Tag: arc

4 star, YA

ARC Review: Frenemies with Benefits by Lydia Sharp

Andge @ Down the Rabbit Hole

A playful and sexy contemporary rom-com perfect for fans of The Kissing Booth and Tweet Cute

If there was an award for Least Able To Function Around Cute Boys, Jess Webster would clean up. She can barely talk to a guy, let alone engage in naked things. But now that high school is over, Jess resolves to put her big girl pants on and at last bang bag the longtime object of her desire, Andrew. All she needs is someone to practice on first.

Enter Benjamin Oliver. Jock hot, nerd hot (which is just greedy, really), star quarterback, and all-around pain in Jess’s ass. While Jess would rather nap on a nest of fire ants than be his girlfriend, there’s still something about him that sends a jolt through her stomach, making him her best (and only) candidate for her guy game glow-up.

With summer in full swing and not one, but two, cute boys on the horizon, Jess is pretty sure she’s on the winning side of the bargain. But can her deal with Benjamin stay purely business-with-pleasure? And, the question that Jess soon can’t ignore: does she want it to?

Overall Recommendation:

Sometimes you want a book that’s purely fun and full of tropes you enjoy. Frenemies with Benefits gives exactly that, with enemies to lovers and fake dating and plenty of angst stemming from miscommunication. While the premise is pretty full of steamy stuff, the author takes care to write about first times and sexual experiences in a thoughtful manner without the explicit detail to focus on a teen’s thoughts and feelings through her romantic journey. A quick read all around but a fun one I truly needed at this moment in time.

**Frenemies with Benefits came out August 29, 2023**

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for this copy in exchange for an honest review.

Jessica Webster wanted to catch the eye of the guy of her dreams, her older brother’s best friend, when they come to spend the summer with her at home. But with her innocence in all things relationships or otherwise, how would she get this college guy to notice her?

Frenemies with Benefits is full of fun and heartfelt moments alike that kept me flipping those pages as fast I could. As a mood reader, this fulfilled so many lighthearted romantic tropes I could ask for. Enemies to lovers! Fake dating! All the angst one could request with the miscommunication. To become a catch, Jess agrees to learn the ropes from her rival, Benjamin Oliver, a known player and all around annoying guy. Little does she know, no strings attached is rarely so simple.

In the vein of Cameron Lund’s The Best Laid Plans, the journey our main character takes from innocent girl to one who knows what she wants was fascinating. Jessie was at times very insecure about her ability to attract a guy emotionally so she put so much into the physical skills to draw Andrew’s eye. I found it was a fine balance to have Jess uncertain about herself and going overboard with her insecurities. But she really came out of her own head when in the presence of Ben. Their banter was absolutely everything. I loved his smirks and her savagery. While Jess said she hated him a lot, I mean, we all knew it wasn’t really right? Although we didn’t get Ben’s POV (would’ve been pretty great, I’m not gonna lie), there was always this sense that he saw her more highly than their apparently horrible first meeting that set them down the path of “enemies”.

The story started out as simply no strings attached kind of a deal, but Lydia kept it steamy without the explicit details. It wasn’t exactly fade to black but the wording was careful to maintain PG-13 so the emotions of such scenes are not taken away in the haze of lust. I appreciated this for the story it was trying to tell, especially surrounding someone’s first time and all the emotions that come with it. The growth Jessie took emotionally, not just sexually, carried the story for me.

As with most no strings attached stories, complicated emotions or unexpected wrenches get thrown into the plan. From here the story gives us some fake dating as well that continues to show the vulnerability of both Ben and Jessie beyond the physical attraction. I felt the pacing and transition was great as nothing dragged on too long before moving with the progression of their relationship. The writing and plot overall is definitely catered to younger readers in the YA genre but I still enjoyed it for what it was. If you’re fans of The Best Laid Plans and Jenny Han’s The Summer I Turned Pretty series, this one’s for you.

2.5 star, YA

ARC Review: The Boy You Always Wanted by Michelle Quach

Andge @ Down the Rabbit Hole

Francine always has a plan. Ollie wants no part of it.

Francine loves her grandfather, but their time together is running out. He has one final wish: to see a male heir carry on the family traditions. Francine knows his ideas are outdated, but she would do anything for him. Her solution? Ask Ollie Tran, a family friend (and former crush, not that it matters), to pretend to be ceremonially adopted and act like the grandson A Gūng never had.

Ollie generally avoids the odd, too blunt (and fine, sort of cute) Francine, whose intensity makes him uncomfortable. So when she asks him to help deceive her dying grandpa, Ollie’s not down. He doesn’t get why anyone would go to such lengths, even for family. Especially with a backwards (and sexist, Ollie keeps stressing) scheme like this.

Francine, however, is determined to make it happen, and soon Ollie finds himself more invested in her plan—and in her—than he ever thought possible. But as the tangled lies and feelings pile up, Francine must discover what exactly she needs for herself—and from Ollie. Because sometimes the boy you always wanted isn’t what you expected.

Overall Recommendation:

With deep insight into family responsibilities in an Asian household, The Boy You Always Wanted poses the question of love for our family members while struggling with cultural viewpoints that are outdated in today’s society. I find this read was particularly impacting because I 100% relate to the premise, however, for those who aren’t Asian or their families are not like this, the story can still be fun with the cultural elements an insight into the workings of the Asian diaspora.

**The Boy You Always Wanted comes out August 1, 2023**

Thank you Edelweiss and the publisher for this copy in exchange for an honest review

When it comes to Asian representation in YA, you know I’m there. The premise of The Boy You Always Wanted hit close to home for myself and the author, and perhaps many of us who know what it feels like to be a girl in a culture where it’s seen as secondary.

Francine’s grandpa is dying but to deal with the grief of impending loss, she wants to make him feel at peace with what he’s leaving behind. I really loved this aspect of the story. I felt seen in this book, navigating Asian experiences in a modern world. While I understand people may come into this book with expectations of sexism resolved and people standing up for themselves, it’s not always quite so simple.

For the author and myself and any of you who knows what it feels like to be seen as less than in this way, the resolution isn’t something that may be present in the lifetime of those we love. I appreciated how Michelle asked that question throughout: how do we reconcile our deep love for our family members with the sexist and outdated views they carry in this modern society? I see it in myself sometimes as the granddaughter next to my younger brother. I see it in my mother’s family, to have 5 kids just so grandpa can ensure there is a son born into the line. I see it in my father’s family, where I’m treated slightly better as my father’s daughter than my cousin as my aunt’s daughter. How do I balance the love I have for my grandparents and the love I know they have for me even though certain comments don’t sit well? There’s no easy answer, and for that I appreciate it wasn’t just brushed aside so easily with a fix-all solution. Sometimes, there really is none. We can only hope to do better by teaching the next generation better.

That being said, while I loved the cultural aspects and deeper thought behind the story, everything else was not as great. I couldn’t get behind Ollie’s extremely dislikable character. He was awful to Francine, up front and in his thoughts since we get his POV. His redemption wasn’t enough, especially with how rushed the romance felt on his part. He wasn’t a terrible person as he did do his best to play the male heir part for Francine’s grandpa, but he just wasn’t very mature. I liked Francine well enough, even all the “quirks” that bugged Ollie and the others. I just don’t feel their romance worked as he didn’t respect her enough for so long. It was like the excuse boys pick on girls because they like them, not because they’re simply bullies.

The pacing was also a little slow with not much build. The climax wasn’t as crazy as I anticipated but at the same time was oddly predictable once the “twist” from left field was made known to us. I will reiterate that this story isn’t just for Chinese Americans or Chinese Vietnamese (which holds a dear spot in my heart). There’s lots that can be learned from such an intimate look at filial duties and family dynamic here, however, what propels you to finish it may be stronger if there is more of a personal connection like there is with me.

4 star, adult

ARC Review: Immortal Longings by Chloe Gong

Andge @ Down the Rabbit Hole

Series: Flesh and False Gods #1

Inspired by Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra , Immortal Longings is a fiery collision of power plays, spilled blood, and romance amidst a set of deadly games.

Every year, thousands in the kingdom of Talin will flock to its capital twin cities, San-Er, where the palace hosts a set of games. For those confident enough in their ability to jump between bodies, competitors across San-Er fight to the death to win unimaginable riches.

Princess Calla Tuoleimi lurks in hiding. Five years ago, a massacre killed her parents and left the palace of Er empty…and she was the one who did it. Before King Kasa’s forces in San can catch her, she plans to finish the job and bring down the monarchy. Her reclusive uncle always greets the victor of the games, so if she wins, she gets her opportunity at last to kill him.

Enter Anton Makusa, an exiled aristocrat. His childhood love has lain in a coma since they were both ousted from the palace, and he’s deep in debt trying to keep her alive. Thankfully, he’s one of the best jumpers in the kingdom, flitting from body to body at will. His last chance at saving her is entering the games and winning.

Calla finds both an unexpected alliance with Anton and help from King Kasa’s adopted son, August, who wants to mend Talin’s ills. But the three of them have very different goals, even as Calla and Anton’s partnership spirals into something all-consuming. Before the games close, Calla must decide what she’s playing for—her lover or her kingdom.

Overall Recommendation:

Immortal Longings takes us on a journey into the crowded twin cities of San-Er where mysterious magic underlies perhaps more nefarious motives and no one can be trusted. In a Hunger Games x gladiator style competition to the death, only one victor will be crowned and the lost princess Calla wants it more than anything. I thought the setting drew you in while the bloodthirsty backdrop definitely sets the tone for adult-rated violence. Chloe’s writing continues to paint her stories vividly, but this time in more blood with higher stakes.

**Immortal Longings comes out July 18, 2023**

Thank you Simon & Schuster for this copy in exchange for an honest review.

I think I left my heart in the crowded alleys and mashed up buildings of San-Er. Phew, what an ending! But let me start from the beginning.

Immortal Longings is Chloe Gong’s adult debut based on Anthony and Cleopatra. In her style of writing I’ve come to know from her YA historical fantasies, her world building doesn’t disappoint. I loved how she places you in San-Er like it’s in front of you. The constant gloom from lack of sun among the buildings, the hopelessness permeating the air of the citizens who are “safe” (trapped?) inside the giant walls that circle the twin cities, and the ever watchful eye of the palace looming over everything and everyone.

The pacing worked out okay, though at times it could’ve moved faster. With Calla, the lost princess of Er who holds more secrets in her than meets the eye, there is always someone to root for. Entered into the games that leaves only one victor alive, the goal is the end of the current reign. But when an alliance is made with Anton Makusa, oh boy do things get messy.

I loved getting to know both Anton and Calla, but one reason this isn’t a 5 star read is the romance between them. It may be just me but I didn’t really feel drawn to their “strong” feelings for each other. They had great banter, and over time proved that trust does form even in a places it doesn’t belong. However, the two of them falling for each other romantically felt like something that happened only because they don’t have anyone else in the world. They’re both lonely souls, exiled or thought dead, and perhaps each other’s company was the first they’ve had in years. It felt like they settled for one another because they’re there, not because there’s anything special about each other. Plus, Anton has a special girl that threw him into the games in the first place. Are we just forgetting that? Where does Calla lie in his heart if so much of it seems to be taken up by another already? How much is genuine? I suppose only time (and the next book) will tell.

The magic system was also an interesting element. It took me a while to more fully comprehend this idea of jumping bodies, the maximum quota of souls/qi one body can handle simultaneously and what happens to empty bodies or overused ones. Oh, and how does one recognize if someone’s been invaded? Our friend Anton is an expert jumper, but the fact he never wears his birth body is strange.

Where the romance was lacking, the action and mysterious deaths of some of the players in the games definitely kept me going. Everyone’s motives are questioned and I was surprised by some of those twists I didn’t see coming. This book is definitely in the adult category with its sometimes graphic descriptions of death and added spice for those romance lovers. If you’re someone looking for a good fantasy with solid worldbuilding and political intrigue, this one is for you, especially if it introduces you to Chloe Gong. For fans of her YA novels, this transition was as I’ve come to expect from her – a seamless jump to adult fantasy. I look forward to book 2.