Gallant

This is my first read by V.E. Schwab, and it is excellent. 

She masterfully creates Olivia's world at the school and at Gallant. 

What an exceptional, emotional, page-turning adventure. 

I think what amazed me the most was the whole story was told without Olivia ever uttering a word. Incredible. 

I don't want to spoil the story. Read the book. It is worth your time. 

AMAZON

Olivia Prior has grown up in Merilance School for Girls, and all she has of her past is her mother’s journal—which seems to unravel into madness. Then, a letter invites Olivia to come home to Gallant. Yet when Olivia arrives, no one is expecting her. But Olivia is not about to leave the first place that feels like home; it doesn’t matter if her cousin Matthew is hostile, or if she sees half-formed ghouls haunting the hallways.

Olivia knows that Gallant is hiding secrets, and she is determined to uncover them. When she crosses a ruined wall at just the right moment, Olivia finds herself in a place that is Gallant—but not. The manor is crumbling, the ghouls are solid, and a mysterious figure rules over all. Now Olivia sees what has unraveled generations of her family, and where her father may have come from. 

Olivia has always wanted to belong somewhere, but will she take her place as a Prior, protecting our world against the Master of the House? Or will she take her place beside him?

Dating the Prince

Ms. Armstrong can be relied upon to serve up a swoon worthy romance. 

Goodness there were so many crazy obstacles thrown between these too, not the least of which was a crown. 

Talk about opposites, but the most important thing they have in common is their good hearts. 

Fun to watch the prince interact with the child and how Libby did everything she could to help her parents. 

In the end these two stick to their values. 

AMAZON

He’s a prince with a PR problem. She’s a free spirit desperate for money. Can a fake engagement solve both their problems?

His Royal Highness Prince Alexander of Durham has a serious PR problem. His cheating celebrity ex-girlfriend destroyed his heart and spread lies about the breakup in the press. With a new crisis manifesting daily, Alex will do anything to get back in his country’s good graces.

Libby needs a new beginning, and Durham seems like the perfect choice. Her ex was a cheater and bankruptcy has brought her parents to the brink of divorce. At least her new job as a nanny will help ease her family’s financial burdens while offering her a fresh start.

When a lucky penny nearly gets Libby arrested, Alex is her unexpected hero—she just doesn’t know he’s also a prince. After their first disastrous date is caught on camera, the public swoons over the possibility of a new relationship. A fake engagement could solve both their problems. Can these two opposites commit to a lie, or will the sparks between them burn down the entire charade?

The Spellshop

Ms. Durst is a genius. 

The twists, turns, and fun never stop in this delightful tale of a people adverse heroine with a sentient spider plant as her sidekick. No Disney princess here. 

I loved how Kiela overcame every obstacle with her brains, determination, and a little dose of magic. Plus, she learns how to get along with people, even trust them, then finally love them. 

Kiela is the type of girl you want as your friend. And of course, I liked the romantic thread as well. 

Definintely a page turner for the romantasy fan. 

AMAZON

Kiela has always had trouble dealing with people. Thankfully, as librarian at the Great Library of Alyssium, she hasn’t had to.

She and her assistant, Caz, a magically sentient spider plant, have spent the last eleven years sequestered among the empire’s most precious spellbooks, preserving their magic for the city’s elite. But when a revolution begins and the library goes up in flames, she and Caz save as many books as they can carry and flee to a faraway island Kiela was sure she’d never return to: her childhood home. Kiela hopes to lay low in the overgrown and rundown cottage her late parents left her and figure out a way to survive without drawing the attention of either the empire or the revolutionaries. Much to her dismay, in addition to a nosy—and very handsome—neighbor, she finds the town neglected and in a state of disrepair.

The empire, for all its magic and power, has been neglecting for years the people who depend on magical intervention to maintain healthy livestock and crops. Not only that, but the very magic that should be helping them has been creating destructive storms that have taken a toll on the island. Due to her past role at the library, Kiela feels partially responsible for this, and now she’s determined to find a way to make things right: by opening the island’s first-ever secret spellshop.

Her plan comes with risks—the consequence of sharing magic with commoners is death. And as Kiela comes to make a place for herself among the kind and quirky townspeople of her former home, she realizes that in order to make a life for herself, she must learn to break down the walls she has built up so high.

Like a Hallmark rom-com full of mythical creatures and fueled by cinnamon rolls and magic, Sarah Beth Durst’s The Spellshop will heal your heart and feed your soul.

Heart of Mine

Ms. Bergman has crafted a royally beautiful romance between this childhood friends-to-lovers pair. 

I thought I would go crazy with the push and pull of these two. They just couldn't get on the same page, with timing, with heart pounding, with kisses. 

And it was great. 

If you like Cinderella type stories, then grab this one. 

AMAZON

We were never supposed to fall in love… but one kiss changed everything.

My best friend is the Crown Prince of Coradova. He’s charming, handsome—and completely off limits.

I know we can never be together.

But with every heated look…

Every tender touch…

I fall deeper for the prince who holds my heart.

Is it possible he feels the same way? Or am I fooling myself into thinking this Cinderella has finally found her Prince Charming?

The Forbidden Groom

Ms. Gay writes a solid sports romance with all the feels. 

There's everything to like about this pair and their strong personalities. As ususal, they have obstacles to overcome, not the least of which are geography, stubborness, and misperceptions of the other person. 

It's a race to the end of the book to see if this pair can work out their issues. 

AMAZON

A female firefighter, a pro-football player, and one lucky catch.

Cole isn't looking for love. In fact, it's forbidden by his agent until a new contract can be negotiated with the Texas Titans. His resolve is tested when Maggie, the spunky caterer, catches him when he falls. What he doesn’t plan on is falling for her.

Maggie, a Park City firefighter, needs a change of scenery. The cold winters and traumatic rescues have stolen her optimism. When she is offered a position in sunny Dallas, Texas, she jumps at it. But after a group of NFL players crash her first event, Maggie's amazing opportunity fizzles. Cole, the handsome football player, has not only ruined her prospects and wounded her pride, he has bewitched her with his good looks and warm demeanor. She may find the true love she has always dreamed of if she can forgive him. Will her pride or his determination win?

Long Live the Pumpkin Queen

This is my first read by Ms. Ernshaw. 

The writing and plot are solid. Plenty of detail and references to The Nightmare Before Christmas, which was why I picked this book up as I'm a fan of the film. 

New worlds to explore. Perils to face. A villain to triumph over. 

All the elements were there, but I wasn't engaged, and the story fell flat. I would surmise this was due to the slow pacing. 

Perhaps one of her other stories would be more to my liking. 

AMAZON

Jack and Sally are "truly meant to be" ... or are they?

Sally Skellington is the official, newly-minted Pumpkin Queen after a whirlwind courtship with her true love, Jack, who Sally adores with every inch of her fabric seams-- if only she could say the same for her new role as Queen of Halloween Town. Cast into the spotlight and tasked with all sorts of queenly duties, Sally can't help but wonder if all she's done is trade her captivity under Dr. Finkelstein for a different cage. But when Sally and Zero accidentally uncover a long-hidden doorway to an ancient realm called Dream Town, she'll unknowingly set into motion a chain of sinister events that put her future as Pumpkin Queen, and the future of Halloween Town itself, into jeopardy. Can Sally discover what it means to be true to herself and save the town she's learned to call home, or will her future turn into her worst... well, nightmare?

ADHD 2.0

Dr. Halowell and Dr. Ratey know what they're talking about in this book about ADHD. 

More importantly, they make it clear what ADHD is and what it's not. How it does have its downsides and is also a superpower once its channeled. And they show you ways to harness this superpower to achieve your potential. 

This factual and accessible explanation of ADHD helped me understand better those around me who manage this challenge and how I can support them. 

It's a short succinct read that cuts through the noise of this misrepresented diagnosis and brings a positive spin to our perception of ADHD. 

A must read for those with ADHD and those who interact with those with it. 

AMAZON

Now, most people have heard of ADHD and know someone who may have it. But lost in the discussion of both childhood and adult diagnosis of ADHD is the potential upside: Many hugely successful entrepreneurs and highly creative people attribute their achievements to ADHD. Also unknown to most are the recent research developments, including innovations that give a clearer understanding of the ADHD brain in action. In ADHD 2.0, Drs. Hallowell and Ratey, both of whom have this “variable attention trait,” draw on the latest science to provide both parents and adults with ADHD a plan for minimizing the downside and maximizing the benefits of ADHD at any age. They offer an arsenal of new strategies and lifestyle hacks for thriving with ADHD, including

• Find the right kind of difficult. Use these behavior assessments to discover the work, activity, or creative outlet best suited to an individual’s unique strengths.
• Reimagine environment. What specific elements to look for—at home, at school, or in the workplace—to enhance the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit inherent in the ADHD mind.
• Embrace innate neurological tendencies. Take advantage of new findings about the brain’s default mode network and cerebellum, which confer major benefits for people with ADHD.
• Tap into the healing power of connection. Tips for establishing and maintaining positive connection “the other Vitamind C” and the best antidote to the negativity that plagues so many people with ADHD.
• Consider medication. Gets the facts about the underlying chemistry, side effects, and proven benefits of all the pharmaceutical options.

As inspiring as it is practical, ADHD 2.0 will help you tap into the power of this mercurial condition and find the key that unlocks potential.