My Favorite Reads of 2023

Looking over my Goodreads challenge for the year, I realized I wound up reading a good amount of books. And in review, some of those books stuck with me a lot more than others did. I thought it might be fun to round up my favorite reads of the year and share my thoughts on them.

Looking Ahead to 2024: A 2023 Yearly Wrap-Up

Some years bring with them more change than others, and 2023 was definitely a year of big changes for me. Lots of really great things happened – and a lot of not-so-good things too. I gained a lot and experienced loss. I can’t help feeling like a very different person stepping into 2024.

It feels a little awkward coming back to my blog after so much time. I am nervous to press ‘publish’ again. Do I still know what I am doing? Did I ever? Will I be able to rebuild old connections and do I dare try to form new ones?

The only answer I have is: I hope.

Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross: Book Review

Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross was a beautifully written, heartfelt romance set in a historical fantasy world in the midst of a war between gods.

With such gorgeously crafted prose, I would have expected the worldbuilding to be just as lush, however, that was unfortunately not the case. Maybe it’s my fault for coming into this book with such high expectations; it did win a Goodreads Choice Award after all. But while I did enjoy the story, and I can admit felt a twinge in my heart for Iris and Roman, Divine Rivals read more formulaic than I had anticipated given its hype.

When it All Syncs Up by Maya Ameyaw: Blog Tour & Book Review

As a former pre-professional ballet dancer, I was thrilled – and a little hesitant – to jump back into that world explored in When It All Sync Up by Maya Ameyaw. Aisha’s story starts intensely and immediately reels you in. I was instantly brought back to being 17 and that ferocity I felt about ensuring dance was my future – and my utter fear it might not be.

While I cannot relate entirely to Aisha’s story (I’m white and thus never had to experience first-hand the impacts of the strong colorism undercurrents in the traditional ballet world), it wasn’t hard to empathize with her. I have such a hate-love relationship with dance (much like Aisha). Dance can be very releasing, but it can also be very constricting. It’s a unique kind of vulnerability when your art form is your literal body. It’s impossible to separate yourself from art – and the critiques.

We’ll Never Tell by Wendy Heard: Blog Tour & Author Interview

Today is an exciting day because I get to share with you all my interview with author Wendy Heard! I’ve been a fan of Wendy’s since She’s Too Pretty to Burn and always get psyched when I see she’s got a new queer mystery/thriller in the works. I’m thrilled to have had the chance to pick her brain about all things YA, murder mystery, and creating a compelling thriller – something she excels at! Without much further ado, here it is:

First of all, thank you so much for letting me interview you! I’ve been a big fan since reading She’s Too Pretty to Burn, and I adored Dead End Girls! What inspired you to write your latest novel, We’ll Never Tell?