Review: The Introvert's Guide to Kissing in Europe

 

Emily did everything she was supposed to do in high school - except for have fun. She's not sure what she wants to do with her life. She decided to take a gap year before starting college. Her grandmother was going to send her sister and Emily on a European summer vacation to celebrate both their graduations. Only Emily's sister died.

Instead, Emily is going alone and for a whole year. She's also going to follow the tour her grandmother took when she was part of a singing group with her own sister. They made several stops in Europe. On her first night, she runs into a travel influencer she follows.

Emily strikes up a conversation and before she knows it, she's found a group of friends to travel with. Together they make lists of all the places to visit. When Emily tells them about her travel plans, they agree to follow in her grandmother's footsteps with her. In Europe, she experiences life in a way she never imagined - all while kissing a few guys.

My Thoughts: I loved how it was a dual timeline and dual POV with Emily and her grandmother. I wanted to travel along with them. I loved the friendships that Emily created along the way - even those that caused her pain. I was impressed by her plan of traveling by herself and I'm glad that didn't happen. I loved the grandmother's story; I would have read more of her summer. I felt for both sisters and how the world made their romances impossible. I really loved this book; I didn't want it to end.

Tip: You might want to read this with your phone in order to look up all the cool places they mention! 

Cover Thoughts: Charming

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A great travel romance for your public library teen collection

Christmas Book Review: It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Murder

 

Ella Chambers, the housekeeper's daughter didn't kill the billionaire's heir and grandson Liam Montgomery. She might have thought about it numerous times over the years. 

However, Liam is missing after the reading of his grandfather's will which left him heir. There's a blood spot in the driveway. Ella was seen dragging a heavy object into her car. 

Nevertheless, she's brought in for questioning. And people start canceling her jobs. Ella can't afford to lose work; she's barely surviving. At least it's happening during her least favorite time of year - Christmas.

My Thoughts: I LOVED it! It had banter, wit, danger, action, and romance. Both Ella and Liam went through the ringer growing up. The cast of characters was fascinating - I loved the four founding families. They were very Gilmore coded. Violet and Gabe and Archie were all entertaining. I would read a spin-off book about Violet and the sheriff.  I loved the nutcracker part. I loved Ella's wardrobe. While it is a stand-alone novel, there is an easter egg to The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year. I hope there are many more adult Ally Carter books in our future.

Why I Read it: I've been an Ally Carter fan for YEARS! Always happy for a new book of hers.

Cover Thoughts: Charming

Source: purchased at an author event

Library Recommendation: A must have Christmas mystery for your public library collection.

Author Event:

This event took place in Minneapolis and it was amazing. I went to visit my cousin and see Ally Carter too. You can see pictures from that trip here

It was hosted by the romance bookstore: Tropes and Trifles

I'm a HUGE fan of this book store. It's where I bought my book dragon:

Ally Carter was in conversation with Elizabeth Davis 

Elizabeth Davis wore a Knives Out Sweater, which matches the vibes of both books and is on both book covers:

 

Elizabeth Davis's new book:

Ally Carter talked about:

her writing process

how she came up with the idea

how the founding four came to be

the punny titles

how it was hard to maneuver teens into saving the world without grown-ups

how the readers from her first YA books are now adults, so growing a new audience wasn't an issue

Here we are all together 

It was a fantastic night and I'm so happy I was able to attend. 

Picture Book Wednesday: books about health and loving yourself

 

A few picture books about health and loving yourself

Some people's brain is wired differently, especially if you have ADHD. It makes some everyday tasks seem boring and unexciting. But Squeaky McGee has some tips that might help. 

The illustrations are great and there's an author's note at the back of the book with more tips and a note for parents. 

A book celebrating all that bodies can do and showcasing different bodies.

I love how everyone in this book is different - great diversity.

Eltie is a dog with a very important job. He's a service dog for a girl named Molly who is blind. He has trained for his job and knows just what to do - especially at school.

This is a great introduction to dogs who work. There's a page with braille text. Some of the illustrations have texture too. There's a guide at the back of the book about service dogs. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Book Characters I Wish were Real

 This week's topic is book characters I wish were real

Jo March

Princess Mia

Emily of New Moon

Elizabeth and Jane Bennet

Anne of Green Gables

Claudia Kishi

Betsy and Star

Aelin 

The four friends from the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

Any of these on your list too? I'd like to think I'd be friends with all of them. 

Middle Grade Review: Dance Team Drama

* Start of a new graphic novel series *

Jenny's freaking out because the money she and her dance team raised for new uniforms has gone missing. Her brother paid for the uniforms and she owes him the money. She's looked everywhere. In order to make the payments; she'll need to find a job.

Luckily for her, she has a superpower. She can understand the language of babies. Jenny gets a job babysitting where she stumbles onto a baby detective agency. Rosie is in charge, and she's ready to close her first case.

When Rosie hears about the missing money, she knows she can close the case. Will Jenny and Rosie figure out who took the money?

My Thoughts: 8th grader Jenny's dance team seems to be the hit of the school. Jenny's nemesis is the head cheerleader. While the two teams don't compete, they are both keeping score of each other's achievements. There's lots of drama from losing the money to thinking the worst of people to the football team moment. I really enjoyed the baby-sitting moments. They were funny and clever. I love how they were both sophisticated and also very simple: ice cream and swings. The cast of characters are great. I loved the art. The ending sets up the next book in the series, which I'm very much looking forward to reading. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A must have graphic novel for your school and public library collections.

What's on my Hold List

 

At the moment, there are 20 items on hold for me.

A royal historical coxy series that I adore.

Here for the holiday romances - saw this on instagram 

A children's book - part of a series which has charming illustrations 

I loved the original book when it came out - it was my favorite book I read that year. So excited for more. Saw this in a review journal

A holiday mystery - set in Macy's

Any of these on your TBR list too?

Picture Book Review: The Pool is Cool

 

A boy LOVES going to the pool, but he can't understand why his Dad never joins him. The reason: he's scared of the water and never learned to swim. They take swim lessons together.

My Thoughts: Oh my heart! I loved this book. I love how the Dad tells his son the truth - about being scared and never learning how to swim. There's something very powerful in that. I love that they take swim lessons together. I love that they tackle their fears together (The son fears the diving board). The art is great. This is a perfect book to share.