heroes. And that’s convenient, since the survival of many kingdoms are at stake, and this is one prophecy that no one should trust.

Review:

Princess Maryan’s parents want her to get married, but the suitors they’ve chosen for her are awful. The main suitor is a vampire who likes to lock people in cages and hang them up in trees. When Maryan hears a prophecy about defeating the Lich King, she runs away from a potential marriage on a long journey. She meets many colourful characters along the way, such as an unfashionable barbarian, a knight with a sword that doesn’t work, and a mayor who is in denial about the dangers his town is facing.

This was such a funny, satirical adventure story. I laughed out loud so many times. I really liked the references to modern culture in this fantasy world, such as an artist who was an “influencer” and sent sketches to the town square for people to “like” and comment on. I highly recommend this story for fans of funny fantasy!

Princess of Prophecy is a fun and hilarious fantasy!

Thank you Alexander Thomas and Bookinfluencers.com for providing a copy of this book as part of a paid campaign.

Have you read Princess of Prophecy? What did you think of it?

Happy Pub Day – June 4

Happy Pub Day to these authors!

Penny’s Day on the Farm by Eugenie Gloria Wong, Juliana Castro (illustrator)

Annie LeBlanc Is Not Dead Yet by Molly Morris

Malicia by Steven Dos Santos

Now, Conjurers by Freddie Kölsch

Thank you Eugenie Gloria Wong, Bookinfluencers.com, Wednesday Books, and Manda Group for providing copies of these books!

What books are you most excited for this week?

Review: Penny’s Day on the Farm

Title: Penny’s Day on the Farm
Author: Eugenie Gloria Wong, Juliana Castro (illustrator)
Genre: Children’s, Picture Book
Publisher: Hasmark Publishing
Source: Author
Format: Paperback
Release Date: June 4, 2024
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Are you looking for a captivating picture book that instills confidence in your child and models how to make friends?
Look no further than Penny’s Day on the Farm by author Eugenie Gloria Wong.

This rhyming picture book follows Penny, a little girl with a room full of stuffed animals who are her friends. On the evening before her first day of school, the words on a mysterious note whisk her away into a magical realm where animals talk and unexpected friendships blossom.

With a newfound friend by her side, Penny navigates how to reach out to others through teamwork, kindness, and embracing new experiences. She discovers the magic ingredient that makes friends flock to her and learns that moments of adventure can begin with a simple wish … and an open heart.

Penny’s Day on the Farm is filled with heartwarming and humorous illustrations by Juliana Castro. This book is from the series The Adventures of Pierre and Penny LePockets, which strives to teach children life lessons and build their self-esteem through fantastical adventure stories.

Review:

Penny is excited for her first day of school tomorrow. Before she goes to sleep, she finds a note with a spell that transports her to a farm. She meets all kinds of animals on the farm, and teaches a group of pigs how to play soccer. After making friends with animals on the farm, Penny is ready to make new friends at school.

This was such a fun picture book! I liked that it showed how easy it was for Penny to make friends with animals, so then she can use those skills to make friends with kids on her first day of school. I loved the illustrations! They were vibrant and colourful. I would have loved reading this book when I was a kid.

Penny’s Day on the Farm is a beautiful picture book!

Thank you Eugenie Wong and Bookinfluencers.com for providing a copy of this book as part of a paid campaign!

Have you read Penny’s Day on the Farm? What did you think of it?

Review: Love, Lies, and Cherry Pie

Title: Love, Lies, and Cherry Pie
Author: Jackie Lau
Genre: Romance, Contemporary
Publisher: Atria Books
Source: Publisher via Edelweiss
Format: Ebook
Release Date: May 7, 2024
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

A charming rom-com about a young woman’s desperate attempts to fend off her meddling mother…only to find that maybe mother does know best.

Mark Chan this. Mark Chan that.

Writer and barista Emily Hung is tired of hearing about the great Mark Chan, the son of her parents’ friends. You’d think he single-handedly stopped climate change and ended child poverty from the way her mother raves about him. But in reality, he’s just a boring, sweater-vest-wearing engineer, and when they’re forced together at Emily’s sister’s wedding, it’s obvious he thinks he’s too good for her.

But now that Emily is her family’s last single daughter, her mother is fixated on getting her married and she has her sights on Mark. There’s only one solution, clearly : convince Mark to be in a fake relationship with her long enough to put an end to her mom’s meddling. He reluctantly agrees.

Unfortunately, lying isn’t enough. Family friends keep popping up at their supposed dates—including a bubble tea shop and cake-decorating class—so they’ll have to spend more time together to make their relationship look real. With each fake date, though, Emily realizes that Mark’s not quite what she assumed and maybe that argyle sweater isn’t so ugly after all…

Review:

Emily Hung is the only one out of five sisters who is single. She’s a published author who also works as a barista, so she doesn’t have time to date. At her sister’s wedding, her mom tries to set her up with Mark Chan. Her mom is constantly talking about what a great guy Mark is, which automatically turns Emily off him. When her mom sets her up on a date with Mark, Emily decides to have a fake relationship with Mark to get her mom off her back. However, when her family friends start appearing during their fake dates, Emily realizes they have to start going on real dates to prove to her mom that the relationship is real. As Emily starts to enjoy their dates, she starts to realize that the guy her mom picked out for her may be a better match than she thought.

I loved this story! I found Emily to be such a relatable character as a writer. Her comments and references to the publishing world were so accurate and often funny. I loved the relationship between Emily and Mark. Their “third-act-breakup” wasn’t too intense, which made the ending light and fun. It had such a heartwarming ending!

Love, Lies, and Cherry Pies is a fun rom com!

Thank you Atria Books for providing a copy of this book.

Have you read Love, Lies, and Cherry Pie? What did you think of it?

Review: An Inconvenient Wife: A Modern Tudor Mystery

Title: An Inconvenient Wife: A Modern Tudor Mystery
Author: Karen E. Olson
Genre: Contemporary, Thriller, Mystery
Publisher: Pegasus Crime
Source: Once Upon a Book Club Box
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: April 2, 2024
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

This astonishing crime novel—inspired by the Tudor era—takes the reader into the world of Kate Parker, who has just married billionaire Hank Tudor when a headless body is discovered near their summer home . . .

Kate Parker knows what she’s getting into when she marries billionaire businessman Hank Tudor—she’s his sixth wife, after all, and was by his side (as his assistant) when his fifth marriage to actress Caitlyn Howard fell apart.

But honeymoon plans go awry when a headless body is discovered near Hank’s summer home, forcing Kate to contend with two more of his exes: Catherine Alvarez—the first—who lives as a shut-in with her computers, carefully following Tudor Enterprises; and Anna Klein—the fourth—who runs a bed-and-breakfast where she and her wife keep a steady eye on things—particularly Hank’s children, Lizzie and Teddy.

In this clever and suspenseful reimagining of Tudor era betrayals, these three women become entwined in a deadly game of cat and mouse—with each other, Hank, and Hank’s brilliant fixer, Tom Cromwell—as Kate seeks to solve the puzzle of who the murdered woman is, who killed her, and whether her death has any connection to the other headless body from eight years ago.

Review:

Kate Parker married her former boss Hank Tudor, and became his sixth wife. Their honeymoon was cut short when a headless body was found on one of Hank’s properties. Through the investigation, Kate has to deal with two of Hank’s ex-wives: his first wife Catherine who lives as a shut-in and Anna Klein who runs an inn and looks after Hank’s children. These three women become involved in the investigation, questioning their roles in Hank’s life and if he is behind the murder.

This was such an amazing Tudor adaptation. I love reading about Henry VIII and his wives. This story was cleverly adapted into modern time, while also following the true story and creating a suspenseful mystery. The final chapters kept me guessing with all the twists, and the ending gave me goosebumps! It’s one of my favourite book endings!

An Inconvenient Wife is a must read for Tudor fans!

Content warnings: murder, divorce, adultery, agoraphobia

Have you read An Inconvenient Wife? What did you think of it?

Happy Pub Day – May 28

Happy Pub Day to these authors!

Twelfth Knight by Alexene Faros Follmuth

All’s Fair in Love and War by Virginia Heath

If Something Happens to Me by Alex Finlay

Thank you Tor Teen, St. Martin’s Press, and Minotaur Books for providing copies of these books!

What books are you most excited for this week?

Review: Promposal

Title: Promposal
Author: R.H. Bird
Genre: Young Adult, Romance
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Source: Publisher
Format: Ebook
Release Date: March 4, 2024
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Sixteen-year-old Luca Esposito is in detention again. “Guess who’s selling her prom tickets?” Nathan asked with a goofy grin. “It’s Piper Kraft. Your ex.” Luca’s heart stopped. They broke up ten months ago, but he can’t get Piper out of his mind. Could this be his chance to win her back? Just two she hates him, and there are only twelve hours to prom. The clock is ticking. Can he pull off the world’s most amazing Promposal and recapture the girl he loves?

Review:

1990: While sixteen-year-old Luca Esposito is in detention, he finds out that his ex-girlfriend, Piper, is selling her prom tickets because she didn’t have a date. Even though he broke up with her months ago, he can’t stop thinking about her. Then, his friend gets into a fight that is threatened to continue after prom. His friend wants Luca there to help him out. Luca tries to get Piper to accept his invitation to prom, and then figure out how to get them ready for the big night.

This was a cute YA rom com, which was told from the perspective of the male main character. It wasn’t really clear from the beginning that the story was set in 1990, but from the lack of cell phones, I suspected it wasn’t set in recent years. The characters felt like real teenagers in the way that they had no filter with what they said at times.

Promposal is a fun prom-themed rom com!

Thank you R.H. Bird, The Wild Rose Press, and Bookinfluencers.com for providing a digital copy of this book for a sponsored campaign.

Content warnings: bullying, alcohol use

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