This is another one I had high hopes for, but that fell kind of flat. The premise sounded great--a group of teens on a haunted island for a reality TV show to hunt for treasure. Very Survivor meets Curse of Oak Island. The back matter said hinted that there would be characters dying, fast paced action, and thrilling plot twists. 
Unfortunately, none of that really happened.
The main character, Riley, was ok. Her motivating factor was to reinvigorate her reputation after a 'scandal' at her old school. But the scandal itself felt boring, the aftermath of becoming a meme not quite motivational enough. She describes herself as impulsive and hot headed, but that rarely showed, at least in ways that truly impacted the movement of the plot. The love interest seemed almost there because he needed to be, rather than making readers swoon. The only character I actually liked was Maren--take no s*it and honest, she had more appeal than Riley.
The descriptions of the island and the setting were great. You felt as if you were there, and could picture it all really clearly. The survivor-esque challenges were weak, the game itself felt poorly plotted and could have been completed left out of the book for the same outcome. And the true conflicts meant to hold the characters back were more internal than external, the treasure hunt coming WAY to easily for them after so many before them apparently died in its pursuit. 
But what got me was the ending--rushed, non-sensical and again, much too easy. 
The writing was good, with solid world building and descriptors. I just hoped for a little more drama and tension, and that wasn't delivered. Maybe next time. 

Okay, I'll just say it....ALDKFJALKDJFOIFAHF!
When I started with HOEAB, I was so confused I couldn't understand the hype, since SJM introduced 20 characters, 10 species and an entire unique government system in the first 100 pages. Like...#mindblownemoji
But it didn't take long for me to be hook in the way that only SJM can, and HOSAB was just as addictive. The unique way that SJM is able to weave so much into the story, multiple plot threads twisting and pulling while still keeping your attention is unparalleled. Not to mention the plethora of swoonworthy males that leave you swerving into lanes left and right.
At the start, you are cautiously optimistic that Hunt and Bryce will be able to find some measure of happiness. After the vents of HOEAB, they certainly earned it. But of course, it wouldn't be an SJM novel if the HEA was tied up in a nice little bow. The thunderbird story line felt unnecessary, however, as in the end it didn't accomplish anything. It gave forward motion for the first half of the novel, but no real closure or epic connection like everything else. I suppose it may come in HOFAS, but we have to wait until January 30 to find out. 
There were several gasp worthy moments that were brilliantly executed, just as there were some cringeworthy cliches, but I still loved every minute. And those last few chapters left me in a panic, screaming, crying, and wishing I had the book in my hand (I listened via Audible) so I could throw it across the room. I mean, HUNT???? Seriously? Ruhn and *spoiler*? But the part that pitched me right over the edge was the final chapter (before the epilogue), tying together another SJM world in such a fun way I can't wait to see how it all plays out.
January 30th can't come fast enough!

Another one I really wanted to like, but that just didn't seal the deal. Karen McManus meets the Inheritance Game, but missed the mark.
The writing was okay, with the occasional good descriptor or analogy. I loved the inclusion of Latin as a plot device, as it was unique and fun. But I just couldn't connect to any of the characters. They all felt surface level, without stakes, and flat. The 'Sisters of the List' weren't fleshed out enough for you to care if they lived or died, the best friend was whiney and shallow, and the mom was kind of crazy in an unbelievable way. The love interest in Josh was the typical jock with no actual qualities, and even the rebel without a cause bad boy in Levi didn't keep my attention. Like a bad take on Nate McCauley (again with the Karen McManus references). Even Kenzie, the main character, was just...there.
But what really threw me off was all the attempts to have twists and turns that just make it confusing and overdone. If the author had stuck to one surprising reveal and really built it up, this could have been a great read. Instead, they threw everything in all at once, and none of them really followed through or even made sense by the end. It was all just...chaotic. 
I won't discount this author for future reads, but this could have been SO much better if they just focused on a thread and did it well.

I rarely DNF a book. It feels like a crime against my very nature. But in. 2024 I vowed that if a book didn't hold my attention, or I just wasn't enjoying it, I would DNF. 
This one is my first official DNF of 2024.
Let me start by saying the concept is awesome. School secrets blabbed all over by an unknown hacker, escalating to life ruining potential. Very Karen McManus-esque...or at least I was expecting something like that. 
The plot dragged, making it hard for me to focus or even want to return to continue the book. The characters were flat, to the point I didn't even care what happened to them. And the 'secrets' were cliche and anticlimactic. I only got about 40% of the way through before I just couldn't keep going. The main character, Anna, has social anxiety and I was excited to see a character with this condition as I also have social anxiety. And while I know no two experiences are alike, her's felt put on, convenient for the plot without any real depth to the actual experiences of what it's like to live with social anxiety. And her friends were simply awful and/or boring. Rad was a total b*tch to the point where I hated any time her name was on the page. The rest were merely plot devices with no real connection. 
The writing itself was okay. I will probably read future books by this author, since I never judge someone's career by a single book. Just can't help but be disappointed in this one. 

I'll admit, I'm late to the Ali Hazelwood game. I had heard of her work, but didn't pick up one of her novels until she was a keynote speaker at a festival I attended in the summer. I started with the Love Hypothesis, and immediately found a new favorite author. I have devoured everything she's written since, and will continue to so do happily. 
Check & Mate is her first 'young adult' novel, after a series of adult works featuring women in stem and grumpy sunshine boulder-sized love interests. With chess as the catalyst for a forced proximity, enemies to lovers scenario, it kept with Hazelwood's quirk main characters and broody love interests, battling it out over gambits and kings. 
Mallory is a relatable character for the most part - blaming herself over her family falling apart, however, felt a little forced, however. Her sisters are perfectly executed with their teen angst, snark and humor. However, her mother's character again falls short, putting far too much responsibility on an eighteen year old. I can't imagine too many parents allowing their child to bypass college to run their household in their stead. In my opinion, of course. 
The love interest of Nolan is another of Hazelwood's extra large characters, both physically and with their special brand of snark. Charming, in an awkward, 'smart kid' kind of way, it's easy to fall for his sweet moments. His immediate draw to Mallory is a little odd, almost bordering on obsession without any actual interaction beyond an initial meeting over a chess board where they exchanged less than a dozen words. 
Overall, it was an enjoyable read that emphasizes the narrative of always following your dreams, fighting for what (and who) you want, and finding your place in the world. I'd definitely recommend it for those who love a grumpy-sunshine romance.

As we ring in a new year, I wanted to add a new feature to my website. Something that would also help me achieve my reading goal for 2024. 
Welcome to Between the Pages, a blog where I will provide a small review of everything I read over the year including ratings, strengths and weaknesses, and things that made me squeal (good and bad).
Warning: reviews may contain spoilers. I will try to put warnings at the beginning of posts that will alter to any spoilers or possible trigger warnings, but apologies ahead of time if I miss some.
Feel free to reply if you have read the same books, or if you just want to talk about what you're reading.
Let's spend 2024 between the pages!