Susan Scribner
Laura Dave is another author who decided to eschew women's fiction in favor of thrillers (see also [a:Lisa Jewell 93504 Lisa Jewell https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1657723367p2/93504.jpg] and [a:Luanne Rice 5076 Luanne Rice https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1718420439p2/5076.jpg]). Her first foray into the genre, [b:The Last Thing He Told Me 54981009 The Last Thing He Told Me Laura Dave https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1603034599l/54981009.SY75.jpg 85761718], sold a zillion copies and was turned into a Jennifer Garner-helmed miniseries. I don't think this book will match those accomplishments, mostly because the plot revolves around a selfish jerk who is inexplicably loved by everyone.Liam Noone was a hotel magnate with a rags-to-riches success story. When he fell to his death near his central California coastal dream house, he left behind three ex-wives and three children. Nora, the only child from his first marriage, is surprised when Sam, one of her twin half-brothers from the second marriage, urgently reaches out to her. He is convinced that their father's death was not accidental. Although the siblings have never been close, Nora reluctantly agrees to help Sam, if only to convince him that his suspicions are baseless. I won't spoil the mystery of Liam's death, but I do have to discuss one of the major plot developments to explain why this novel didn't work for me. Through flashback chapters, we see the evolution of Liam's relationship with a woman named Cory. They become lovers in college, but over the years Cory resists Liam's attempts to deepen the relationship because he's a workaholic and she has her own professional dreams. We don't learn Cory's true identity, or how she fits into Nora and Sam's lives, until late in the novel. So basically we're asked to care about the fate of a guy who cheated on all of his wives, and a woman who slept with a married man for decades. But it's okay, because Reasons.Liam's promiscuity wouldn't have bothered me so much if it hadn't overshadowed the novel's other relationship arcs. Nora is unable to let go of an old flame and fully connect with her perfect fiancé. An injury forced Sam to give up a promising baseball career and he's struggled to find fulfillment ever since. Nora and Sam try to develop a more genuine sibling bond despite resentment and mistrust. Unfortunately, Laura Dave tries to cram all of this plus several mysteries into 300 pages, and Liam sucks all the air out of the room. I had similar complaints about Barbara O'Neal's 2022 release [b:This Place of Wonder 59616468 This Place of Wonder Barbara O'Neal https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1644098687l/59616468.SY75.jpg 93886885] that excused the MC's philandering father because he was a larger-than-life chef who was never (intentionally) cruel to anybody. I don't need my characters to be perfect or even likeable, but rich philandering men who get a pass from the women in their lives are not worth my time and effort. ARC received from Net Galley in exchange for objective review.
2.5 stars. The title of this debut thriller grabbed me, and the above average writing kept me turning the pages. Sadly, the reveals landed with a thud, and the characters' reactions to finding out the truth felt anticlimactic and unrealistic. I would be interested in checking out Jenny Hollander's next book, but I hope she tries a different genre.
A free 3-month subscription to Kindle Unlimited brought me back to this series, despite the fact that numerous brain cells my 62 year old noggin can ill afford to lose were destroyed in reading the first two installments. There's actually a sweet and poignant plot in here about Briar's prickly, secretive personality that masks a world of hurt. However, probably more than 75% of the book's pages are devoted to either Casey pining for Briar or having sex with him. Which is fine, but not my cup of tea. At least annoying chaos gremlin Marty from [b:The Amazing Alpha Tau Self-Improvement Project 195722686 The Amazing Alpha Tau Self-Improvement Project (Alpha Tau, #2) Lisa Henry https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1691781989l/195722686.SY75.jpg 197599850] only makes a few appearances.
Hard to describe, harder to review. This isn't really a time-travel story; the fact that five “ex-pats” from various moments in history are summoned to present day England is the scaffolding that debut author Bradley uses to muse on bureaucracy, climate change, colonialism, and who gets to define “history.” The most striking theme to me is the similarity of time travel to the immigrant experience. Our nameless narrator is a white-looking, half Cambodian daughter of a refugee, who shares with her assigned time traveler the experiences of disorientation, societal expectations of unfettered gratitude, and the rootlessness of knowing that they are neither fully “here” nor able to return “there.”
There is some humor laced throughout the book, especially as the ex-pats are introduced to the wonders of the 21st century, but overall it is not a lighthearted read. Those looking for action and time travel paradoxes will be disappointed until the last few chapters. Those who are hoping for a love story between the narrator and Lieutenant Graham Gore, 19th century Arctic explorer who actually existed (he has his own Wikipedia page)....well, it doesn't quite fit the parameters of a true romance novel, but it's not completely tragic either.
I wavered between 3 and 4 stars for my rating, but I'm going with 4 because I want to keep this author on my radar to see how she follows up this unique debut.
Angry loner and in-school suspension regular Phil Reyno vows revenge on Cameron Ellis. Eight months ago the handsome, self-effacing dude outed him, allegedly in the name of love (the video of Cameron's speech that went viral was just a happy by-product). Now Cameron has dumped Phil in an equally public way. Cameron's “Skwad” also needs to be destroyed for amplifying the breakup and portraying Phil as the the bad guy. In order to take down the Skwad, Phil needs the help of wholesome class president Jackson Pasternak. Who was also Phil's ride or die for five years, until Jackson did something unforgiveable that caused Phil to walk away.Queer YA fiction has come a long way if the MC's “found family” members are allowed to be more like the backstabbing Plastics of Mean Girls and less like the supportive allies of [b:Heartstopper: Volume One 40495957 Heartstopper Volume One (Heartstopper, #1) Alice Oseman https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1712679126l/40495957.SY75.jpg 62811229]. Teenage Dirtbags may not be as purely romantic as Acker's impressive debut [b:The Long Run 60840490 The Long Run James Acker https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1656359663l/60840490.SY75.jpg 91043893], but the plot is more complex; the boys have already met and connected deeply, but Phil is the dirtbag son of an alcoholic mother and Jackson is a tone-deaf Ferris Bueller who thinks their differences don't matter. The explosive scene in which they finally express their anger and hurt puts them on the same side again, but they need to confront their own demons before they can fully be together.The revenge plot is both juicy and troubling, as the fallout takes down more casualties than the boys ever imagined. There are numerous memorable secondary characters including Cameron's ex-girlfriend Ronny, straight uber-ally Brynn, and everybody's fat gay BFF Augie, all of whom demonstrate equally questionable judgement. Because 17. Teenage Dirtbags shows that Acker is no one-hit wonder. I've sworn off both YA and romance novels for a while, but this book is a worthy exception to my self-imposed ban.
It seems rather audacious for me to criticize a novel by a prize-winning author, but honestly I'm not sure what Zadie Smith was trying to accomplish with this long, disjointed and slow Victorian-era novel. Frequent flashback chapters, many undated, didn't help. Only one character was fully developed, but she was primarily a passive witness to events, not the force behind them. The parallels between the titular Fraud's obvious lies and Donald Trump's behavior (also Boris Johnson?) are less than subtle. The chapters devoted to the story of a former Jamaican slave who is the Fraud's staunchest ally leave little more of an impression than “white English people smug about their country's abolition of slavery, willfully ignorant about the source of their imported cotton.”With Charles Dickens as a minor character and George Sand making a cameo appearance, I guess The Fraud is supposed to be an homage to (and satire of) classics like [b:Bleak House 31242 Bleak House Charles Dickens https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1280113147l/31242.SY75.jpg 2960365] and [b:Middlemarch 19089 Middlemarch George Eliot https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1568307771l/19089.SY75.jpg 1461747]. Having recently read both of those tomes, I am not impressed (although props to Smith for calling out Dickens' blatant sexism). I highly recommend Smith's debut novel [b:White Teeth 3711 White Teeth Zadie Smith https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1374739885l/3711.SY75.jpg 7480] and 2016's [b:Swing Time 28390369 Swing Time Zadie Smith https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1514344635l/28390369.SY75.jpg 48487231], but I advise you against investing your valuable reading time in this book's 450+ pages.
3.5 stars. For a change of pace from commiserating with other liberal Democrat snowflakes about Trump's odious behavior, I turned to this book about Trumpism and the Church written by a Republican, evangelical, pro-life son of a minister. Alberta and I wouldn't agree on most issues, but his insider's perspective provides unique insight about how Christians can acknowledge the Orange One's weaknesses but support him anyway. As Alberta describes it, the pretzel logic of avid Christian Trumpers goes something like this:
1. America is God's favorite country. We're #1! #winning!
2. America has been under attack for the past 50 years, ever since prayer was outlawed in public schools. (See also Bill Clinton's affairs, Barack Hussein Obama's race, and legalization of gay marriage.)
3. Abortion.
4. The government shutdown of houses of worship during the early days of COVID was the beginning of the final frontal assault on Christianity.
5. The only way to save America is to find a strong leader who will rescue our nation and make it safe again for Christians.
6. Abortion.
7. Okay, so Trump isn't perfect. But who said that you need to be perfect to take down Evil? Let he who is without sin cast the first stone, etc. Besides, Trump is going to stop his immoral behavior once he is elected.
8. Okay, so he's still doing the Bad Things (and worse!), but he loaded the Supreme Court so Roe v. Wade could be overturned. Whether Biden stole the 2020 election or not, Trump is still our only hope to vanquish the secular humanists and woke liberals.
9. Abortion.
Alberta profiles ministers who lost their pulpit because they preached the gospel of Christ's glory and sacrifice instead of warning their congregants that America is doomed unless they vote Republican. He also interviews some of the church's worst hypocrites, including the ministers at the Southern Baptist Convention who fought to cover up a report on sexual abuse because it would hurt the denomination's image; and the christo-fascist reign of Jerry Falwell Jr, at Liberty University that ended only after revelations of a bizarre sex triangle with his wife and their pool boy. Alberta makes his case firmly in the first few chapters, and after a while the stories become repetitive, making it a struggle to finish 400+ pages. Also I was annoyed that there was only one measly chapter devoted to evangelical women who are fighting the good fight.
Alberta is cautiously hopeful that in many evangelical churches the tide is turning away from hate-based fear-mongering and towards renewed interest in Christ's teachings. But as we mark six months until the 2024 election, I'm afraid that, when push comes to shove, evangelicals will all vote for Trump anyway. Because abortion.
3.5 stars. I read this after watching the striking Hulu miniseries of the same name, so I already had a fully fleshed out image of each member of the Kurc family. Without those harrowing eight hours of TV, I think the book's weaknesses (thin characterization, pedestrian prose) would have been more apparent. Even if the novel isn't great literature, it's still an amazing story, and a reminder that the horrors of the Holocaust weren't limited to concentration camps.
Word of advice: read [b:Rules of Civility 10054335 Rules of Civility Amor Towles https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1311705045l/10054335.SY75.jpg 14950407] to fully understand the singular Evelyn Ross before tackling “Eve in Hollywood,” which comprises the bulk of this short story collection.
What the book description promised: a “madcap speculative comedy for our era” about a former child actor and the attempted reboot of his short-lived “Dawson's Creek meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer” teen drama series from the early aughts.
What I got instead: a rant about pop culture fandom that somehow links a popular RPG to antisemitic hollow Earth conspiracy theories, and a murder that has little emotional impact because the MC has taken up all of the literary air in the room. Of course, because it's a novel written by a white man, the alcoholic fuck-up MC manages to bag his wealthy, beautiful, and smart former co-star, despite having no redeeming qualities that I could discern.
Probably Henry's sunniest book to date. Because both Daphne and Miles are recovering from heartbreak, they choose not to act on their mutual attraction. Instead they develop a charming friendship with lots of UST. This is much more fun than previous tropes that Henry has employed, such as Second Chance at Love ([b:Happy Place 61718053 Happy Place Emily Henry https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1660145160l/61718053.SY75.jpg 97321939]) and Adversaries to Lovers ([b:Beach Read 52867387 Beach Read Emily Henry https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1589881197l/52867387.SX50.jpg 67832247] and [b:Book Lovers 58690308 Book Lovers Emily Henry https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1638867089l/58690308.SY75.jpg 92341790]). The novel is also a love letter to libraries; who among us can't identify with the lonely child who finds refuge there? I'm stepping away from romance novels for a while, but Funny Story is a delightful parting gift.
3.5 stars. Another strong woman-centered novel from reliable and prolific author Barbara O'Neal. This one features a touch of New Age woo-woo, repressed childhood memories, insta-love, the power of art, a pile of recently unearthed bones and the awesomeness of cats. As with her 2018 book, [b:The Art of Inheriting Secrets 38097931 The Art of Inheriting Secrets Barbara O'Neal https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1528728728l/38097931.SY75.jpg 59764662], O'Neal devotes a lot of real estate to the love story, to the detriment of the rest of the crowded plot. And I can't say I was a big fan of the MMC, who travels around the world teaching people how to meditate (he makes bank but feels guilty about it). But I've been following O'Neal for more than 30 years (and three pseudonyms), so I'll continue to greet her future releases with pleasure. ARC received from Net Galley in exchange for objective review.
Quick, snarky and informative mini bios of assorted 19th and early 20th century unconventional women. Readers might already be somewhat familiar with several of the subjects, such as crusading Black journalist Ida B. Wells or evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson. But the more interesting chapters chronicle the lives of truly obscure women, including the sisters who garnered a lot of press (most of it bad) for being the worst vaudeville act in the world, and the Mormon woman who defeated her own polygamous husband to become Utah's first female state senator. Can be read cover to cover in less than an hour; would make a good hostess gift for a feminist friend.
I used to be a grammar snob (“grammando” as per the author) until I realized that it was a form of white middle-class privilege. Fortunately, linguist and professor Anne Curzan is here to affirm the error of my ways. She carefully describes the origin of our prescriptive grammar rules (usually arbitrarily decided by white men), compares them with commonalities in 21st century English, and reminds us that languages are constantly evolving. The book starts with the verbing of “impact,” and then snappily moves on to other Grammando Hall of Shame entries, e.g., ending a sentence with a preposition; its vs. it's; the infamous Oxford comma, etc. Throughout, Curzan makes a plea for tolerance of, even appreciation for, many of the words and phrases that cause our inner grammando to cringe.
I still feel my blood pressure rise when I see “less” instead of “fewer” in august publications like The New York Times, but thanks to Dr. Curzan I no longer consider it a sign of the apocalypse.
Rainbow Age is more academic and less lighthearted than 2023's [b:Hi Honey, I'm Homo!: Sitcoms, Specials, and the Queering of American Culture 61658558 Hi Honey, I'm Homo! Sitcoms, Specials, and the Queering of American Culture Matt Baume https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1707931639l/61658558.SY75.jpg 97247795], although it covers some of the same territory. In addition to retracing the history of queer TV, Warner addresses delicate issues such as cishet characters with whom queers felt a connection (Jo from The Facts of Life, Buddy on Family, and...Bugs Bunny?); whether the scarcity of queer characters requires them to be likeable; the ridiculously high mortality rate of lesbian characters; queers on reality TV; and cis actors playing trans characters. The end of each chapter features interviews with queer actors, writers, and directors, which add a welcome jolt of energy to the book. There is a stronger emphasis on lesbians and trans TV characters than in Hi Honey! and a sobering acknowledgement that queer rep on TV is likely to decline in 2024's toxic political environment. This book is best read one or two chapters at a time, as it is a bit dry in some parts. Shayna Maci Warner's portfolio includes articles written for both general and queer publications about the entertainment media. I recommend perusing them to determine if her voice works for you.ARC received from Net Galley and Abrams Press in exchange for objective review.
I guess if I can follow [a:T. Kingfisher 7367300 T. Kingfisher https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1642281799p2/7367300.jpg] from fantasy to horror, I can do the same for Hawk, whose books I have been reading for more than ten years. Frankly, the horror part isn't much scarier than some of the scenes in the [b:Widdershins 16128152 Widdershins (Whyborne & Griffin, #1) Jordan L. Hawk https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1352121658l/16128152.SY75.jpg 21952704] series, but the romance takes a backseat to the creepy stuff and the body count for named characters is higher. The story's monsters share almost equal billing with the horrors perpetrated by hordes of greedy white people destroying nature and indigenous people in their quest for gold.
3.5 stars. Feeling a bit peaky today so I'm resorting to bullet points. Apologies for the lack of parallelism. Four stars because: The novel focuses on the beauty of mariachi, especially the skills that are the hallmark of a great vocalist, but acknowledges the tradition's queerphobia and racism.Trans, Afro-Latino LI is fully supported by MC (including watching LI's T injection)(not in a creepy way); conversely, MC struggles with classmates who accept him as queer only because he doesn't “act queer.” Moving portrayal of being stuck in grief and finally starting to move through itCliched but heartfelt “it doesn't matter if you're technically the best, you have to do it with love”Racially and sexually diverse secondary characters Just a touch of magical realismLoses half a star because:*MC, the single POV narrator, is a huge asshole towards the LI (who has no perceptible flaws) for fully 2/3 of the book. I don't always need likeable characters, but the MC's arrogance and anger become repetitive after a while.In Summary:Doesn't manage to top Villa's heartbreakingly beautiful [b:Ander & Santi Were Here 57884665 Ander & Santi Were Here Jonny Garza Villa https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1658575149l/57884665.SY75.jpg 90682328], but still highly enjoyable, and a showcase for an art form that will likely be unfamiliar to most non-Latinx readers.
Fascinating and heartfelt history of the turbulent 1960s as seen through the eyes of bestselling historian Doris Kearns Goodwin and her late husband. Dick Goodwin, who died in 2018, had an amazing career as speechwriter/advisor to John F. Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, and Robert Kennedy (also, briefly, 1968 presidential candidate Edmund Muskie). Dick's contributions informed and promoted JFK's New Frontier and LBJ's Great Society, leading to landmark legislation like the Civil Rights Act and the creation of Medicare. A true 20th century liberal (before that word became an anathema to both Right and Left), Goodwin lived his mission to “close the gap between America's ideals and the reality of its citizens' daily lives.”
The presidents and candidates come alive, flaws and all, as Dick describes his interactions with them. He had an especially complex relationship with the mercurial LBJ; Goodwin was one of the strongest supporters of Johnson's domestic policies but broke bitterly with him over the president's escalation of the Vietnam war. Doris saw a kinder, gentler side of Johnson late in his tenure during her one-year White House fellowship. As a result, the Goodwin marriage frequently included heated arguments over Johnson's relative accomplishments and legacy (in contrast, most of my marital spats concern dirty dishes left in the sink).
I came away with a better understanding of these iconic men (and Muskie), and by the last page I was in awe of (and slightly in love with) Dick, a unique political strategist and a true mensch. It was always a treat to see Doris on The Colbert Report and other late night news/comedy shows in the early aughts. But it might have been even better to interview this illustrious power couple together. Does the “unfinished love story” refer to America's unfulfilled promises, or Doris losing Dick after 42 years of marriage? I'm not sure which one was the greater tragedy.
3.5 stars. Surprisingly insightful British women's fiction with a hint of mystery and a dash of romance. I found myself more engaged with the main characters than I expected, given the chirpy blurb. The bond between Kat (motherless daughter) and Dorothy (daughterless mother) is predictable but the path Sampson takes to get there has some surprises and depth. I'm always happy to see a septuagenarian woman taken seriously. Other positive notes: a found family vibe, a smart Jack Russell terrier (is there any other kind?), and an ending that is upbeat but not treacly. I'm off to check out Freya Sampson's two previous novels.
I know very little about rap music, and almost nothing about A Tribe Called Quest. But Hanif Abdurraqib's beautiful, poetic writing made this book a joy despite my ignorance, in the same way that [b:There's Always This Year: On Basketball and Ascension 181346634 There's Always This Year On Basketball and Ascension Hanif Abdurraqib https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1691597828l/181346634.SY75.jpg 89651527] didn't require me to be an expert sports analyst. Abdurraqib uses his subjects as a scaffolding to explore universal feelings of love and loss. Anyone who can link a song or artist to a specific time, place, and emotion will relate to this musical bio/memoir/poetry.* I continue to be awed by Abdurraqib's singular talent. *Note: I acknowledge my white privilege that allows me to empathize with but not fully inhabit the experiences of Black individuals in the US that are described in this book.
Yulin Kuang is getting a lot of press as the screenwriter for two upcoming films based on [a:Emily Henry 13905555 Emily Henry https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1573928938p2/13905555.jpg]'s novels. Unfortunately, Kuang's own debut novel isn't strong enough to support its challenging plot - a love story between two people who are linked by a devastating tragedy. Thirteen years ago, Grant was behind the wheel when Helen's younger, troubled sister darted in front of his car and was killed. Grant wasn't at fault; Michelle had researched suicide online, and her toxicology report showed illegal substance use. But Helen, in her grief, still blamed him. When they meet again as a successful YA author whose books are being adapted into a TV series (Helen) and the screenwriter for the show (Grant), Helen can't stand to be in the same room as her sister's killer. Cue chemistry, a few heart-to-heart conversations, and spicy lovemaking. Helen and Grant's passion is easy to accept (hate f*cking exists), the love much less so. Screenwriting and novel writing are separate skills, and Kuang is unable to capture that magical spark of connection that makes a HEA possible (including a wedding!) between two people with such a traumatic beginning (hint: it's more than witty dialogue). Emily Henry's debut, [b:Beach Read 52867387 Beach Read Emily Henry https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1589881197l/52867387.SX50.jpg 67832247], heralded the arrival of a bright new talent right out of the gate, and her subsequent novels have been equally successful. Kuang's admiration and respect for the author make me optimistic about the translation of Beach Read and [b:People We Meet on Vacation 54985743 People We Meet on Vacation Emily Henry https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1618913179l/54985743.SX50.jpg 67832306] to the big screen, but as a novelist she's not in Henry's league, at least not yet.
Light and fluffy gay epistolary romance set in an alt-Regency world where young people must be chaperoned for Propriety's sake, but queer marriages are perfectly acceptable. Like in a classic Georgette Heyer novel, a charming rake pursues a shy and self-effacing virgin. Lots of “why would such a dashing man want to be friends with little old me?” cluelessness. Some people can cast magic spells, but that aspect of the story is underdeveloped; perhaps there will be more magic in future books of this series. It was a little too sweet for my liking, but YMMV if you need a low angst, pure comfort read.
Patric Gagne's certainty that she is a sociopath is evoking primarily knee-jerk reactions of either denial or horror from readers. However, I don't like to put people in neat categories and would prefer to view (and review) her memoir as one woman's story, sans clinical diagnosis.
The majority of Sociopath details Gagne's risky/illegal behaviors, which range from shoplifting to car theft. Only a few pages of her experiences with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) are mentioned in the epilogue, begging the question of whether her adventures are designed to elucidate or just titillate. The book is too long, frequently repetitive, and lacking footnotes for the psychology studies cited. I was neither scandalized nor inspired by Gagne's memoir, but it's interesting to use it as a literary Rorschach test of people's hopes and fears around a label that is tossed around freely in these troubled times.
Grumpy dishwasher Ellery doesn't believe in the supernatural, despite the fact that their region has endured endless winter for the past five years with no scientific explanation. They have a crush on the frequent restaurant customer known as “hot weird guy,” but never speak to him.
Knox, the magical familiar FKA hot weird guy, is currently on the run from creepy shades who want to take him back to his queen, the Goddess of Death. He's amazed that Ellery comes to his rescue when the bad guys have him cornered, and even more surprised to be invited by Ellery's cousin to take refuge with them. Knox knows he will eventually be caught, but meanwhile he wants to experience the human world as he best knows it - from watching 90s teen movies and TV shows - and maybe kiss his protector, even if they resemble a porcupine most of the time.
The novel's worldbuilding is fine if not remarkably distinct, the characters are easy to root for, and the final 75 pages are unputdownable as Ellery and Knox battle for their love in several realms (warning: long third act separation). Lots of queer representation (Ellery's cousin has a girlfriend and Ellery uses they/them pronouns) and no homophobia. Lukens' recent books have been very YA appropriate but predictable and lacking in complexity. They're probably not the best fit anymore for someone who was a teenager more than 40 years ago, but they're a fun break from reality.