Hi guys! Welcome to another edition of the mutiny.
What’s the mutiny you ask? Well, I have always said that I wasn’t going to become a review blog and yet, I’ve had this itch in the back of my head… so here we are. I’m waging a mutiny against myself and I’m going to do some mini reviews + feature upcoming reads I’m excited about.
For this specific edition, I’m going to share some of my favorite reads from June, so settle in!
With the recent events after George Floyd’s death, it was important to me to start reading anti-racist books and learning. I will admit to being a bit apprehensive as I don’t usually read non-fiction.
Why I’m No Longer Talk to White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge — 4★ — What I enjoyed the most about this book is that it felt almost conversational. The research was well done and never felt like dry prose. I appreciated the various abstract descriptions {that really aren’t so abstract} to help solidify the points being made and how the chapters were broken down by topic. This was eye opening, heartbreaking, and at the same time, uplifting and quite motivating.
Stamped: Racism, Anti-Racism, and You by Jason Reynolds & Ibram X. Kendi — 5★ — This was nothing short of amazing. I really loved the conversational tone to this book. Jason skillfully takes dates and facts and turns them into something more palatable than just reciting them chronologically. It goes without saying that there are some heartbreaking sections and several portions of the book were eye opening for me. This is definitely a must read for people of all ages. Be sure to read the afterword too.
To Catch an Earl by Kate Bateman — 5★ — After devouring the previous book in this series, there was no way I was going to skip this one. I loved Emmy and Alex. They’re both so smart and so stubborn and really good people. Their button pushing was fantastic, especially when it was so thinly veiled as flirting and the chemistry between them was fantastically out of control. I enjoyed reading the thefts and how detailed the family got with planning. I could have done with a bit more regular conversation between Emmy and Alex, but this wasn’t a regular relationship and even Alex mentally notes that they need to learn about each other.
The Boyfriend Project by Farrah Rochon — 5★ — I love love loved Samiah and Daniel. I enjoyed their (mostly) honest conversation and how their relationship organically progressed. Taylor and London are fantastic and the dynamic of the three women together were some of the best parts. There are a few moving parts, but nothing felt too tech-y or hard to follow. The build up was deliciously slow and even the inevitable break up was padded by a fantastic grand gesture.
Party of Two by Jasmine Guillory — 5★ — I’ve been intrigued by Olivia since we met her in The Wedding Date. She’s smart and loyal and strong and seriously kickass. Max is charming and adorable and so impulsive. Together, they are opposites and it was delightful reading their meet cute and bonding over desserts. Their relationship moved organically and even though they were often apart, it didn’t feel that way. There was a good amount of communication and the lead up to the angst was deliciously slow, with a perfect for them grand gesture.
Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert — 4★ — I liked the first book in this series, but for me, this one was much better. I really liked Dani. She’s confident and smart and knows her worth. Zaf is a straight up marshmallow who loves romance books. Together there’s loads of chemistry and support and conversations. I loved seeing the support of Dani’s sisters and Zaf’s family. There is a lot of inner monologue and that did get a bit old and repetitive. Dani’s constant resistance to a relationship was also tiring. I wanted more of them together and in love at the end…although, I will say the epilogue was perfection.
Crazy Stupid Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams — 5★ — It’s too early to share a full review, but I will say that this was another perfect book in the series. I love this group of characters and could easily read them forever.
Head Over Heels by Hannah Orenstein — 4★ — Gymnastics are my favorite part of the Olympics and when I saw the synopsis for this one, I couldn’t pass it up. I really liked Avery. She’s struggling and wants to find something for herself. I truly enjoyed being in her head while she figures things out and maneuvers through her life. Ryan is delightful and Hallie was so charming. I also liked seeing the hurdles both with Avery’s life and Hallie’s competitions. There was a good amount of open conversation and that’s always a favorite of mine. I especially loved how Ryan not only listened, but learned and actively made changes.
All These Monsters by Amy Tintera — a monster fighting girl written by Amy Tintera? I don’t even need to know anything more.
A Sweet Mess by Jayci Lee — a bakery + bad review from a food critic slash one night stand + forced proximity? Count. Me. In.
10 Things I Hate About Pinky by Sandhya Menon — pretend dating + this group of characters? I’m here for it.
Would I Lie to the Duke by Eva Leigh — the second book in a series that I’ve been loving from Eva? Yes, please.
What about you? Have you read any of these books or do you want to?
I’m currently reading So You Want to Talk About Race, but Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People about Race is one of the next few books on anti-racism that i want to read. Stamped is also on my list, but I’m not yet sure which version I plan on reading.
I read The Boyfriend Project in May and to be honest, the romance was one of the things I liked least about that book. What really stood out to me in that one was the WOC killing it in a STEM field! And having read Take a Hint, Dani Brown in June I also prefer it over Get a Life Chloe Brown! To me Dani Brown was utter perfection! I loved how wonderful Zaf and Dani’s relationship was and I was laughing at the lengths the two of them went to delude themselves that they weren’t in love with the one another! I think it might even make make my favorites list this year!