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A TORCH AGAINST THE NIGHT BY SABAA TAHIR // spoiler-free book review: yes you are reading that right and i’m mentally unwell about this series
You know that scene about 84 years in Titanic? Fun fact: that scene was originally filmed about me. But please do join me in this pinch me moment because I READ THIS DAMN BOOK AFTER 84 YEARS AND I’M HERE TO CRY ABOUT IT… But first, please take a moment to admire the journal spread I made last year about this series! Title: A Torch Against The NightSeries: Ember quartet book #2Author: Sabaa TahirPage count: 454Date published: 8 September 2016Genre: Young adult epic fantasy 🔥 Synopsis: Elias and Laia are running for their lives. After the events of the Fourth Trial, Martial soldiers hunt the two fugitives as they flee the city of Serra and undertake a perilous journey through the heart of the Empire. Laia is determined to break into Kauf—the Empire’s most secure and dangerous prison—to save her brother, who is the key to the Scholars’ survival. And Elias is determined to help Laia succeed, even if it means giving up his last chance at freedom. But dark forces, human and otherworldly, work against Laia and Elias. The pair must fight every step of the way to outsmart their enemies: the bloodthirsty Emperor Marcus, the merciless Commandant, the…
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BRIDE BY ALI HAZELWOOD // spoiler-free book review: didn’t expect that this werewolf x vampire marriage of convenience romance would have me in a chokehold but here we are,,,
You know, you really should be proud of me. Like, look at me back again, maintaining an active posting schedule. I shall do little yapping today because instead, I want to word vomit about THIS BOOK BECAUSE I’M OBSESSED?!?!?!? Title: BrideSeries: Bride book #1Author: Ali HazelwoodPage count: 403Date published: 6 February 2024Genre: Adult paranormal romance 🩸 Synopsis: A dangerous alliance between a Vampyre bride and an Alpha werewolf becomes a love deep enough to sink your teeth into in this new paranormal romance from the New York Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis. Misery Lark, the only daughter of the most powerful Vampyre councilman of the Southwest, is an outcast-again. Her days of living in anonymity among the Humans are she has been called upon to uphold an historic peacekeeping alliance between the Vampyres and their mortal enemies, the Weres, and sees little choice but to surrender herself in the exchange. Again . . . Weres are ruthless and unpredictable, and their Alpha, Lowe Moreland, is no exception. He rules his pack with absolute authority, but not without justice. And, unlike the Vampyre Council, not without feeling. It’s clear from the way he tracks Misery’s every movement that he…
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FAKE SKATING BY LYNN PAINTER // spoiler-free book review: if you haven’t read this YA childhood friends to lovers sports romance with alllll the yearning then idk what you’re doing with your life,,,
Before we get into the pterodactyl screeching that will be this review, I figure this is a great time to shoutout the interview I did with Lynn a while back, in case you missed it: Title: Fake SkatingAuthor: Lynn PainterPage count: 448Date published: 30 September 2025Genre: Young adult contemporary romance ⛸️ Synopsis: From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Better Than the Movies Lynn Painter comes a heartfelt and banter-filled “feel-good rom-com” (School Library Journal) about childhood sweethearts whose icy reunion in their hockey-loving hometown unexpectedly thaws when they fake a romantic relationship. Growing up, Dani couldn’t help but follow around the adorable son of her mom’s best friend. Funny, kind of nerdy, and a little soft, Alec was always down to hang with Dani when they were little. From play dates to sneaking into movie theaters, Dani and Alec were inseparable. Until Dani moved away. Alec promised they’d stay in touch—except, they didn’t. Flash forward and Dani is back in Minnesota for her senior year, she and her mom living with her grandfather. Dealing with the fallout of her parents’ devastating divorce, Dani wouldn’t mind a nerd-out with the cozy and comforting Alec (and maybe a chance…
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FORGIVE-ME-NOT BY MARI COSTA // spoiler-free blog tour book review: you absolutely need this YA sapphic romantasy graphic novel in your life yesterday!!!
Hello, and a warm welcome to my tour stop that is like 2 days late, but Toppling Stacks is forgiving of my chaos, and I’m very grateful! I also am absolutely THRILLED to talk about this little gem that you must all certainly read so without further ado, into the review xoxo Title: Forgive-Me-Not Author: Mari CostaPage count: 320Date published: 14 April 2026Genre: YA fantasy graphic novel ⚔️ Synopsis: A queer “enemies to lovers” journey of a lost princess and a changeling who was made to take the heir’s place as part of a fey scheme. Aisling is many things to many people: princess, heir to the throne, teenage daughter of two loving parents… She’s also about to learn a lot more about herself: changeling. Fey creature. Hunted. Feared. Loved? Forgive-Me-Not is the name given to the true princess — the lost teenage biological daughter to the king and queen, who’s grown up in the chaotic and untrustworthy realm of Faerie. When Forgive-Me-Not breaks into Aisling’s room the night before their 18 th birthday looking for revenge, the two embark on a long and arduous journey. And what starts as a confrontational and adversarial pairing grows into a bond of mutual…
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CHASING LUCKY BY JENN BENNETT // spoiler-free book review: need your next childhood friends to lovers YA romance? look no further
Nobody is more shocked than me that you’re seeing me again so soon? Might need to get my head checked? But hey, can I get some credit for trying here… Anyways, technically I read another of this author’s books before this one, but I have a ~VISION~ for the photo, so you’ll have to wait on her! Enjoy in the meantime <3<3<3 Title: Chasing Lucky Author: Jenn BennettPage count: 432Date published: 10 November 2020Genre: Young adult contemporary romance 📸 Synopsis: Sometimes to find the good, you have to embrace the bad. Budding photographer Josie Saint-Martin has spent half her life with her single mother, moving from city to city. When they return to her historical New England hometown years later to run the family bookstore, Josie knows it’s not forever. Her dreams are on the opposite coast, and she has a plan to get there. What she doesn’t plan for is a run-in with the town bad boy, Lucky Karras. Outsider, rebel…and her former childhood best friend. Lucky makes it clear he wants nothing to do with the newly returned Josie. But everything changes after a disastrous pool party, and a poorly executed act of revenge lands Josie in some big-time…
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A FAR WILDER MAGIC BY ALLISON SAFT // spoiler-free book review: long time no post, allow me to screech about this beautiful YA romantic-fantasy
insert meme: hey… hey… how ya’ll doing? Welcome to the unofficial series where Ruby tries to remember books she read a year ago and must now write a review. I have serious regrets. But please give me like 5 minutes of your time to shove this wonderful book in your face, that is beautiful both inside and out. Title: A Far Wilder MagicAuthor: Allison SaftPage count: 400Date published: 8 March 2022Genre: Young Adult urban fantasy 🍃 Synopsis: When Margaret Welty spots the legendary hala, the last living mythical creature, she knows the Halfmoon Hunt will soon follow. Whoever is able to kill the hala will earn fame and riches, and unlock an ancient magical secret. While Margaret is the best sharpshooter in town, only teams of two can register, and she needs an alchemist. Weston Winters isn’t an alchemist—yet. He’s been fired from every apprenticeship he’s landed, and his last chance hinges on Master Welty taking him in. But when Wes arrives at Welty Manor, he finds only Margaret. She begrudgingly allows him to stay, but on one condition: he must join the hunt with her. Although they make an unlikely team, they soon find themselves drawn to each other.…
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BETTER HATE THAN NEVER BY CHLOE LIESE // spoiler-free book review: the feisty childhood enemies to lovers romance you didn’t know you needed in your life!!!
This one definitely *wasn’t* read some time ago,,, no idea what you’re talking about! Here let me divert your attention to THESE Moving on and into this scrumptious little book gem that I have been waiting a while to shove in your faces <3<3<3 Title: Better Hate Than NeverSeries: Chloe LieseAuthor: Chloe LiesePage count: 336Date published: 10 October 2023Genre: Adult contemporary romance ❤️🔥 Synopsis: Childhood enemies discover the fine line between love and loathing in this heartfelt reimagining of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. Katerina Wilmot and Christopher Petruchio shared backyards as kids, but as adults they won’t even share the same hemisphere. That is, until Kate makes a rare visit home, and their fiery animosity rekindles into a raging inferno. Despite their friends’ and families’ pleas for peace, Christopher is unconvinced Kate would willingly douse the flames of their enmity. But when a drunken Kate confesses she’s only been hostile because she thought he hated her, Christopher vows to make peace with Kate once and for all. Tempting as it is to be swept away by her nemesis-turned-gentleman, Kate isn’t sure she can trust his charming good-guy act. When Christopher’s persistence and Kate’s curiosity lead to an impassioned…
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ARCANA: THE LOST HEIRS BY SAM PRENTICE-JONES // spoiler-free book review: say hello to your next fantasy graphic novel obsession!
The fact that I had this down in my calendar a month late tells you how my life has been lately but hey at I did realise the my error and feel bad about it so hopefully you can forgive me? Big thank you to Toppling Stacks Tours for having me <3<3<3 Title: Arcana: The Lost HeirsSeries: Arcana #1Author: Sam Prentice-JonesPage count: 384Date published: 24 June 2025Genre: Young Adult fantasy graphic novel 🃏 Synopsis: Debut author/illustrator Sam Prentice-Jones explores fighting against your destiny and reconciling the actions of your ancestors in Arcana: The Lost Heirs, a tarot-inspired fantasy graphic novel for young adults. James, Daphne, Koko, and Sonny have all grown up surrounded by magic in the Arcana, an organization of witches that protects the magical world, run by the mysterious and secretive Majors. Eli Jones, however, didn’t even know other witches existed . . . until he stumbled into James. As James introduces Eli to the world of the Arcana, he finds the family he never had, and a blossoming romance with James. The five new friends soon realize that sinister things are afoot and everything may not be what it seems at the Arcana. When the group delves…
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MISMATCHED BY ANNE CAMLIN & ILLUSTRATED BY ISADORA ZEFERINO // spoiler-free book review: gushing over this queer graphic novel retelling of emma for days!!!
Rare that you see a graphic novel review from me right? Well let me tell you SHE WAS WORTH IT AND I MUST SPILL MY GUTS!!! Let’s dive right in <3<3<3 Title: MismatchedAuthor: Anne CamlinIllustrator: Isadora ZeferinoPage count: 264Date published: 3 September 2024Genre: Young adult contemporary 💖 Synopsis: A teen social media star learns he can’t control everything in this delicious, queer graphic novel adaptation that relocates Jane Austen’s Emma to a modern-day high school in Queens, New York. Evan Horowitz has it beauty, brains, and a not-so-secret flair for matchmaking! An Insta influencer with a talent for makeup and a taste for romance, he’s no stranger to playing cupid for those hopelessly clueless in finding love. So when shy transfer student Natalia shuffles into school one day, Evan can’t help but get his hands messy! With so many matches to choose from, it’s not long before he sets a plan in motion for Natalia—much against the better judgement of his level-headed best friend, Davi. But he takes things too far, creating a web of drama that spirals out of his control. Can Evan learn to put the people closest to him before his misguided ambition? Or will he lose…
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THE FAVOURITES BY LAYNE FARGO // spoiler-free book review: the angsty figure-skating romance of my dreams, you need to read it!
If you think about it, I’m only a few months late to this one! Look at the pub date, the book only *just* came out… she says as they drag her away. Cue the tears in this review,,, Title: The FavouritesAuthor: Layne FargoPage count: 464Date published: 16 January 2025Genre: Adult contemporary romance ⛸️ Synopsis: To the world, they were a scandal. To each other, an obsession. An epic love story set in the sparkling, savage sphere of elite figure skating, starring a woman determined to carve her own path on and off the ice She might not have a famous name, funding, or her family’s support, but Katarina Shaw has always known that she was destined to become an Olympic skater. When she meets Heath Rocha, a lonely kid stuck in the foster care system, their instant connection makes them a formidable duo on the ice. Clinging to skating—and each other—to escape their turbulent lives, Kat and Heath go from childhood sweethearts to champion ice dancers, captivating the world with their scorching chemistry, rebellious style, and roller-coaster relationship. Until a shocking incident at the Olympic Games brings their partnership to a sudden end. As the ten-year anniversary of their final…
