Review: CRUSHING by Sophie Burrows

 

CRUSHING by Sophie Burrows

Publication Date: January 11, 2022

Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers

Pages: 160

Source: Publisher

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Synopsis

 

She’s lonely and searching for connection. He’s lonely and afraid to reach out.

Life in the big city means being surrounded by connections—making them, missing them, and longing for them. But is finding someone else really the answer to their problems?

Crushing, the stunning debut graphic novel from Sophie Burrows, is a story told in silence; a story without words but bursting with meaning; a story about loneliness and love.

Achingly beautiful, quietly defiant, and full of subtle wit and wisdom, Crushing is a unique meditation on the human condition in the twenty-first century, and a timely examination of young adult life in an age of isolation.

MY THOUGHTS

Graphic novels have become a comfort go-to for me during times that I've found it difficult to get lost in reading, but still want to experience the joy of a good story. There is something very soothing about CRUSHING and getting caught up in this story told mostly in pictures and imagining the inner thoughts of the characters as they move through their world. 

The characters' stories are both sad and joyful as they relate to the people who come into their lives. Each storyline shows that we are all just complex creatures trying to find our way. I found it all so relatable - the desire for connection, seeking it out, but also shying away from it when you feel comfortable in your solitude.

I really liked the minimal use of color and the emphasis of using the color red to draw the eye, but then also discovering everything happening in the scenes that aren't highlighted with the primary color. Two images that I found the most memorable in CRUSHING are the view of the sky and nature after a long run through the park, and also the image of the man receiving care and compassion from a stranger after an accident - again the solitude and the companionship.

 I'm glad to have this book in my collection and I know I'll pick it up often. I hope that other readers will find acknowledgment in CRUSHING in a way that makes them feel comfort as well as compassion.

Disclaimer: I received this promotional copy from the publisher for review consideration. Thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Books I Read in 2021

No Fanfare. Just a List. Here are the books I read in 2021. 

The date listed is the date I finished the book. 

January

1: In Love & Pajamas by Catana Chetwynd

2: The Mall by Megan McCafferty

3: How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi

16: The Happy Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez

19: A Turtle's Guide to Introversion by Ton Mak

23: You'll Believe What Happened to Lacey by Amber Ruffin and Lacey Lamar

25: Happily Ever After and Everything In Between by Debbie Tung
28: Mistletoe and Mr. Right by Sarah Morganthaler

31: The Jake Ryan Complex by Bethany Crandell

February
2: shine your icy crown by amanda lovelace

6: After All by Heidi McLaughlin

14: Candy Hearts by Tommy Siegal

19: Enjoy the View by Sarah Morganthaler

21: Muted by Tami Charles

22: Layla by Colleen Hoover

27: Beauty Mark: A Verse Novel of Marilyn Monroe by Carole Boston Weatherford

27: Sanctuary by V.V. James

March

3: Candy Colored Sky by Ginger Scott

7: Echoes Between Us by Katie McGarry

11: Float Plan by Trish Doller
22: Heartstopper, Vol. 2 by Alice Oseman

25: Sandcastle Beach by Jenny Holiday

27: Lost at Sea by Bryan Lee O'Malley

April
1: The Wife Who Knew Too Much by Michele Campbell

3: Good as Gone by Amy Gentry

10: Buns by Alice Clayton

14: Until Then by Heidi McLaughlin

19: The Cousins by Karen McManus 

29: Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi, Yusef Salaam

May

2: Rot and Ruin by Jonathan Maberry

2: Juliet Takes a Breath by Gabby Rivera and Celia Moscote

9: A Wicked and Beautiful Garden by Katie McGarry

12: Cool for the Summer by Dahlia Adler

13: I'm Not Dying with You Tonight by Kimberly Jones and Gilly Segal

22: Dust and Decay by Jonathan Maberry

28: How to Fail at Flirting by Denise Williams

June

4: What Girls are Made Of by Elana K. Arnold

6: Cowboy Come Home by Carly Bloom

14: Nice Girls Don't Ride by Roni Loren

14: Seven Days in June by Tia Williams

22: How Sweet It Is by Dylan Newton

23: Crash Into You by Katie McGarry

July
6: Crazy Stupid Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams

18: Up All Night ed. by Laura Silverman

24: Must Love Cowboys by Carly Bloom

26: Last Summer at the Golden Hotel by Elyssia Friedland

August

1: Fourth Down by Heidi McLaughlin

8: The Royal We by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan

14: The Good Lie by A. R. Torre

16: Heartstopper Vol. 3 by Alice Oseman

22: The Sun Will Rise and So Will We by Jennae Cecelia

24: Love Next Door by Helena Hunting

29: Oddball by Sarah Andersen

30: Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

September

3: Fangirl: Manga 1 by Sam Maggs and Rainbow Rowell

4: Up from the Sea by Leza Lowitz

5: Where the Line Bleeds by Jesmyn Ward

14: The Highland Fling by Meghan Quinn

17: There's Someone Inside Your House by Stephanie Perkins

22: The House on Sunshine Corner by Phoebe Mills

25: the bitter end by kaliane faye

29: Sunny Song Will Never Be Famous by Suzanne Park 

October 

3: The Guilt Trip by Sandie Jones

3: It's OK to Feel Things Deeply by Carissa Potter

5: No One Is Talking About This by Patricia Lockwood

10: The Happy Accidents by Jamie Beck

17: A Stormy and Sultry Sea by Katie McGarry

18: Hallowed Moon by Kelly Fox

24: One and Only by Jenny Holiday

25: Trick by Shae Sanders

25: Treat by Shae Sanders

November 

1: I Like You, I Love You by Carissa Potter

3: This Will Only Hurt a Little by Busy Philipps

9: 19 Love Songs by David Levithan

14: Attachments by Rainbow Rowell

16: November 9 by Colleen Hoover

16: Scenes from Isolation by Cathy Guisewite

21: My Sister, The Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithewaite

22: The Color of Us by Jessica Park

22: The Prince and the Troll by Rainbow Rowell

23: Hazel and Gray by Nic Stone

27: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

29: The Wickeds by Gayle Forman

December

1: The Princess Game by Soman Chainani

1: The Cleaners by Ken Liu

4: Life's Too Short by Abby Jimenez

6: In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren

7: Oh. What. Fun. by Chandler Baker

9: From the Desk of Lady Miss by Keke Palmer and Jasmine Guillory

9: My Dear Friend Janet by Keke Palmer and Jasmine Guillory

11: The Christmas Pact by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward

18: The Twelve Dogs of Christmas by Lizzie Shane

It's Rlease Day: FOREVER MASON by Heidi McLaughlin

 

      FOREVER MASON

by Heidi McLaughlin

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: December 28, 2021

Hosted by: Buoni Amici Press, LLC.

Purchase link:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3H2fPiO

Book Description:

Mason Powell. Best friend. Boyfriend. Husband. Father.

He’s the young man you know but have never met.

He’s the man who chose love over friendship.

He’s the man who would do anything for his family and friends.

He’s the man who stepped up when someone wasn’t there.

He’s the man who has a story to tell.

Be there when Mason tells his life story.

Be there when Mason falls in love with Katelyn.

Be there when Mason makes the fateful decision that ends his friendship with Liam Westbury.

Be there when his life changes forever.

Be there when . . .

About Heidi:

Heidi McLaughlin is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of The Beaumont Series, The Boys of Summer, and The Archers.

Originally, from the Pacific Northwest, she now lives in picturesque Vermont, with her husband, two daughters, and their three dogs.

In 2012, Heidi turned her passion for reading into a full-fledged literary career, writing over twenty novels, including the acclaimed Forever My Girl.

Heidi's first novel, Forever My Girl, has been adapted into a motion picture with LD Entertainment and Roadside Attractions, starring Alex Roe and Jessica Rothe, and opened in theaters on January 19, 2018, and is now available on DVD & Digital.

To stay connected with Heidi visit www.facebook.com/authorheidimclaughlin or heidimclaughlin.com

Social Media:

Website: http://heidimclaughlin.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorHeidiMcLaughlin/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeidiJoVT/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heidimclaughlinauthor/ 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6568302.Heidi_McLaughlin 

Goodreads Group: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/184432-heidi-s-hangout
Text GETHEIDISBOOKS to (833) 926-1009
Newsletter: http://bit.ly/HeidisNewsletter 

BookBub:  https://www.bookbub.com/authors/heidi-mclaughlin 

Mini-Reviews: THE GOOD LIE, THE GUILT TRIP, and THERE'S SOMEONE INSIDE YOUR HOUSE

 A collection of mini-reviews, quick thoughts, and books worth mentioning. Check them out!

THE GOOD LIE by A.R. Torre

Publication Date: July 20, 2021

Pages: 254

Source: Kindle Unlimited

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Synopsis (link to Goodreads)

My Thoughts

I read THE GOOD LIE through my Kindle Unlimited subscription. 

Fans of murder mysteries, podcasts, and CSI type shows will really enjoy this book. I loved the "who done it" aspect with all of the theories, media responses, and kept/withheld information that kept my guessing. It was fun playing detective and trying to figure out the motives and who the real killer is.

THE GOOD LIE has a high level of creepiness that kept me on edge until the very end. It was so good and now I get to decide which book by A.R. Torre that I get to read next. I'm excited to read more by this author!

THE GUILT TRIP by Sandie Jones

Publication Date: August 3, 2021

Pages: 320

Source: Purchased

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Synopsis (link to Goodreads)

My Thoughts

THE GUILT TRIP was another book that I read with my book club. I love the play on the title - the trip of a destination wedding and all of the guilty parties.

THE GUILT TRIP read like a soap opera and the best possible way. It was full of drama, secrets, scandals, and misdirection. It offered a lot to be discussed and considered during our book club and it left us with some questions that we still don't have the answers too. THE GUILT TRIP was a great book club selection.

THERE'S SOMEONE INSIDE YOUR HOUSE by Stephanie Perkins

Publication Date: September 26, 2017

Pages: 287

Source: Purchased

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Synopsis (link to Goodreads)

My Thoughts

I've been a longtime fan of Stephanie Perkins and her YA contemporary books ever since I read ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS, so of course I bought a copy of THERE'S SOMEONE INSIDE YOUR HOUSE when she wrote a thriller. I wanted to read her talent in a new genre. However, it took me a while to finally read it. (I've had the book on my shelf since 2017). Once I found out that the Netflix release day of the movie adaptation was coming up, I decided I needed to read it ASAP. And I thought I wanted to be creeped out, so why not? Well, it did creep me out for sure. It's definitely a gory thriller. It was so gory (more than what I've read in a long time) that I was almost hesitant to watch the movie. Almost. Let me just say that I was covering my eyes in just the few minutes and if I'm being honest I did that pretty much throughout. 

If you like horror and being freaked out, then this book is for you. 

Review: HOW SWEET IT IS by Dylan Newton

 

HOW SWEET IT IS

by Dylan Newton

Publication Date: July 13, 2021

Publisher: Forever

Pages: 352

Source: Publisher

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Synopsis

 

What happens when the queen of romance falls for the king of horror--you get "a hilarious rom-com comp," perfect for fans of Beach Read. (Kirkus, starred review)

Event planner Kate Sweet is famous for creating the perfect happily-ever-after moment for her clients’ dream weddings. So how is it that her best friend has roped her into planning a bestselling horror writer’s book launch extravaganza? But the second Kate meets—or rather, accidentally maims—the drop-dead-hot Drake Matthews, her well-ordered life quickly transforms into an absolute nightmare.

Drake Matthews is tired of the spotlight and tired of his reputation as the Knight of Nightmares. He's really a nice guy! But he’s not prepared for Kate, a fearless agent of chaos in steel-tipped stilettos, or for that sweet sting of attraction he feels for her. She’s inspiring him to take his writing in a whole new direction—one that no one expects. Because now Kate and Drake are changing up the rules, and this plot twist might just surprise everyone . . . including themselves.

MY THOUGHTS

HOW SWEET IT IS is a perfect title for this hilarious, charming, and oh so sweet romantic comedy. I wanted to read this book as soon as I learned that the main characters were a writer and an event planner - both who undoubtedly have many stories to tell. And, I mean, how can you not want to read a story about the Queen of Happily Ever Afters and the Knight of Nightmares? 

What I Loved:
Kate and Drake's unforgettable, awkward, but also sexy first meeting 
Kate and Drakes tale from the crypt
Kate and her spreadsheets and specialty "Aww" moments
Drake's real life moments of inspiration

The thing I love most about this book is how happy I felt while reading it. And it's weird that I was actively aware of this happiness. I smiled constantly and laughed out loud as Drake and Kate stumbled their way through their working relationship and fell for each other. 

Memorable Quote:

"Real women were so much harder to read than heroines in novels, and trying to act like a book hero, with all the right words spoken at just the right time, was impossible."

If you ask me, Drake did just fine figuring out how to be a book hero.

HOW SWEET IT IS is absolutely adorable and a must-read romantic comedy. I loved it!!

Disclaimer: I received this ARC from the publisher for review consideration. I was not compensated in any way other than the ARC provided. Thoughts and opinions are my own.

Mini-Reviews: CRAZY STUPID BROMANCE, LOVE HER OR LOSE HER, and MY EVERYTHING

 A collection of mini-reviews, quick thoughts, and books worth mentioning. Check them out!

CRAZY STUPID BROMANCE by Lyssa Kay Adams

Publication Date: October 27, 2020

Pages: 342

Source: Purchased

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

Synopsis (link to Goodreads)

My Thoughts

Could this one be my new favorite of the series? Yes is could!

Friends to more is a favorite trope - Alexis and Noah figuring out their friendship and admitting that there was more to it made me so happy. And getting to more of the personalities of the Bromance Book Club members was a wonderful bonus.

What I loved:

1. Mack and his friends planning his wedding to Liv. It's all about the details.

2. Alexis cat, Beefcake: "He had an unkempt, murderous look about him, as if he'd just gone a few rounds inside a clothes dryer and liked it" (pg 23). And he brought his own level of drama. 

3. Alexis's cafe as a safe communal space for women to support each other.

I love this series for all of the laughs that it has given me. Can't wait for book #4!

LOVE HER OR LOSE HER by Tessa Bailey

Publication Date: January 14, 2020

Pages: 336

Source: Purchased

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Synopsis (link to Goodreads)

My Thoughts

Tessa Bailey's LOVE HER OR LOSE HER had a much different feel from FIX HER UP - the first book of the Hot and Hammered collection. The heat level is just as high and the heart is definitely there, but the story of a troubled marriage stirs up a wide range of emotions. LOVE HER OR LOSE HER pulls on all of the heart strings and leaves readers wanting only the best for Dominic and Rosie as they experience their second chance at a lasting love.

Memorable Quote:

"Lately I’ve learned that letting something feel crazy, not rejecting the unfamiliarity of a situation . . . can lead to something amazing.”

This book made me laugh many times over and there were moments it touched my heart and made me cry. LOVE HER AND LOSE HER explores the different languages of love. Dominic's love for Rosie was deep and true and he would do anything for her. It was beautiful. He began to understand her and the ways she needed him to love her - not just as a provider. She needed actions of love, she needed his words of love. Experiencing them falling in love with each other again was magical. I loved it!!

MY EVERYTHING by Heidi McLaughlin

Beaumont Series 1.5

Publication Date: July 1, 2013

Pages: 88

Source: Purchased

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

Synopsis (link to Goodreads)

My Thoughts

(originally posted 10/11/2016)

When I read FOREVER MY GIRL, Nick Ashford wasn't a character who I could like. From the get-go, I wanted Josie and Liam to find their way back to each other and Nick was one of the obstacles keeping them from rediscovering their love. It was easy to see him as the "villian" of the story. But he wasn't. Not really. His actions were out of desperation of losing Josie's love and Noah.  I didn't truly understand that until I read MY EVERYTHING.  

I loved that the story mainly takes place outside of Beaumont and focuses on Nick rebuilding his life and finding love after he meets Aubrey. I LOVED her character immediately. Her youthfulness was invigorating and she came into Nick's life at just the right time. While this novella is pretty short, just 88 pages, their love story is captivating. 

I'm glad that we get a chance to see a different side of Nick in MY EVERYTHING. This novella is a great addition to the Beaumont Series.

New Release: UP ALL NIGHT: 13 Stories between Sunset and Sunrise

 

UP ALL NIGHT: 13 Stories between Sunset and Sunrise

edited by Laura Silverman

Publication Date: July 13, 2021

Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers

Pages: 352

Source: Publisher

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Synopsis

 

When everyone else goes to bed, the ones who stay up feel like they’re the only people in the world. As the hours tick by deeper into the night, the familiar drops away and the unfamiliar beckons. Adults are asleep, and a hush falls over the hum of daily life. Anything is possible.

It’s a time for romance and adventure. For prom night and ghost hunts. It’s a time for breaking up, for falling in love—for finding yourself.

Stay up all night with these thirteen short stories from bestselling and award-winning YA authors like Karen McManus, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nina LaCour, and Brandy Colbert, as they take readers deep into these rarely seen, magical hours.

Full contributor list: Brandy Colbert, Kathleen Glasgow, Maurene Goo, Tiffany D. Jackson, Amanda Joy, Nina LaCour, Karen M. McManus, Anna Meriano, Marieke Nijkamp, Laura Silverman, Kayla Whaley, Julian Winters, Francesca Zappia

MY THOUGHTS

My sleep schedule is completely off, so it’s very fitting UP ALL NIGHT is my current late night read. This part of the description:  “It’s a time for romance and adventure. For prom night and ghost hunts. It’s a time for breaking up, for falling in love, for finding yourself” is what ultimately persuaded me that I needed to read this short story collection.  Plus I was reading contributing author Karen McManus’s latest book, THE COUSINS, when I learned of UP ALL NIGHT, and I was enjoying her book so much, I was convinced.

One thing that excites me about UP ALL NIGHT is that most of the authors are new-to-me. With the exception of Nina LaCour (LOVE HER BOOKS) and Karen McManus, I have the opportunity to find new authors to read. That’s one of my favorite things about short story collections is discovering new-to-me authors and getting the chance to read the words on some favorites too. 

As an adult reading UP ALL NIGHT, there is a sense of nostalgia for my high school years. I have fond (and not-so-fond) memories of late night adventures with my friends and these stories take me back to those moments when everything felt significant and you were living in the moment. 

And that’s another thing that I love about reading, and reading these stories specifically, is that it can ignite a spark of creativity. This UP ALL NIGHT collection gives me the urge (and maybe some courage) to pick up a pen and write some of my own stories. 

I’ve read a handful of these stories and am sure that I’ll read the rest soon enough. These sleepless nights are becoming all too common. Thank goodness for books.

Disclaimer: I received this ARC from the publisher for review consideration. I was not compensated in any way other than the ARC provided. Thoughts and opinions are my own.