A Phở Love Story is a charming YA contemporary debut from author Loan Le about two teens – Bao and Linh - from rival families that run Vietnamese restaurants across the street from one another. It’s been years since the pair interacted, but they reconnect when a restaurant emergency and a school paper assignment bring them together. In the face of their growing feelings for one another, they decide that they need to uncover the real reason for the enmity between their families. But this isn’t the only thing that threatens their newly budding relationship, as both Bao and Linh have to grapple with familial expectations for their futures. A modern-day tale with a pinch of Romeo and Juliet vibes, a dash of coming-of-age struggles, a sweet romance, and a generous amount of Asian-American (specifically Vietnamese-American) culture and family dynamics sprinkled in? A Phở Love Story has all of the above! I enjoyed it a lot and for two specific reasons: first, it was very compelling (though it leans towards ‘slice of life’ and internal character struggles versus a lot of action) and second, I related so much to both the main characters (especially when it came to their family dynamics and emotional honesty). It also was just the right mix of sweetness and angst when it came to all the relationship conflicts. (But I think Le specifically resolves the familial conflict in a way that matched the drama but also didn’t diminish the authenticity of the feelings harbored by both families.) All in all, this debut was a delightful read!

Pub Info: February 9, 2021 by Simon & Schuster BYR | Add it on Goodreads

It’s always a lovely experience to pick up a novel by a new-to-you author and discover that you click immediately with their writing style and that, friends, is exactly what happened to me with Amelia Unabridged. I knew from the first couple of lines that I was going to devour this story – and that’s exactly what happened! Before I get ahead of myself, let me tell you a little bit about what it’s about (though it’ll be the bare minimum since I didn’t know much before going into it myself and that worked in my favor). This is a story about Amelia, who is wrestling with the void of grief and confusion left behind by the abrupt loss of someone she cares very deeply about, and how stories (and a specific book series) play a role in her journey towards making sense of her feelings & future. It’s a beautiful tale, complemented by Schumacher’s lovely, lyrical writing and the way she weaves melancholy and magic into the narrative. I appreciated reading yet another perspective on how one might handle grief and loss through the experiences Amelia had, though I’ll objectively admit that the whimsy, the air of destiny and the budding romantic connection that provides colorful background detail might not work for all readers as well as it did for me. I also really liked how Schumacher incorporated the magic and importance of stories and storytelling into her work. Stories can offer so many things to readers – an escape, comfort, a connection, perspective – and this theme is something I could get behind. Amelia Unabridged ended up being the good sort of reading surprise, and I look forward to whatever Schumacher releases next. (I also wanted to mention that, while this is a YA book, I strongly related to it as an adult reader and that’s probably because of my own personal life experiences.)

Pub Info: February 16, 2021 by Wednesday Books | Add it on Goodreads

I’ll fully admit that the mention of the Northern Lights (a natural phenomenon I’ve always found fascinating) was the reason that I wanted to read The Wide Starlight. Luckily, this YA debut ended up being a pretty good read! The novel centers around Eline Davis who, as a child growing up in Svalbard, saw her mother whistle for the Northern Lights and get swept away like Artic legend said. Years later, Eli sees a chance to reach out to her mother when the Northern Lights make an appearance over her current hometown of Cape Cod for a night. But the consequences of being reunited with her mother are too large and magical to be ignored for long. When her mom disappears again to set things right, all she leaves behind is a note asking Eli to find her again. With dangerous magical things shaking up the foundation of the world she knows, Eli travels back to Svalbard to put this mystery at rest once and for all. This novel is yet another tale where the main character grapples with grief, loss, abandonment, and anger with a fantastical aspect woven in, and it worked well overall. I liked that this felt like reading a modern fairytale with all the whimsy and lore woven in, as well as the incorporation of stories within the story itself. I also appreciated the unique setting (I’ve never read anything set in Svalbard, and it worked out perfectly that I read this when we had a winter storm), the complicated family dynamics, and the slower slice-of-life plot. Sadly, I didn’t connect to Eli or any other character on an emotional level which lessened my enjoyment of this read a touch. But I do think this is a solid YA debut, and I’m glad I read it!

Pub Info: February 16, 2021 by Razorbill | Add it on Goodreads

It's time for more Adventures in Anime! My best friend Rachel & I team up for this collaboration where we pick out an anime, watch it together and then answer a series of questions about it for the blog. Since we did a rewatch for Sailor Moon the last time around (my series thoughts and my favorites), we had to pick a new anime to try together. On a whim and because it had been on my Netflix queue for a while, I suggested we give Your Lie in April a shot. Luckily, we both ended up loving it!

Summary & Brief Thoughts: I have a soft spot for shojo anime, but Your Lie in April was especially appealing from the start because music plays such a large role in the story. It follows a young man named Kōsei Arima, a piano prodigy who swept all the competitions as a child but who lost his ability to hear piano notes after his mother's sudden death. Two years after he's given up the piano, he crosses paths with Kaori Miyazono, a talented young violinist who lives by her own rules. Her vibrancy & free spirit clashes with Kōsei's withdrawn & rule-following self, and she refuses to allow him to avoid the piano any longer. Together with the help of supportive family & friends, Kōsei & Kaori's musical journey together is quite the tale! It's definitely a series that hooked me with the first episode with its character introductions, and the immediate sense it gives that there is more to the plot that will be revealed as the series goes on. I loved all the different classical pieces included in the episodes, the way that music (and the different relationships the characters have with music) is portrayed and it's the art style itself is lovely. Macky & I devoured this series very easily and it made us both very emotional from the beginning.

Favorite Character(s): I'm going to pick both Kōsei & Kaori. These two are such polar opposites in personality, as I've already mentioned, but they form a connection because of their mutual love of music & how it's a form of emotional expression for them both. Their relationship (and the way they push and pull at each other and encourage each other to grow) is really what carries the show.

Favorite Episode: The series finale "Spring Wind" is my absolute favorite! It's such a beautiful way to wrap up the entire series. It broke my heart and made me cry, but it also pulled me back together and left me feeling hopeful for what comes next for some of our characters.

Favorite Scene(s): There are three scenes I really love, so I'm just going to share all of them with you because I can! The first scene is the first time that Kōsei & Kaori perform together, which starts out well, turns into a mess and then somehow sticks the landing in an incredible way. The second scene is the time that Kōsei performs with his student (who happens to be the little sister of a guy who considers him a rival) at a school, and it's mostly because of how they both have a message they want to get across to the person they hope is listening. And the third scene is the last performance Kōsei gives in the series because it was beautiful and emotional.

Favorite Quote(s): "In the face of adversity, that's when you know someone's the real deal or not. You wanna know why? Because the stars shine at night." (This is from episode 13.)

Favorite Setting: There's a bridge nicknamed "Courage Bridge" that is the site of a few important scenes in the anime. I love the whole idea of this bridge and what it represents for our characters.

Favorite Kiss: There's actually no kiss in this anime, but I didn't mind that because it seemed pretty fitting for their relationship in particular.

I love a sweet contemporary romance. And Coming Up Roses was a delight! Tess loves her job working at the Longbourne Flower Shop, which is perfect in every respect (including her boss, Mrs. Bennet!). But things are turned on their head when the Bennet siblings all end up at home to help save the flower shop, including Luke Bennet (the playboy jerk that she definitely doesn’t have a crush on). I’m sure seasoned romance enthusiasts can see where this one is going, so I’ll leave it at that! But Coming Up Roses was such a lovely read. It has a charming setting (that being primarily a flower shop in New York City that I totally wish existed because I would 100% be a regular visitor) and a lovable cast of characters (including a large family and a great support system in the form of a widower father and a great best friend), which are two things that enhance any rom-com read in my eyes. But the romance is definitely what sealed the deal on my enjoyment! I enjoyed both Luke and Tess (though I did shake my head at their choices at times), and it was sweet to watch their budding romance blossom (and yes, floral pun intended). It was easy to allow myself to go along for the ride towards their happily ever after, and it was a pleasant surprise to realize that Hart was writing certain plot points in ways I hadn’t anticipated (but fully appreciated). I definitely enjoyed Coming Up Roses and intend to read the rest of the series as well!

Series Info: Bennet Brothers #1 | Pub Info: August 1, 2019 by the author | Add it on Goodreads

My friend DJ is the person who convinced me to pick up Boyfriend Material, and I’m so glad that I did (even though it took me months to finally read it, oops). This is a delightful romance that centers around an agreement made between Luc, the son of two former rock stars who gets caught in a compromising photo, and Oliver, a nice normal barrister, to fake date to repair Luc’s reputation and ensure Oliver has a date to an upcoming big event. But what happens when the guy you’re fake dating is someone you’re falling for… for real? I honestly thought that Boyfriend Material was going to be fun; a lovely, entertaining romance that would get my mind off the stress of real life. But I was surprised to discover that it not only brought me joy, and made me swoon, but it also tugged at my heartstrings at unanticipated moments. I’ll admit that the story set-up (specifically the hilarious specificity of the shenanigans that ensue and the character work) feels overexaggerated in the way that many rom-coms do. But there was something honest about the way Luc and Oliver are both portrayed, especially when it comes to their internal struggles, and that is what drew me to the two of them. It was all too easy to see the ways in which they were good for each other, and that made it possible for me to really root for their happily ever after. And, at the end of the day, that’s really what I look for in my romance reads: a couple that I’m emotionally invested in as individuals and as a pair that deserves their happily ever after. Boyfriend Material was a wonderful, diverting read (listen, actually, since I did audio for this one)!

Beth O’Leary’s sophomore novel The Switch alternates between two perspectives: Eileen (nearly 80, newly single and wanting a second chance at love) and Lena (her overachieving, overstressed granddaughter). When Lena learns of her grandmother’s predicament and is ordered to take a two month sabbatical from work, she proposes that they swap places for two months. Lena will take a break and take over her grandmother’s duties in rural Yorkshire, while Eileen lives in London and looks for love. It sounds simple enough, but neither woman is expecting the complications (good and bad) that ensue as they embark on this new chapter of their lives. Honestly, The Switch is the epitome of charming. Not only does it remind me a little bit of one of my favorite films (The Holiday, if you must know), but it also reminded me of other British women’s fiction that I’d read in the past in the best way. This was one of those cozy reading experiences where it was so easy to get immersed in the story, especially with the slice of life feels that it had. The story hooked me right from the get go, and I was happy to be carried along on the current of the plot as the tale went on in a way that felt very natural and without expectations. I also really enjoyed getting to know Eileen and Lena, as well as the family, friends and neighbors that surrounded them in both locales. I had an absolute ball listening to the narration for this story (and could totally see it being optioned for film, so someone get on that already)! I’d definitely recommend adding this one to your TBR.

I am so, so, so excited to be sharing this post with all of you today! In collaboration with and with my gratitude to the team over at Simon Teen, I have the honor of revealing not one, not two, but four post cards illustrated by artist Cassandra Jean and inspired by Chain of Iron, the second book in Cassandra Clare's series The Last Hours (and one of my most anticipated releases for 2021, out specifically on March 2).

Chain of Gold was one of my favorite 2020 reads, and I've been dying to read the sequel ever since I finished it for the first time! In case you haven't heard of this series or have yet to read the first book, you can find out more about it in the dedicated book review I did for it. Otherwise, I'll be sharing more information about the sequel Chain of Iron, exclusively revealing the four new postcards and giving five (5) lucky winners (US addresses only, I'm afraid) the chance to acquire a full set of the four prints of their very own.

Cordelia Carstairs seems to have everything she ever wanted. She’s engaged to marry James Herondale, the boy she has loved since childhood. She has a new life in London with her best friend Lucie Herondale and James’s charming companions, the Merry Thieves. She is about to be reunited with her beloved father. And she bears the sword Cortana, a legendary hero’s blade.

But the truth is far grimmer. James and Cordelia’s marriage is a lie, arranged to save Cordelia’s reputation. James is in love with the mysterious Grace Blackthorn whose brother, Jesse, died years ago in a terrible accident. Cortana burns Cordelia’s hand when she touches it, while her father has grown bitter and angry. And a serial murderer is targeting the Shadowhunters of London, killing under cover of darkness, then vanishing without a trace.

Together with the Merry Thieves, Cordelia, James, and Lucie must follow the trail of the knife-wielding killer through the city’s most dangerous streets. All the while, each is keeping a shocking secret: Lucie, that she plans to raise Jesse from the dead; Cordelia, that she has sworn a dangerous oath of loyalty to a mysterious power; and James, that he is being drawn further each night into the dark web of his grandfather, the arch-demon Belial. And that he himself may be the killer they seek.

Learn more and read an except at RivetedLit.com.

You can also check out this excellent Chain of Iron table read!

I'm truly honored to be revealing these four new postcards for Chain of Iron, illustrated by Cassandra Jean (who has done so much incredible art for the Shadowhunters universe). I'm really excited to find out exactly what moments are depicted, and also stunned at how striking these characters I do so love and care for look! The first one is my favorite, though I do love them all. Again, all art is attributed to the incredibly gifted Cassandra Jean. (You can find more of her work here!)

I'm seriously so excited about this new art, and I hope you are too! I'm also dying to know just what is going on for this generation of Shadowhunters (who I love very dearly), so thank goodness we only have a month more to go before the book is finally out! And now, the moment you've all been waiting for! As mentioned, thanks to Simon Teen, I have the opportunity to give away five (5) sets of these four new postcard prints today. This is only open to US addresses, and all you have to do is enter via the Rafflecopter form below.

The first month of the new year has drawn to a close! Plenty of things happened this month amid the more mundane aspects of my life (i.e. work days and chores). First off, it was inauguration month and, despite all the obstacles and naysayers, it went off beautifully. (I really recommend listening to Amanda Gorman's inauguration poem, as it is incredible and it really moves me every time I listen to it.) I started having weekly singing lessons with Macky and learning how to play the ukelele, as well as incorporating once a week workouts into my habits. I also got to see friends, ranging from a quick morning popover to see Kristin for the first time in nearly a year to game nights with the usual gang to a Zoom call party for my best friend's birthday to my monthly hangout with Rachel to a baby shower for Pat & Ian. And the month ended with our little pod finding a new toy to be obsessed with: the Oculus Quest, specifically the game Beat Saber!

I still can't believe I'm actually able to say this, but I somehow managed to read a total of seventeen (17!) books in the month of January. It helped that 5 of those were audiobooks that kept me company during my tedious work days spent messing around with spreadsheets, as well having 7 of them be romance books (which is a genre I read fairly quickly). My favorite reads were Archangel's Sun (a surprise in the sense of how much I ended up loving the couple in this installment), Boyfriend Material (this was so cute and is exactly the kind of rom-com that I enjoy), Eva Evergreen, Semi-Magical Witch (my absolute favorite read of the month; it was whimsical and relatable and wonderful and I totally cried reading it), The Switch (another one I thought was super cute and it would make a great film), A Pho Love Story (such a relatable YA contemporary read on a personal level and super cute romance) and Amelia Unabridged (a lyrical semi-slice of life story that incorporates grief, stories and chance).

Here are all the blog posts that went up in January:

Here are all the videos that were uploaded to the channel in January: