Review | Bossy Nights by Liv Morris

“No one would call me a wolf, at least not to my face, but I’ve never been labeled an angel either.” 3/5 stars!

Attention! This book contains: mimosas, cherry pies, online blogs, pink outfits, spilled coffee, trench coats, personal libraries, chatty best friends, overprotective siblings and famous writers.

forbidden and sexy office romance standalone from USA Today Bestselling Author, Liv Morris.

I’ve landed in New York City with my resume in one hand and my V-card in the other. The resume? I’ll give to any man on the street. The other? Well… I won’t settle for anything less than lightning bolt chemistry and so far no one has flipped that switch.

Until I meet Barclay Hammond, CEO of the most prestigious publishing house in NYC and the city’s most eligible bachelor.

He’s commanding.
Charming.
Gorgeous.
And my new boss.

The raw attraction between us is off the charts. Late nights together in the city, the looks he gives me across the boardroom table make him impossible to resist. I want him to be the one and he wants me too…

There’s only one BIG problem. Sleeping with your boss is strictly forbidden at Hammond Press.

Who knew losing it would be so complicated?

It was quick and entertaining for what it was, but overall just an okay read for me. 

If you like romances with the rich-businessman and fresh-out-of-college-girl trope – like for example, “Fifty Shades of Grey” – consider giving this one a try, you may like it.

In this book, our main character is Tessa, a Southern belle who just got out of college and is looking for a job in New York – and who doesn’t think she’s pretty, but it’s apparent to everyone else, of course. She then meets the handsome CEO of the company she wants to work for, and they quickly fall in love.

I don’t consider this book bad, but almost every aspect (from plot to characters) was underwhelming to me. And I know this is supposed to be a quick read, but I still feel like some aspects could be developed to create a stronger story. The plot felt a little too predictable, cliché and “perfect” for my own taste. It was unrealistic, fairytale-ish and the “issues” weren’t really issues… so I wasn’t super invested in what was happening.

Not only the main characters were bland, forgettable and uninteresting, but I felt the same way about the secondary characters. For example, Tessa’s bestie was the typical crazy/extroverted best friend that apparently every introvert needs. So nothing new or exciting about the characters as well.

The romantic relationship was also not super captivating. I found their banter boring and kind of annoying at times. The guy used the term “baby girl” too many times – and worse, unironically! Again, not terrible… I was just expecting more.

If it matters to you, keep in mind that this book is on the steamier side – in this regard, I wouldn’t necessarily compare it to “Fifty Shades of Grey”, though! Still, there are a lot of explicit chapters, so keep that in mind if it is something that you consider important when picking up romance books.

Not a very memorable book, but it was entertaining for what it was. It’s fast paced and light, so if you like steamy romances this one is a quick read to read over a weekend.

Review | White Bodies by Jane Robins

“It looks like I am on an island all alone… Or, if there are others here, we have not found each other yet.” 3.25/5 stars!

Attention! This book contains: dossiers, syringes, bruises, Peter Pan plays, bookstores, crumbs, online forums, baby teeth, hotel rooms, hijabs, domestic violence, bee bags and secret pen drives.

This chilling psychological suspense novel–think Strangers on a Train for the modern age–explores the dark side of love and the unbreakable ties that bind two sisters together.

Felix and Tilda seem like the perfect couple: young and in love, a financier and a beautiful up-and-coming starlet. But behind their flawless facade, not everything is as it seems.

Callie, Tilda’s unassuming twin, has watched her sister visibly shrink under Felix’s domineering love. She has looked on silently as Tilda stopped working, nearly stopped eating, and turned into a neat freak, with mugs wrapped in Saran Wrap and suspicious syringes hidden in the bathroom trash. She knows about Felix’s uncontrollable rages, and has seen the bruises on the white skin of her sister’s arms.

Worried about the psychological hold that Felix seems to have over Tilda, Callie joins an Internet support group for victims of abuse and their friends. However, things spiral out of control and she starts to doubt her own judgment when one of her new acquaintances is killed by an abusive man. And then suddenly Felix dies–or was he murdered?

A page-turning work of suspense that announces a stunning new voice in fiction, White Bodies will change the way you think about obsession, love, and the violence we inflict on one another–and ourselves.

What an uncomfortable, weird book this was! So what is this book about? I would say the main themes of this book are obsession, sibling relationships and domestic abuse (well… for the most part, that is).

Tilda gets a new boyfriend, Felix, and at first everything seems fine until Callie (her twin sister) notices bruises on Tilda’s arms and signs that Felix is being abusive towards her. Things start to spiral out of control and he is found dead. The real question is what happened to Felix?

Let me tell you straight up: there is not a single likable character in this book. The two main characters (the twins Tilda and Callie) are both terrible. Tilda is a complete narcissist and full of herself, and Callie is obsessed with her sister’s life – and was just pathetic if I’m being quite honest. Of course these characters were created with the purpose of making the book disturbing and intriguing, and I guarantee the author accomplished that!

I always like to read about twins in thrillers because of the strong bond and connection they usually have, and you definitely get some of that here. Callie’s love for her sister is really creepy and on another level. While reading the book I frequently questioned myself if there was more to it, because her behaviors and actions crossed the lines in so many ways.

Intrigued? Give it a try, then! It was weird, unexpected and creepy… but entertaining!

Review | The Legacy (Children’s House #1) by Yrsa Sigurðardóttir

3/5 stars!

Attention! This book contains: Morse code, vacuum cleaners, flat irons, big heads, code numbers, siblings, sweet dogs, adoption papers, trauma and little girls.

The first in an exciting new series from the author of THE SILENCE OF THE SEA, winner of the 2015 Petrona Award for best Scandinavian Crime Novel.

The murder was meant as a punishment – but what sin could justify the method?

The only person who might have answers is the victim’s seven-year-old daughter, found hiding in the room where her mother died. And she’s not talking.

Newly promoted, out of his depth, detective Huldar turns to Freyja and the Children’s House for their expertise with traumatised young people. Freyja, who distrusts the police in general and Huldar in particular, isn’t best pleased. But she’s determined to keep little Margret safe.

It may prove tricky. The killer is leaving them strange clues: warnings in text messages, sums scribbled on bits of paper, numbers broadcast on the radio. He’s telling a dark and secret story – but how can they crack the code? And if they do, will they be next?

This was my first time reading Nordic Noir and my first time reading a book from Yrsa Sigurðardóttir. My experience ended up being neutral: I didn’t hate it, but I also didn’t love it.

This is exactly the kind of thrillers I usually run from. And what I mean by that is that I usually don’t pick up very slow paced, descriptive thrillers. But why not, is that a bad thing you ask? Not necessarily, it’s just a personal preference. I don’t like when stories drag too much within this genre because I get too curious and I immediately want progress in the story. With that said, I know a lot of people who like very descriptive stories and long chapters about characters, so I know this book would be a treat for those readers.

The plot didn’t impress me too much either. I was indeed surprised when I found out who the murderer was and it tied everything together, but the motives were incredibly dumb and I can’t get over that. The characters were okay, but there weren’t likable characters as well. There was some weird tension between Freyja and Huldar that was unnecessary to the story – why do authors feel the need to add any sort of sexual relationship to crime/mystery books like this one? I did like the cute little girl, but I feel like her dialog was not age appropriate so it ended up sounding a little off.

On a positive note, I liked the gruesomeness of the story. I think this is one of the few times where I actually felt uncomfortable with murders in a thriller, and I was surprised by that. It was very creative in that regard!

Overall, it was okay. Like I said, there’s a lot of unnecessary information and details that don’t contribute to the plot, but that provide an immersive experience to the reader. Most of the reviews on this book are very positive, so if it sounds interesting to you definitely pick it up!

Review | The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward

“I’ll tell you a secret, kitten. Everyone feels like that sometimes. Sometimes things get bad, and you can’t see a future ahead. It’s all cloudy, like the sky on a rainy day. But life moves very fast. Things never stay the same forever, even the bad things. The clouds will blow away. They always do, I promise.” 5/5 stars!

Attention! This book contains: Russian dolls, mental illness, little kids, talking cats and… I can’t tell you much more.

This is the story of a serial killer. A stolen child. Revenge. Death. And an ordinary house at the end of an ordinary street.

All these things are true. And yet they are all lies…

You think you know what’s inside the last house on Needless Street. You think you’ve read this story before. That’s where you’re wrong.

In the dark forest at the end of Needless Street, lies something buried. But it’s not what you think…

I don’t think I can describe this book other than: this was a crazy, insane roller coaster.

After I finished the book I had to put it down and process what happened before I sat down and wrote a review on it. And to be honest, I still don’t know what to say.

I’m sorry if you came here to find out more about what the story is about, but you are wasting your time. I will say there were mainly two things on my mind while reading this. One of them was “what in the world is going on?” and the second one was “is this a fantasy book, or…?”. If you really need something to hope for, I think the synopsis describes the story in a perfect way:

“This is the story of a murderer. A stolen child. Revenge. This is the story of Ted, who lives with his daughter Lauren and his cat Olivia in an ordinary house at the end of an ordinary street. All these things are true. And yet some of them are lies.”

This book provides a very immersive experience, so I guarantee you’ll feel the unsettling and creepy setting in your bones! There’s a lot of confusion from the point of view of the reader, but I promise you it’s a very cool experience.

Another great (and very surprising) thing about this book is that there are zero loose ends by the end. Everything has its own explanation, so don’t worry if you’re confused most of the time because in the end everything will make sense. I honestly couldn’t see how it would all work out and make sense, but the author did an amazing job in this regard.

It’s funny to see how the ratings are so polarized with this book, but I completely understand why. The truth is: you either love it or hate it. This is the kind of book that you should go into without knowing much about it.

I absolutely loved it! It was unsettling, mysterious and confusing in a good way. If you like weird, creepy horror, then give it a go! Maybe you’ll find a new favorite.

Recommendations | Paranormal Books by Genre

Hello friends!

I hope you’re all doing well and I hope you already read amazing books this year – share with me some recommendations if you have them, I’m always looking for new books to read!

I recently went through the list of books I have read on Goodreads and I had a realization. I found so many different types of paranormal books in there! That made me realize that paranormal is a very flexible genre, since you can find it in so many other genres.

Inspired by my little Goodreads discovery, I’m bringing you a list of a few recommendations for paranormal books within different genres! Here are a few books that I have read that have that special paranormal element. Enjoy!

1. MYSTERY

Paranormal pairs beautifully with mystery, for obvious reasons! And I remembered this small, but very interesting book that fits perfectly in this category: A House At The Bottom of the Lake by Josh Malerman.

In this story, you’ll follow two teenagers on their first date and while they’re spending time at a mysterious lake, they find a normal-looking house at the bottom of the lake. Things quickly get scary when they find out there’s something special that gives life to the house… and that’s where I’ll leave it! It’s a very interesting paranormal/mystery story, and very out of the ordinary as well. If you’re curious, definitely check it out!

2. THRILLER

Paranormal and thriller is also a very common mix, so there are many options out there. I thought of two books for this category, and here they are!

Little Darlings by Melanie Golding is a really creepy book that gave me chills! It’s a story about a mother who gives birth to a set of twins, but at some point she feels like they’re not her babies and that her real babies were stolen. Of course the story goes from there and you can imagine what happens! It’s a creepy book, but a very interesting one that will give you goosebumps!

The Patient by Jasper DeWitt is the kind of story you usually find on paranormal/thrillers. It’s about a young psyquiatrist who tries to work with a 40 year-old patient that was admitted to the psyquiatric hospital when he was only 6 years-old. Everyone who tried to treat this man descendend into madness and even suicide. No one knows what he has, so he’s confined between the hospital doors for the rest of his life. Interesting, right?

3. ROMANCE

A not-so-popular combination to find is paranormal and romance. Which is a shame, because the queen Colleen Hoover wrote an incredible one: Layla!

This book is very unique. It’s different from EVERY romance I have ever read. I can’t even explain this book without spoiling it, so I’ll leave here the synopsis here so you can see it for yourself:

“When Leeds meets Layla, he’s convinced he’ll spend the rest of his life with her—until an unexpected attack leaves Layla fighting for her life. After weeks in the hospital, Layla recovers physically, but the emotional and mental scarring has altered the woman Leeds fell in love with. In order to put their relationship back on track, Leeds whisks Layla away to the bed-and-breakfast where they first met. Once they arrive, Layla’s behavior takes a bizarre turn. And that’s just one of many inexplicable occurrences.

Feeling distant from Layla, Leeds soon finds solace in Willow—another guest of the B&B with whom he forms a connection through their shared concerns. As his curiosity for Willow grows, his decision to help her find answers puts him in direct conflict with Layla’s well-being. Leeds soon realizes he has to make a choice because he can’t help both of them. But if he makes the wrong choice, it could be detrimental for all of them.”

Interesting right? Although I prefer Colleen’s typical romances, this one definitely left a mark on me in a good way. Definitely worth checking out if you’re curious!

4. HORROR

This is probably the most popular genre mix in this post: paranormal and horror! Sure, thrillers are popular too, but nothing beats the horror/paranormal combination! Here is a book within these genres that I would recommend: Horrid by Katrina Leno!

This book starts with a girl moving to another state with her mom after her dad died. They move into a manor that was from her grandparents, and they soon get to know the history behind the creepy, old house. You can also guess what happens next!

5. YOUNG ADULT

There are a few young adult/paranormal books out there, but today I’m bringing you a duology from one of my favorite authors of all time: Pivot Point by Kasie West.

The paranormal element in this book is related to having special abilities. In this world, people have special abilities, and when facing a choice, the main character is able to see the future and see what are the two possible outcomes and the consequences. Her parents are divorcing and asked her who she wants to live with, so she decides to see the future to make her choice. It’s a very clever book and it gets even better with the second book. Highly recommend it!

6. GRAPHIC NOVEL

You could never go wrong with graphic novels! So why not pair it with paranormal? Here are two really cool paranormal books that are also graphic novels:

Thornhill by Pam Smy is a triple threat because it also dives into horror! This amazing graphic novel follows a girl that moves to a new house, and there she finds a mysterious girl living next door. She only sees her from her bedroom window, until one day she leaves to follow her. This is such a cool book and I highly recommend it if you’re into these genres.

Sheets by Brenna Thummler is definitely on the lighter side! There are a few difficult topics, but the book is full of humor and it’s perfect if you’re in the mood for something lighter. It follows the relationship between a cute ghost and a girl who lives above a laundromat. It’s an adorable book that I’m sure you’ll love. And if you reeeeally like this, there’s a second book you can get!

And that’s it folks! I hope you enjoyed these recommendations. As you can see, paranormal books dip into other genders frequently… so I’m sure you’ll find something that suits your taste. Why not give it a try? 🙂

Tell me about you! Do you like paranormal books? If you have any recommendations, let me know in the comments.

Thank you for reading!

Review | Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

“Our next fighter doesn’t need an introduction, but because he scares the shit outta me, I’ll give him one, anyway! Shake in your boots, boys, and drop your panties, ladies! I give you: Travis ‘Mad Dog’ Maddox!” 4.25/5 stars!

Attention! This book contains: tattoos, motorcycles, fighting matches, easy money, college dorms, good friendships, family issues, booze and bets.

The new Abby Abernathy is a good girl. She doesn’t drink or swear, and she has the appropriate number of cardigans in her wardrobe. Abby believes she has enough distance from the darkness of her past, but when she arrives at college with her best friend, her path to a new beginning is quickly challenged by Eastern University’s Walking One-Night Stand.

Travis Maddox, lean, cut, and covered in tattoos, is exactly what Abby needs—and wants—to avoid. He spends his nights winning money in a floating fight ring, and his days as the ultimate college campus charmer. Intrigued by Abby’s resistance to his appeal, Travis tricks her into his daily life with a simple bet. If he loses, he must remain abstinent for a month. If Abby loses, she must live in Travis’s apartment for the same amount of time. Either way, Travis has no idea that he has met his match.

I wish I still had my original review when I first read this in 2018, but I’m an idiot and I deleted it by accident. Still, I think my feelings didn’t change too much! I decided to revisit some of my favorite books from the time I really got into reading, and this was one of the lucky ones! I just remember really liking this a lot so I wanted to see if I still love it almost 4 years after. The result is: I still like this a lot!

This romance is a must-read for every enemies-to-lovers trope lover and books with bad boys. Would I consider this a dark romance? Well, sort of? If you’re a fan of romance books like “After” by Anna Todd, you will probably like this one – it’s that type of romance. Regarding the characters, I really like both main characters and their chemistry. I was rooting for them the entire time throughout the story! I’m glad they became friends first before developing a romantic relationship and . And with that said, it was surprising how the book is not only focused on romance. They have their own life problems and backstories well defined, so that was a positive point for me!

I guess you can also count on some bad boy energy here – with all the tattoos, motorcycles, sleeping around and popularity. Travis gets a little possessive at times, but if you read new adult romances you’re probably already used to this – if not, you probably won’t like this as much.

This is a fast paced book and you’ll love every second of it. I’m honestly glad I reread it, because I still love it!

Review | The Risk (Mindf*ck #1) by S.T. Abby

“I know this shit is fucked up, so don’t bother writing to tell me I’m twisted in the head. ;)” (said by the author before the story has begun) – 4.25/5 stars!

Attention! This book contains: profilers, blood, blonde wigs, wheelchairs, coffee shops, phone calls, abuse, torture and new romances.

They took too much.
Left too little.
I had nothing to lose…until him.

*****************

~Lana~

I didn’t expect him.
I didn’t want to fall in love.
But I can’t let him go.

Logan Bennett makes the world a safer place.
He’s brilliant.
He’s a hero.
He locks away the sick and depraved.
But while he’s saving lives, I’m taking them. Collecting the debts that are owed to me.

Ten years ago, they took from me. They left me for dead.
They should have made sure I stayed dead.

Now I’m taking from them.
One name at a time.

I’ve trained for too long.
I’ve been patient.
I can’t stop now.

Revenge is best served cold…

They never see me coming, until I paint their walls red.

Logan doesn’t know how they hurt me. He doesn’t know about the screams they ignored. He doesn’t know how twisted that town really is.

He just knows people are dying.
He doesn’t know he’s in love with their killer.

No one suspects a dead girl.
And Logan doesn’t suspect the girl in his bed.

They’re looking for a monster.
Not a girl who loves red.
Not a girl in love.

I’m a faceless nightmare.

At least until I tell them the story they’ve pretended never happened.

But in the end, will Logan choose them? Or will we watch them burn together?

If you’re a fan of the tv show “Criminal Minds”, you need to read this book! This story is about a serial killer girl who started dating an FBI profiler… and he’s investigating her case. Can you imagine how good and intriguing this plot gets?

The romance is amazing and adorable, but I’m even more invested in the thrilling, dark plot – and to be honest, I think that’s exactly the focus of the books! There’s some mystery surrounding what the serial killer went through and what’s behind her motivation for killing all these men, so I’m sure we’ll get to unfold it slowly through the series!

I’m kind of sad to know a lot of people won’t give this series a chance just because of the cringy covers. I wish the covers had the same quality as the story, because I was super interested and invested in everything that was happening. I hope the covers change one day because the story deserves more readers and all the hype.

And that cliffhanger in the end, though! I’m curious to see where the story goes from there. That ended up in a pickle!

Highly recommend it if you like “Criminal Minds” and dark stories with some romance!

Review | The Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson

“Everyone dies. What difference does it make if a few bad apples get pushed along a little sooner than God intended?” 4.5/5 stars!

Attention! This book contains: airport bars, killing plans, construction work, epipens, deep wells, predators, evidence, nut allergies, perfect murders, cheating, secrets and a lot of plot twists.

‘Hello there.’

I looked at the pale, freckled hand on the back of the empty bar seat next to me in the business class lounge of Heathrow airport, then up into the stranger’s face.

‘Do I know you?’

Delayed in London, Ted Severson meets a woman at the airport bar. Over cocktails they tell each other rather more than they should, and a dark plan is hatched – but are either of them being serious, could they actually go through with it and, if they did, what would be their chances of getting away with it?

Back in Boston, Ted’s wife Miranda is busy site managing the construction of their dream home, a beautiful house out on the Maine coastline. But what secrets is she carrying and to what lengths might she go to protect the vision she has of her deserved future?

A sublimely plotted novel of trust and betrayal, The Kind Worth Killing will keep you gripped and guessing late into the night.

This book was an absolute rollercoaster… a really fun one!

I have a very positive view of this book. The story was addictive and unpredictable, and I couldn’t put the book down! It was very difficult to know what would happen next because there were a lot of surprising twists and turns. I saw some of them coming, but I wasn’t expecting most of them.

Now let’s talk about the characters! One thing I found interesting is that I really liked the main character, Lily. Usually I don’t like bad characters that are psychos, but I loved Lily! I don’t know why in the world I would root for her, but I did. Other than Lily and Ted, the other characters were not as likable, but I still liked their role in the book.

I also liked that there were different points of view throughout the book. I personally think the author made a good decision to have more than one point of view because it added another layer of unpredictability. Some characters obviously saw the same situations differently, and it added a lot to the mystery!

And that ending? Oh my God… the ending was the absolute cherry on top! I ended the book absolutely mind-blown!

This was a very pleasant surprise! I really liked how no one could be trusted and how unpredictable the story was. I highly recommend this book to thriller and plot twist lovers!

Review | Atomic Habits by James Clear

“Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become. No single instance will transform your beliefs, but as the votes build up, so does the evidence of your new identity.” 5/5 stars!

Attention! This book contains: systems, small changes, behaviors, a new identity, the two minute rule and, of course, atomic habits.

No matter your goals, Atomic Habits offers a proven framework for improving–every day. James Clear, one of the world’s leading experts on habit formation, reveals practical strategies that will teach you exactly how to form good habits, break bad ones, and master the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results.

If you’re having trouble changing your habits, the problem isn’t you. The problem is your system. Bad habits repeat themselves again and again not because you don’t want to change, but because you have the wrong system for change. You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems. Here, you’ll get a proven system that can take you to new heights.

Clear is known for his ability to distill complex topics into simple behaviors that can be easily applied to daily life and work. Here, he draws on the most proven ideas from biology, psychology, and neuroscience to create an easy-to-understand guide for making good habits inevitable and bad habits impossible. Along the way, readers will be inspired and entertained with true stories from Olympic gold medalists, award-winning artists, business leaders, life-saving physicians, and star comedians who have used the science of small habits to master their craft and vault to the top of their field.

Learn how to:
*  make time for new habits (even when life gets crazy);
*  overcome a lack of motivation and willpower;
*  design your environment to make success easier;
*  get back on track when you fall off course;
…and much more.

Atomic Habits will reshape the way you think about progress and success, and give you the tools and strategies you need to transform your habits–whether you are a team looking to win a championship, an organization hoping to redefine an industry, or simply an individual who wishes to quit smoking, lose weight, reduce stress, or achieve any other goal.

This book is absolutely phenomenal! I thought it was hard to find a better habit book after reading “The Power of Habit” by Charles Duhigg, but I was wrong. While Duhigg’s book is focused on the science behind habits, Clear’s book focuses on the practical aspect of habit changing. If you are looking for a book to create new habits or to stop old habits, this is the book for you! There are a few reasons why I love this book:

  1. This is a very practical book. The author gives easy and clear instructions for the reader to follow. He also explains what’s behind each tip.
  2. The fresh perspective on habits. Some of the things said in this book may seem like common sense at first, but I think Clear’s new perspective on the subject is what makes the book so special.
  3. How simple and easy to follow this book is. It’s not a dense, complex or hard book to keep up with. Everything is very well structured and the language used is accessible to readers of all ages.
  4. The recaps. I really like how the author keeps coming back to the previously mentioned tips after each chapter. It’s a great way to consolidate what is learned.

I learned a lot from this amazing book and I already use some of its teachings in my daily life. I strongly believe you’ll take something from this book if you give it a chance. I just know I’m going to pick this up from time to time! Highly recommend it for progress in the long-term.

Review | The House with Chicken Legs by Sophie Anderson

“If you would take the time to listen to them,” Baba repeats calmly, “then you would hear their stories. Their lives would add to yours, and stay with you forever.” 4.75/5 stars!

Attention! This book contains: chicken legs, baby lambs, wood cracks, beautiful dresses, powdered milk, human bones, friends, the afterlife and beautiful illustrations.

All 12-year-old Marinka wants is a friend. A real friend. Not like her house with chicken legs. Sure, the house can play games like tag and hide-and-seek, but Marinka longs for a human companion. Someone she can talk to and share secrets with.

But that’s tough when your grandmother is a Yaga, a guardian who guides the dead into the afterlife. It’s even harder when you live in a house that wanders all over the world . . . carrying you with it. Even worse, Marinka is being trained to be a Yaga. That means no school, no parties–and no playmates that stick around for more than a day.

So when Marinka stumbles across the chance to make a real friend, she breaks all the rules . . . with devastating consequences. Her beloved grandmother mysteriously disappears, and it’s up to Marinka to find her–even if it means making a dangerous journey to the afterlife.

With a mix of whimsy, humor, and adventure, this debut novel will wrap itself around your heart and never let go.

I became a fan of middle grade books a few years ago, and I especially became a big fan of Sophie Anderson’s books after reading “The Castle of Tangled Magic”. Sophie Anderson’s books may appeal to you because of how beautiful the covers are, but you will fall in love with her stories and you will come back for more!

This book blew me away with how amazing it was. Not only was the story beautiful and full of magic, but it was very well written with a solid story with great meaning. Not only that but you also get a lot of references to Russian culture in this particular book! So I learned a few new words!

As always the illustrations that work alongside the story are amazing and capture beautifully the essence of the story. The book wouldn’t be the same without them and I’m glad she worked with this amazing artist to bring the story to life!

The ONLY reason why I’m not giving this 5 stars is because I can’t get over the heartbreak the book gave me – if you read the book, you probably know what I’m talking about. I completely understand why the story goes through that path, but it really hurt me as a reader to go through all that – and yes, I cried!

This is probably my favorite middle grade book of all time and I highly recommend it if you like a good story with depth and meaning behind it. I can’t stress this enough: if you like middle grade books, you need this in your life!