Book Review - This Book Might Be About Zinnia by Brittney Morris

 

This Book Might Be About Zinnia by Brittney Morris is a heartfelt coming-of-age novel that follows Zinnia on her emotional journey to find her birth mother. In 2024, Zinnia Davis is focused on writing her personal essay for her college application to Harvard. However, when an admissions representative hints that her adoption story “lacks heart,” she realizes she needs a new angle if she wants to be accepted into her dream school.

Zinnia knows very little about her birth parents—until her favorite author releases a short story titled Little Heart, about a princess with a heart-shaped birthmark on her forehead who was separated from her mother at birth. Zinnia becomes convinced that the story was written by her birth mother as a way to reach out to her.

In a parallel storyline set in 2006, teenager Tuesday Walker is struggling to return to high school after being out for months due to a medical procedure and a devastating personal loss. She copes by writing in her journal, but after a traumatic incident causes her to lose it, she finds herself reliving her grief all over again.

The novel is told through alternating perspectives between Zinnia and Tuesday. I found the book to be an okay read—it had a few twists and turns, though many were predictable. One detail that stood out to me as confusing was the part where Zinnia travels to Brooklyn (or NYC) and sleeps under houses to stay warm. As a native New Yorker, I found this unrealistic, as there aren’t homes like that in the areas mentioned. It would have made more sense if the author had said she slept on a park bench.

Aside from that minor pet peeve, the book was entertaining. At times, I was frustrated with Zinnia’s behavior—she was so laser-focused on her own goals that she overlooked what her friend Milo might have been going through. Still, the story held my interest through to the end, and I would be open to reading more books by the author.

Book Review - Growing Home by Beth Ferry

 

 Growing Home by Beth Ferry is a charming story about the pets at Number 3 Ramshorn Drive discovering the true meaning of friendship and home. Ivy, a beloved houseplant, is adored by Jillian Tupper, the daughter of the family, who showers her with love and attention—much to the dismay of the actual family pet, Toasty the goldfish. Toasty believes he should be Jillian’s favorite, not Ivy.

Toasty’s jealousy only grows when Jillian surprises Ivy with another plant: Ollie, a sweet violet who loves to sing and befriend everyone. Soon after, Arthur, a wise and curious spider, arrives. Having broken his legs, Arthur must stay at Ramshorn until he recovers. With more “rivals” in the house, Toasty becomes increasingly frustrated by the competition for Jillian’s affection.

Out of irritation, Toasty splashes the plants with water from his tank—unaware that doing so gives them magical powers. It turns out Toasty’s fishbowl is no ordinary tank, but a magical object created by an alchemist and imbued with powerful magic. If it falls into the wrong hands, it could cause great harm. So when a mysterious man begins snooping around, Toasty, Ivy, Arthur, and Ollie must put aside their differences to protect their home and the family they all love.

This book is a delightful and heartwarming read. The black-and-white illustrations are charming and well done. The story strikes a great balance of humor and heart, and it’s a joy to watch each character grow and find their voice while working together. It’s a wonderful story for young readers, with gentle lessons about friendship, family, and belonging. I’d gladly read more books by the author.

 

July 2025 Empties!

 

I can't believe it has been a few months since I did an empties post. Also, to be fair, I can't believe it is already July. I feel like the year moves so quickly and slowly at the same time. I did manage to finish a lot of goodies, let's get to it!

The Wet n Wild Hello Kitty collection had come out earlier in the year. I had gotten a few things, but my favorite was the lip mask. It had a creamy texture and smelled so good. It reminded me of cotton candy. 

The Dove Turmeric Milk and Lemon Drop soap smells amazing! I had bought a few products from their new plant milk line, and they all smell so great. The only downside is that one bar of soap was almost $6 a bar. The bar had a creamy lather, and it washed out cleanly. It left the skin feeling soft and smooth. And did I mention how great it smells? Sadly, it doesn't last longer than a standard bar of soap. 

The Sandawha Camellia Flower Cream Mask reminds me of the Fresh Lotus Mask. It is gel-based with a rose color, and it has pieces of flowers in the gel. It does look kinda of gross on skin, but it leaves skin looking brighter. It works almost as well as more expressive masks. 

I am always looking at ways to be more eco-friendly. So last year, I had bought the Myni system and forgot about it. The set comes with one bottle and two powders that you mix with water to make shower gels. I had gotten the green tea one. I can hands down say, I realize why this company is no longer around. The body wash had a slimey gooey consistency that didn't really lather, and the scent!!! It smells like hot trash. I couldn't smell it without trying to vomit. Absolutely, one of the worst-smelling thing I ever tried.

Is there anything you used this month that you would recommend? 

Book Review - Barefoot by the Sea by Roxanne St. Claire

 

Barefoot by the Sea by Roxanne St. Claire follows a woman named Tessa Galloway, who desperately wants to have a child, but life keeps getting in the way. Tessa is known as the nurturer in her friend group and is a talented gardener, managing to create a prolific and beautiful garden at the resort in Barefoot Bay. However, the one thing she wishes to grow the most remains out of her reach.

Tessa yearns to be a mother. While her friends believe that the right guy will eventually come along, Tessa is unwilling to wait. She is searching for the perfect donor and is not interested in just anyone. Her fortunes might change when the resort hires a gorgeous and charismatic new chef, John Brown, who sparks her interest and makes her wonder if she wants something more with him.

John Brown is on the run and desperate to reclaim his old life. It has been three years since he was placed in the witness protection program, forcing him to leave his toddler twins behind to keep them safe. To regain custody of his twins, he must prove that he has a stable life, which includes having a wife. John finds himself falling for Tessa, but she seeks someone who can be honest and open with her. Unfortunately for John, he harbors many secrets that could jeopardize the safety of those he loves if revealed. Will this pair find a way to achieve their desires?

This book is the fourth novel in the series, and although I read the previous book, Barefoot in the Sun, I believe I could have followed the story without reading any others in the series. I didn’t enjoy this novel. It felt like there was too much filler, and the overall storyline seemed far-fetched. I don’t understand how being married would make someone a better father. Also, why would he be unable to get his children back if the police managed to capture the bad guys?

The romance and the element of Tessa’s alleged infertility felt unbelievable, and it was annoying how everything was neatly resolved at the end. In the previous book, Tessa discusses her desire for children, so it seems odd that she assumes she is infertile without a medical diagnosis.

While the characters in this book weren’t completely insufferable, they still had their annoying moments. There was one recurring character, Zoe—the lead in the previous novel—who continued to be bothersome in this book. When Zoe noticed her friend struggling with the idea of a fake wedding, she selfishly chose not to help her. Tessa herself could be quite unbearable; she despises it when others keep secrets, yet she conveniently keeps them from her friends. The dialogue between some characters was cringe-worthy, leaving me to wonder if people truly acedlike that; it felt exaggerated and over the top.

I did enjoy Tessa's interactions with her friend’s daughter, Ashley. However, Ashley’s subplot was cute but predictable and likely unnecessary. After reading two books from this series, I've concluded that I am not a fan of the author. She tends to write implausible stories with largely annoying and obnoxious characters. If you enjoy steamy beach romances and don’t mind outlandish storylines, you might find more enjoyment in this novel than I did.

Book Review - Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds

 

Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds tells the story of a teenager, Will, who grapples with the decision to avenge his brother Shawn's death. Growing up in their neighborhood, Will and Shawn learned the rules of engagement: no crying, no snitching, and seek revenge.  After Shawn is brutally gunned down, Will understands what he must do. He retrieves the gun that Shawn had hidden and intends to avenge him.  While waiting for the elevator to confront the person,  he is certain of his target. But is Will completely confident? As he enters the elevator, a mysterious individual steps in and begins to question Will’s motives. The elevator stops at each floor, and someone new boards who shares their perspective on Will’s intentions. It’s a long way down, and does Will change his mind, or will he gain clarity on his course of action?

I previously read another book by the author, All American Boys, and found it enjoyable, so I decided to give this one a chance. Initially, I was surprised by its poetic verse style and felt hesitant to continue reading.  I'm glad I persevered, as the novel proved to be intriguing, and the writing style added an engaging element. The book maintained suspenseful moments, making me eager to see who else would enter the elevator with Will. Although some pages were sparse in words, their impact was profound. I would be open to exploring more works by this author.

Book Review - Barefoot in the Sun by Roxanne St. Claire

 

Barefoot in the Sun by Roxanne St. Claire tells the story of two lovers, Zoe and Oliver, who put aside their differences to find a way forward together.  

When Zoe Tamarin faces a difficult situation and has to make a choice, she always opts to run away.  She and her great-aunt Pasha have been constantly on the move since Pasha rescued Zoe from an abusive home as a child. They avoid staying in one place for too long to prevent getting too close to others and revealing their past. Currently, Zoe and Pasha are at Barefoot Bay, enjoying a sense of peace until someone from their past shows up and knows of their past.

Oliver Bradbury and his eight-year-old son, Evan, have come to Florida to start anew and bond. He never anticipated reconnecting with the woman who had broken his heart years earlier.  Oliver is eager to win Zoe’s heart again, but is he ready to go against everything he believes in? And will it be enough to keep her tethered to him?

I didn’t care for any of the characters in the book; I found them annoying and manipulative, constantly pushing people beyond their limits. Initially, I thought I would enjoy Oliver's character, but I soon felt he cared more about himself and Zoe than about his son. It seemed as if Oliver was struggling to engage with his son, making Evan feel more like a prop than a genuine character. Furthermore, I couldn’t understand why Oliver was infatuated with Zoe when she appeared quite selfish, consistently prioritizing her needs over others.

In addition to the romance, there is a mild murder mystery subplot. I hoped it would keep me engaged since the romance and characters weren’t enough. However, the murder mystery aspect felt clunky and lacked substance. It might have been better to leave it out entirely. If you enjoy over-the-top romance novels with a bit of spice, you might find this novel more appealing than I did.

Book Review - Seven Deadly Sins: The Biology of Being Human by Dr. Guy Leschziner

 

Seven Deadly Sins: The Biology of Being Human by Dr. Guy Leschziner is a nonfiction book in which a doctor recounts how the seven deadly sins (as noted in Christian theology) that people exhibit are not always caused by moral failings but can also stem from other biological factors, such as brain chemistry. Dr. Leschziner explores each sin, presenting a case or cases that he has worked on or reviewed, and details their neuroscientific and psychological foundations, along with any medical disorders that could have contributed to them.  He explains that some of these traits may arise from a person’s drive to survive and thrive in their environment.

I found the book to be an interesting read. It was a bit longer than I expected or needed, though. I felt that when Dr. Leschziner delved too deeply into scientific research and details, my eyes glazed over, and I often got lost. However, I enjoyed reading about the cases he mentioned and how they connected to each sin; these were my favorite parts of the book.  I also felt a bit conflicted. I always view people who “sinned” as doing it woefully and not as something they were “doing against their will” because of some medical issue or disorder. Putting that thought aside, it was interesting food for thought while reading each chapter. While Dr. Leschziner is a skilled writer, I don’t think I would read another one of his books, as they lean too heavily on science and medical research.

Book Review - Cinderella Is Dead by Kalynn Bayron

 

Cinderella Is Dead by Kalynn Bayron retells the classic fairy tale. Two hundred years have passed since Cinderella found her prince and received her happy ending. To continue the tradition, all teenage girls are required to attend the Annual Ball. There, the men of the kingdom could choose a wife based on the girls' display of wealth and finery.  However, if the women are not selected after appearing at the ball three times, they are considered forfeits and are never heard from again.

Sixteen-year-old Sophia would rather marry her best friend, Erin, than be paraded in front of the male suitors. She is forced to attend against her will, and she must decide whether to flee or stay and marry someone she despises. Sophia chooses to flee and finds refuge from the King’s men in Cinderella’s mausoleum. There, she encounters one of the last known descendants of Cinderella and her stepsisters, Constance. The pair decide that they are tired of taking orders from men and living in the shadows. However, will they be able to succeed, or is there a darker force at work?

The novel was an entertaining read. I generally enjoy retellings of classic stories, as I appreciate seeing modern interpretations or new elements that challenge the perception of the original tale.  I found the novel engaging, and there were a few unexpected twists. There were some side characters I wish had received more attention, but I understood that the focus was on Sophia and Constance. I would have liked more world-building. I was a bit confused about how the King was able to rule for years without anyone noticing and why they kept on tolerating his overbearing rules. The author hinted at it when Sophia asked, but it felt insufficient to me. I would be open to reading more books by the author.

Book Review - See Loss, See Also Love: A Novel by Yukiko Tominaga

 

See Loss, See Also Love: A Novel  by Yukiko Tominaga tells the story of a Japanese woman, Kyoko, who grapples with the unexpected death of her husband, Levi. Following Levi's tragic passing, Kyoko faces the dilemma of whether to return to Japan or remain in San Francisco to raise her son. Her Jewish mother-in-law, Bubbe, encourages her to find love again and to stop being so frugal, while Kyoko’s mother urges her to embrace and celebrate her widowhood. Ultimately, the only certainty for Kyoko is her commitment to being there for her son.

The novel is divided into four sections that reflect Kyoko’s emotional states. These sections shift between the past and present, highlighting pivotal moments in her life. The book was an average read; some parts were entertaining, while others felt out of place. I was frustrated by the frequent jumps between sections, as it made the narrative feel a bit random and disjointed. Additionally, it seemed somewhat aimless, lacking a substantial story. I would have preferred if the book were a collection of unrelated short stories instead of its current format. I would consider reading other works by the author, but I wouldn’t actively seek them out.