Title: The Zenned Out Soul Discovery Journal

Series: Zenned Out #7

Author’s Name: Cassie Uhl

Publisher: Rock Point

Genre: Self-Help/Journaling

Page Count: 160 Pages

ISBN: 978-1631069000

Author or Book Website: Cassie Uhl | Support for Your Spiritual Journey in Life and Death

Link to Amazon purchase page: The Zenned Out Soul Discovery Journal: Your Personal Guide to Understanding Your Energy, Intuition, and the Magical World (Volume 7) (Zenned Out, 7): Uhl, Cassie: Amazon.com: Books

Link to Goodreads: The Zenned Out Soul Discovery Journal: Your Personal Guide to Understanding Your Energy, Intuition, and the Magical World by Cassie Uhl | Goodreads

Release Date: N/A

How I Got the Book: Review Copy

Summary of the Book:

The Zenned Out Soul Discovery Journal creates a gateway for seasoned and new spiritualists to gain insight and practice techniques on chakras, palmistry, and divination. This beautifully illustrated guided journal is designed to help you achieve spiritual awakening and unlock your divine power. With journal prompts throughout, understanding everything from chakras to moon phase rituals and tapping into your intuition is made simple and fun. Learn about your inner workings and how the world around you can be yours to control.

With 12 sections to give you a deep dive into the world of mysticism and divination, The Zenned Out Soul Discovery Journal guides you on your spiritual journey:

Candle Magic
Chakras, Chakra Balancing Guide
Crystals Abundance Grid
Auras, Aura Color Quiz
Tapping into Your Intuition
Magickal Days of the Week
Magickal Plants and Herbs
Palmistry
Ask the Oracle
Divination and Abundance Ritual
Tune into Moon Phase Rituals
Four Elements

The Zenned Out series is an open invitation to seasoned and curious spiritualists who want to explore their craft. With Cassie Uhl’s approachable steps and explanations to mystical tools and symbolism, readers can start using the information right away. Also available from the series: The Zenned Out Journey Tarot Kit, The Zenned Out Guide to Understanding the Wheel of the Year, The Zenned Out Guide to Understanding Tarot, The Zenned Out Guide to Understanding Auras, The Zenned Out Guide to Understanding Chakras, and The Zenned Out Guide to Understanding Crystals.

My Personal Review: I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. I have always been a fan of journals and journaling. There were parts of this that I lived like the parts about auras, crystals, and runes. It helped add to my regular journaling time. I go back to it when I one to add one of the questions or use the images that are in the journal.

My Rating of the Book: 4 Stars

Title: Then Everything Happens at Once

Series: Standalone

Author’s Name: M-E Girard

Publisher: HarperTeen

Genre: YA

Page Count: 432 Pages

ISBN: 978-0063206687

Author or Book Website: megirard.com | megirard.com

Link to Amazon purchase page: Amazon.com: Then Everything Happens at Once: Girard, M-E: Books

Link to Goodreads: Then Everything Happens at Once by M.E. Girard | Goodreads

Release Date: N/A

How I Got the Book: Review Copy

Summary of the Book:

From Lambda award–winning and acclaimed author of Girl Mans Up, M-E Girard, comes a stand-alone sex-positive coming-of-age story about a teen named Baylee who’s torn between her heart and her hormones as she navigates her feelings for her best friend, Freddie, and new friend, Alex. Perfect for fans of Fat Chance, Charlie Vega.

Sixteen-year-old Baylee has never been kissed, but she wants to do way more than that. She’s had a huge crush on her gorgeous best friend and neighbor, Freddie, for years, but since she doesn’t look like the type he normally dates, the judgmental voice in her head tells her he’ll never see her as more than a friend.

Then Baylee meets Alex online and she starts to fall for this sweet, funny barista who likes her just as she is. But when Freddie makes a move on Baylee and a virus shuts the world down, Baylee will find herself torn as everything starts happening at once and she navigates the messy waters of love and desire. It helps that she’s observed her friends’ relationship drama, so she knows exactly what mistakes not to make . . . right?

M-E Girard delivers a rich, honest, boundary-pushing story about a girl exploring her desires.

My Personal Review: I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. I read the blurb around this book and it is not something that you see in books all that often. I was excited to read it and when I got my hands on it I started to read it right away. Baylee had a guy friend that did not look at her like she wanted. Then she had the sweet Alex who wanted her just the way she is. I so wanted to love this book and the stance it took, but the more I read I just did not really like the way it went. Baylee changed and not for the better she went about all of it the wrong way. I did not like the ending of the book either.

My Rating of the Book: 2 Stars

Title: Queen Among the Dead

Series: Standalone

Author’s Name: Lesley Livington

Publisher:  Zando Young Readers

Genre: YA Historical Fiction

Page Count: 416 Pages

ISBN: 978-1638930181

Author or Book Website: Lesley Livingston – YA Author

Link to Amazon purchase page: Amazon.com: Queen Among the Dead: Livingston, Lesley: Books

Link to Goodreads:Queen Among the Dead by Lesley Livingston | Goodreads

Release Date: N/A

How I Got the Book: Review Copy

Summary of the Book:

A stunning Celtic YA fantasy adventure set in the ancient kingdom of Eire, inspired by the legend of the first true queen of Ireland, perfect for fans of Shelby Mahurin and Adrienne Young.

In the kingdom of Eire, banshees chill the air, and water-wights lurk in the rivers. But magic is outlawed by the king, and jealously hoarded by his Druid priests.

Neve is the youngest daughter of the king, and Ronan is a Druid’s apprentice-turned-thief, making a living by selling stolen spells. They should be enemies, but their shared hatred of the Druids-and a dark magic that has marked them both-makes them unlikely, if uneasy, allies.

When Eire is threatened by a power struggle, Neve must seize the chance to take her rightful place on her family’s throne, with the help of Ronan and the realm’s most dangerous outcasts. Their journey takes them to the outskirts of Eire where magic still runs free . . . and where an outlaw and a warrior princess might carve out a future with spells and swords.

Lesley Livingston vividly reimagines Irish legends and fairytales to craft a YA fantasy adventure that will captivate readers of Brigid Kemmerer and Tricia Levenseller.

My Personal Review: I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. When I read the blurb for this book I was like that is something that I have to read. I did find that is was a little slow to get into, but I am glad that I kept reading. I did enjoy the world building and the characters, but I did want a bit more of interaction of them earlier in the story. Going along for the adventure was amazing and there were some twists and turnss that I did not see coming that made it worth the read.

My Rating of the Book: 4 Stars

Title: This Is Not A Personal Statement

Series: Standalone

Author’s Name: Tracy Badua

Publisher: Quill Tree Books

Genre: YA

Page Count: 352 Pages

ISBN: 978-0063217751

Author or Book Website: N/A

Link to Amazon purchase page: Amazon.com: This Is Not a Personal Statement: Badua, Tracy: Books

Link to Goodreads: This Is Not a Personal Statement by Tracy Badua | Goodreads

Release Date: N/A

How I Got the Book: Review Copy

Summary of the Book:

From rising star Tracy Badua comes a poignant, propulsive standalone YA novel about a teen who, after getting rejected from her dream college, forges her own acceptance and commits to living a lie—perfect for fans of Mary H.K. Choi and Gloria Chao.

An incisive, relatable tale of acceptance, self-discovery, and the infinite possibilities that await when we embrace our imperfections.

As the youngest graduating senior at her hypercompetitive high school, Perla Perez is certain all the late nights, social isolation, and crushing stress will be worth it when she gets into the college of her (and her parents’) dreams: Delmont University.

Then Perla doesn’t get in, and her meticulously planned future shatters. In a panic, she forges her own acceptance letter, and next thing she knows, she’s heading to Delmont for real, acceptance or not. Perla’s plan? Gather on-the-ground intel to beef up her application and reapply spring semester before she’s caught.

But as her guilty conscience grows and campus security looms large, Perla starts to wonder if her plan will really succeed, and if this dream she’s worked for her entire life is something she even wants.

My Personal Review: I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. Perla has a lot of pressure on her to get the best grades and get into her dream college, but she needs to change the path before her when she does not get in. She creates an acceptance letter and goes off to school. I have to say I am not sure that this would have worked completely this way in the real world. I am sure someone would have noticed her doing all the things that she did. Don’t want to give too much away.

My Rating of the Book: 4 Stars

Title: Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute

Series: Standalone

Author’s Name: Talia Hibbert

Publisher: Joy Revolution

Genre: YA Romantic Comedy

Page Count: 336 Pages

ISBN: 978-0593482339

Author or Book Website: Talia Hibbert – Sexy, Diverse Romance

Link to Amazon purchase page: Amazon.com: Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute (Joy Revolution): Hibbert, Talia: Books

Link to Goodreads: Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert | Goodreads

Release Date: N/A

How I Got the Book: Review Copy

Summary of the Book:

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Brown Sisters trilogy, comes a laugh-out-loud story about a quirky content creator and a clean-cut athlete testing their abilities to survive the great outdoors–and each other.

Bradley Graeme is pretty much perfect. He’s a star football player, manages his OCD well (enough), and comes out on top in all his classes . . . except the ones he shares with his ex-best friend, Celine.

Celine Bangura is conspiracy-theory-obsessed. Social media followers eat up her takes on everything from UFOs to holiday overconsumption–yet, she’s still not cool enough for the popular kids’ table. Which is why Brad abandoned her for the in-crowd years ago. (At least, that’s how Celine sees it.)

These days, there’s nothing between them other than petty insults and academic rivalry. So when Celine signs up for a survival course in the woods, she’s surprised to find Brad right beside her.

Forced to work as a team for the chance to win a grand prize, these two teens must trudge through not just mud and dirt but their messy past. And as this adventure brings them closer together, they begin to remember the good bits of their history. But has too much time passed . . . or just enough to spark a whole new kind of relationship?

My Personal Review: I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. I enjoyed this a lot. The characters just seem to hop off the page and take us along with them on their journey to discover what their true feelings are. It was kind of around about way of getting there, but that is just the way life is sometimes. I really love Celine she was undoubtedly herself and that made her so relatable. This is a book that just has to be read by all. It felt me feeling so good.

My Rating of the Book: 5 Stars

Title: Harmony and Heartbreak

Series: Suitehearts #1

Author’s Name: Claire Kann

Publisher: HarperCollins

Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy

Page Count: 272 Pages

ISBN: 978-0063069398

Author or Book Website: Claire Kann

Link to Amazon purchase page: Amazon.com: Suitehearts #1: Harmony and Heartbreak: Kann, Claire: Books

Link to Goodreads: Harmony and Heartbreak (Suitehearts #1) by Claire Kann | Goodreads

Release Date: N/A

How I Got the Book: Review Copy

Summary of the Book:

Cousins Rose and Cora Seville aren’t your typical eighth graders. They are matchmakers-in-training, learning how to magically make love connections out of San Francisco’s Hotel Coeur, where they live in the penthouse suite. As young Fledglings, Rose and Cora must perfect their charms and enchantments to pass a test that will determine their future, but they are not prepared for all the drama ahead!

Confident, cool Rose, the most promising Fledgling of her generation, thinks her magic can help her handle any assignment that’s thrown at her. But when she is faced with a bitter rival and headstrong Kindling, will she be able to rise to the challenge?

As for kind-yet-complicated Cora, she’s usually in her cousin’s shadow. But new powers that allow her to see others’ emotions might make her a secret weapon in the matchmaking world. Will Cora’s special abilities help or hurt her when a crush on a boy puts her matchmaker ethics on the line?

My Personal Review: I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. I have to start out by saying how adorably cute this book was and it is only the first book in the series. Rose and Cora are cousins who are training to be matchmakers. It is one of the sweetest books I have read this year and in a while for that matter. It was a nice adventure in a feel-good kind of way. I can’t wait to see what they will get up to next.

My Rating of the Book: 4 1/2 Stars

Title: VAMPS: Fresh Blood

Series: VAMPS Book 1

Author’s Name: Nicole Arend

Publisher: Atria Books

Genre: YA Paranormal

Page Count: 336 Pages

ISBN:  978-1668013786

Author or Book Website: N/A

Link to Amazon purchase page: VAMPS: Fresh Blood: A Novel: Arend, Nicole: Amazon.com: Books

Link to Goodreads: VAMPS: Fresh Blood by Nicole Arend | Goodreads

Release Date: N/A

How I Got the Book: Review Copy

Summary of the Book:

Sink your teeth into this exciting new paranormal series that transports you to an elite vampire academy where a half vampire, half human must hone his bloodthirsty side in order to survive in a cutthroat world. Perfect for fans of The Atlas Six and True Blood.

Nestled in the Swiss Alps, VAMPS is the ultimate academy for the children of the most wealthy and powerful vampire families. Unfortunately for Dillon, he’s an outsider—to be more specific, he’s a dhampir: a vampire that is half human.

If he wants to survive more than a single term, he’s going to need to embrace his fangs. But blood never lies and soon, it becomes clear there is something special and deadly in Dillon’s veins. But as his power grows, so does the target on his back…

My Personal Review: I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. I have always had a thing for vampire books. One of the reasons I wanted to read this book was that the main character was male. Most time it is a female. There are a lot of characters that kind of come at you all at once. Dillon is away from his father for the first time and goes off to an elite school and meets people that could become his chosen family. It was not the best vampire academy book but I do what to see what happens next to Dillon.

My Rating of the Book: 4 Stars

Title: The Way of Nagomi

Series: Standalone

Author’s Name: Ken Mogi

Publisher: The Experiment 

Genre: Self-help

Page Count: 208 Pages

ISBN: 978-1615198696

Author or Book Website: N/A

Link to Amazon purchase page: The Way of Nagomi: The Japanese Philosophy of Finding Balance and Peace in Everything You Do: Mogi, Ken: Amazon.com: Books

Link to Goodreads: The Way of Nagomi: How to Find Peace & Harmony in Your Life by Ken Mogi | Goodreads

Release Date: N/A

How I Got the Book: Review Copy

Summary of the Book:

NAGOMI is the Japanese ideology that advocates embracing everything life throws at us so we can live peacefully and harmoniously.

There is no translation for the word nagomi in the English language, and yet it should be in everyone’s vocabulary. A popular and common concept in Japan, to achieve nagomi is to have peace of mind, emotional balance and wellbeing. This philosophy can be found at the very heart of Japanese culture, from the way food is prepared (mixing sweet, salt, sour, bitter and umami) to the way the ephemerality of the cherry blossom season is celebrated.

We know that every life will have joys and sorrows, opportunities and misfortunes, but in The Way of Nagomi, global bestselling author Ken Mogi explains why it’s important to truly accept the way of the world and balance all of these experiences, both positive and negative. By delving into Japan’s history, traditions and culture and providing a toolkit to help us to achieve satisfaction in our lives, Ken shows how we can all create nagomi for ourselves.

My Personal Review: I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. I have always had a thing for Japan and its culture and people. I have been reading a lot more things on it in the last few years. I have heard the word Nagomi before and I thought I understood it, but I was a bit off. This book helped me put the actual meaning better in my head and how to reach for myself. It is something that I will go back to when I need it.

My Rating of the Book: 4 Stars

Title: How To Succeed In Witchcraft

Series: Standalone

Author’s Name: Aislinn Brophy

Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers

Genre: YA LGBTQ+ Romance

Page Count: 416 Pages

ISBN:  978-0593354520

Author or Book Website: Aislinn Brophy – Writer & Actor

Link to Amazon purchase page: Amazon.com: How To Succeed in Witchcraft: Brophy, Aislinn: Books

Link to Goodreads: How to Succeed in Witchcraft by Aislinn Brophy | Goodreads

Release Date: N.A

How I Got the Book: Review Copy

Summary of the Book:

A talented witch competes for a prestigious scholarship at her cutthroat high school in this contemporary fantasy for fans of Never Have I Ever and Sabrina the Teen Witch.

Shay Johnson has all the makings of a successful witch. As a junior at T.K. Anderson Magical Magnet School, she’s determined to win the Brockton Scholarship—her ticket into the university of her dreams. Her competition? Ana freaking Álvarez. The key to victory? Impressing Mr. B, drama teacher and head of the scholarship committee.

When Mr. B asks Shay to star in this year’s aggressively inclusive musical, she warily agrees, even though she’ll have to put up with Ana playing the other lead. But in rehearsals, Shay realizes Ana is . . . not the despicable witch she’d thought. Perhaps she could be a friend—or more. And Shay could use someone in her corner once she becomes the target of Mr. B’s unwanted attention. When Shay learns she’s not the first witch to experience his inappropriate behavior, she must decide if she’ll come forward. But how can she speak out when her future’s on the line?

My Personal Review: I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. I love the alternative world this takes place in. The world-building is amazing and the writing is beautiful and has a nice pace to it. The more I read the more I enjoyed the main character. There are other characters I enjoyed. This is one of those books that you just have to experience to understand just how good it really is.

My Rating of the Book: 5 Stars

Title: The Undertaker’s Daughter

Series: Standalone

Author’s Name: John James Minster

Publisher: Hellbender Books

Genre: Horror

Page Count: 230 Pages

ISBN: ‎ 978-1620069561

Author or Book Website: John James Minster – Author

Link to Amazon purchase page: Amazon.com: The Undertaker’s Daughter: A Novel of Supernatural Horror: Minster, John James: Books

Link to Goodreads: The Undertaker’s Daughter: A Novel of Supernatural Horror by John James Minster | Goodreads

Release Date: N/A

How I Got the Book: Review Copy

Summary of the Book:

Don’t play with dead things.

Anna Dingel is an introverted, socially inept 18-year-old raised in the family funeral home. And for some reason, her classmate Timmy—the one in the band—likes her too.

After a makeover from her best friend Naomi, Anna breaks away to see him perform live, but the leader of a bad school clique attempts to assault Anna in the parking lot. Once the leader is released from jail, so begins an ever-widening maelstrom of cruel retribution, turning Anna and Timmy’s summer of love into a nightmare.

In an attempt to frighten the bullies into peace, Anna and Naomi experiment with recently revealed old Jewish magic. But this ancient Abrahamic ritual doesn’t go as planned. The eldritch power Anna has unleashed takes dark and unexpected turns, endangering those she loves and forcing her to decide who she is and who she wants to be.

This spine-tingling supernatural horror story is about love, forgiveness, and consequences. Expect surprise twists throughout, as children learn not to play with dead things.

My Personal Review: I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. This book was very intense and I was so unsure of what I was getting into. Anna has very strict parents and they are not fond of her best friend Naomi. All she wants is a boyfriend and she wants it to be the guy she has a crush his name is Timmy he is in a band. There are a lot of ups and downs in this novel that kept me on the edge for most of the book.

My Rating of the Book: 3 1/2 Stars