David Arnold

I Loved You in Another Life / David Arnold

/ Alisha Helms / Leave a comment 
I Loved You in Another Life
By: David Arnold
Genre: YA, Romance
Number of Pages: 352
Published: October 10, 2023
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
Dates Read: October 20, 2023 - October 23, 2023
Format: ARC / eBook / Library Book / Audiobook

Sosh is lost and angry at the world for the drunk driver that killed her sister. Stevie and Sosh were more than sisters, they were the best of friends – Sosh looked at Stevie like she was her moon. Evan’s struggling with his dad walking out on his family and his mom’s breast cancer diagnosis – but mostly, he’s worried about how to take care of his younger brother William, a sensitive seven-year-old, who wears the same red hoodie, covers himself in bandaids, and watches E.T. every Tuesday night. Both are trying to figure out their next step in life when they begin hearing a mysterious singer no one else seems to hear. How will the melody bring them together?

The characters of Sosh and Evan were a little harder to get into at the beginning but they were closed off, which was understandable. It was almost like meeting a friend for the first time – the more you got to know them, the more they opened up and shared their struggles.

I don’t read a ton of romance, but this book is most definitely a slow burn romance. Did I get the “love you in another life” part? Not really – sure there were tidbits here and there of other characters in a different time, but I had a hard time connecting them to Sosh and Evan.

What I really did like about this book, that wasn’t the romance, was both the family dynamic of Evan, his mom, and his brother, and the therapy positive outlook they had on there. Oh – and Sosh and her teacher’s relationship, because that’s what I always wanted for my kids when I taught – was for them to feel safe enough to talk about their stuff and for me to hopefully give them a positive outcome.

Overall, I enjoyed this mostly for the character’s individual’s journeys over the romance portion of it. Romance was okay, but that’s not why I will be recommending this book when I do.

*Thank you Viking Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review

Stoked for This: October 2023

/ Alisha Helms / Leave a comment

I’ve been working all weekend to make sure I actually had this done on the date I always aim for – the 1st – and look what we’ve got! October 3 is a super popular release date this month. After our September, it makes sense there’s not that crazy amount. The next few months will probably be a bit slower, but doesn’t mean I won’t be making these!

So, please enjoy my Stoke for This: October 2023 ◡̈

RELEASE DATE: October 3, 2023

Alebrijes

by: Donna Barba Higuera

Why am I stoked for this release?

Just a middle grade, sci-fi/fantasy novel with an oppressive Regime. Kind of sounds hard hitting for a middle grade novel, but I’m all for it.

Reviews of those who have already read this say it starts off a little slow due to the world building, but after a bit it it’s a page turners and that’s what I’m stoked for.

Gone Wolf

by: Amber McBride

Why am I stoked for this release?

So I read Me: Moth by this author a while ago and it punched me so hard in the gut, I can still feel the faint pain of it even now. I don’t expect anything different from her Middle Grade debut.

This is suppose to be heavy as well so I’m ready for the feels.

The Spells We Cast

by: Jason June

Why am I stoked for this release?

Magical. Gay. Cowboys.

That’s it.

That’s all I needed to know about this novel.

I mean, it’s not all about that, but shoot – the cover ALONE had me sold and when I saw it was a preview event, I immediately went and asked for an ARC online.

It’s also for fans of Cemetery Boys and Carry On, both titles I love so let’s go!

After the Forest

by: Kell Woods

Why am I stoked for this release?

A reimagining of Hansel and Gretel where Greta kept the witch’s grimoire and is using it to make an amazingly delicious (and addictive) gingerbread.

Every once in awhile I like a good retelling / reimagining and I haven’t read one with Hansel and Gretel yet.

Also for fans of Naomi Novic and I love her so I’ve got to see if it lives up to that comparison.

Curious Tides

by: Pascale Lacelle

Why am I stoked for this release?

Right, so this one is “Ninth House meets A Deadly Education” (another Naomi Novic comparison).

Magical schools – I’ve been about them ever since the J.K. Rowling incident(s).

This is said to be dark academia, secret societies, myths & legends, forbidden malice, amazing world building, and much more.

Yea, okay, again, this had me at “magical school” but also all of the above!

RELEASE DATE: October 10, 2023

Stars in Your Eyes

By: Karen Callender

Why am I stoked for this release?

This is a gay romance with “two grumpy/sunshine, fake-dating actors navigating their love story both on and offscreen”.

God, yes.

Perfect for fans of Casey McQuiston and Alexia Hall.

Also, yes!

Something about the fall makes me want to read a romance more, so this may very well be the one I pick.

I Loved You in Another Life

by: David Arnold

Why am I stoked for this release?

Right, so I’m mostly stoked for this read because it’s set in Alaska and I wanted to read something there. I had just mentioned it to my coworker when this book popped up on the BookishFirst website as a review. I don’t know, it seemed like fate so we’re going to go with it.

It’s probably going to be a cheesy YA romance, and I usually stay away from those, but who knows, maybe this one will surprise me like P.S. I Love You did.

RELEASE DATE: October 17, 2023

Confetti Realms

by: Nadia Shammas, Karnessa (Artist), Hackto Oshiro (Colorist), Michael Meyers (Letterer)

Why am I stoked for this release?

This one keeps changing the date on me, so hopefully I actually have the right date on this title.

I’ve got a couple graphic novels I’m stoked for and this is one of them. The art looks fantastic and I feel like I’m going to love it for that.

But also teens messing around in a graveyard when they get transported to another realm where the must collect teeth? Now that sounds unique!

RELEASE DATE: October 31, 2023

The Evolving Truth of Ever-Strong Will

by: Maya MacGregor

Why am I stoked for this release?

Right, so I don’t expect this one to be all puppies and flowers (though, look how beautiful the cover art is).

This YA novel is about Will, an agender teen who is on the cusp of freedom from providing and caring for their abusive, addicted mother, getting out of their small mindset town, and the freedom of having to hide who they truly are. But after their mother dies with a curse being her last words, Will is scrambling to find their former foster mother before Child Protective Service or local drug dealers find them first.

I’m sure this will wreck me a bit, but sometimes you just need a good read to do that to you.