Category: Young Adult

Posted in LGBTQIA+, Young Adult

Don’t Miss: As You Walk On By

Posted on by missylynnreads

As You Walk On By — Julian Winters
Penguin Group Viking
Penguin Random House Audio — André Santana
LGBTQIA, Young Adult
January 17, 2023
336 pages — 9 hrs 49 min
5 ⭐️

Thank you to @prhaudio and @vikingbooks and @netgalley for the #gifted audiobook.

Summary: Theo’s friends dare him to ask his crush to prom. What can go wrong? At a party, Theo finally gets up his nerve only to find out his crush has a boyfriend. He takes refuge in an empty bedroom and slowly, others who are also avoiding the party join him. They make a misfit group but they are just what Theo needs.

💭 This immediately reminded me of The Breakfast Club so the book blurb was spot on! In that movie I loved all the quirky characters and it was exactly the same here. It was hard not to fall in love with Theo. He is a layered, dynamic character who is trying to find his place with his family and his friends. This new group is just what he needs. All are struggling with something of their own and the support they show each other is what we all should strive for in our relationships.

The dialogue was fun and relevant and the representation and lessons in this book are not to be missed. The characters stayed with me a long time after I finished reading.

Posted in Horror, Supernatural, Young Adult

Don’t Miss: The Depths

Posted on by missylynnreads

An island adventure turns strange…

Thank you to Penguin Teen and @netgalley for the complimentary book!

Addie accompanies her mom and new husband on their honeymoon to Eulalie Island. It’s not long before she realizes there is something special, and strange, about the island. The flowers change colors, the birds call her name, and she finds a little girl alone in the woods who wants to play. When Addie learns of the two girls who died on the island long ago, she wonders if the island is also trying to claim her.

💭 There is just enough realness and oddness combined in this one. I thought Addie’s back story was interesting and it helped to make sense of why the island would love her. The continued description of the sisters and their appearance as Addie sees them was enough to make me gag, but it added to the idea that something sinister was afoot. What was difficult for me was that I didn’t really love any of the characters, and I think it’s necessary to love Addie and Billy for this to work completely. This is definitely one that fantasy and horror readers would enjoy!