Heartstopper Volume 1 is a touching and uplifting graphic novel from Alice Oseman that captures the joys and struggles of first love. It tells the story of Charlie, an openly gay and engaging character, and straight rugby player Nick, from their tentative friendship to blossoming romance with themes of self-discovery and self-identity. It offers an emotional look at what it’s like to be young, gay, and trying to find your place in the world.
Red, White & Royal Blue is a delightful LGBTQIA+ romance novel by Casey McQuiston that tells the story of Alex, the son of an American president, and Henry, the son of the British Prime Minister, as they navigate their respective identities and growing attraction. The book provides a unique take on identity and family, with the political settings of Washington, D.C. and London serving as the backdrop.
The novel follows Naomi Witt and Knox Morgan. Naomi moved to a small town in Virginia after skipping out on her own wedding and found herself the guardian of her sister's daughter, Waylay after her sister left unexpectedly. When Naomi finds work at a bar she meets the bartender, Knox and they are instantly attracted to each other but neither of them want a relationship. Naomi’s sister shows back up and her and her boyfriend kidnap Waylay.
The Winner's Crime is a captivating tale of rebellion, betrayal, war, and love. From the very beginning, the book's worldbuilding and storyline makes it impossible to put down. Kestrel, our protagonist, is very well-written and full of depth. At the start, she meets a strange Herrani slave who strikes her as special, and she cannot help but be intrigued. After she purchases him, they get to know each other and become almost friends. The slave, Arin, surprises Kestrel with his intelligence and quickly gains her trust.
The Inheritance Games is a super fun book and has a great premise. I thought the storyline was enjoyable. I did, however, find the book a little too repetitive. I felt that the relationship with the love interests was a bit bland. But still, I found the book intriguing.
Third-year Ph.D. student, Olive Smith doesn’t believe in relationships whatsoever. However, to convince her best friend Anh that she’s dating someone, she kisses the first man she sees which just happens to be professor Adam Carlsen (a very unliked person on campus). However, to keep up the act Olive needs Adam to pretend to be her secret boyfriend to which he agrees. But, when Olive starts catching feelings all of a sudden the fake relationship doesn’t seem to be fake anymore putting her own heart at risk.
The last time Juliette touched someone was 264 days ago when she was taken by the Resestablishment for accidentally murdering someone by touch. However, as the world begins to crumble further and further to pieces the Reestablisment begins to see Juliette as less of a liability but more of an opportunity to be a weapon. But will Juliette let herself be controlled by the government for the “sake of others” or will she uncover their true plot before it’s too late?
The Final Gambit is the final book in the Inheritance Games trilogy and follows the life of a girl named Avery Kylie Grambs. Avery inherited a billion-dollar fortune from the deceased Tobias Hawthorn, but the inheritance came with a few rules. To get the full fortune Avery had to stay on the property of the Hawthorne house for a full year. During that year she stayed with the 4 grandsons of Tobias.
“See You Yesterday” by Rachel Lynn Solomon is a refreshing new take on the classic time loop plot. Our protagonist, Barret Bloom, is a college freshman who just wants to turn over a fresh page at her new school after a troubled high school experience. Instead, she has a completely disastrous first day and ruins any chance at a positive reception from those around her. In dismay, she falls asleep… only to wake up again to the exact same day.
Malinda Lo’s “A Scatter of Light” is a coming of age novel that sadly falls flat in comparison to its semi-companion piece: “Last Night at the Telegraph Club”. This novel centers Aria Tang West, a teenager sent to live with her grandmother in California as punishment for a scandal that she caused during her last week of senior year.
