This was my first Beth O'Leary, and it was very much so as pacy and page-turning as I had anticipated. I read this while on a little holiday and I have to say, she makes for excellent vacation reading.
Swept Away by Beth O’Leary | book review
contemporary
August 2025 Book Releases
It's that time of the month! August has some really exciting titles coming out - and happily, I'm travelling to Edinburgh this month and will catch some of the Edinburgh Book Festival (I'll try to remember to take some pictures to share!) Let's take a look at what we can adorn our shelves with this month.
The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd | book review
A fun and mysterious fiction novel about cartography and the magic of maps.
Imogen, Obviously by Becky Albertalli | Book Review
【 IMOGEN, OBVIOUSLY 】 ★★★★★ Entirely amazing and stressful as always. Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult, Romance, QueerAuthor: Becky AlbertalliPublished: December 2022Publisher: HarperCollinsPages: 368 (paperback) I am such a great admirer for the way Albertalli writes such complicated nuances of life in what is ultimately a light-hearted romance novel. So impressive! This was possibly my favourite … Continue reading Imogen, Obviously by Becky Albertalli | Book Review
Only Mostly Devastated by Sophie Gonzales | Book Review
An amazing YA contemporary romance that is sweet and brilliant.
The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams | Book Review
Lyssa Kay Adams' fabulous romantice comedy about an ailing marriage and a book club to the rescue.
Serious Poetry in Clap When You Land | Book Review
【 CLAP WHEN YOU LAND 】 ★★★ A very powerful story, but haltingly written as poetry. Genre: Contemporary, PoetryAuthor: Elizabeth AcevdeoPublished: May 2020Publisher: HarperTeenPages: 417 (paperback) In sum, what didn't work for me was solely the form of writing. I thought the story itself was actually very compelling and beautiful – and touching on really … Continue reading Serious Poetry in Clap When You Land | Book Review
Brain Teasers in The Inheritance Games | Book Review
【 THE INHERITANCE GAMES 】 ★★★★★ This 👏🏻 was 👏🏻 so 👏🏻 good 👏🏻 Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, MysteryAuthor: Jennifer Lynn BarnesPublished: September 2020Publisher: PenguinPages: 372 (paperback) Whew I struggled to put this one down/go to bed at appropriate times. I was just reading and reading until ungodly hours like 11pm (I'm old, okay, don't … Continue reading Brain Teasers in The Inheritance Games | Book Review
Justice in Why We Broke Up | Book Review
Why We Broke Upby Daniel Handler ★★★★★ Genre: Young Adult, ContemporaryAuthor: Daniel HandlerPublished: December 2011Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young ReadersPages: 354 [hardback] Initial Thoughts upon Finishing al;skjfdwsfnsilkd. This book is the biggest fuck you to an ex that there is. I loved it. So many thoughts, so many feelings, but mostly I goddamn wish I … Continue reading Justice in Why We Broke Up | Book Review
Own Voices in Some Places More Than Others | Spoiler-Free Review
Some Places More Than Others by Renée Watson Genre: Middle Grade, Contemporary Author: Renée Watson Published: October 2019 Publisher: Bloomsbury Pages: 224 {paperback} Review on Goodreads Big thank you to Bloomsbury Australia for sending me a copy of this in exchange for review! Initial Thoughts Upon Finishing This was stunning! I read it so quickly. … Continue reading Own Voices in Some Places More Than Others | Spoiler-Free Review
Upside-Down Books 