Middle Grade Review: Blood in the Water

Kaylani's having a hard year. Her father's is in prison. Her friends have dropped her. Now it's summer. She's been invited to Martha's Vineyard for the summer with family friends. She's never been there before and she's not sure she really wants to go. But she goes for her father.

Oak Bluffs is nice; there are a lot of wealthy Black people with summer homes. Kaylani's staying with the Watsons and their two granddaughters. She's sharing a room with London. London is not thrilled with the idea, but she does show her guest around. 

The two girls run into London's older sister Cassie sneaking out to a party. They beg to go. The party gets busted up by the cops. Kaylani and London end up separated from Cassie on the way home. 

The next day, they learn about the death of a boy at the party. His death was made to look like an accident, but someone killed him. 

My Thoughts: I almost didn't read this one because it's described as a horror novel. And it's not. It's a thriller. I'm so glad that I read it because I tore through this book. I loved it. I loved that it was summer on Martha's Vineyard. I wanted to give Kaylani a hug for all the struggles. She was brave and strong; I admired her. I didn't like London or Cassie; they were jerks. But I did like Miles. I loved the cameo from the library. 

Cover Thoughts: So good!

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended thriller for your middle grade school and public library collection. 

Review: Whiteout

 

Just before Christmas - a blizzard hits Atlanta. It throws the city into a tailspin - shutting own traffic and trapping people everywhere.

For Stevie, it's the worst timing possible. She's about to make a huge apology to her girlfriend after messing up big time.

Stevie's recruiting all her friends to help. If she pulls it off, it will be a miracle. 

But the snow is wrecking havoc on her plans. Will everything come together in the end? Will it be enough?

My Thoughts: This is from the same author team as BLACKOUT - which to say this book had a lot it had to live up to. And it did! You could feel the cold and the desperation to be anywhere else but trapped in the snow. I loved how again all the stories wove together to make one giant story - but how they all had their stories end too. A happy story that's just perfect to reading inside in front of the fire - and with a cup of cocoa.

Cover Thoughts: Adorable

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A must have for your teen romance collection!

Mini Review: Blackout

 

Six authors - six stories that connect about one night in New York City when the lights go out. 

It's a story about romance - second chances, moving on, and meeting new people. It's a story about friendship. It's a story about survival. 

And at the end, there's an epic block party. 

My Thoughts: I loved how the stories all came together at the end at the block party. I loved the romance and friendships. This was a fast and fun read.

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for school and public libraries