I love a good, twisty thriller. One that makes you suspect every character for different reasons and leaves you guessing right to the end. With Holly Jackson's literary resume (A Good Girls Guide to Murder, in particular) I couldn't wait to read this one. The premise of a missing woman returning from the 'dead' and the impacts on her family all through the eyes of the daughter left at the scene of the crime was superb. 
It only half lived up to the expectation.
Overall, I loved the premise, the writing was spot on, and the ability to have you questioning every single character was done excellently. I didn't trust Rachel at all, thinking her a fake, a liar, complicit along with the suspicions of Bel, the MC and daughter. I literally thought every person was behind it, from the dad, to the aunt and uncle, and even the documentary director at one point. The whole web was spun wonderfully, and the ending...some of it was obvious, but some of it...wow.
Unfortunately, it was overshadowed by how deeply unlikable the MC was. Bel was probably supposed to come across as a sullen teenager, but she instead came across as nothing short of a bitch. Just a horrible person, through and through who was mean for sport. No amount of 'family trauma' could ease the sour taste she left for me as a reader, which undid a lot of the good qualities of the book.
I still love this writer and will continue to read her work, but in the future I hope she doesn't repeat a character like Bel. 

We all love a good rom com, and few do it better than Abby Jimenez. Since I read her first book, The Friend Zone, I've eagerly grabbed every book she's written, and cackled out loud at the relatable humor, heartbreaking plots and perfect execution. What I love best is how each book is connected to a character from a previous, tying them all together in a strange six degrees of separation.
Her newest, Just for the Summer, is yet another hit that I devoured in a couple days. 
Emma is a caring, independent character driven by a tragic past. I was warned that this one could be triggering, and if you have any history of toxic family, abandonment or the like, be warned. Emma's mother is nothing short of horrible, selfish and hateful, making Emma choose a nomadic lifestyle rather than settling down and trusting anything or anyone other than best friend Maddy. Love interest Justin (who originally appears in Yours Truly) has the completely opposite upbringing, but his own personal traumas and situation that breaks your heart. Again, a subject of a parents poor choices, the two are well suited as they navigate a chance meeting and subsequent challenge of breaking a curse similar to Good Luck Chuck. 
It was a funny, heartbreaking read that lives up to Jimenez style, and I can't wait to see who she features next! 

I'm on a roll working my way through the TOG series, and this one keeps things going in all the best ways. So many twists and turns, moments that made me gasp, as well as tie ins to other SJM series that had me making pterodactyl noises. 
As much as I love strong female characters, I have to admit I find Aelin almost too cocky and self assured. She doesn't let the others in on any of her plans, and while I understand it's meant to be taken as not wanting to let them down, I see it as 'don't question my brilliance' and 'I can do no wrong'. As much as she wants to be a fair leader, she's already acting like a dictator within her small court that I find very off putting.
But the chemistry, the characters, the stakes...*pterodactyl noises*
Each character has such vital stakes and motivations I'm not disappointed when the POV changes. I want to see where each of them end up, how their characters grow, and how it all ties together. I'm loving watching Lorcan soften under Elide's influence, the flirting between Lysandra and Aedion, and of course Manon and Dorian's little back and forth. Manon is more the strong female character I like, as she still values others input even as she threatens to slice and dice them. 
The ending....I didn't know if I should cry or scream. I can't wait for the next one, even though apparently it's entirely Chaol's journey so I have 20+ hrs of audiobook to get back to the collective cast. 
Another win for the SJM universe.

I'm a sucker for a good villain origin story. My debut novel was one! Understanding how some of our favorite villains became who they are, their motivations and the possibilities of them being a hero is exciting. I'll admit, when Ballad first came out, I wasn't too interested. I couldn't understand how anyone could make Snow a redeemable or relatable character, but somehow, Collin's did it.
You can see so much of his Hunger Games self in this origin story, as well as hints of the man he would become. Motivated, cut throat, determined to win at all costs, but his motivations for being as he is are clear and understandable as well. It was a fight for survival in its own way, even if he wasn't in the arena (technically). And, of course, his downfall was a girl. 
Now, said girl, I did not like. She was manipulative, and it was clear from the start she was using him as much as he was using her. But for some reason, her betrayal felt more damning than his, and I could see the path she finally shoved him toward. Possibly not the most popular take, but it is mine. 
​Overall, a great origin story, and the movie was pretty close to the book (unlike the original Hunger Games movie).