Welcome to Cup of Tea’s 5 Mini Book Reviews, where I will give you 5 bite sized book reviews where I provide my quick thoughts on and give you book recommendations to be aware of.
Hope you enjoy!
This Book Kills by Ravena Guron
What if a short story you wrote was used as inspiration for a murder? That is what Jess encounters and leads her to play a deadly cat-and-mouse game with the killer. This is not only a captivating dark academia thriller but also a thought-provoking and insightful story that has you hooked from beginning to end. Jess will be an immediate favorite character with her introverted but determined personality. Overall, this dark and tense story will have you hooked and encourage you to read more as Jess uncovers the dark secrets that are beneath her prestigious school. Fans of Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé and Win Lose Kill Die by Cynthia Murphy will want to pick this one up!
Signed Sealed Dead by Cynthia Murphy
Murphy has another winner that provides all the twists and turns you look for in a thriller. Murphy brings readers the chills that immediately grip them from beginning to end and has them guessing and on the edge of their seats at every turn. If you are a fan of slasher films like Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer and are intrigued by true crime stories, then you will highly enjoy this teen thriller! And trust me, the cliffhanger will leave you speechless 😶.
After finishing “Signed Sealed Dead,” You will feel the urge to rewatch “Scream,” the original and the 2022 version. It made me nostalgic to watch my absolute favorite horror movie, and you will probably do the same!
Once Persuaded, Twice Shy: A Modern Reimagining of Persuasion by Melodie Edwards
For those who know me, I normally don’t read a lot of romance. But there were two reasons why I picked this one up: the beautiful Fall Like book cover and a classic retelling of Jane Austen’s Persuasion.
When you think of a classic retelling of Austen’s works, Pride and Prejudice is always the go-to adaptation. And while I understand and I am a sucker for those retellings, it’s nice to see an author go in a different direction and choose a retelling for a novel that should get more attention like its predecessors. Edwards does a wonderful job capturing the essence of “Persuasion” and bringing the story into the 21st century. Instead of trying to mimic Austen’s wit and humor, the book tells a story on its merit but still captures the essence and enjoyment of Persuasion.
But don’t worry, Romance Lovers, this one has something for you, too. You will fall in love with this fall romance that is perfect for fans looking for something heartwarming and relatable to read as we head into the busy holiday season. This second chance romance will have you enamored and feel enjoyment how this novel managed to capture the true essence of Austen’s masterpiece.
Only For The Holidays by Abiola Bello
Bello returns from her popular (and one of my personal favorites) YA debut, Love in A Winter Wonderland comes back with another delightful YA holiday rom-com where a fake dating scheme leads to a new wave of emotions. What I love about Bello’s romances is that she gives readers an entertaining and feel-good romance and adds realism and truth to the heart of her stories. She doesn’t make them sound cheesy, which is very refreshing. You always root for her characters to the end, which is no different from Quincy and Tia. Quincy and Tia’s interactions are fun to read and show how we need to see more black teen-centric love stories on our shelves.
Gifts from the Garbage Truck: A True Story about the Things We (Don’t) Throw Away by Andrew Larsen and illustrated by Oriol Vidal
I didn’t about know about this little museum of recycled materials and after reading this, I want to go visit! Larsen writes a lovely picture book that not only tells a unique and hopeful true story but also highlights the importance to younger readers about the values of reusing and recycling and how it bring their community together. Also, that their creativity has no bounds and anything is possible when can give a positive impact on the world.
Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are ‘affiliate links’. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission.
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