Book Review - Finally Fitz by Marisa Kanter

 

 

Finally Fitz by Marisa Kanter is about a young woman, Ava “Fitz” Fitzgerald who plots with her childhood best friend, Levi Berkowitz, to win back her girlfriend after a devastating breakup. Fitz has worked hard to try and craft the perfect life she has always wanted. She used her passion for sustainable fashion and upcycling to create a popular Instagram page while maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA. When she isn’t focused on her social media account, she spends every free moment with her girlfriend, Dani. This summer Fitz plans on telling Dani that she loves her and that their relationship can last when Fitz returns to Boston to finish out school.

Fitz was accepted into a prestigious summer fashion program at FIT in New York City. She knows this program can give her a boost to build her brand and social following. However, right before classes start, Dani breaks up with Fitz and accuses her of caring more about her growing social media presence than their relationship. Fitz is heartbroken unable to focus and feels blocked creatively.

Fitz is desperate to get back together with Dani, and to prove how much Dani means to her, she is willing to take a break from social media. However, as she puts her plan into action, a chance encounter on the subway has reunited her with her childhood best friend, Levi, who she hasn’t seen since elementary school.

Levi is also going through a heartbreak. After reconnecting, Fitz devises a plan on how they can both get back their partners using social media. They will pretend that they are in a relationship and post photos of their “dates” on social media to make their respective partners jealous. Fitz is confident that she can win back Dani with her fake relationship with Levi. As their fake relationship progresses, Fitz starts to learn that not every plan can go according to their wishes. Is Fitz willing to let go of her idea of picture-perfect to choose what is best for her?

I thought the novel was a fun and relatable read. As a native New Yorker, it was fun reading about the main characters’ different experiences around the city. At times, I found myself annoyed at Fitz. She complained about other people not allowing her in and connecting with others, but then she puts a filter on and keeps others at a distance. Then for some people, she didn’t even give them a chance to be vulnerable and open. For example, she was surprised that her classmates made bets about her but then she kept shooting them down at times when they tried to be friendly or was surprised that they wanted to help her. Another time, Dani, whom Fitz supposedly loves and wants to be in a relationship with, didn’t even know Fitz had a sister in the city.  I found this odd because while you can set boundaries with people, it wasn’t like her relationship with her sister was a sensitive issue. She claimed that she wants a sisterly bond with her sister, but it seemed when she’s at her sister’s apartment, she barely attempted to get to know her. I felt that the author could have spent more time building out their sister bond. I thought the book was a cute read and I would be open to reading more books by the author.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion** 

DON’T MISS MARISA KANTER’S IN-PERSON TOUR:

 

Saturday, 04.20.24 and Sunday, 04.21.24
Los Angeles Times Festival of Books (Los Angeles, CA)

 

Tuesday, 04.23.24 at 7:00pm PT
The Ripped Bodice (Culver City, CA)

In conversation with Amy Spalding

Friday, 04.26.24 at 7:00pm ET
The Ripped Bodice (Brooklyn, NY)

In conversation with Kelsey Rodkey

Monday, 04.29.24 at 7:00pm ET
Porter Square Books (Cambridge, MA)

In conversation with Jenny L. Howe

 

Wednesday, 06.05.24 at 7:00pm PT
Barnes & Noble at The Grove (Los Angeles, CA) 
In conversation with Rachel Lynn Solomon and Morgan Matson

 

 

 

Book Review - The One That Got Away with Murder by Trish Lundy

 

 

The One That Got Away with Murder by Trish Lundy is about two brothers who are accused of murdering their respective girlfriends. Robbie and Trevor Cresmont are rich, handsome, and privileged. Girls usually throw themselves at them but, the community at Happy Valley is weary of the brothers. They believe because of the Cresmont’s wealth and privilege that they could get away with anything, including murder.

Both brothers were dating girls who ended up dead, respectively. Robbie’s ex, Victoria Moreno, mysteriously drowned at the Cresmont’s lake house. Victoria was a proficient swimmer so; it was very suspicious that she drowned and no one else was there but Robbie. A year later, Trevor’s girlfriend died of a suspicious overdose. The brothers were never found guilty of any wrongdoing in both cases, but most people believe it’s because of their wealth that they were able to coast under the radar.

The Cresmont brothers are not the only ones with a secret. Lauren O’Brian is the new girl at school. She recently transferred during her senior year after a recent scandal. Lauren is desperate for a new start and to forget her dark past. She was excited to start a no-strings-attached relationship with Robbie until she heard the rumors about him and his brother. She decides to have one last fling before school starts and joins the brothers at their lake house for a holiday weekend. It was meant to be their last weekend together before Lauren broke up with Robbie, but it turns out to be more than she bargains for when she discovers evidence that can implicate Robbie. With her discovery, Lauren is unsure who she can trust, and things start getting more dangerous when a third dead body is discovered.

I thought the book was an interesting read. I was able to narrow down the list of suspects to a few and was able to correctly guess the murderer in the end. I was surprised by their motive though and still didn’t quite understand why they did it. The book was told from Lauren’s point of view, but I wish we did get to learn more about the killer. The book is a quick, predictable, and fast-paced read. It did have a few unlikeable characters but overall, the book was an entertaining read.

Book Review - Kill Her Twice by Stacey Lee

 

Kill Her Twice by Stacey Lee is about a young woman, Lulu Wong, who was found dead, and her friends who try to solve her murder. In Los Angeles in 1932, Lulu was a star of the silver screen. She was well known for taking on the villain roles. She was the pride of Chinatown, especially to the Chow sisters - May, Gemma, and Peony, who work as flower sellers in Chinatown. May and Lulu were close friends and were in the same class during school. When May and Gemma were preparing their flowers for sale in an abandoned and out-of-the-way stable, they discovered a dead body. They were heartbroken to learn that it was their beloved friend.

The sisters suspect that Lulu’s death was no accident since she was found so far away from her Beverly Hills home. They try to help the police, but it seems that the police are more motivated to pin the crime on anyone and not fully investigate. When a close childhood friend is found guilty of Lulu’s murder, the sisters fear that someone is covering up the crime. Their neighborhood is slated to be demolished to make room for the new railway station, Union Station. They feel that someone powerful is using Lulu’s death as a means to prove that Chinatown is filled with crime and sin.

The Wong sisters determine that they should take matters into their own hands if they want justice for Lulu’s death. They hope that if they can find the true killer, they can save their beloved neighborhood from being destroyed as well. As the girls try to follow leads they discover, they realize someone is willing to stop at nothing to keep Lulu’s death a secret.

The novel was an okay read. I found it to move very slowly at times with nothing happening for pages on end. The book had a lot of details that, at times, were hard to track. The book was told from alternating points of view of Gemma and May. A few times, I even forgot who was narrating as the characters felt very one-dimensional and bland. I didn’t feel connected to the characters. I sometimes forgot they had a third sister, Peony, as she was barely involved in the investigation. I did like the historical details and thought they were interesting to learn. I would be open to reading more books by the author, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to read them.

 

Book Review - Lola by Melissa Love

Lola by Melissa Love is about a young woman, Lola, finding her voice and leading her gang. The Crenshaw Six is a small but mighty gang in South Central LA. They have mostly kept to themselves but after a recent incident, they were dragged into a conflict with rival drug cartels. 

Most everyone believes that the gang is led by a man named Garcia. However, the gang knows who the real boss is. Lola, Garcia’s girlfriend, is the true gang’s leader and mastermind. She has a brilliant mind and plays the role of a submissive girlfriend, causing people to underestimate her. However, when her gang gets pulled into a war with another, Lola will need to step up if she wants to make sure her gang survives the fallout.

I was very excited to read about a woman leading a gang but found the book to be an okay read. Lola tries to come off as smarter than her peers but at times, she makes the dumbest mistakes. It was interesting at times to see how she handled the role of being a sister to one of the gang members and the girlfriend to another. I felt Lola wanted to be the face of the gang but then she kept pulling back. I wanted to see more examples of why she was the fearsome leader of the gang. 

I had a hard time connecting with any of the characters because they didn’t seem very well developed. The writing style took a bit to get into as it was repetitive and slow moving. Some parts of the book seemed far-fetched and unrealistic. For example, the little girl, Lucy, who Lola “adopts”, doesn’t know basic things like playing with dolls and basic self care or things a child her age should know, but is able to spot where the drugs are hidden. While Lucy's biological mother was an addict, does that make a toddler more able to find hidden drugs that even an adult couldn’t locate? I do get that the author was trying to hint that because Lucy had negligent parents allowed her to see things others didn’t but, I don’t know if it would be to the same extent as the novel described.  The book is the beginning of a series but the book didn’t hold my interest enough to continue reading the rest of the series.

Book Review - The Selkie's Daughter by Linda Crotta Brennan

The Selkie's Daughter by Linda Crotta Brennan is about a young girl named Brigit who tries to come to terms with being both human and a selkie. Brigit has heard of all the old tales about selkies, sea goddesses, and other magical creatures that are not quite human. She should feel proud that she is the daughter of a selkie but she knows it’s a secret she has to keep from everyone. Her aunt, Alys, cuts the webbing between her fingers to help the truth from coming out and to keep Brigit safe from other people.

As Brigit and her family try to keep her secret, a villager has been hurting baby seals and selling their fur. When the Great Selkie hears of this, he brings his wrath to the village.  Brigit decides to travel to Sule Skerrie, the land of selkies, to confront the Great Selkie about the truth. Brigit feels that only the guilt party should be punished and not everyone in the village.

I thought the book was an interesting read. It was a quick and straightforward read with not many twists or turns. I do wish it had a bit more humor to the story as it was quite grim and serious for a young protagonist. I felt I would have enjoyed the book more if it had lighter moments. I did enjoy reading about the lore about the selkie and the Sule Skerrie. The author included a snippet of selkie lore at the beginning of each chapter but I wish it was made like a fun fact about selkies. Instead it was a poem. I would have preferred it to be more story-based, like a snippet of a folklore, song, or myths. The book was a fun read overall and I would be open to reading more books by the author.

Book Review - Granite Harbor by Peter Nichols

 

Granite Harbor by Peter Nichols is about a small Maine coastal town that is devastated when a local teenager is found brutally murdered. Granite Harbor was a quiet town where nothing much really went on. They have only one detective, Alex Brangwen, on the payroll as there was never any need for a larger detective team. That is, until one day a local found a dead teenager in the Settlement. The Settlement is the town’s historic archaeological site.

Alex is adjusting to life as a single father and his stalled writing career. This is his first murder case as a detective. The case is also personal for him because the murdered teenager was a friend of his teenage daughter, Sophie. Alex knows that the town residents will expect him to catch the killer and appease their fear after the tragic event.

Isabel is a single mother to Ethan. She was a teacher but was fired unexpectedly and has been working to support her family at the Settlement. She is trying to work on herself and is struggling with her own demons.  She finds herself in the middle of the case as her son was best friends with the victim. When another victim is found, both Alex and Isabel are worried that their child might be next. Will Alex be able to find out the truth behind the murders?

I thought the book was an okay read. I could guess the ending because there were clues given to the killer's identity. However, the motive and some elements of the book got me confused. I wasn’t sure if this was supposed to be a fantasy novel or if some of the characters just imagined animals talking to them or having special powers.

I didn’t care for any of the characters. I felt that they were quite dull. I was surprised that Alex as a detective would share some details of the investigation with select people.  However, with others, he would say that he is a detective and the case was a police matter, even though both groups of people were civilians. Readers who enjoy murder mystery with hints of fantasy elements might enjoy this book more than I did.

Book Review - Like Happiness by Ursula Villarreal-Moura

 

Like Happiness by Ursula Villarreal-Moura is about a woman, Tatum Vega, whose life changes after writing a fan letter to a celebrity author. In 2015, Tatum feels that her life is finally falling into place. She is living in Chile with her partner, Vega, and has a job that she loves. She works in a museum and is surrounded by beautiful art. 

Tatum loves her new life and the easy pace that comes with it. The new change of pace helps her forget about the decade she spent devoting her life to the famous author, M. Domínguez. When Tatum was a young college student, she had a hard time connecting with other students. She spent most of her time reading but struggled when none of the books she read had characters portrayed like her. One day, she comes across a book written by M. Domínguez, and her life changes. She finally feels heard and understood. She decides to write a fan letter to Domínguez. What started as an innocent letter kick starts a decade-long hot and cold love affair.

Tatum’s new perfect life is threatened when a reporter calls Tatum and asks about her past with Domínguez. Tatum longs to forget that dark moment of her life but she realizes that she needs to come to terms with them if she wants to move on. The reporter asks about her experiences with Domínguez and if she was aware that he was accused of assaulting someone. Tatum is forced to review her relationship with Domínguez and evaluate how it made her feel.

The novel is told from an alternating timeline: one with a present-day Tatum and another in the past as Tatum is recounting it in a letter to Domínguez. The book was easy to read and get into. I was able to guess how the book was going to end but I still found it enjoyable to read. There were times when it was hard to connect with the main characters. It felt that the power dynamic between Tatum and Domínguez was off since the beginning and as an adult, I kind of question why Domínguez tried building a friendship with a younger Tatum.  Sometimes, I wonder why they both continued their friendship as it was clear each party was just using the other. Both Tatum and Domínguez were selfish and only concerned about their own needs.  When the reporter called to ask about her relationship with Domínguez, Tatum didn’t seem to care about the other person but more about her reckoning. At times, the story did move a bit slowly and I wondered what the entire point was for a few chapters. I would be open to reading more books by the author.

Book Spotlight - The Equinox Test (School for Unusual Magic #1) by Liz Montague + Giveaway

About The Book:

Title: THE EQUINOX TEST

Author: Liz Montague

Pub. Date: April 2, 2024

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook

Pages: 240

Find it: Goodreads, https://books2read.com/THE-EQUINOX-TEST 

Three friends discover magic and mayhem around every corner of their school in this brand-new illustrated series from New Yorker cartoonist and NAACP Image Award nominee Liz Montague that's perfect for fans of Witchlings and The Wizards of Waverly Place.

Welcome to the Brooklyn School of Magic, where seeds of enchantment are planted and magic sprouts in every corner. And where each fall, fifth years must pass the Equinox Test if they want to move up to Middle Magic.

Rose is worried. She's never been the best student. And if she doesn't pass with flying colors, Principal Ivy says she may have to transfer to a boring, non-magical school. Amethyst knows she's got the skills to ace the test. But to really impress her mom, she's got her eye on the school's top prize. Lavender just wants to fit in. Even after a few years in the States, he still feels homesick. All. The. Time. Passing the test might just be his ticket back to the island.

But with best friend battles, a cheating scandal, and trouble brewing in the magical community, the Equinox Test may not even be the biggest challenge these Magic Bearers will face this year…

 

INSERT YOUR POST OR REVIEW HERE!

 

 

About Liz Montague:

Liz Montague began as a cartoonist for The New Yorker in 2019. She is the author-illustrator of the graphic novel Maybe an Artist, which was nominated for an NAACP Image Award, the picture book Jackie Ormes Draws the Future, and the middle grade series Magic for Beginners. Liz is passionate about nature and emotional literacy. She lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with her husband Pat.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon

Go see Liz on tour!

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a finished copy of THE EQUINOX TEST, US Only.

Ends April 23rd, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

3/25/2024	YA Books Central	Interview/IG Post
3/26/2024	Comic Book Yeti	Guest Post/IG Post
3/27/2024	@darkfantasyreviews	Guest Post/IG Post
3/28/2024	@dharashahauthor	IG Post
3/29/2024	onemused	IG Post
3/30/2024	Review Thick AndThin	Review/IG Post

Week Two:

3/31/2024	avainbookland	IG Review
4/1/2024	Kim's Book Reviews and Writing Aha's	Review/IG Post
4/2/2024	GryffindorBookishnerd	IG Review
4/3/2024	Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers	Review/IG Post
4/4/2024	Country Mamas With Kids	Review/IG Post
4/5/2024	nerdophiles	Review
4/6/2024	Paws.Read.Repeat	Review/IG Post

Week Three:

4/7/2024	@pickagoodbook	Review/IG Post
4/8/2024	@stargirls.magical.tale	IG Review
4/9/2024	Callisto’s calling	IG Review
4/10/2024	@dana.loves.books	IG Review/TikTok Post
4/11/2024	The Book Critic	Review/IG Post
4/12/2024	@evergirl200	IG Review
4/13/2024	avainbookland	IG Review

Week Four:

4/14/2024	@enthuse_reader	IG Review/TikTok Post
4/15/2024	FUONLYKNEW	Review
4/16/2024	One More Exclamation	Review/IG Post
4/17/2024	Karma Zee Readz	Review/IG Post
4/18/2024	A Blue Box Full of Books	IG Review/LFL Drop Pic/TikTok Post
4/19/2024	Two Points of Interest	Review

Book Review - Resonant: The Complete Series by David DB Andry + Giveaway

 

 

Resonant: The Complete Series by David DB Andry is a post-apocalyptic horror graphic novel about fighting dark urges. It has been a decade since the first Wave hit. The Wave causes humans to succumb to their darkest impulses and they can’t control themselves. Paxton is a single father of three kids. He worries about leaving them alone in their secluded home in the forest but knows he needs to get medicine for his youngest son. When the routine trip takes a turn for the worse, Paxton and his children are separated and will have to find a way back to each other.

The graphic novel was a quick read. It was a bit predictable and felt like other post-apocalyptic graphic novels, but it was worth the read. I liked the dark and moody drawing style that kept me interested in seeing what happened to Paxton and his family. I enjoyed that the book discussed the different types of families and things we would do to protect them. I would have loved to learn more about these Waves and how they started! The book has a lot of action and world-building but doesn’t go into too much detail about how it all came about and what happens to Paxton and his family in the end after his realization about the Wave. I would be open to reading more books by the author.

*Disclaimer - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion*

 

About The Book:

Title: RESONANT: THE COMPLETE SERIES

Authors: David “DB” Andry, Ale Aragon (Illustrator), & Skylar Patridge (Illustrator)

Pub. Date: April 2, 2024

Publisher: Vault Comics

Formats:  Paperback, eBook

Pages: 264

Find it: Goodreads, https://books2read.com/RESONANT-THE-COMPLETE-SERIES 

In a terrifying dystopian world,true horror arises and chaos rules when humankind's moral defenses fall and our worst impulses run wild. RESONANT is a post-apocalyptic horror story where Cormac McCarthy's THE ROAD meets THE ODYSSEY, by way of THE WALKING DEAD - for fans and readers of Bird Box, Y: The Last Man, A Quiet Place, Road Warrior, and The Walking Dead.

NOW IN SERIES DEVELOPMENT FOR BET+ with Gerard McMurray as executive producer, director, and writer
Adapted for television by CBS Studios, Ridley Scott’s Scott Free Productions, and Gerard McMurray

RESONANT: The Complete Series FOREWORD BY GERARD McMURRAY!

OUR WORST IMPULSES UNLEASHED.
A decade has passed since the first Waves hit, unleashing humanity’s darkest impulses and plunging the world into chaos. Paxton, a single father of three, must venture from the secluded haven they’ve built to restock the medicine his chronically-ill youngest son needs to survive. When the somewhat routine trip goes awry, Paxton and his children—now separated—will battle everything in their path to reunite.

Can you resist the Call of the Void?

Collects the entire ten-issue series in a deluxe trade paperback omnibus with a foreword by Gerard McMurray (Director - The First Purge, Director, Executive Producer, and Writer - Burning Sands)

For fans of The Walking Dead, The Road, Bird Box, A Quiet Place, Y:The Last Man, and Road Warrior.

"What stands out in RESONANT is how the real horror comes not from the waves, but the other people...The scary moments are amplified by the great character development."
- Horror DNA

Top 25 Best Comics of 2021 -- Comics Bookcase

“…an odyssey even more terrifying than Bird Box.” -- The Beat

“…a firestorm of raw emotion, anxiety, and fear that any horror buff is going to appreciate.” – AIPT

“Pick this one up if you like apocalyptic stories and comics that speak to something dark and creepy in all the worst ways, even in the light.” – Black Nerd Problems

 

 

About David "DB" Andry:

David "DB" Andry is a physical therapist and comic book writer from Sacramento, CA. His works include RESONANT and END AFTER END from Vault Comics and the self-published graphic novel, THE WILD UNCERTAIN. Follow him on Twitter @dbandry for updates and excessive amount of chicken pictures

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

 

About Ale Aragon:

Alejandro is the co-creator of DEATH ORB, a sci-fi cyberpunk story, written by RYAN FERRIER and originally published by DARK HORSE in 2018. The same title is going to be translated to Spanish and published through MULTIVERSAL EDICIONES in Argentina along 2021.

Alejandro has been working around the industry over almost a decade, with credits at DARK HORSE COMICS (Death Orb, Eve: True Stories), BOOM! STUDIOS (28 Days Later, Robocop, The Expanse), IDW (Sons of Chaos), VAULT COMICS (Resonant), IMAGE COMICS (Overlook) and lots of other cool projects.

He lives in Rosario, Argentina.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

 

About Skylar Patridge:

Skylar Patridge: Comic artist, illustrator, and sometimes writer. Currently working on RESONANT from Vault Comics. Has done work for Image, Dark Horse (REVERSAL), Vault, Black Mask & Scout (VOLUME) as well as a variety illustrations and pinups for comics, anthologies & books.

Home location: New Mexico

Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

 

Giveaway Details:

2 winners will receive finished copies of RESONANT: THE COMPLETE SERIES, US Only.

Ends April 23rd, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

3/25/2024	Comic Book Yeti	Interview/IG Post
3/26/2024	jlreadstoperpetuity	IG Post
3/27/2024	@darkfantasyreviews	Excerpt
3/28/2024	Two Chicks on Books	Excerpt/IG Post
3/29/2024	#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog	Excerpt
3/30/2024	The Momma Spot	Excerpt

Week Two:

3/31/2024	Kim's Book Reviews and Writing Aha's	Review/IG Post
4/1/2024	GryffindorBookishnerd	IG Review
4/2/2024	A Blue Box Full of Books	IG Review/LFL Drop Pic/TikTok Post
4/3/2024	The Book Critic	Review/IG Post
4/4/2024	Callisto’s calling	IG Review
4/5/2024	Karma Zee Readz	Review/IG Post
4/6/2024	@evergirl200	IG Review

Week Three:

4/7/2024	@sparks_books	IG Review
4/8/2024	Country Mamas With Kids	Review/IG Post
4/9/2024	@stargirls.magical.tale	IG Review
4/10/2024	nerdophiles	Review
4/11/2024	Lifestyle of Me	Review
4/12/2024	Books and Zebras	IG Review
4/13/2024	@enthuse_reader	IG Review/TikTok Post

Week Four:

4/14/2024	Two Points of Interest	Review/IG Post
4/15/2024	@shangread_la	IG Review
4/16/2024	Rajiv's Reviews	Review/IG Post
4/17/2024	@dana.loves.books	IG Review/TikTok Post
4/18/2024	FUONLYKNEW	Review
4/19/2024	Sadie's Spotlight	Excerpt/IG Post