Excuse this mess of a roundup post, but a gazillion amazing books were released today and there just wasn’t enough time to give each their own post đ Regardless, these are all wonderful books and deserve a place on your TBR. Thank me later.
The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
Stella uses math and statistics daily for economic analysis. When her parents bug her about finding a husband, she starts the only way she knows how: research and lots of practice. So, (duh!) Stella hires a male escort to teach her the ways. Stella, our main protagonist has Asperger’s and Michael is Vietnamese/Swedish.
I have been frequently rereading passages because this book made me so giddy with happiness. I’m always looking for #ownvoices books that have neurodiverse characters. THE KISS QUOTIENT is more graphic than most romances I read but I didn’t even care because I loved these characters so much.
MY RATING:Â Â â°â°â°â°â° (one of my fave reads from 2018 so far!)
Thank you Berkley Romance for my e-galley!
Smoke in the Sun by Renee Ahdieh
If, like me, you were completely captivated by Ahdiehâs Mulan-esque retelling A FLAME IN THE MIST, the sequel is here and itâs just as incredible. First, can we talk about the gorgeous cover redesign?! I loved the original cover, but it makes me enormously happy to see an Asian girl on the cover. Picking up where the first book left off, Mariko is on a mission to rescue Okami after he is kidnapped. She returns to her betrothed, Raiden, and is forced to lie about her time with the Black Clan. Itâs sooooo good, peeps. You need this book (and series) in your life.
MY RATING:Â Â â°â°â°â°
Thank you to a fellow blogger who kindly sent me their ARC
Sweet Black Waves by Kristina Perez
This book is a retelling of Tristan and Iseult, which full disclosure, the only knowledge I have is the horrible James Franco film. Our heroine, Branwen, is the cousin and lady-in-waiting to the Princess. She possesses healing magic that has (so far) been dormant. But when she unknowingly saves the life of a mortal enemy, her powers begin to manifest. Add in some forbidden romance, some backstabbing, and an ending that I am SO mad about because I need the sequel NOW, SWEET BLACK WAVES is such a great debut.
MY RATING:Â Â â°â°â°â°
Thank you to HarperCollins for my galley!
The Bird and the Blade by Megan Bannen
Ok, talk about forbidden love. THE BIRD AND THE BLADE is an enthralling story about the sons of Genghis Khan and a retelling of the opera, TURANDOT. Set in the Mongol Empire, Jinghua finds herself in the company of Prince Khalaf and his father as they journey away from their enemies. Khalaf is set to marry Turandokht and unite the warring empires, if and only if, he correctly answers three riddles. Or else he loses his head. Oh, and during this trek across the Mongol Empire, Jinghua falls in love with Khalaf. The prose is absolutely beautiful. I cannot wait to see what else Bannen comes out with.
MY RATING:Â Â â°â°â°â°
Thank you to HarperCollins for my galley!
Social Creature by Tara Isabella Burton
This book is Gossip Girl cranked up to the nth degree. I can totally see why it was optioned for film already, it’s totally a cinematic book. When plain Jane Louise makes friends with the glitzy Lavinia, her life completely changes. Soon her days are all parties and booze and she’s loving it. Until she doesn’t anymore. SOCIAL CREATURE is dark and gritty and dirty and when you finish, you’re going to feel like you want to take a shower.
MY RATING:Â Â â°â°â°.5Â
Thank you to Doubleday for my e-galley!