And that means…it’s time for #TNReads. The real quick reviews of the real good books that we know you want to read. We aren’t going to waste your time trying to wax intellectual about the latest greatest Man Booker Prize winner. These are the books we liked or loved that are worth a top move on your TBR list.
If you like what you see, check out our other #TNReads posts for more quick and dirty recommendations. Or our Books Section for all the rest of our favorite novels.
Buns
Written by: Alice Clayton
Release Date: 5/23/17
Reviewed by: Heidi*
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rating: 4 Hot Cross Buns
Recommended for: Fans of WASPy hotel owners
Don’t let the thank-god-for-eReaders cover fool you, you want to read Buns. Buns is the third in Alice Clayton’s Hudson Valley Series, but she certainly saved the best for last. In it Clara Morgan finally has the chance to find out what her old college girlfriends love about small town Bailey Falls in upstate New York. To be clear what they like is the men. For good reason.
Officially Clara is in Bailey Falls to rejuvenate the failing Bryant Mountain House resort. Unofficially she’ll be fighting, then giving into her chemistry with Archie Bryant, the straight-laced son of the resort’s owner. I’m not sure if I can put my finger on what exactly worked for me about this last installment of the Hudson Valley Series that didn’t quite click with the previous two, but it did. It really did.
Clara and Archie have ridiculous names but their story is layered and believable. Plus, their chemistry radiates off the page. Who knew I had a thing for uptight men in suits and glasses? You’ll enjoy falling for Archie and Clara almost as much as you’ll fall for Alice Clayton’s descriptions of upstate New York. BRB, off to plan my next vacation.
Buns is out in just a couple of weeks, on May 23rd. Pre-order it now.
*arc provided by publisher in exchange for honest review
Frannie and Tru
Written by: Karen Hattrup
Release Date: 5/31/2016
Reviewed by: Anne
Genre: Young Adult
Rating: 3.5 Angsty Stars
Recommended for: Those of you who like coming of age stories that aren’t too serious.
This is the story of Frannie Little’s summer when her gay cousin Truman comes to stay with her family. As she is going to start at a new school in the fall, and has had a bit of a falling out with her friends, Frannie is hoping that Tru will redeem her summer, and so she does all that she can to endear herself to him. What unfolds is a story of an unexpected summer where Frannie finds out that things aren’t always as they seem, and learns the danger of imposing our assumptions on who we assume or want people to be onto them.
I liked how this story started more than how it ended, but the story is cute, and there was enough that you as the reader don’t know to keep you turning the pages until the end. Buy it now.
Geekerella
Written by: Ashley Polston
Release Date: 4/4/17
Reviewed by: Heidi*
Genre: Young Adult
Rating: 4 Cosplay Costumes
Recommended for: Young Adults or Adults who wish they were young
I’m not sure that I ever wanted to read a young adult re-imagining of the Cinderella story centered around a geeky fangirl, her blog, and her job in a Vegan Pumpkin food truck, but I did and I loved it.
Elle (obviously) is a teen in a miserable situation. Her stepmom treats her horribly, her two step sisters are heinous, she was orphaned, and then to add insult to injury her favorite TV Show is getting ruined by a movie remake. When she writes a scathing review of the young actor (Darien Freeman) set to star in the remake of StarField she inadvertently and unknowingly ends up texting with him for weeks.
All of the drama climaxes at a cosplay contest at a Con which is just too perfect and adorable for words. Is this book written for young audiences? Yes. Is this book completely adorable? Yes. Buy it now.
*arc provided by publisher in exchange for honest review
There you have it! Real quick reviews for books we loved … real quick because we lazy. Hope you find something new to read. But in the meantime, tell us what you are reading in the comments or on twitter using #TNReads.
