A brilliant teenager searches for belonging in Rich Marcello's The Connection in Everything. My 4.75-star review explores the novel's unforgettable characters, heartbreaking family struggles, compassionate mentors, and powerful message of hope.
Can an unconventional writing style deepen an emotional story? In Soccerwild, Craig Wells explores grief, healing, and resilience through the eyes of a young boy whose unexpected friendship with a coyote pup helps him begin finding hope again. Read my full review to see why this thoughtful middle-grade novel stayed with me long after the final page.
Orion Casey has stopped singing, but anonymous messages and a renewed love of music may help her rediscover her confidence. Read my review of Best Friends: The Orion Sessions by Cheryl DaVeiga, plus a special guest post from the author about finding your voice and staying true to yourself.
A thoughtful review of The Last Perfect Summer by Karla Stover, a reflective historical romance set in 1917 during World War I, exploring love, loss, and growing up.
A thoughtful YA dystopian novel about belief, control, and the cost of questioning authority. In Candle in the Wind, Kim Baccellia follows a young woman cast out of a cult-like community and forced to confront the truth behind everything she was taught to believe.
This Is Me Trying by Jenna Adams is a gripping contemporary YA debut exploring trauma, mental health, and the lasting impact of first love. Told in three acts, this powerful story follows Brooke and Matt from a secret teenage romance to a complex adult reunion shaped by guilt, consent, and healing.