endless_tbr_list's reviews
331 reviews

An absolutely mesmerizing, gorgeously written, heartbreakingly beautiful story set in the world of 90s-00s pop music and told through the eyes of pop star hopeful, Amber Young. From the discovery to the auditions, from the scandal to the triumph, the novel shows all sides of Amber's journey and is frank about the early and oversexualization that these girls face. Everything they do is scrutinized, they're judged for their music, their clothes, their existence! Yet Amber can't imagine being anywhere else - singing is what she loves.

In a book where the Amber's hypersexuality is never far from her mind (or the reader's), the true female friendship made me want to cry. Gwen and Amber are there for one another, ready with encouragement, advice, and love, even in a world where they're in direct competition for survival. Having that support, surviving its tests, gave Amber the confidence to grow and progress from a - not necessarily naive, but definitely young - girl, to a more surefooted artist who knows what she wants from her music and has the determination to go after it.

I devoured this debut novel and truly cannot wait to see what Isabel Banta does next!

Thank you to Celadon Books and NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are my own. 

Humor Me is 50% friendships new and old, 30% workplace grind, 20% romance, and 100% a love letter to New York. 

Living with her best friend, hoping for a promotion that's long over due, and sticking exclusively to business casual hookups, Presley Fry is a wonderful balance of jaded and hopeful - essentially what you'd expect from a woman working in the city's comedy scene. While still working through the grief of her alcoholic mother's recent death and trying to ignore her feelings for Adam, her Late Night Show co-worker, Presley suddenly finds herself spending time with Susan, her mother's childhood friend who is dealing with her own recent familial issues.

This is not your typical romance, and there's arguably not much that actually happens in the story, but I think that's why I liked it so much. It felt real. There's the office politics of a male-centric field and the nods to MeToo, but then there's also the solid female friendships and the warmth of a new relationship that comes when there's no need or desire to be anyone but yourself. In the end, Presley is a 20-something woman just living her life and taking us along for the ride. Humorous yet heavy at times, this was such a joy to read.

Thank you to Celadon Books and NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

An wonderfully fun and entertaining novel, Taking Initiative is a beautiful debut! In search of a fresh start after her breakup, Jo has moved to small Kansas town and finds herself the only attendee at the local library's first ever Monsters and Mythology (MnM) game night. When it quickly becomes clear that the librarian, Felix, is woefully unprepared to be a Game Master (GM), Jo finds herself agreeing to teach him everything he needs to know. What ensues is a absolutely delightful (and spicy) romance filled with overly formal emails, heartwarming friendships, and plenty of TTRPG.

I enjoyed every moment of this story, from the heavy to the laugh out loud, and wish so badly that I could watch GM Jo do her thing. Felix is so sweet and I loved watching him go on his MnM journey, especially when he realized how much it means to Jo. This was a romance that felt genuine to me - the pacing was perfect and the character growth was front and center. A sort of love letter to TTRPG, Taking Initiative was a pure joy to read and I can't wait to see more from Elle M. Stewart.

Thank you to Elle M. Stewart and NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are my own. 

Hydie has been in love with her best friend's brother for years - a fact which she confessed and then spent the next ten years avoiding him as a result of. When a (thankfully) failed attempt to RSVP 'no' to Frannie's wedding places Hydie firmly in the middle of the Flores family once more, she is finally forced to confront her past. Though, this time, both Hydie and George are adults and approach the idea of a relationship with new eyes.

Through weeks of wedding prep and bridesmaid duties it was so lovely to see Hydie reacquaint herself with the family who helped raise her when her own fell short. Frannie is such an incredible friend, and the flashbacks with George made me love him even more - Hydie truly has some wonderful people in her corner. A quick, sweet read, You're On Your Own, Kid is a tale of growing up and the growth that comes with it.

Thank you to Cora Dalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are my own. 

A quick and fun romance filled with crazy TV antics, awesomely wild adventures, and of course, love. After a disaster of a year, Emmy is the owner of a totaled food truck, a mattress on the floor in her parents' laundry room, and some not so great online PR #EmmyTrashTruck. When her assistant shows up with a bottle of sambuca and a reality TV application, Emmy soon finds herself a contestant on Big Wild Love Adventure, a new reality TV dating-adventure (think Survivor meets Are You the One?). Over the coming weeks, Emmy and her fellow contestants will battle it out to win cash prizes and maybe even a shot at love.

First off, Julianna Keyes perfectly captured the truly insane nature of adventure and dating reality shows, and I could absolutely see someone pitching BWLA. Although it took a bit for me to really develop any feelings towards the other contestants, I was impressed by how invested I was in the outcome each "week." The relationship/dating aspect of the story was entertaining, but I also love that Emmy never forgot why she was really there - to fund her dreams. Overall, a delightful read, perfect for the summer!

Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, NetGalley, and Julianna Keyes for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.