book review – Page 3 – Jill's Book Blog

Review: Beyond the Light of the Willow Tree

Title: Beyond the Light of the Willow Tree
Author: Daniel E. Chambrello
Genre: Contemporary, Fiction
Publisher: The boy. The dragon. & the cherry tree swing. A Publishing Company.
Source: iRead Book Tours
Format: Ebook
Release Date: April 20, 2025
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

In the deepest dark, there is only light.

With each new generation, precious souls are called upon to serve a higher purpose. But each calling is forged in challenge and fear, and every journey hinges upon the choices made.

In present-day North Carolina, Gabriel is devoted to his wife, Jennifer, and their five rambunctious kids… until the day tragedy strikes the Connor household, setting in motion a chai of events that will transform humanity.

In ancient Rome, young Gabrielus leaves his humble village to become a protector of the emperor. He dreams of bringing glory and wealth to his family and returning a hero to his love, Jennamine. But the path ahead is steeped in grief and vengeance, and Gabrielus will be forced to make a choice that echoes through the ages.

One soul. Infinite journeys. A universe of possibilities.

In Beyond the Light of the Willow Tree, Daniel E. Chambrello crafts a guidebook for the human condition via a profound story of enduring love. Compelling perspectives of time, purpose, and mysticism reveal unique and life-changing truths for every reader

Review:

This was an emotional read about fate. It followed two timelines, one in present day North Carolina, and the other in Ancient Rome. The same members of a family were reincarnated throughout time. In the present day they had to deal with the deal with the tragic deaths of three family members. Each member of the family dealt with their grief in a different way, which shows how different people can be, even within a family. The family was deeply religious, and found comfort in their religion during that tough time.

Beyond the Light of the Willow Tree is an emotional and religious story.

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

Content warnings: car accident, death, child death (off page), death of parent, kidnapping

Have you read Beyond the Light of the Willow Tree? What did you think of it?

Review: Two Thoughts: A Timeless Collection of Infinite Wisdom

Title: Two Thoughts: A Timeless Collection of Infinite Wisdom
Author: Jim O’Shaughnessy, Vastal Kaushik
Genre: Nonfiction
Publisher: Infinite Books
Source: Publisher
Format: Ebook
Release Date: January 27, 2025
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

A quote book for thinkers, creators, and the endlessly curious, Two Thoughts is a curated collection of 500 timeless reflections from 250 of the world’s most iconic minds. From Rosa Parks to Fyodor Dostoevsky, Georgia O’Keeffe to Babe Ruth, these pages offer short, powerful insights to spark new ideas, challenge old beliefs, and re-center your day.

Whether you’re a writer seeking inspiration, a leader refining your vision, or someone looking for a thoughtful start to your morning, this book is designed for everyday reflection. Open to any page and discover a catalyst for your thoughts, your goals, or your growth.

What’s 500 powerful quotes and reflectionsInsights drawn from 250 legendary thinkersDesigned for daily use, journaling prompts, or moments of pauseClean, minimalist layout with subtle, artful illustrationsPerfect Graduation, teacher, and leadership giftsDaily reading, meditation, and mindset ritualsFans of The Daily Stoic, 101 Essays, or Tools of Titans–

Praise for Two Thoughts

“Everybody should have a copy of Two Thoughts.”
—Morgan Housel, author of The Psychology of Money and Same As Ever

“Two Thoughts provides perfect, bite-sized snippets that end up creating a very long reading list by the end! It’s a perfect curiosity tool.“
—Kyla Scanlon, author of In This Economy?

“Two Thoughts is ideal inspiration because you’ll yearn for more, then supply it yourself.”
—Derek Sivers, author of Hell Yeah or No and Anything You Want

In a distracted world, reflection is a power move. Add Two Thoughts to your routine, your reading list, or your gift stack today.

Review:

This book is a collection of thought-provoking quotes. Some were familiar but most of them were new to me. I started to make note of the ones that resonated with me, but I quickly realized that most of them did. Here are a few of my favourites:

“Wherever they burn books they will also, in the end, burn human beings.” – Heinrich Heinrich

“An investor who has all the answers doesn’t even understand the questions.” – Sir John Templeton

“Man prefers to believe what he prefers to be true.” – Francis Bacon

I didn’t agree with all the quotes in the book, but they did make me think. Some of them are probably misquoted, and those ones were labeled as such.

Two Thoughts is a great, thought-provoking book!

Thank you Infinite Books for providing a copy of this book for a paid campaign!

Buy link:

https://link.infinitebooks.com/1Lhu1qC

Have you read Two Thoughts? What did you think of it?

Review: The Price of Truth

Title: The Price of Truth
Author: Michele Clarizio
Genre: Young Adult, Thriller, Romance
Publisher: Ciao Bella Publishing
Source: iRead Book Tours
Format: Ebook
Release Date: June 15, 2025
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Seventeen-year-old Karis Russo is no stranger to pain. Still reeling from her father’s death, she’s weighted down by grief she can’t seem to outrun. But nothing prepares her for the night that upends her life once again.

After attending the grand opening of The Aragon Luxury Resort and Spa, Karis wakes up bloody and bruised with no memory of what happened. Determined to find the truth, she embarks on a relentless quest for answers.

Her investigation takes a surprising turn when she learns Mason Whitman, practically Duncan High “royalty”, has harbored a crush on her for years. His charm and their undeniable chemistry throw her into a tailspin. Caught between piecing together the night she lost and embracing the possibility of love she never saw coming, Karis convinces herself she can juggle both worlds.

But the deeper she digs into the mystery of that fateful night, the darker the truth becomes. As shocking betrayals surface and long-buried secrets claw their way to the light, Karis realizes the price of truth may cost more than she’s willing to pay.

Review:

This was a fast-paced and suspenseful YA story! There was a mystery around what happened with Karis one night when she was assaulted because she had lost her memory. She had to learn what happened to her along with the reader. The story was quite intense at the end, with a lot of twists. I really enjoyed this book!

The Price of Truth is a fast-paced YA book!

Thank you iRead Book Tours for providing a copy of this book for a paid campaign!

Content warnings: death of parent (off page), suicide (off page), sexual assault, animal death

Have you read The Price of Truth? What did you think of it?

Review: Guardians of Glyndor: The Disappearing Creatures

Title: Guardians of Glyndor: The Disappearing Creatures
Author: Nicoleclaire C.
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Publisher: Independent
Source: Bookinfluencers.com
Format: Ebook
Release Date: April 25, 2025
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Sixteen-year-old Jesse is always counting—the forty-two tiles in his café, the 37.8 percent chance of rain on Thursdays, and the stubborn minutes that keep him stuck behind the counter. It’s how he makes sense of a world that’s never quite made sense of him. Halfway across the globe, Emilyfeels too much, drowning in emotions that don’t belong to her, in a world that always asks her to be less.

Their lives change when a mysterious green-haired woman appears with an invitation to Glyndor, a prestigious school hidden in Eldora—the First Earth. In this world, magic is deeply personal. Jesse and Emily train alongside students from all over Earth, where quirks, traits, and personalities shape the magic they wield.

But Eldora is dying. Its magic is fading. The wealthy hoard what remains, while the Blanched are left powerless. As the Three Moons align, Eldora’s guardians start to disappear. Strange creatures emerge. Whispers of an ancient darkness grow louder. And amid it all, Jesse and Emily find themselves drawn together by something neither of them can ignore.

In this coming-of-age tale of magic, love and friendship, Jesse and Emily must decide who they are and what they stand for—before all they hold dear is lost.

Review:

This is a fun fantasy story set in a magical school. There were a few main characters, including Jesse who was neurodivergent. One part of the book that I really liked was the illustrations of the characters throughout the book. I love being able to see exactly what the characters look like on the page. There were some exciting twists in the story too!

Guardians of Glyndor is an exciting YA fantasy!

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

Content warning: death, parental death (off page)

Have you read Guardians of Glyndor? What did you think of it?

Review: Archipelago (The Herb Society Mysteries #2)

Title: Archipelago (The Herb Society Mysteries #2)
Author: E. William Podojil
Genre: Fiction, Thriller, Science Fiction
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Source: Publisher
Format: Ebook
Release Date: April 7, 2025
Rating: ★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Following a tragic event, The Herb Society, along with Lukas and Taylor are unwittingly pulled into Baptiste’s twisted plan to not only find a lost continent but unlock the secrets to a precious material that is only found near an archipelago he believes to be the remainder of this sunken world. Baptiste knows this material is more precious than all the gold in the world and he has big plans for it. When The Herb Society discovers Pierre Baptiste’s nefarious agenda, they unlock a global conspiracy led by the world’s rich and powerful that would completely alter civilization to their advantage for generations to come. Now The Herb Society ladies, Lukas, Taylor, Tory and her boyfriend, Pepe are thrust into the plot and must fight the forces of nature and evil to save mankind from an unimaginable future. But will they be able to stop Pierre and his clever friends from initiating the countdown to an apocalypse?

Review:

This story had a bunch of twists and turns. The direction of the story kept changing, from what I thought would be a crime thriller to a story with some science fiction and fantasy. The science aspects were interesting, but it seemed a little far fetched at times. The story was fast paced and intense, which kept me excited to read it!

Archipelago is a fast paced thriller.

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

Content warnings: death, gun violence, heart attack, tsunami, earthquake

Other books in the series:

The Poseidon Project (The Herb Society Mysteries #1)

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

Review: The Web of Time

Title: The Web of Time
Author: Flavia Brunetti
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: Blue House Literary
Source: iRead Book Tours
Format: Ebook
Release Date: May 20, 2025
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Far beneath the ground, a web quietly spins.The threads are keeping time, marking history. What’s done is done. Until now.

Protected by the gods and powering the three Great Portals of Kindness, Art, and Language, The Web of Time re-arranges itself as humans change their minds, fall in love, or cause empires to rise and fall. When the Great Portals close from the world, time begins erasing itself, histories start to disappear, Earth falls into chaos, and the gods don’t know how to stop it-until Jack meets Anna.

Anna is a passionate and solitary writer who is protected by her companion, Nafusa of Libya, the cat god. When Jack, a young painter harboring a traumatic past, falls through the Great Portal of Art in Tunis, he stumbles into Anna, and his fate.

Helped and hindered by a rotating cast of deities, the two embark on a journey that connects three ancient cities in different times: Rome, Tunis, and Tripoli. They realize that it is Anna’s gift for healing words and Jack’s natural talent for drawing places as they were that can reinstate the Great Portals and restore the world’s balance, but some of the darker gods who thrive on chaos will stop at nothing to derail their quest. As time tears faster than they can heal it, Anna and Jack must come together in time to save history, and the possibility of a future.

Review:

This is a beautiful story about the way that time works in the world. The gods interacted with Jack and Anna, who were stuck going through portals to different places and time periods. They showed how interconnected everything is throughout history. If one moment changed, it set off a chain reaction and changed all of history. I really liked the characters of Jack and Anna, and I would love to see what happened to them after the story ended.

The Web of Time is a beautiful story about time.

Thank you iRead Book Tours for providing a copy of this book for a paid campaign!

Content warnings: death of parent (off page), child abuse

Have you read The Web of Time? What did you think of it?

Review: Cursed Princess Club, Vol. 2

Title: Cursed Princess Club, Vol. 2
Author: LambCat
Genre: Graphic Novel, Romance, Young Adult
Publisher: Webtoon Unscrolled
Source: Purchased
Format: Paperback
Release Date: July 4, 2023
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Just because you’re cursed doesn’t mean you’re not special.

Gwendolyn, the youngest of the King’s three daughters, is living proof that princesses don’t always have it all. She isn’t like a typical fairy-tale princess, or other princesses in the Pastel Kingdom. Gwendolyn, with her big heart and love of baking, isn’t particularly attractive. Unlike her sisters who have woodland creatures do their hair and makeup, or have flowers blossom wherever they sleep, Gwendolyn is a bit…different. So when her father proposes marriage for her and her sisters to make an alliance with the Plaid Kingdom, it breaks Gwendolyn’s heart to hear that Prince Frederick thinks she’s “really ugly.” Overwhelmed and ashamed, she runs away into the forest and encounters the twisted world of the Cursed Princess Club, where her life will never be the same.

The Cursed Princess Club are a ragtag band of outcasts, misfits and cursed princesses who have created an incredible friendship circle. It is among these friends where Gwendolyn learns to embrace her uniqueness and find her people.

In this second book of the series, we learn low self esteem isn’t just for girls! Meet the Princels―princes who have shunned society not because of curses (although one has to wonder…) but because of their own insecurities about their physical appearance and their inability to find romantic partners. And then we have Prince Frederick, who starts to worry if he even deserves Gwen. Plus, you too can learn to be as pretty as a Cursed Princess!

Review:

This series is so fun! Gwen has joined the Cursed Princess Club because she is always treated differently from her traditionally beautiful sisters. Now, when Gwen looks in a mirror, she can’t see her face, so she has to figure out how to fix this problem. Even though there are some serious and emotional parts, with the way Gwen is bullied, there were many laugh out loud moments too!

Cursed Princess Club, Vol. 2 is a fun graphic novel!

Other books in the series:

Cursed Princess Club, Vol. 1
Cursed Princess Club, Vol. 3
Cursed Princess Club, Vol. 4

Have you read Cursed Princess Club, Vol. 2? What did you think of it?

Review: Higher Love

Title: Higher Love
Author: Joanne Kukanza Easley
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: Red Boots Press
Source: iRead Book Tours
Format: Ebook
Release Date: May 12, 2025
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Higher Love—a captivating new novel from Joanne Kukanza Easley, the multi-award-winning author of Sweet Jane, Just One Look, and I’ll Be Seeing You.

Set against the eclectic backdrop of Austin, Texas, in 1986, Higher Love introduces sixteen-year-old Stephanie, a teenager scarred by a turbulent past, who steps into the quiet life of sixty-two-year-old Lauren, her uncanny resemblance cracking open a buried past. Stephanie claims to be the granddaughter Lauren never knew—the daughter of the child she relinquished for adoption forty-five years earlier. Her arrival disrupts Lauren’s carefully rebuilt world, already strained by her recent remarriage to Brett after years of separation. Reeling from the revelation that her adoptive grandmother hid the truth about her mother’s adoption, Stephanie carries the weight of tragedy and self-harm, yet her vulnerability forges an unexpected, fragile bond with Lauren and Brett, two people grappling with their own regrets.

As Stephanie integrates into their lives, her aspirations for college are shattered when the 1987 stock market crash obliterates her trust fund, leaving her future in jeopardy. For Lauren, haunted by the loss of her child decades earlier, Stephanie represents a chance to rewrite her story. Fueled by fierce, unconditional love, Lauren sacrifices her financial security and emotional reserves to give Stephanie a path forward only to face a bittersweet twist that echoes the past and changes everything, reshaping their understanding of family, trust, and forgiveness in profound, lasting ways.

Higher Love is a sweeping, heart-wrenching family drama that explores the enduring weight of secrets and the transformative power of love. Through its richly drawn characters, the story delves into the courage it takes to face painful truths, the resilience found in embracing the present, and the unexpected joy of building a family from broken pieces. At its core, Higher Love celebrates the messy, redemptive beauty of human relationships, delivering a deeply moving tale of loss, healing, and the unbreakable bonds that define us.

Review:

This book is a powerful story following two generations of a family. The story alternated between the perspectives of Lauren, the grandmother, and Stephanie, her granddaughter. There were some emotional parts about adoption, loss of parents, and a second chance at love. The ending had a couple of twists, and I would have liked to see how they affected the characters’ futures.

Higher Love is a powerful and emotional story!

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

Content warnings: adoption, death of parents, sexual assault, alcoholism, self harm, cancer, teen pregnancy, miscarriage

Have you read Higher Love? What did you think of it?

Review: Boyfriends, Vol. 1

Title: Boyfriends, Vol. 1
Author: Refrainbow
Genre: Graphic Novel, LGBTQ, Romance
Publisher: Wattpad Books
Source: Publisher
Format: Paperback
Release Date: November 21, 2023
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Boy meets boy . . . meets boy . . . meets boy!

Jock, Goth, Nerd, and Prep are all juniors in college. But studying is the last thing on their minds as they are mainly interested in getting a boyfriend. Or multiple boyfriends.

The first two to couple up are Goth (cool and sexy) and Nerd (bubbly and flirty). As their budding relationship deepens, they can’t deny their chemistry with Goth’s other friends, Jock (sweet and easygoing) and Prep (sensitive and anxious). Nerd suggests they try something totally brand new to all of a polyamorous relationship. Everyone’s game to try, because they all agree the only thing better than one cute boyfriend…is three cute boyfriends!

But the transition isn’t so smooth, as Jock and Prep have issues of their own to settle, and all four need to learn how to make their new polycule work. Through navigating the adventures of dating life, the boyfriends come to understand themselves and each other in new and profound ways.

Laugh-out-loud funny and always heartwarming, Boyfriends is filled to the brim with moments of pride big and small.

Collects episodes 1–55 of the delightful WEBTOON comic Boyfriends .

Review:

This was such a fun graphic novel! It follows four boys in college who like each other. They decide to have a polyamorous relationship with each other. It wasn’t until halfway through the book that I realized none of them had names. Instead, they each had a distinct style: Goth, Nerd, Jock, Prep. The four of them were so sweet to each other! I can’t wait to read the next book!

Boyfriends, Vol. 1 is a cute graphic novel!

Thank you Wattpad Books for sending me a copy of this book!

Other books in the series:

Boyfriends, Vol. 2
Boyfriends, Vol. 3

Have you read Boyfriends, Vol. 1? What did you think of it?

Review: Hive (Madders of Time #1)

Title: Hive (Madders of Time #1)
Author: D.L. Orton
Genre: Science Fiction
Publisher: Rocky Mountain Press
Source: Bookinfluencers.com
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: May 6, 2025
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

What if saving the future meant rewriting the past?

In a dying world overrun by microdrones, humanity’s last survivors cling to life inside the Eden-17 biodome. Isabelle Sanborn knows her time is running out, but one desperate plan might give humanity a second chance. With the help of Madders, an enigmatic AI built from the memories of a brilliant physicist, Isabelle sends Diego Nadales—the love of her life—35 years into the past. His mission? To change the course of history and prevent their world’s collapse.

When Diego arrives in the vibrant yet fragile Main Timeline, he’s forced to confront ghosts of the past, including a younger, ambitious version of Isabelle. As he battles to shape a better future, Diego must navigate a delicate web of relationships and events without destroying the very fabric of time.

Brimming with suspense, heart-pounding action, and a poignant love story that transcends time, Madders of Time – Book One is a breathtaking science fiction adventure. Award-winning author DL Orton weaves a tale that explores sacrifice, resilience, and the timeless power of love.

Fans of The Time Traveler’s Wife and Dark Matter will find themselves captivated by this unforgettable journey through parallel worlds and intertwining destinies.

The clock is ticking. Can love survive the collapse of time itself?

Prepare to lose yourself in the first installment of the Madders of Time series—a story that will keep you turning pages and leave you hungry for more.

Review:

This is a great sci-fi thriller! It kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time and I didn’t want the story to end. I liked that each chapter had a small image of the character who was the POV of the chapter on the first page. It changed depending on the age of the character too. It was a nice detail that made it easier to imagine the characters’ appearances. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book in the series!

Hive is a suspenseful sci-fi thriller!

Thank you Bookinfluencers for sending me a copy of this book as part of a paid campaign!

Content warnings: death, bomb, terrorist attack, cancer, stillbirth, divorce

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