Tag Archives: young adult

Book Review: Chalk Dust and the Olympic Promise by Laura Shouse

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Chalk Dust and the Olympic Promise by Laura Shouse

A YA Short Book published on (06/11/25)

I received an Advanced Review Copy (or ARC) on Reedsy Discovery

Summary:

“Who is Amanda Scott without a leotard? Is she just a gymnast? What would happen if the dream, this consuming, all-encompassing Olympic dream, didn’t work out? The thought, usually buried under layers of discipline and determination, now surfaced, raw and terrifying. If she wasn’t tumbling, wasn’t vaulting, wasn’t perfecting a routine, then who was she? What did she offer?”

Sixteen-year-old Amanda Scott isn’t just chasing Olympic gold—she’s battling the voice in her head that questions if she’s ever enough. In the quiet before routines and the stillness between each breath, doubt presses harder than any rival. The gym is her sanctuary and her test, where perfection is the expectation and every misstep feels monumental. As the dream of the Olympics glimmers ahead, Amanda must decide if she has the strength not just to perform, but to believe she belongs.

Keywords:

Gymnastics, Olympics Dream, Training, Injury, Competition, Short Book, Teen

My Review:

This book starts with an essay-tyle recap of what will happen in the following chapters as if it’s a summary of a previous book. Chapter 0 outlines what’s to come, referencing later chapters in parentheses, which felt disorienting. Then Chapter 1 begins at the true start of Amanda’s story: she’s 16 and training for her Olympic dream.

While the depiction of elite gymnastics offers a window into the physical and mental demands of the sport, the story lacks the shape of a traditional narrative arc. Instead, there are small emotional ups and downs. The pacing is slow, and I found myself wishing for more tension, more drama, more something.

Amanda, the protagonist, doesn’t feel fully realized. Aside from Anya, her trainer (who also feels underdeveloped), there are few other characters, and Amanda’s world exists almost entirely within the gym. There’s little exploration of who she is outside her athletic identity, although she does question this identity. When I follow a real-life Olympic hopeful, I’m drawn in by the full story behind the talent—what makes this athlete different from the rest. Here, Amanda feels too narrowly defined by her sport to be compelling on the page.

The first real moment of tension appears when Amanda hits a setback beyond her own internal conflict. That’s when the story briefly finds momentum, and I started to care—if only a little—about her journey. But just as it starts to build, the story ends abruptly. The epilogue mirrors the prologue in tone and structure, reading like an essay summary.

The perspective is psychologically rich and emotionally introspective, but sometimes to a fault. Inner monologues stretch on, and the repetitive sentence structure creates a kind of narrative loop—training, doubt, incremental progress—without much sense of movement. While there are moments of emotional insight, they’re buried under layers of reflection that bog down the pacing.

This reads like a literary sports memoir than a fictional narrative. For readers who identify with the nostalgia of elite sports or Olympic dreams, there may be something compelling about reading this story but for anyone digging for plot, they won’t find much here.

This novel was published on 06/11/25 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 3.25

Links for more information:

Laura Shouse’s Website

Goodreads

Book Review: The Verdict of My Heart by Laura Shouse

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The Verdict of My Heart by Laura Shouse

A YA Short Book published on (06/07/25)

I received an Advanced Review Copy (or ARC) on Reedsy Discovery

Summary:

“The Northwood Public Library wasn’t just a building to Maria; it was a sanctuary, a lifeline, a second home.”

Teen activist Maria fights to save her town’s library from a greedy developer, clashing with easygoing Sean as they navigate activism, identity, and unexpected connection.

Keywords:

Short Book, Teen, Activism, Romance

My Review:

From the very first page, this book drops readers directly into the heart of the story, opening with a “chapter 0” that lays out the stakes and summarizes the upcoming story. Main character Maria, often dismissed as the “weird activist girl,” is on a mission to save the Northwood Public Library and green space next door from a predictably profit-hungry developer who only cares about the money.

Maria is portrayed as sharp, independent, and fiercely committed to her cause. Her unwavering passion and need for control make her both admirable and, at times, difficult to connect with. Her character is rigid. She struggles to give others the benefit of the doubt and occasionally comes off as self-righteous or robotic. She has a lot of potential for character growth. While she initially comes across as intense, moments of humor and witty turns of phrase help soften the otherwise stiff tone.

Sean is another main character, but not the focus of the story. Maria’s strategic, hyper-focused activism contrasts with Sean’s more emotionally driven, human-centered approach, offering an interesting dynamic between the two approaches (what feels like right-brained vs. left-brained).

The writing itself favors telling over showing and sometimes lacks specificity. For example, they add music to a presentation but only describe it as Indie. Or they see a movie but don’t specify what it is. This reduces the visual impact but heightens the emotional focus for Maria, Sean, and the reader. As a result, the novel reads more like a middle-grade story. Its simplicity and structure feel more like a single episode than a full-length book, though it still stands alone with a clear beginning, middle, and end.

Still, the story tackles compelling themes. It blends civic urgency and duty with a slow-burn friendship to newly dating romance (light and age-appropriate without any steamy bits). It also explores the tension between community and capitalism, as well as different types of activism.

In the end, the story’s strength lies in its message more than its execution, and I would recommend it more for younger readers (middle-grade) versus young adult readers.

This novel was published on 06/07/25 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 2.75

Links for more information:

Laura Shouse’s Website

Goodreads

Book Review: Mission: Red Scythe: A James Vagus Teen Espionage Thriller by C.W. James

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Mission: Red Scythe: A James Vagus Teen Espionage Thriller by C.W. James

A YA Spy Novel published by Insundry Productions Books on (06/12/25)

I received an Advanced Review Copy (or ARC) on Reedsy Discovery

Summary:

“Just moments ago, he didn’t have an idea about his future. Now, he was being offered the opportunity to become a secret agent — it was all too much to take in.”

In 1965, rookie teen agents James Vagus and Dakota Walker dive into a deadly mission to stop a global conspiracy. From Miami to Madras, they race against time, facing betrayal, espionage, and a threat that could change history.

Keywords:

Short Book, Teen, Spy, Thriller, Espionage, Orphan, Mission, Cold War,

My Review:

The story wastes no time pulling readers into the action with main character James’s first mission: an assignment that immediately goes off the rails. The story may have skipped past the classic training montage, but we immediately get a sense for what James learned and how he reacts under pressure when things don’t go as planned. The stakes are set early and escalate with each chapter, pulling the reader deeper into an adrenaline-filled adventure.

The writing is tight and focused, zeroing in on the action without getting sidetracked. The pacing keeps you right alongside James, allowing you to experience the tension, urgency, and thrill of the moment with him. He might keep his cool, but I was on the edge of my seat. I felt fully immersed in what was happening, with each scene pulling me deeper.

The setting is a fitting backdrop for a young spy, as it takes place in Miami, where there is sun-soaked energy and an undercurrent of youthful mischief. The setting feels alive and layered, and the action remains in Miami long enough to build out the world of the story before expanding internationally.

There’s something wonderfully cinematic about the whole setup. The time period, mysterious plot threads, and fast-paced momentum remind me of a young, trained Indiana Jones story, blending classic adventure with covert espionage back in time (the 1960’s).

The world-building is balanced, and the story is strong but not overpowering of the immediate action. The story doesn’t try to be overly expansive because it focuses on what’s right in front of James. This is exactly what gives the world a sense of authenticity. We get just enough backstory on James and eventually Dakota to make us care about them as people and as spies on a mission.

Tension is built masterfully throughout, keeping stakes high without ever feeling forced. If you are a fan of a good action spy thriller, then this is a great and quick read.

This novel was published by Insundry Productions Books on 06/12/25 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 4.75

Links for more information:

C.W. James’ Website

Goodreads

Book Review: Ugliest by Kelly Vincent

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Ugliest by Kelly Vincent

A YA Novel published by KV BOOKS LLC  (08/13/24)

Summary:

Nic is back in Oklahoma City’s boarding school. This school is so much better than the small-town high school they had been going to but Oklahoma is still a very conservative landscape. It isn’t just Nic experiencing discrimination but also their gender non-conforming friends. It’s a battle that’s becoming bigger than them but this time there might be even uglier consequences to speaking up.

Keywords:

YA, Contemporary, Bullying, Gender Nonconforming, Identity, Art, Introvert, Questioning, Labels, LGBTQ+ themes

My Review:

“Things were looking up, but looks could be deceiving.” (Page 17).

Nic is back, anxiety and all! The quote above encapsulates how Nic goes through the world. Even when things are going well, there’s always an edge of possible negativity and a sliver of anxiety. Nic’s anxiety is obvious, loud, and all over their life. And that is sometimes how anxiety is. For those without anxiety, maybe seeing it portrayed continuously in Nic’s inner voice will help them understand what living with anxiety is like and how that manifests in everyday interactions, actions, and thoughts.

Nic is more than just their anxiety. Nic is blossoming into a complex and very interesting person with their own personality, desires, and needs. Gender nonconforming and non-binary are two terms that are so general that it can be difficult to understand what they mean. As a reader, I get to live the everyday reality of what it means to be non-binary with Nic and their friends. I think all of Nic’s friends are gender nonconforming but they embody their own gender (or non-gendered) identities in unique and very personal ways. I appreciated getting multiple aspects and perspectives on gender and non-binary in this novel.

This novel takes Nic and their identity from discovery to action. Trans rights are human rights. LGBTQ rights are human rights. If they start taking away human rights for a group that identifies in one way, what’s to say they won’t come for others? It is up to Nic and their friends to stand up for their rights as individuals, as humans, and as people representing a vulnerable population. But with that action comes consequences and it’s so powerful to see such active characters. It was very rewarding to read this book and to see Nic and their friends stand up for themselves. The ending was also very rewarding, especially through all the aggressions Nic faces during this series.

Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of this story in exchange for my honest review.

This novel was published by KV BOOKS LLC  on 08/13/2024 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 4.00

Links for more information:

Goodreads

Kelly Vincent’s Website

Book Review: Uglier by Kelly Vincent

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Uglier by Kelly Vincent

A YA Novel published by KV BOOKS LLC  (08/01/23)

Summary:

Nic is back – this time at a boarding school in Oklahoma City. Still mistaken for a boy, even in the bigger city, Nic is still discovering her own identity and who she wants to be. This is the fresh start she’s been wanting, but there are new growing pains in this new environment.

Keywords:

YA, Contemporary, Bullying, Gender Nonconforming, Identity, Art, Introvert, Questioning, Labels, LGBTQ+ themes

My Review:

“My mere existence seemed to be a problem for some people.” (Kindle Edition).

Nic’s perspective continues to be true, full of anxiety, and full of heartbreak. Her thoughts still skew negative and anxious but with tones of hope and self-bolstering. Within the new school, she knows that she has the opportunity to rewrite her story a bit, to be more confident, to be perceived differently even if people try to push her into a box. Continuously, Nic is mistaken for a boy (especially given her height), multiple times in the very first chapter and throughout the novel as well as in different places and contexts. It’s sad to think that there are places where people are still shocked at those who dress more androgenously or don’t conform to societal ‘norms’ for female or male presenting selves. I do disagree with Nic that ‘normal’ girls always wear makeup but perhaps that was my upbringing.

There were multiple aspects of gender and identity presented in this book and all of Nic’s new friends were part of the LGBTQ+ spectrum. I liked how this book dived deeper into different experiences and how the characters’ lives were affected by their gender identities. “This was the whole problem with the binary, and the way other people felt like they had the right to determine your gender.” (Kindle Edition). I loved that there are multiple fiction books mentioned that also touch on themes of identity.

It was neat to see Nic grow in this second novel and I can’t wait to read more of their journey in book three of the series.

Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of this story in exchange for my honest review.

This novel was published by KV BOOKS LLC  on 08/01/2023 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 4.00

Links for more information:

Goodreads

Kelly Vincent’s Website

Book Review: In the Woods: A tale of supernatural suspense by Claudia Blood

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In the Woods: A tale of supernatural suspense by Claudia Blood

A Paranormal Suspense Novel published by Dragon Bane Publishing (08/15/23)

Summary:

Laura and Todd have a new case: clearing the name of a very good family friend of Laura’s and finding the real killer. A blackmail note accuses the man of killing Laura’s mother, except she has no memory of the event or even of the case right after they talk about it. Magic is at work but Laura is convinced that the man is innocent. It’s a race against time before the killer strikes again.

Keywords:

Suspense, Magic, Mystery, Lies, Demons, Lost Memories, Flashbacks, Murder, Fighting, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, Contemporary, Attack, Threat, Target

My Review:

This book, along with the first in the series At the Cabin describes a unique type of magic, a supernatural type of magic that is hard to pin down. What are the rules and how do they work in this magic realm? I was kept guessing as to how the magic worked and I liked how the magic usage was different from the norm.

There were frequent POV switches from Laura, Doug, and Todd and with the gap of time since reading the first book and these POV changes, I felt more removed from connecting to the characters as I had in the first book. This book is also a fast read so there isn’t as much time to get too deep into each of the main characters.

I enjoyed how detailed the descriptions were of facial expressions and what they might mean every time a chapter was told from Laura’s POV. Todd’s flashbacks were very exciting and had me at the edge of my seat. Doug’s chapters really brought a sense of justice and urgency to the mystery.

My favorite part was the ending. I absolutely loved the final scene, and the book was wrapped up to my satisfaction.

This novel was published by Dragon Bane Publishing on 08/15/2023 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 3.50

Links for more information:

Claudia Blood’s Website

Goodreads

Book Review: Reify (Seahaven’s Orphan Mystery Book 3) by Victoria Bastedo

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Reify (Seahaven’s Orphan Mystery Book 3) by Victoria Bastedo

An Inspirational Mystery novel published by Amazon Digital Services (5/30/2023)

Summary:

“Two against one keeps your opinions from experiencing any permanent change.” (Kindle Edition, 43%).

Michael is ready to hang up the jacket of Vanish. Theft is committed and Vanish is to blame and now more than just Liona’s family knows that Michael is Vanish and Vanish is Michael. The Constabulary are divided in accusing Michael of the crimes of Vanish. Michael will have to put on his detecting hat to absolve himself of the crimes as well as find some missing orphans. An orphan himself, Michael might also be at risk.

Keywords:

Religious, Inspirational, Mystery, Historical, Young Adult, 1900’s, Docks, Sea Town, Kidnapping, Family, Friendship, God

My Review:

This novel opens with a mystery that is solved before building slowly to the main action and excitement of kidnapping, burglary, identity theft, and violence.

As we see more and more of Michael, we get less and less of Vanish. The excitement and the mystery of Vanish are turning more to self-reflection, self-discovery, and seeking wisdom and direction in a higher power. God is referenced consistently and more directly than in the first novel of this series. I appreciated that the characters showed a high sense of morality that was felt in action, as literal description on the page, and verbalized by other characters.

“It must be God, doing it. God, who’d intervened already so much.” (Kindle Edition, 29%).

Some of the writing gets very cheeky and some of the turns of phrase made me pause to really envision and consider. I enjoyed the clever writing and dialogue that really brought the characters and setting to life.

“Mostly muscle, with a few pounds of policeman’s teatime to soften the blow.” (Kindle Edition, 3%).

The phrase, “It wouldn’t do to describe it in adventure books.” (Kindle Edition, 93%) especially made me chuckle. The author was definitely having some fun with the readers. There are several times when the details really engaged me. I found the little chapter heading pictures especially delightful. I loved that little detail. It made me smile as I read each new chapter.

This novel was published by Amazon Digital Services 5/30/2023 and is available on Amazon here.

TLDR Star Rating: 3.75

Links for more information:

Goodreads

FreeValleyPublishing

Victoria Bastedo WordPress

Book Review: The Beauty of a Spiral: A Novel by Beth Maddaleni

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The Beauty of a Spiral: A Novel by Beth Maddaleni

A Contemporary YA Novel published by Ponderlit Press (07/10/23)

Summary:

Madz is exhausted. She’s been tired for so long, putting her body through such a demanding skating schedule for years as well as her recent recovery from mono, that she doesn’t even remember what it feels like to be normal and healthy. She’s ready to be done. For good. Even though her parents don’t want her to quit, she’s determined to leave the skating world behind. “I refuse to waste another moment of my life killing my body and humiliating myself at the rink.” (Kindle Edition, 6%).

Keywords:

Death and Dying, Figure Skating, Friendship, Mother-Daughter Relationship, Cancer, Grief, Illness, Love, Coaching

My Review:

First Reviewed through Reedsy Discovery.

The beginning sucked me right in. The pacing was excellent. The writing style was seamless and flowed easily. I especially enjoyed all the interactions between Madz and Gracie and the way the author crafted each character with unique and distinct personalities so that it felt like the world was completely fleshed out and real. This is the type of contemporary fiction I would recommend to anyone who wants a good book with depth, gut-wrenching emotion, and who doesn’t mind learning a thing or two about the daily grind of a figure-skating teenager.

Madz is brave. She is brave to say no. She has the courage to stand up for herself, her body, and her needs. She dares to do the opposite of what her parents want, what her coach wants, and what her sport thinks she should do. She’s been pushed to the edge of her limits and she’s not backing down on her decision. It is so admirable that she finally defines her boundaries and stands her ground on her decision to leave figure skating. It is so hard to change your daily schedule and to suddenly be free of an activity that didn’t just take over your life but is your life. Figure skating is a defining part of who Madz Monroe is and without it, she will have to figure out who she is. I admire her so much and love how strong her personality can be. She’s not just stubborn but full of conviction that’s backed by facts. She’s not just quitting because it’s hard or uncomfortable. Madz is a role model for teenagers and adults in the way she navigates her world and her problems. “… asking him to help me takes nerve. But I have a lot of them, and I have to get going.” (Kindle Edition, 77%).

There is so much going on in Madz’s world! This book was not just about Madz and her journey with figure skating. It touches on so many emotional subjects and does each of them justice. The parts with Chelsea were especially emotionally gut-wrenching.

It was so hard to put this book down because I wanted to know what was going to happen in each of the internal and external conflicts. The tension between Madz and Will, the cute landscaper, was intriguing. The relationship between Madz and her mother was fascinating and all their interactions had such well-written dialogue.

The relationship between Madz and her skating and health was the most fascinating of all. It was this subject matter, after all, that drew me to this book in the first place.

This novel was published by Ponderlit Press on 07/10/2023 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 5.00

Links for more information:

Beth Maddaleni’s Website

Goodreads

Book Review: Flood of the Fire: A YA Epic Fantasy (The Outlawed Myth Book 4) by Evelyn Puerto

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Flood of the Fire: A YA Epic Fantasy (The Outlawed Myth Book 4) by Evelyn Puerto

A YA fantasy novel published by Open Water Books (11/15/2022)

Summary:

“Confronting people with the truth is one thing. Inspiring them to have the courage to face it is another.” (Kindle Location 706).

Tereka isn’t the Desired One. At least, that’s what she keeps telling everyone and herself. What will it take for Tereka to believe in The Prophecy and in herself? With Damira and the Emporer invading Tlefas, Tereka will have to find out who really is the Desired One and whether this invading army will finally bring peace and freedom. Or perhaps they are just another power-hungry force that wants to rule the land.

Keywords:

Fantasy, Travel, Journey, Risk, Attack, Flee, Hide, Town, Secrets, Power, Rulers, Magic, Amulets, Love, Friendship, Romance, Triumph, Battle, Conclusion

My Review:

After four books, the story of Tereka, the mystery of the amulets, the promise of The Prophecy, and the conclusion of the romance are finally coming to an end. I forgot how much I missed Tereka and her story after the third book. In fact, I forgot a lot about Tereka, her story, her romances and friendships, and the struggles of Tlefas. It was difficult to jump right back into her story and try to remember who the characters were and why I cared about them. But I did care about them. I cared about some of them a lot! As the protagonist once again, Tereka was most important to me, but I also was still very fascinated by Damira. There was a will she/ won’t she have a happy ending teeter-totter. You’ll have to read this final book in the Outlawed Myth Series to find out what happens to Damira and her power struggles with the Scorpion Amulets.

I appreciated and was fascinated with Damira and the way she viewed the world versus how her brother, her loved one, and her enemy viewed her. That was the strongest pull of this story for me. I really, really wanted to know what was going to happen to Damira.

This book was one long conclusion and I appreciated how every thread from the previous three books was wrapped up, from Kaberco to Iskra. However, the ending was not as strong as I wanted it to be, particularly with the wrap-up between Tereka and Naco. I wanted more buildup to their conclusion, even if it was the ending that I didn’t know I wanted. Again, you’ll have to read the book to find out what happens between the two. Meanwhile, Kemet butts back into the story and I enjoyed having him back in the story. Bringing back Kemet provided some great tension.

This novel was published by Open Water Books 11/15/2022 and is available on Amazon here.

TLDR Star Rating: 4.25

Links for more information:

Goodreads

Twitter

Evelyn Puerto’s Website

Book Review: Delta (The Apex Cycle Book 2) by M.T. Zimny

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Delta (The Apex Cycle Book 2) by M.T. Zimny

A YA Sci-Fi Novel published by M.T. Zimny  (10/12/21)

Summary:

Samantha now knows the truth about her past, but she’s still not an Apex and her abilities will only help her so much on the Apex Team. She’s trying to balance school, being on the Apex Team, and the continued anti-Apex attacks on New Delos.

Keywords:

Superhero Science Fiction, Fantasy Adventure Fiction, Romantic Action & Adventure, Super Human, Enhanced, Powers, Friends, Boarding School, Island, Secrets, Classmates

My Review:

Delta picks up right where Beta left off plotwise, with well-executed pacing and action to keep you on the edge of your seat.

I loved how this book seemed even more intense than book one. The stakes are higher. The characters seem even more real and their personalities are still unique and consistent from book one. I really liked how Sammy had to work through an identity crisis in this book. I really enjoyed seeing more of book one’s antagonists as well.

I did feel like I had to suspend my disbelief a bit more with this book, but like all superhero action movies/books, I was too sucked into it to step back and critique any of the individual story elements. Do they really train for hours every day and go to classes and fight crime? I was way too enthralled by the characters and completely strapped in for the story and the exciting conclusion.

This novel was published by M.T. Zimny on 10/12/2021 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 5.00

Links for more information:

Goodreads

M.T. Zimny’s Website