Bestselling author Lily Lee is on a short deadline to deliver her new career guide How to Land the Perfect Job, and she’s been interviewing at all the top companies around town. But when she’s offered a coveted position at her dream company, the employer’s background check reveals she never actually finished her college degree. Unbelievably, her worst nightmare has come true.
Lily returns to her alma mater to relive her senior year of college, after walking across the stage at graduation a decade earlier. Just as she starts getting used to the idea of being a student again, things get even more weird and chaotic when she discovers her computer science TA is her old college boyfriend, Jake Cho.
As Lily and Jake reconnect, she sees that her late-blooming ex has done well for himself: the handsome, charming grad student appears to have his life together, while Lily’s on the brink of losing her reputation and her book deal.
Told in present day with glimpses of the past, The Do-Over is a delightfully warm and hopeful story about second chances in life and love, and how the future might not be a straight line, but we still end up exactly where we’re supposed to be.
Title : The Do-Over Author : Suzanne Park Format : Physical Page Count : 386 Genre : Romance Publisher : Harper 360 Release Date : April 4, 2023
Reviewer : Micky Rating : ★ ★ ★ ★
Micky’s 4 star review
The Do-Over took one determined and feisty female and pulled the rug out from under her, her qualifications and left her with no option but to return to university. The literal stuff of nightmares! There, Lily found her ex still lurking the halls but now as a TA and PhD candidate. Can you see the foreshadowing?
Jake was pretty charming and although it took a while to find out the whys of their break up, it also gave time for them to reconnect. I fully enjoyed Lily’s return to campus, her battling with inner self over being there. Life as a mature student and her dynamic with younger students was entertaining.
The romance had a roller coaster feeling to it and I enjoyed the ride. This was a low steam but bubbling chemistry kind of read.
This book would suit that easy summer reading vibe and its a recommend from me.
A heart-wrenching exploration of grief from a bestselling YA author, set in a landscape corrupted by fame and the scrutiny that comes from living in the shadow of a star.
To the world, Lizzie Beck is a superstar: famous, talented and beloved. To Emmy, she is simply Beth: her brilliant older sister, her idol.
But then Beth takes her own life, and all the light in the world disappears.
Now Emmy is lost. Amidst the media storm and overwhelming public grief, she must fight to save her own memories of her sister – and find out who she is without her.
Title : Where The Light Goes Author : Sara Barnard Format : Physical Page Count : 384 Genre : YA Contemporary Publisher : Walker YA Release Date : May 4, 2023
Reviewer : Micky Rating : ★ ★ ★ ★ .5
Micky’s 4.5 star review
Headlines: Navigating grief Read through the hurt
Grief is a scream you’re living inside.
Like every Sara Barnard book I’ve read, this book was superb, but this was a different offering from this author…jagged, painful and raw. The story revolves around Emmy who’s famous sister just took her own life. I’m mentioning this in the first paragraph because this is one where you need to know what you’re getting into and be sure this is a topic you can handle. Sara Barnard navigates the difficult theme of suicide and its arising grief with honesty and care.
Emmy’s experiences started on day one and ended years later. The early days ticked by with the slow thud of pain. Her family were a complete s*** show (understandably) and her friends struggled to be what Emmy needed. Conversely, Emmy struggled to ask for what she needed.
How the story ebbed across the pages took the reader on this painful journey, feeling the hurt but also the love-aches that Emmy was feeling for Beth. Emmy had all the emotions but as a reader I also felt heartache, anger and resentment. Being from a priviledged family didn’t seem to help Emmy at all other than the later therapy she accessed.
Talking of therapy, the way this book was formatted really added to the reading experience including some therapy insights. We also got messages, voice notes (transcripted), tweets and news headlines.
The author leaves the reader in a good place, I think that’s important to mention when dealing with such a tough theme as this; you will be ultimately safe with this read.
Aster believes she is a normal teenage girl – she is very wrong . . .
Teenager Aster barely escapes with her life when her adoptive father is killed in a shooting. Suddenly finding herself under the protection of a special US military unit, she learns that blood tests indicate that she’s not even human. Unsure who or what she might be – or if any of this is true – Aster’s first instinct is to flee.
Unfortunately, she soon finds she is caught between two warring sides: on one, her mortal enemies, the alien Trackers, and on the other, the American government.
Then, from the most unexpected quarter, she finds someone offering to help her – someone her instincts tell her can’t be trusted . . .
Now Aster can be certain of just two things: her blood is more vital than she ever knew and the fate of the world rests upon her survival.
Title : For The First Time Again Author : Sylvain Neuvel Series : Take Them To The Stars #3 Format : Physical Page Count : 400 Genre : Sci-Fi Publisher : Penguin Michael Joseph Release Date : April 18, 2023
Reviewer : Micky Rating : ★ ★ ★ ★
Micky’s 4 star review
Headlines: Everything cycles until it doesn’t Aster made a great focus Samael surprises
The culmination to this Sci-fi historical(ish) series was fast-paced and the over-arching plot continued to engage me. This installment was in the most recent history as each generation has moved forward. The story in For The First Time, Again introduced Aster, a 12-year old girl, abandoned by her mother. Readers of this series will be shocked at just that because mother-daughter relationships have underpinned everything for the Kibsu.
Aster was a little feral, especially once she found herself on her own. Samael, who we’d met in a previous book as a tracker was a reformed character mostly and these two formed a unexpected bond. Where that bond ended up right at the end, really shocked me.
There were some great plot directions, some unforeseen turns and for once, the Kibsu made allegiances with others you might not predict. I never really knew what to make of Saa as an individual nor her connection with Aster, so I just had to read along trusting the story.
Does this book wrap things up neatly? Thats a no with a healthy dose of some. There’s an opennes to how this ended and I would have liked a few more answers. That said, it’s been a clever, engaging series that I would recommend to other sci-fi fans.
Witness what the gods do after dark in the third volume of a stylish and contemporary reimagining of one of the best-known stories in Greek mythology, featuring a brand-new, exclusive short storyfrom creator Rachel Smythe.
“It is natural for a King to be curious about his future Queen. . . .”
All of Olympus-and the Underworld-are talking about the God of the Dead and the sprightly daughter of Demeter. But despite the rumors of their romance, Hades and Persephone have plenty to navigate on their own.
Since coming to Olympus, Persephone has struggled to be the perfect maiden goddess. Her attraction to Hades has only complicated the intense burden of the gods’ expectations. And after Apollo’s assault, Persephone fears she can no longer bury the intense feelings of hurt and love that she’s worked so hard to hide.
As Persephone contemplates her future, Hades struggles with his past, falling back into toxic habits in Minthe’s easy embrace. With all the mounting pressure and expectations-of their family, friends, and enemies-both Hades and Persephone tell themselves to deny their deepest desires, but the pull between them is too tempting, too magnetic. It’s fate.
This full-color edition of Smythe’s original Eisner-nominated webcomic Lore Olympus brings Greek mythology into the modern age in a sharply perceptive and romantic graphic novel.
This volume collects episodes 50-75 of the #1 WEBTOON comic Lore Olympus.
Title : Lore Olympus Volume 3 Author : Rachel Smythe Series : Lore Olympus #3 Format : Hardcover Page Count : 384 Genre : Graphic Novel Fantasy Publisher : DelRey UK Release Date : October 11, 2022
Reviewer : Micky Rating : ★ ★ ★ ★.5
Micky’s 4.5 star review
Another winning volume from this series that I can’t seem to get enough of. Hades and Kore are circling but not any nearer it seems but I live for their slowest of slow burns. It’s like a sweet torture. I remain glued to Hades’ insecurity and uncertainty.
There were a couple of episodes in this one that completely had my heart wrecked, mushy and warm all at once. Meeting Eros properly and seeing him care for Persephone’s wellbeing, guiding her on her trauma, was everything. That later insight into Eros’ life…yeah, I could do with more of that. I found Aphrodite hilarous and the siblings had me chuckling too.
Minthe wasn’t selling herself in this one. Hecate was her background awesome. I am dying to see where the whole goddess scholarship storyline ends up.
1919. In a highland village forgotten by the world, harvest season is over and the young who remain after war and flu have ravaged the village will soon head south to make something of themselves.
Moira Jean and her friends head to the forest for a last night of laughter before parting ways. Moira Jean is being left behind. She had plans to leave once – but her lover died in France and with him, her future. The friends light a fire, sing and dance. But with every twirl about the flames, strange new dancers thread between them, music streaming from the trees.
The fae are here.
Suddenly Moira Jean finds herself all alone, her friends spirited away. The iron medal of her lost love, pinned to her dress, protected her from magic.
For the Fae feel forgotten too. Lead by the darkly handsome Lord of the Fae, they are out to make themselves known once more. Moira Jean must enter into a bargain with the Lord to save her friends – and fast, for the longer one spends with the Fae, the less like themselves they are upon return. If Moira Jean cannot save her friends before Beltine, they will be lost forever…
Completely bewitching, threaded with Highland charm and sparkling with dark romance, this is a fairytale that will carry you away.
Title : The Thorns Remain Author : JJA Harwood Format : Physical Page Count : 410 Genre : Historical Fantasy Publisher : Magpie Books Release Date : February 1, 2023
Reviewer : Micky Rating : ★ ★ ★ ★
Micky’s 3.5 – 4 star review
Headlines: Atmospheric Scottish historical fantasy Fae and disappearances Romantic suggestions
So much made me engaged with The Thorns Remain, the historical Scottish setting alongside the very elusive fae lord ‘the dreamer’. Moira Jean, the MC was a spirited and savvy heroine, she could see beyond first glances and her distrustful nature was an asset. Moira Jean was a young woman grieving and just getting through.
The plot engaged even if it was a bit slow moving at first. The friends, the disappearances and the village folk who knew about the fae were a strange bunch. The Dreamer held me captive on the page though. Fans of fae stories would recognise much of the lore, but Harwood kept their own unique take on things.
As things came to their culmination I was a little disappointed how the story ended up and that’s what keeps this book from being a solid 4 stars. I felt and needed more concrete direction and more with certain characters (vagueness is necessary).
Overall, a talented tale and I will be going back to read Harwood’s first book.
Welcome to the brutal and elite world of Basgiath War College, where everyone has an agenda, and every night could be your last…
Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history. Now, the commanding general – also known as her tough-as-talons mother – has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders.
But when you’re smaller than everyone else and your body is brittle, death is only a heartbeat away… because dragons don’t bond to ‘fragile’ humans. They incinerate them.
With fewer dragons willing to bond than cadets, most would kill Violet to better their own chances of success. The rest would kill her just for being her mother’s daughter – like Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader in the Riders Quadrant. She’ll need every edge her wits can give her just to see the next sunrise.
Yet, with every day that passes, the war outside grows more deadly, the kingdom’s protective wards are failing, and the death toll continues to rise. Even worse, Violet begins to suspect leadership is hiding a terrible secret.
Alliances will be forged. Lives will be lost. Traitors will become allies… or even lovers. But sleep with one eye open because once you enter, there are only two ways out: graduate or die.
Title : Fourth Wing Author : Rebecca Yarros Series : The Empyrean #1 Format : Physical Page Count : 510 Genre : Fantasy Romance Publisher : Little Brown UK / Red Tower Books Release Date : May 2, 2023
Headlines: Shadows and light Fated to hate Hidden truths
Just a wow to all the goodness in these pages. It felt like there wasn’t wasted word, page or conversation in this story, everything counted for something.
Fourth Wing excels on characterisation, starting with the MCs Violet and Xaden but the secondary characters are utterly fantastic, and at the front, for me sit Tairn, Andarna and Liam. The nasty characters were so well crafted too. It was a true enemies to lovers trope but so delicious in its execution.
The plot was full but it was easy to invest from the word go, with an action-packed start. There are so many great reveals and twist that just go the extra mile in terms of plot, taking your expectations and adding a few storeys of height to everything. There’s some beautiful representation of disability, being other-abled and accomodations for that; honestly, that part was wonderful throughout.
There’s a reason this book is something of a sensation, because it is sensational, full of depth, characters to love and cheer for and a bloomin’ doozie of a cliff ending. Happy reading, friends!
Thank you to Little Brown for the early review copy.
Hollis’ 2.5 star review
Despite giving into hype and running out to buy a physical copy of this book before even having read it, very unusual behaviour from yours truly, I was skeptical about this one. Naturally. What were the odds this would actually work for me. And for the first 50%.. that was proving to be true. Because at turns a bit bored and incredibly frustrated — mostly with Dain, but also with the writing. It was reading younger than I would’ve expected; almost juvenile at times. All the villains felt kind of cringey and obvious and between that and all Dain’s motherhen’ing awfulness, I wasn’t glad to be tall enough for the ride. I wanted off. Particularly because I was having a hard time being drawn into the world, understanding the structure of the riders, and also.. wellll let’s be honest the worldbuilding in general is a wee bit flimsily constructed with (vague wave) rebellion and (vague wave) wars.
But things got a little less bumpy and I found myself pleasantly (distracted) surprised every time Yarros leaned in and gave Violet strength of character and agency to handle herself in a variety of situations. Also, giving her this particular disability, seeing how she adapted, was pretty interesting considering the circumstances she’s suddenly put in are not well suited to it — which, like, why was she? Why had she been on the Scribe track up until this point if, and I paraphrase this quote, “no child of mine would be anything but a rider” unquote? Was this explained and I just missed it? — but more importantly taking note of those around her who treated her differently (or didn’t) was an easy indicator as to who was worthy of her and who was not. And I don’t just mean that in a romantic sense. But on that note..
I mean, come on, we knew where this was going, right? I was definitely Team Right Choice from day one but I will admit I wish there had been less of a.. dramatic shift. I went back to reread those early interactions and it’s no wonder the first half was not my favourite. Unless it was just supposed to be Violet’s expectations colouring things? Maybe. I definitely didn’t hate the pairing, I enjoyed it more than I disliked it that’s for sure, but the pickle they find themselves in by the end is a little too typical of a conflict for drama’s sake for my liking and even though we get a lot of actions speaking louder than words.. I guess I just don’t know why this went from just raging hot hornies to more. But about that conflict, I’m hoping that resolves quickly in book two. Which, thankfully, we don’t have to wait long for.
Which transitions nicely into my next point. It was too long. I don’t know if we needed alllll of this. Or maybe I just wish all of the Dain bits had been cut and we’d spent more of that time focusing instead on, I don’t know, how Violet dealt with her chronic pain in times when she wasn’t just reacting to an injury. Or more one on one time with the dragons. I guess I expected a different dynamic based on some of the reactions I had seen but in hindsight I guess that wouldn’t line up with the bond. So maybe that’s on me.
Going forward, I hope we get a little more time with some of the characters who actually survived this first instalment because I’d like to see some of them fleshed out a bit more. I think where we ended up will lean into learning more about a few of them at least! I hope we find out more about the big secret, and the why it’s a secret, that is revealed near the finish. I also hope some of the stakes feel bigger because with many one or two exceptions, none of the risks or deaths felt.. momentous or intense. And, as mentioned, I hope the romance drama gets put to bed lickety split. That’s a lot of hopes. I should know better by now, probably, maybe.
All that to say that I’m interested enough in where things go to not only read book two but I am actually consider preordering it (to match the edged edition I, for some reason, have added to my collection) but did this do for me what it did for everyone else? Obviously not. But again, this could’ve been worse! Not that you need me to convince you either way. You’ve either already read this or never will.
Persephone was ready to start a new life when she left the mortal realm for Olympus. However, she quickly discovered the dark side of her glamorous new home – from the relatively minor gossip threatening her reputation to a realm-shattering violation of her safety by the conceited Apollo – and she’s struggling to find her footing in the fast-moving realm of the gods.
Hades is also off-balance, fighting against his burgeoning feelings for the young goddess of spring while maintaining his lonely rule of the Underworld. As the pair are drawn ever closer, they must untangle the twisted webs of their past and present to build toward a new future.
This full-color edition of Smythe’s original Eisner-nominated webcomic Lore Olympus features a brand-new, exclusive short story, and brings Greek mythology into the modern age in a sharply perceptive and romantic graphic novel. This volume collects episodes 26-49 of the #1 WEBTOON comic Lore Olympus
Title : Lore Olympus Volume 2 Author : Rachel Smythe Series : Lore Olympus Format : Hardcover Page Count : 368 Genre : Graphic Novel Fantasy Publisher : DelRey UK Release Date : July 5, 2022
Reviewer : Micky Rating : ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Micky’s 5 star review
Absolute bliss.
Inhaling this volume was like one big hour or so of self care. It was a lighter volume for sure having moved on somewhat from the tough theme in volume one but there’s foreshadowing that we’ve not left that nasty episode or character behind.
Lots of interference from other characters in this volume, like Hera and Minthe. I can’t stand Minthe on the one hand, but Smythe does show the reader a more endearing side and some self deprication, so I think there’s more under the surface there.
I adore Hecates, she’s such a whip-smart ball of fierce sarcasm. The dogs and hound continue to thrill me when they’re on the page.
…and finally, I just love H&P. Their uncertainty is a whole trope.
Jesse Spark has a broken heart and in a few short weeks he’ll require major surgery to repair it – which means he only has a month to accomplish two almost-impossible tasks.
1) Shoot his epic zombie movie on a shoestring budget if he has any hope of getting into film school.
2) Fall in love before this surgery lands him with a huge scar – because how will anyone ever fancy him after that?
Sex Education meets Love, Simon – with fake zombies – in this savagely funny gay YA romance about body image, self-acceptance and falling in love, all while shooting a low-budget zombie flick!
Fun, fresh and authentic, this is the feel-good hit of #hotboysummer, perfect for fans of Alice Oseman, Ciara Smyth and Adam Silvera.
Title : Broken Hearts & Zombie Parts Author : William Hussey Format : Physical Page Count : 400 Genre : LGBTQIAP Rom-com Publisher : Usbourne Publishing Release Date : May 11, 2023
Reviewer : Micky Rating : ★ ★ ★ .5
Micky’s 3.5 star review
3.5 stars
Headlines: Lots of heart Chaotic but endearing banter Body image
This rompy YA gay rom-com was a lot of fun, with a slice of chaos and heart. The main character had health problems, a huge surgery to face and lots of uncertainty floating around in the atmosphere. This was all set in the backdrop of a friendship group making a zombie movie and a budding romance.
Behind the facade of the quips and verbose dialogue from Jesse were hidden depths of fear and anxiety, mixed with some living in the now. I appreciated how the characters would move away from the tough stuff when it got to much for them and find release in the fun they could make. There were some elements of dialogue that ended up a bit much for me but overall I had a soft spot for most of the characters.
This read does make me interested in trying some of Hussey’s darker reads.
Thank you to Usbourne Publishing for the review copy.
Fractal Noise is the thrilling prequel to the masterful space opera To Sleep in a Sea of Stars by internationally bestselling author of Eragon, Christopher Paolini.
On the planet Talos VII, twenty-three years before the events of To Sleep in a Sea of Stars, an anomaly is detected: a vast circular pit, with dimensions so perfect that it could only have been the result of conscious design. So a small team is assembled to learn more – perhaps even who built the hole and why. Their mission will take them on a hazardous trek to the very edge of existence.
For one explorer, this is the opportunity of a lifetime. For another, a risk not worth taking. And for xenobiologist Alex Crichton, it’s a desperate attempt to find meaning in an uncaring universe. But every step they take towards that mysterious abyss is more punishing than the last. Ultimately, no one is prepared for what they will encounter.
Title : Fractal Noise Author : Christopher Paolini Series : Fractalverse #0 Format : Physical Page Count : 284 Genre : Sci-Fi Publisher : Tor Books Release Date : May 16, 2023
Fractal Noise took the reader on a personal, an existential and an exploratory journey. I had so many questions, so much tension and I got some answers. The story was told from Alex’s perspective, a somewhat morose but understandably grief-striken xenobiologist who found himself in the centre of investigating an anomoly.
Unlike the crew of the Wallfish, this crew (the Adamura) were a disfunctional bunch of people. The wider group on the ship had some positives but as this group focused down into an exploratory group, only Alex and Chen had facets of integrity. The trek became a demise in the style of Lord of the Flies.
There was so much fascinating about Tavos VII while at the same time the planet presented a creepiness both in terms of the environment and creatures. I read the second half of this book drenched in adrenaline and found the culmination both satisfying with a slice of frustration. I want more story and answers and maybe we’ll get that in the future, maybe we won’t.
This story was as much an anthropological narrative as it was science fiction. That worked for me because humans interracting with alien worlds and environments do stupid stuff, make their ego the focus and the fall out is fascinating. You’ll find much here to entertain.
Lily is a sixteen-year-old living in Manchester. It is nearly five years since her father’s death, and she is soon to return to her birthplace in Nigeria to reunite with her mother and siblings for the anniversary. As cold rain thunders on the streets of Moss Side she looks back over her young life and wonders . . . how did she get here?
As a young girl in Lagos, Lily is the baby of her large family. The daughter of a Nigerian father and Irish mother, she lives in a dual reality: one where moments of bright colour and tenderness exist alongside a sense of danger just beneath the surface of her apparently idyllic life. This is a tension that nobody dares speak out loud and it teaches Lily an early lesson: always blend in, always play the right part.
But the truth cannot stay hidden forever. Things in Lagos itself, and within her family, soon reach breaking point. As her city and her family implode into chaos around her, and at school her skin colour marks her out from the crowd, Lily struggles to know how to blend in. And when her mother sends her away to school in England, Lily’s sense of identity is challenged in even more painful ways.
My Life as a Chameleon is a powerful story of resilience and belonging, about family secrets and how they can destroy even the deepest bonds. It is a story about finding your place in the world and realising you deserve to be there.
Title : My Life As A Chameleon Author : Diana Anyakwo Format : Physical Page Count : 304 Genre : YA Fiction Publisher : Atom Books Release Date : May 4, 2023
Reviewer : Micky Rating : ★ ★ ★ ★
Micky’s 4 star review
Headlines: Overlooked and unseen Finding a place Coming of age
My Life As A Chameleon was a refreshing read, engaging and insightful. Written in elegant and accessible prose, this story brought you into the world of Lily, a 15 year old narrator who had lived between Nigeria and Manchester. Lily was removed from her peers by skin colour but also from her siblings by age difference. She grew up amongst difficult parental relationships and illness.
While I think of this as a contemporary YA story, it was told between the 1980s and 1990s. However you want to align this genre-wise, it was a coming-of-age story, a finding of roots. This story took a back and forth viewpoint, life in Nigeria in earlier years, then reflecting back on a current era in Manchester, UK.
Lily seemed lonely and isolated in so many ways, it made me think of Trevor Noah’s memoir and his similar experience of being unlike others. Lily’s narrative was compelling as she navigated her family relationships and peer friendships with difficulty.
This was something of a melancholy tale, it didn’t glamorise life nor Lily’s struggles and I appreciated the rawness of her experiences.
A Take from Two Cities 