Review: American Royals

When America won the Revolutionary War, George Washington was happy to accept the crown. Now more than two hundred and fifty years later, the House of Washington still sits on the throne.

For the first time, the heir to the throne is female. HRH Beatrice has been training her whole life to take over the crown when the time is right. She's been instilled a sense of duty above all else. As a result, she hasn't had much of a childhood. Her happiness has always been ignored as duty reigns her world. But now, she's wanting more for herself.

Her siblings, twins, have much more freedom. But the press still hounds them; looking for drama wherever they can find it. Their romantic lives, their futures, and their friendships are all up for speculation. Everyone has an opinion about the royals - can the royals life up to their expectations.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book - there's So Much Drama. Each of the royals have a romance - but they all struggle with finding their happily ever after. Life isn't a fairy tale. Pressure and duty surrounds the royals. They question their friendships, their relationships with their siblings, and their purpose in the world. Just when they might find their footing, their world shifts and everything off balance again. I enjoyed the multiple perspectives. I felt terrible for the royals because of their struggles and their lifestyle. I love reading about royals, but I wouldn't want to be one. I'm eagerly awaiting the next book.

Cover Thoughts: Cute, but would have enjoyed a more Kiera Cass novel cover
Source: ARC from BEA 2019
Library Recommendation: Grad this one for your public libraries.

On Your Radar: Charlie Thorne and the Last Equation

Title: Charlie Thorne and the Last Equation

Author: Stuart Gibbs

Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers

Release Date: September 17, 2019

Reasons It Should Be On Your Radar:

* Girl Genius

* Albert Einstien

* Thriller

* Danger

* Action

* Plot Twists

* Family

* CIA

* Clues

* Saving the World

** BEA ARC 2019

I couldn't put this book down; it's a must have book for school and public libraries!

Upcoming Review: Paris Project

Cleveland hates her hometown, but she has a plan to leave. She can't wait. She's going to gain cultures and then move to Paris. The first step - take ballet lessons. Her sister pays for lessons, but on the first day, Cleveland gets kicked out of the school.

It totally wasn't her fault. But without ballet, will her own plan fall apart? How will her life get better if she's forced to stay in Florida with small minded people? 

My Thoughts: I was excited to read this book because of the Paris aspect, but there's so much more going on in this book. I really liked it. I loved the relationship between the sisters. I liked reading about Cleveland's incarcerated father - because I haven't read many middle grade books with a parent in jail. My heart broke for her as she struggled with her relationship with him - trust issues, sadness at his being behind bars, missing him, and anger. I loved her obsession with Paris. I liked her friendship with Declan, especially the foodie parts. There's so much going on here that I just wanted to wrap Cleveland up in a hug and tell her it will be okay.

Cover Thoughts: Charming
Source: BEA signed ARC
Release Date: October 8, 2019
Library Recommendation: Grab this one for your school and public libraries.

On Your Radar: Mooncakes (32)

Title: Mooncakes

Author: Suzanne Walker

Illustrator: Wendy Xu

Publisher: Lion Forge

Release Date: October 15, 2019

Why It Should be On Your Radar:

 * Witches

* Demons
* Reunion of Friends
* Choosing Your Family
* Grandmothers
* Magic Shop
* Love
* Future

**BEA Arc

Review: Brazen and the Beast

* Book 2 in the Bareknuckle Bastard series *

Lady Henrietta Sedley has plans - BIG plans. This is the year of Hattie and she's ready to accomplish all the things on her first. She wants her father to stop thinking about her as a woman and more as an heir. It's clear her brother can't handle the shipping business. She has the skills and the abilities. But first she needs to make sure that marriage is off the table - which leads her to Covent Gardens.

Unfortunately, her brother left and unconscious man in the carriage. And when he wakes, he and Hattie have words. From that moment, everything she's planned for becomes derailed. However, Whit might be willing to help her...for a price.

My Thoughts: Of course I loved this book. It might be my new favorite of Sarah's books, but then again, I typically think that. I love this family and I'm dying to see how the next one plays out.

I loved Hattie - for her brains, her determination, her curves, her dreams, and her big heart. I loved her friendship with Nora. I love Nora's driving of the carriages. I loved seeing characters from other stories pop up and to check in one them. I loved learning more about Whit. And of course the banter between Whit and Hattie was amazing. 

I love how Hattie saw her future and reached out to take it. She had a plan. She believed in herself. And she wasn't about to let anyone, not even the most handsomest man of her acquaintance stop her. I loved the idea of the Year of Hattie. It was inspiring! Another wonderful feminist romance from Sarah MacLean that devoured.

Cover Thoughts: Amazing
Source: BEA ARC

Library Recommendation: Sarah MacLean is a Must Have Author for your library's romance collection.

On Your Radar: Stargazing (30)

Title: Stargazing

Author: Jen Wang
Publisher: First Second
Release Date: September 10, 2019

Why it Should Be On Your Radar: 
* Kindness
* Music
* New friendship
* Different families
* Beliefs
* Jealousy
* Based on the author's life events

Another great graphic novel from Jen Wang.
Source: BEA arc 19

Review: Past Perfect Life

Ally's not sure anything significant has happened to her - at least anything she can write about for her college applications. Everything in her life has been normal. She stressed about her college applications and when they're rejected because of her social security number, that's when everything crumbles around her.

Ally's not who she thinks she is and now the whole world is going to know. Her quiet perfect life is unraveled and nothing can ever bring it back. What will she do?

My Thoughts: Past Perfect Life is this generation's Face on the Milk Carton. I really enjoyed this book, I couldn't put it down. I had to find out what happened. I loved the small Wisconsin town where Ally grew up. I loved her moments with her father - their rituals and traditions. I loved the small town community and how they looked out for each other. I loved her best friend and her family. My heart broke for Ally as she navigated through all the drama and untangling her past to create a future. I love how she stood up for herself. Of course I loved the romance.

Cover Thoughts: Perfect
Source: Signed ARC at BEA
Library Recommendation: Grab this one for your school and public library

On Your Radar: Black Canary (27)

Title: Black Canary: Ignite

Author: Meg Cabot

Publisher: DC Zoom

Release Date: October 29, 2019

Why It Should Be On Your Radar:

* Meg Cabot

* Danger

* Super Powers

* Trouble follows Dinah

* Middle Grade Graphic Novel

* Rock Band

* School Drama

* Secrets 

* Saving the World

* Junior Police Academy 

** ARC signed at BEA

Top Ten Tuesday: BEA ARCs

This week I'm changing up the topic. I'm at BEA starting tomorrow. Here are some of the ARCs I'm hoping to pick up because I can't wait to read them!

Are you going to BEA this year?

What books are you hoping to find out more about?