Lila Danisa

3,75 stars rounded-up to 4 stars!

This book has two parts. The first part is for kids that just start to learn how to read. Easily to read with very simple vocabularies. My 5 years old son could read the first part 90% by himself. He also could comprehend the story by asking me parts where he didn't understand when he was reading it. The second part is for bigger kids who already can read good. The descriptions are more advanced than the first part. Though the overall story is still the same. My son could read 50% of the second part by himself though his comprehension was low due to more words used and most likely were confusing for him.

The story was simple. About Rhea got lost in the jungle and his new friend Crowley the crow. The story highlighted in friendship, to be brave, and trust yourself.

My only problem was the AI generated illustrations. I appreciate the author openly stated that in book info section though.

Thank you to G.D Griffiths and NetGalley for the ARC.

That was so cute. Goose and her big sister were so cute 😍😍

My son was not relate much with this book since he was the only child (for now) but he enjoyed this book. He could read 80 to 90% of the book by himself. He also could comprehend the words and over all story by the helps of the illustrations. The illustrations were so lively and lovely just like the characters presented.

I personally loved how this book embraced the differences between siblings. This book reminded me of how different my sister and I when we were kids (until now even) but I also remember how she loved me despite our personality differences.

Thank you to Alyssa Capucilli, Astra Publishing House, Hippo Park, and NetGalley for the ARC.

“A lot of people think a home is composed of walls and a roof where you live. A structure that you fill with belongings and memories. But it’s more than that. It’s who’s inside those walls. It’s a place where you’re seen without needing to explain yourself. A place where you can breathe and your flaws don’t need to be hidden. It’s where you don’t have to pretend. You can just… be.”

Only 4% into the book and those beautiful lines already knocked me out. I knew I would love this book. The story of Scottie (and Tucker) "discovering" home was so heartwarming and touching.

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“home isn’t just about the structure. It’s less about where you live, and more about where you feel whole.”

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The setup of reality/variety TV show was actually refreshing for me. The "necessary" fake relationship between Scottie and Tucker was also good addition. I loved their banters and how they tried so hard to deny their chemistry.

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"She’s supposed to be my fake girlfriend, not the reason I forget how to breathe."

- Tucker, 36% of the book and still "deny" Scottie

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I loved how the love story between Scottie and Tucker unfolded. I loved how they could being themselves. I loved they were each other home. However, I felt like the plot was being dragged a bit much. I know that Tucker had his pasts dangling around him and affected him, but I personally felt like he was too avoidance with it. He was also not that good in communication. He ran away many times from Scottie. I was glad that Scottie could barrel and straightforward to him.

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“I’ve spent my whole life teaching myself how to survive on my own and not relying on anyone else. And yet somehow, you walked in without asking, without forcing anything, and now you’re everywhere.” I shake my head, almost laughing at myself. “I hear your voice in my head before I go to sleep. I hear your laughter echo in the walls of every room I’m in, no matter where it is. You’re the person I want to run to.”

- Tucker, 82% of the book finally made sense.

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I also have problem on how rush the ending was. I thought there would be more explanation in details on how Scottie and her mother relationship gonna be. I already prepared for my tear to fall due to mother-daughter deep conversation. Instead, the ending was just brief explanation on everything that had happened. Kinda anticlimactic to be honest.

In Poppy and Dallas book, I said Nan was my favorite. And not surprise, Nan is still my favorite in here. Nan was typical meddling old woman and I loved her for that. Can't wait to see what Nan would do in Lily's book, the next (and possibly the last) book in this series.

Thank you to Jenn McMahon and Luna Literary Management for the ARC.