Invincible Me: Stories of the Seasons Book 3, Addison Lloyd

This YA story felt very high school while also creeping into some New Adult themes.  There was discovery that had me curious, but the journey didn't exactly keep me captivated.  The ending was a hopeful HFN as age and the fact that their lives haven't even truly begun yet kept it from being an HEA.  Even though the title didn't exactly match the story, it contained a relatively good mix of angst, drama, curiosity, complications, and feelings.

I can't say I was truly drawn to any certain character besides Jade and they were only a peripheral side character for a short portion of the relatively short story.  To be honest, their short interactions with the MC's as a compassionate and meddling secret keeper and with another side character with their jealousy and animosity was far more interesting than the actual story I was reading.  Caleb was fine, but I didn't really connect with him much at all; he also read way older than 17 and the way he was written felt like he just didn't fit into the scripted role but was shoved in anyway.

I'm not sure the story reflected the empowered or invulnerable feel of the title.  I mean, sure, he survived something scary, but the self-discovery, the sudden realizations about his desires...none of that was on the level I'd been expecting with the title or the passion implied in the synopsis.  What I hoped to get from this story wasn't what I got, but I can't say I disliked it, I just didn't feel it the way I wanted.

*$2.99 on Amazon

A reaction to almost dying or gay awakening?

I don’t fit in anymore. Not at home. Not at school. And this jittery feeling—like I’m living someone else’s life—needs to stop. Nothing makes sense until I confront Caleb Patterson at his locker. Arguing with him makes me feel alive again.

I have a girlfriend, but Caleb lights me up like he’s flipped a switch. He’s patient and sweet. And I want to kiss him until I break his world apart and reach the person underneath.

I’m tired of labels and playing by the rules. But living my life on my terms is more difficult than I imagined.

All I want is to be his everything.

Kelpie Blue: Out of Underhill Book 1, Mell Eight

 

Kelpie Blue

Series: Out of Underhill, Book One

Author: Mell Eight

Publisher:  NineStar Press

Release Date: 12/28/2020

Heat Level: 1 - No Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Genre: Fantasy, LGBTQIA+, Fae/faeries, mythical creatures, magic, horse trainer/breeder, YA
Content Warning: Abduction, kidnapping 

A sweetly crafted story with a family filling up all their bits of emptiness to create something new, something whole, something perfect.  Blue in all his intrigued confusion concerning Rin, Rin's damaged strength and subtle constancy, and Mama's stubborn consistency and generous heart, all of them needed something and through trial, discovery, peril, and rescue, they made it all work for their benefit and for their future.

Rin was a main character that kind of faded to the background in a subtle way.  He was a constant, one who could tie everyone together, but he wasn't a magnetic person either so he was just a solid, kind presence throughout the story.  Memorable only in the large scale picture of the book, but on his own he had a tendency to fade around the stronger personalities of Blue and Mama as well as the mystery of Jim and the drama surrounding the ranch.

Blue was really cute and his constant referral to Rin as his snack from the very first to the very last was actually more endearing than creepy, thankfully.  His additions to the journal/diary gave life to the whole telling and I wanted so much more about him, what he could do, and to see his powers more on the page.  The eponymous character became a charming, amusing side character almost.

It was those elements of imbalance that kept the story from being as magical as it could have been.  I liked the drama and felt it was appropriate to the story and really worked for pushing the conflict along as well as for introducing some big players from Underhill.  Overall this was a really sweet story that worked as an introduction to the world of Underhill and I'm interested to see where the series will go from here.

*4.99 on Amazon

Add to your Goodreads TBR list!

When a beautiful blue horse asks Rin to go for a swim, Rin doesn't realize how much his life is about to change.  Blue is unlike anyone Rin has ever met, and the magic of the fae, and of this particular kelpie, is wonderous, but deadly.  Rin learns too late he might be in for a swim he won't survive.

AMAZON

About Mell

When Mell Eight was in high school, she discovered dragons. Beautiful, wondrous creatures that took her on epic adventures both to faraway lands and on journeys of the heart. Mell wanted to create dragons of her own, so she put pen to paper. Mell Eight is now known for her own soaring dragons, as well as for other wonderful characters dancing across the pages of her books. While she mostly writes paranormal or fantasy stories, she has been seen exploring the real world once or twice.

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*ARC through IndiGo Marketing & Design

The Midnight Gardener: The Town of Superstition Book 1, R.G. Thomas

I typically don't read YA, but the premise of this one really intrigued me.  I was happily surprised to find that I quite liked it and am very interested to see where we end up with this series.  There were definitely very cliche bits that I hope aren't indicative of what's in store for us, but overall I enjoyed reading this story.

Thaddeus was a unique teenager in that there was very, very little sulking, minor misbehaving, an earnest and respectful attitude toward his father, and seemingly well-adjusted despite relocating suddenly every few months.  It was all a little too nice, too understanding.  It wasn't bad, just super tame and a bit unrealistic.  He was interesting on his own though, with a curiosity and intelligence as well as a bit of intriguing mystery that hinted to more.

Surrounding him is a paranoid father that clearly had Thaddeus' best intentions at heart, but the mystery surrounding his actions was played up a lot with no questions being asked.  Once the whole reveal came it was quite dramatic and while Thaddeus played the peacemaker for the group, I was absolutely on the side of the father and felt a bit frustrated with a lot of posturing and still no answers, only cryptic responses and lofty judgmental reasoning coming from the leader of the group.

One thing that truly bothered me was the constant, "I'll tell you when I think the time is right" pronouncements after promising honesty and answers.  The only place that thinking can lead is to a big reveal disaster.  I would much rather the ending wasn't such a cliche edict from his father and something more like, "Okay, son.  You're right.  A lot of the danger we're in was caused by secrets and I want to protect you with the truth, no matter how difficult those truths may be.  Let me tell you about your mother/the village/magic/etc."  It would have been a suitable cliffhanger for a YA as they take that step through the door instead of giving us yet more excuses, secrets, and withholding of vital information that will likely blow up in everyone's faces when answers come from yet another source that wasn't the intended one.

Other than that, I am suitably interested in all the different characters and dangers that we're going to face on the adventure.  There's a lot of growth and supernatural discoveries that are sure to happen and I'm willing to along for the ride.

*$4.99 on Amazon

A lonely teenage boy whose father has moved them too often for him to make lasting friendships.
A mysterious neighbor his own age who hums as he gardens... at night... surrounded by fireflies.
Superstition is the town Thaddeus Cane and his father, Nathan, have settled in this time, and every evening Thaddeus becomes more intrigued with his new neighbor. When Thaddeus finally works up the nerve to visit his neighbor, the crush blooming underneath surfaces, and he realizes that Teofil, the midnight gardener, is lonely as well. When his father finds out where he's been spending his time, Thaddeus is forbidden from returning. But the attraction is too strong, and soon Thaddeus is back in Teofil's yard, leading to the revelation of long held secrets that upend Thaddeus' quiet life and sends him on the adventure of a lifetime.