What If It’s Us? by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera (★★★★☆)
In this queer romance, Arthur is a teenager who is only in NYC for the summer. He’s filled with hope, ambition, and a love for the way the Universe seems to make things happen. Ben has lived in NYC his whole life. He’s going through a breakup, in summer school, and basically at his wit’s end with life. When Arthur and Ben have a meet-cute in a post office but then Ben disappears before Arthur can get his number, is this the Universe’s way of saying they aren’t meant to be? It’s a really cute YA love story, almost sappy sweet at times, but I was here for all of it. Arthur was such a delightful character to root for, especially the way he reacts to being in NYC and being with Ben. Ben is his grumpy counterpart but who starts to relent in the face of Arthur’s unfailing positivity. It’s not a perfect romance, but it was a satisfying one filled with quirky characters and a really great ending.
Victoria by Daisy Goodwin (★★★★☆)
Victoria is a fictional retelling of Queen Victoria’s first few years of her reign. She inherited the throne at the age of 18 and had to grow up quickly, as she suddenly became the ruler of an entire nation overnight. She has a rocky relationship with her mother and probably a very inappropriate relationship with her prime minister (although lines were never crossed). Victoria could be a difficult character at times. She could be flighty and selfish and ridiculous, but I had to remind myself that she was 18 and had been an incredibly sheltered child. Most of us are flighty, selfish, and ridiculous at 18; we’re just not also responsible for ruling a country. All in all, this book was really engaging and I loved getting this slice of life into what it’s like to be royal. The ending felt a little abrupt and I would have liked a little more exploration into Victoria and the man she ends up eventually marrying. But it was still a propulsive read that gave me delightful The Crown, season 1, vibes.
Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail by Ashley Herring Blake (★★★★☆)
In this f/f romance, Astrid Parker is an interior designer who has had a run of bad luck. She’s dealing with the aftermath of a broken engagement and her interior design business has been flailing for a while now. So when she earns the job to redesign the Everwood Inn, a historic landmark hotel in her town, which will also be featured on an HGTV-esque show, Innside America, she knows this could be the big break her business needs. What she’s not thrilled about is working with Jordan Everwood, the granddaughter of the inn’s founder and lead carpenter on the job. Jordan and Astrid had a horrifying meeting (the opposite of a meet-cute, really) outside a coffee shop where Jordan accidentally spilled coffee all over Astrid’s pristine white dress. Still, they have to learn how to work together for the project. There was so much to love about this romance. I just love the way this author writes female characters, and especially the way she writes women falling in love with women. So many other authors writing queer romances make it feel so lackluster, but Blake makes these romances feel big and exciting and perfect. I didn’t love this novel as much as her first one (Delilah Green Doesn’t Care)—there were just too many times I had to suspend my belief—but this story still had a whole lot of heart and such a sweet love story at its core. Ashley Herring Blake is a new autobuy author for me!
What are you reading?
I immediately put that Ashley Herring Blake book on my hold list at the library. I liked Delilah Green Doesn’t Care a lot, too, so I’m optimistic that this one will be a hit for me, too. Only 17 weeks until it becomes available!!
I hope you get the book sooner than 17 weeks – it definitely lived up to my expectations!
I should read the Victoria book. Queen Victoria gets referenced in the latest season of the Crown but I don’t know much about her!
I was reading 3 books last weekend – Tranquility by Tuesday (time management) , 100 Saturdays (about a holocaust survivor), and Catastropic Happiness (about raising young kids). I finished the 1st and last book and am working my way through 100 Saturdays. I started Weather Girl over the weekend which I know you really liked. I like the representation of mental health! I’ve got a lot of ebooks checked out since we go on vacation next Monday and I intend to read like crazy on our vacation!
I think you would enjoy the Victoria book. It’s a really interesting look at what it’s like to be queen at such a young age. If you liked season 1 of The Crown, then I think this book will work for you, too!
Right now I’m reading Phosphorescence, which is supposedly a memoir, but there has been nothing memoir-like so far. It’s good, though; the first bit is about forest bathing and tuning into nature, which is kind of my jam.
Astrid Parker sounds so cute! I should add this to my TBR!!!
I am reading 28 Summers and kind of it to it but also kind of rolling my eyes.
It is always so fun to see what books other people enjoy. I don’t read so much romance novels but every once in a while when life gets too hectic and dire I need a good romance novel. I have tried to branch out and read queer novels. But it’s hard to find good one. So I. have put down Ashley Herring Blake as. an. option if I am looking for one. Thank. you.