Disovering New Reads: Summer & Fall Book Reviews Pt 2
Reading has always been my escape from reality. Over the past few months, I’ve been diving into a wide range of books across genres, from thrillers and memoirs to romance and fantasy. Each one offered something different, and I’m excited to share some quick reviews to hopefully help you find your next favorite read.
Note: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you on qualifying purchases.
Young Adult
Last Summer on State Street: Toya Wolfe
“Even when we lose it all, we find the strength to rebuild.”
If you’re familiar with Monday’s Not Coming by Tiffany Jackson, then you will understand what I mean when I say this was a heavy, emotional read! It hurts my heart that all children aren’t allowed to truly live their life freely being a kid without worry.
Felicia “Fe Fe” Stevens loves playing double Dutch with her friends in the Robert Taylor Homes of Chicago. Yet, their carefree days are overshadowed by the harsh realities of their neighborhood, filled with dangers and the impending demolition of their homes. As the summer unfolds, the girls encounter challenges that test their friendships and sense of safety, pushing them to confront the changes in their lives.
24 Seconds from Now: Jason Reynolds
Black boys deserve love stories too 🤎
I love that 24 Seconds from Now is framed as a love story, not a romance (don’t fight me on that).
Told from the POV of a young black teenager, the story explores the emotion of experiencing a first love. Neon and his girlfriend, Aria, both seniors in high school, have been dating for 2 years and are planning their first time.
The story is told in the reverse which I wasn’t a big fan of at first but it makes sense. It allows you to not only connect with Neon but also his family and friends, who play part in how he navigates his love journey.
It warmed my heart to see how supportive and open his family was in communicating about how tender love is and navigating healthy relationships- something we often see in the Black community.
The kids today deserve more love stories like this! 🤎
Psychological Thriller/Mystery
Witness 8: Steve Cavanagh
Think you’ve got mysteries figured out? Think again and welcome to an unpredictable world, Witness 8
Meet Ruby, a nanny and maid for wealthy families in a neighborhood she once lived in. She knows EVERYTHING there is to know about the entire neighborhood, especially the secrets. She witnesses a murder and reports it to the police but Ruby isn’t your typical witness…she spins the narrative in a way you won’t expect.
Meet Eddie Flynn, an ex-con turned defense attorney who is defending an innocent man while also fighting his own battle that he must resolve to protect his client.
This is my first read by Steve Cavanaugh, and in my personal opinion, he takes crime thrillers to a whole different level. His writing style reminds me of SA Cosby who I absolutely love.
I was on edge throughout most of the book because there were so many twists and turns. It could easily see this story potentially turn into a movie.
Memoirs
Da Baddest: Katrina Trina Taylor
I don’t traditionally review memoirs because it’s someone’s true story. Trina has always been a private person, which I respect, so when I heard that she was releasing a memoir I was both shocked and excited. She doesn’t go too deep, but I loved hearing about her upbringing and staying true to her authentic self.
Romance
Gnome One Like You: Tobie Carter
Meet Andi, a crafty carpenter back in town working at her grandmother’s bakery after being evicted from her craft shop, and Winchester, a reformed bad boy turned lawyer who’s trying to gain his aunt’s trust to make him partner at the family law firm. Two high school lovers cross paths back in their hometown the night of a snowstorm. The love sparks ignite immediately between the two. There were a few cringy moments for me throughout the book lol (I wanted to scream every time I saw a certain word) but overall I enjoyed the storyline. It’s the perfect short read to get you in the holiday spirit.
Fantasy
Sasha the Witch: Iris Vradenberg
In a world of magic, witches have their power controlled by human law.Their coven is their refuge. When a witch has conflict within her coven, her entire world threatens to crumble.
A coming-of-age story that explores themes of magic, identity, and friendship. Meet Sasha and Courtney, two young witches in contemporary New York navigating a world that often misunderstands their kind and fears their abilities. While Sasha irked my nerves with her “act now, think never” personality, I absolutely adored Courtney and would love to hear more of her story. She was the level-headed one out of the two and full of knowledge and support that Sasha couldn’t survive without. The ending fell a bit flat for me, leaving me with unanswered questions. I hope that we get more closure in a sequel.
If you’ve read any of these or have your own must-reads, I’d love to hear from you. I’m always looking to add more to my TBR. And if you missed part 1 of my summer & fall reads, check.it out here
