While I sit here trying to push through the next 800+ pages of Rhythm of War, which I did hope to finish by the end of June but alas, here are the books that got me through this month. Fence, a graphic novel near the end, I actually read 4 volumes for, all of which I recommend (especially when you have a library app). I tried to keep a lot of my reading under the umbrella of 'Pride Reads' and even had my first rom-com with a Diabetic main character! There were definitely a variety of reads this month! I'm excited to see what July brings!
The Borrow A Boyfriend Club by Page Powars
This story is a debut novel that follows Noah Byrd as he starts at a new high school after having some slip-ups at his old school.
Noah wants nothing more to prove he is a perfect boy and a perfect boyfriend. To do that he has decided to join the most infamous club in school, the borrow a boyfriend club. The only issue is he has to pass the tests done by the clubs president, a prickly and handsome Asher.
When Noah promises to help Asher and the club win the talent show by teaching them a dance as his golden ticket into the club. During their 'dates', Noah starts to find himself falling for Asher, making the 'no boyfriend' rule, a lot more complicated.
The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich by Deya Muniz
This is a graphic novel that follows Cam, who in order to inherit her families money needs to get married. To a man. Instead, Cam agrees that after her father's death she will move away from their home and present herself as Count Camembert.
After months of being alone in a house with her maid and friend Feta. When she finally has a chance to go and attend a ball at the palace. After making a dramatic entrance, Cam finds herself in Princess Brie's inner circle.
As their friendship blossoms, Cam finds herself starting to develop feelings for Brie, the problem? They would never be allowed to marry due to the rules of the kingdom. But Cam is determined to not waste her chance at the life she wants and the princess has never meet anyone like Cam.
A British Girl's Guide to Hurricanes and Heartbreak by Laura Taylor Namey
This story is a 2023 release that follows Flora as she deals with a whirlwind of grief and makes a last minute decision to go to Miami and escape the stress of Winchester.
While in Miami, Flora starts a fake relationship with the son of a photographer she looks up to. In return, he promises to shoot photos of her friend's wedding in a few weeks. As their fake relationship takes over the papers, Flora's best friend from back home, Gordan finds himself in Miami.
Now her 'hurricane' self is starting to having shifting emotions for her friend and about her decision to go to Miami on a whim. This story had a fun 'will they won't they' vibe at one point, and though sometimes Flora felt like a lot I think by the end she became a character I really enjoyed reading about.
Solitaire by Alice Oseman
Solitaire takes place within the 'Heartstopper' world, but follows Charlie Spring's older sister Tori. Now, some fun facts about this novel, it was actually published BEFORE Heartstopper took over all of our souls. Though it has been edited since it's original publish in 2014, there is definitely a different vibe to this novel than others in the Heartstopper world.
First, we see Nick and Charlie older in this, during what would be the 4th graphic novel I believe. Second, Tori is depressed and extremely effected by things that have happened to her brother in the past year or so. There are mentions of self harm, eating disorders and suicidal thoughts within this text, and a solid warning at the beginning about it not being for everyone. Overall, I enjoyed it but you can tell it was written when Alice was younger and the darker themes aren't usually what I expect. The plot overall is good, Michael Holden is a dream, and there is a lot going on that definitely has 'first story' vibes.
I Like Me Better by Robby Weber
This story follows Zack, who just ended his junior year of high school and is looking forward to being captain of the soccer team his senior year. When the current captain asks Zack to do the impossible and find someone to take the fall for a prank he pulled, Zack chooses to take the fall himself.
Now he has to do community service during the summer, which trying to prep the team for a charity game against their rivals.
His community service brings him together with Chip at the Marine Center. Zack starts to realize that soccer, and being captain, aren't everything and maybe he has other things he enjoys too. Now he has volunteered to help Chip with a petition to help save the sea animals, and finds his commitments to other things falling off to the side.
Kiss & Tell by Adib Khorram
Canadian boyband Kiss & Tell is on their biggest tour of their career, riding the wave of their world-famous album and love of their fans.
Lead singer Hunter Drake started the band after a career-ending hockey injury, joined by his friend Ashton and their other friends they formed Kiss & Tell. Hunter, who was dating Ashton's twin brother Aiden, is now finding it hard to be in the limelight after the breakup.
When Aiden posts private texts in a fit of jealousy, Hunter starts letting the label dictate his image and begins to date the drummer of their opener, PAR-K. As their relationship starts to feel more and more real, Hunter starts to feel less and less like he has control over his own life and career. As he struggles with the media, and himself, he also starts to realize that maybe he has more control than he thought.
Fence Volume 1-4 by C.S. PACAT
This is a graphic novel that follows Nicholas Cox, who is trying to make his way in the world of competitive fencing. After losing to one of the best players in the country at a small city tournament, and training with a washed-up coach. Nicholas gets a scholarship to a private school, but he has to make the fencing team to keep it.
Now he is at the school, rooming with the boy who beat him in the tournament and trying to train to fence against the schools biggest rival, who happens to be his half-brother, who doesn't know he exists.
Nicholas is the illegitimate son of a former fencing professional, who wants to prove himself in the world that doesn't know he is even there. This is a fun novel, I'm excited to keep reading the series.
Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood
Elsie Hannoway has two lives, one where she is working as a theoretical physicist and another where she pretends to be someone's girlfriend for a night. One, is her dream job, the other is the reason she can afford her shitty apartment and Diabetes medication.
While trying to get a job at MIT that could change her whole life, she ends up running into the brother of her 'fake' date for the last several months. Now she is caught in a lie and isn't the one who can tell him the truth. Jack Smith is the one standing between her and her dream job and she is willing to keep him an enemy if it keeps her in the game. That is until the truth comes out, and she finds out maybe there is more to him than she thought.
This story is the next one in the STEMinist series and honestly I'm so excited to write a full blog about this book.
Be on the look out for more book reviews and my 'throwback' blogs during the rest of July!
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