Helpful Hudson by Dannielle Pickford
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Helpful Hudson is a sweet story following Hudson and his family as they learn a helpful lesson somethings you can be too helpful. You can help others but first, you need to look after yourself. I really enjoyed the importance of self-care explained in a child-friendly way.
The Messy Kids by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Another gem from Lois Wickstrom with beautiful illustrations. Chester is very relatable and like most children doesn’t want to clean his room. We follow a very messy tale as Chester meets the messy kids.
Lap Baby: Emotional Women’s Fiction by Amy Q. Barker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Julie, Terry, Paige, and Marie survived a plane crash twenty years ago, we follow their grief, dysfunction, and pain. The author tore my emotions apart as we followed the stories of these amazing women. This author really brought these people and lives to life on the page it felt almost like a true story. She really writes characters and emotive situations well and sensitively. Highly recommend.
Huff…Puff…Grind! The 3 Little Pigs Get Smart: a science folktale by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I loved this STEM retelling of the 3 little pigs. All of Lois’s stories bring a unique conversation adults can have with children when reading this book together. Her books are always accompanied by wonderful engaging images to reflect the story. Another great book from Lois.
Obedience by Liza Snow
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This intriguing forbidden age-gap romance will keep you curious and turning the pages from the first page to the last. I enjoyed the slow-burn bdsm nature of the relationship. The ending was certainly a cliff hanger and I will have to read book 2 in this new series.
Fireflies by A.R. Hadley
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This for me was a difficult read I found the relationship between Dane and Mike. It was hard to read a story about a man that wants to change the dynamic of his relationship and one that needed convincing. I found the physical altercations very aggressive and almost abusive between the characters. It was well-written and an interesting concept but the actual execution wasn’t for me.
Living With Conviction: Unexpected Sisterhood, Healing, and Redemption in the Wake of Life-Altering Choices by Toby Dorr
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This raw true crime memoir tells the remarkable story of Toby as her life changes forever after she helps a convicted murderer flee the Lansing Correctional Facility where she volunteers in the dog training program. The story follows Toby’s healing, redemption, and progress as she navigates life post her life-changing decision. This was well-written, immersive, and engaging. I could not put it down and had to know what happened next.
The Guardian of Whispers by B.E. Padgett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book is the first in a series and I would say it’s aimed at children/middle grade. It’s an alternative fantasy/magical school setting. It was a fun story, very easy to read, and light-hearted.
What Do the Plants Say? by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I loved this imaginative and colourful story aimed at children. I loved the fantasy element of the story and the wonderful illustrations. It’s lovely to see Alex’s perseverance to learn something new and be better at it.
Sleeping Love by Natalina Reis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A wonderful fairytale retelling, filled with love, magic, fantasy and friendship. This queer take on Sleeping Beauty as a prince and commoner fall in love will really warm your heart. The author has a great storytelling ability with fantastic world building and character development.
Secrets of the Sorcery War by Elise Carlson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the second book in this YA fantasy series. I really enjoyed the continuation in this universe. It’s very well written, the author does a great job with the character and story development which really draws you into the story.
Fee, Fi, Fo, Grow!: The Real Magic of the Beans by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I really enjoyed this retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk with a new introduction to science twist. It is a great story for big kids and small kids alike. Each page engages the reader with beautiful illustrations and easy-to-read short sentences.
PROOF: People Safari by Feather Chelle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a fun and alternative take on a wildlife safari. A family of deer is taken on a human safari with their raccoon tour guide to observe humans in their natural habitat and observe their unusual ways. This story is aimed at younger readers with a fun unusual twist and lovely illustrations.
Brave Kids: Short Stories to Inspire Our Future World-Changers by K.J. Kaschula
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Brave Kids is a selection of short stories by various authors using humans and animals to tell stories of bravery, compassion, grief, loss, accomplishment and so much more. I would highly recommend this book for children aged 7+ or parents to read and talk through with younger readers.
Foxy Tails by Natalina Reis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A fantasy, fairytale story inspired by Chinese mythology and traditions. I loved the evolution of the story and characters as we follow their journeys. As we read the story from the perspectives of Huli’s and Xiao Ying’s, it pulls you into the story and feels like you are falling into an epic fantasy full of legend. Nothing is what it seems, in this epic, action packed, fantasy full of loss and hope.
A Monster for Meg by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A Monster For Meg is a wonderful inclusive children’s book about Sue explaining to her little sister Meg about monsters using four senses because Meg is blind. This is an amazing story about the relationship between sisters and how you can use the different senses to explore the world around you.
Euphoric Wonderland: An Eclectic Collection of Psychedelic Poetry to Stimulate the Senses and Open the Mind by Ryan M. Becker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This poetry book opens up your mind to mental health, life, people, music and so much more. It takes you on a trip from the first-page to the last.
Small Fry by Stephenie Wilson Peterson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Silas was so relatable to me, I too am extremely small (only 4ft 8) and had an issue with my growth hormones growing up. It warmed my heart how Silas was brought to life on the page. This beautiful, story was obviously written with love and the characters came alive on the page. I would highly recommend this lovely children’s book.
Ten Thousand Shells and Counting: A Memoir (Book 1) by Nadija Mujagic
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Nadija Mujagic writes an incredible heartwrenching memoir about her tumultuous life as she survives the Bosnian war. The book was well-paced and well-written. It really opened my eyes to the impact the war had on the people. It was an honest portrayal pf the experience of the citizens within Bosnia as neighbors turned against each other and their worlds were torn apart. I would highly recommend this book.
NonVerbal by Molly Zenk
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
In this book we follow Emerson as she navigates a world that wasn’t built for her. She has Autism Spectrum Disorder, sensory processing disorder, an intellectual disability, and is functionally nonverbal. We follow Emerson through her life in this thought-provoking, heart felt book.
White Picket Fences by Kyle Ann Robertson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a hard-hitting family drama, with well-developed characters that felt unbelievably real. The author has fantastic writing and world-building skills. The story is heartfelt and broke my heart. It studies, grief, love, and loss so realistically.
Messenger by A.L. Morrow
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the second book in the Star- Crossed Celestials Duet series. I personally would highly recommend reading these books in order, so you get the true feel for the story and the character arcs within them. This particular story is a MM twist on Romeo and Juliet. It is filled with the forbidden romance we know well, the parts that hit me were the emotions and inner torment for the characters.
How to Make a Flying Carpet by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
In this wonderful story we meet Alex an inspiring inventor wanting to show anyone can be an inventor. Lois Wickstrom always amazes me with her well-written, exciting stories with great illustrations and a STEM focus. At the end of the story was a few pages all about magnets for children to learn more.
Little Red, the Detective: a science folktale by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
An alternative take on Red Riding Hood from an incredible author. This book is full of lovely illustrations and information on plants. Highly recommend.
The Sweet Temptations Trilogy by L.M. Mountford
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Sweet Temptations Trilogy Boxset by L.M. Mountford contains three short but steamy stories. This box set contains forbidden liaisons, steamy encounters, secrets, and temptation. I flew through this box set and could not put it down. I loved my experience between the covers of this book.
The Box Set contains:
-The Babysitter: A Forbidden Age Gap Romance (Sweet Temptations #1)
We meet Richard who finds himself tempted by the young babysitter. She has a huge crush on him too but will it lead to anything?
-The Boss’s Daughter: An Enemies-to-Lovers Romance (Sweet Temptations #2)
We meet Richard again this time tempted by his boss’s daughter, where will this temptation lead?
-Ménage à Trois – An Age Gap MFF Romance (Sweet Temptations #3)
This book follows Richard again this time taking his temptation one step further!
Thank you for the sexy read, L.M. Mountford!
Magic-Borne by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I loved the ending to this series. We followed Ian through an entire arch to hero. The author has a fantastic ability to develop characters, get you invested, and feel totally immersed in the world and magic system. I do recommend reading this series in order to get the full impact of the story and character arc.
Pulling Together by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A wonderful story of friendship and working together aimed at children with lovely illustrations.
What Loretta’s Katydid did by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A lovely story following Loretta as she learns about insects with her grandma. The illustrations and storyline were engaging and perfect for children.
Chicken Little investigates by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A lovely story aimed at children explaining how gravity works through fun little experiments the animals do. I loved the story and illustrations.
Ocean’s Three by Elena Kincaid
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A fantastic second book in the series. I don’t normally read paranormal romance but it did drag me into the story. I’d say it’s more character focused than plot. Overall a good romance.
