emmasmithbooks's reviews
15 reviews
The Enigmatic End to Bethany Reed by Ashlea Stannard
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.75
I received an e-copy from Ashlea in exchange for an honest view, and I can wholeheartedly say that this review will be honest. I love supporting self-published books, but they're usually not written with as much empathy and tenderness and skill as this. It's been an hour since I put the book down... and I'm still thinking about Bethany Reed.
TEETBR is a mystery, but that only forms a fraction of the storyline. It's also a romance, and a portrayal of grief and loss and anger, how those emotions can manifest in different people. The two main characters were genuinely loveable and kind, especially River, who's the ultimate book boyfriend. When I think about how popular AGGGTM is... I just want people to know that there's an alternate, similar book, and it's this.
The mystery itself was complex and beautiful and interspersed with other media, such as emails and autopsy reports. I'm going to buy myself a paperback copy because I imagine each element works even better in the flesh. It was characterised so much by its bleak, North American setting, by the river and forest and small town, but also by its frosty mornings and blankets and constant coffee runs, by gorgeous description and the feeling of desolation, of cold. The sub-plots made it even more complicated and captivating, exploring race and sexuality and domestic abuse, and every single twist made me feel physically sick.
I love reading and don't get much time to do it anymore, but you know I like a book when I can't stop reading it, spend days on my kindle, completely captivated. If you're debating reading this book, please do so, and share with your friends. Ashlea deserves so much more success.
TEETBR is a mystery, but that only forms a fraction of the storyline. It's also a romance, and a portrayal of grief and loss and anger, how those emotions can manifest in different people. The two main characters were genuinely loveable and kind, especially River, who's the ultimate book boyfriend. When I think about how popular AGGGTM is... I just want people to know that there's an alternate, similar book, and it's this.
The mystery itself was complex and beautiful and interspersed with other media, such as emails and autopsy reports. I'm going to buy myself a paperback copy because I imagine each element works even better in the flesh. It was characterised so much by its bleak, North American setting, by the river and forest and small town, but also by its frosty mornings and blankets and constant coffee runs, by gorgeous description and the feeling of desolation, of cold. The sub-plots made it even more complicated and captivating, exploring race and sexuality and domestic abuse, and every single twist made me feel physically sick.
I love reading and don't get much time to do it anymore, but you know I like a book when I can't stop reading it, spend days on my kindle, completely captivated. If you're debating reading this book, please do so, and share with your friends. Ashlea deserves so much more success.
Dead Fine by Emma Smith
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
'Dead Fine' is a book about first love, and all its toxicities. It's also a book about loss and regret, and heartbreak, the vinegary sharpness that comes with losing the love you thought would last forever. Lilz was one of my favourite protagonists to write, and I think her experiences say a lot about the dangers of loving somebody so, so much that you lose yourself in the process. If you haven't read 'Dead Fine' yet, I hope it causes you to think... and of course, I hope you enjoy!
Boy Like Me by Simon James Green
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
I'm going to let this review speak for itself... because SJG will forever be one of my favourite authors, and this book was by far one of the best I read in 2023.
Nothing speaks louder about love and acceptance than a book clearly written from the heart, about the author's own experience growing up gay in the nineties. I think, regardless of what today's politics look like, Jamie's story will always be relevant. Censorship has always been necessary in schools, but when censorship goes too far, it breeds with hatred and ignorance.
SJG's writing has always been witty and warm and alive, and I tore through this book just like all the others. It was grittier and more heartbreaking than the likes of 'Gay Club' and 'Noah Can't Even'... but just as wonderful.
Nothing speaks louder about love and acceptance than a book clearly written from the heart, about the author's own experience growing up gay in the nineties. I think, regardless of what today's politics look like, Jamie's story will always be relevant. Censorship has always been necessary in schools, but when censorship goes too far, it breeds with hatred and ignorance.
SJG's writing has always been witty and warm and alive, and I tore through this book just like all the others. It was grittier and more heartbreaking than the likes of 'Gay Club' and 'Noah Can't Even'... but just as wonderful.
Afterlove by Tanya Byrne
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I really enjoyed reading this book (and devoured it in two very different sittings, with a week-long interval). It was easy to consume, vivid, and hopeful - and it's undoubtedly a good book, and an important one, too. But I don't necessarily think the plot sat well with me... or the characters. And realistically, I don't think it'll become a favourite of mine.
The story follows Ash, who, as a fifteen-year-old lesbian from a traditionally Catholic family, has so far been unlucky in love. Enter Poppy, ferociously bold and fearless, with her red hair and rich parents and lust for adventure. The two fall in love in the simplest, purest way, the way you only fall in love at fifteen. But when Ash turns out to be the last person to die before midnight on new years eve, she becomes a grim reaper for all sudden adolescent deaths in Brighton, turning her whole life upside down.
Turning my life upside down, too.
Like I said, I read the book in two sittings. I loved the first part... the raw reality of falling in love, falling into your first love. I loved reading about Ash's experience of being both Catholic and a minority, with her lovely, warm mother, kind father, sweet-tempered sister. I devoured the story sat outside in the sun, immersed in Ash's life, the vividness of it, the honesty and tenderness. And then Ash died. Ash died, and it was almost like I was starting a new book.
The divide between the two parts was a little too jarring to me. Maybe that could work with some readers - the shocking twist representing the suddenness of death, or something - but for me, I became disengaged, which rarely happens when I read a book - especially a YA book. It reminded me of 'Toxic' by Nicci Cloke in many ways... a book of two halves, two separate stories, separate realities. I enjoyed both in their entirety and couldn't stop reading, but not together, as a novel.
Without spoiling too much of the plot, I was disappointed by how many storylines and smaller details were never touched on again after Ash's death. We barely hear about Ash's family again, as Ash focuses solely on the girl she left behind. We barely hear about the best friend she loved, Adara, or the younger sister who became such a huge part of the first half, Rosh, with her love of reading and genuine intelligence. Plot points and characters, conversations and feelings, were all abandoned after Ash's death. The book - the first half, at least - felt... unfinished, unpolished. The book is a romance, and a great presentation of sapphic love at that, but I'm not sure why Ash was shown to not care about anybody but her girlfriend for the majority of the book. To me, she came across as slightly... selfish.
And Poppy. Dear Poppy. I liked Poppy, but I didn't find her believable. She seemed blissfully ignorant of her privilege and incapable of using her wealth for good, instead complaining constantly about the huge, beautiful house she'd grown up in, and trying to distance her image from that of her rich parents. In my mind, she became a stereotype of a young person doing everything "right"... a vegan, climate change activist, fighter for LGBTQ+ rights, hater of the rich. She was sweet and full of life, but I would've loved to see another side to her that wasn't so perfect, maybe a more complicated dimension of her personality.
That being said, I really loved reading this book, and will probably reread it! The premise was fascinating (even if there were bits which didn't add up) and I enjoyed so much of the plot, the characters, the warmth and colour of Brighton. I'm sad that it didn't come together for me, but I can see why others loved it. If you want sapphic love, and more minority protagonists within UKYA, I recommend you check this out.
The story follows Ash, who, as a fifteen-year-old lesbian from a traditionally Catholic family, has so far been unlucky in love. Enter Poppy, ferociously bold and fearless, with her red hair and rich parents and lust for adventure. The two fall in love in the simplest, purest way, the way you only fall in love at fifteen. But when Ash turns out to be the last person to die before midnight on new years eve, she becomes a grim reaper for all sudden adolescent deaths in Brighton, turning her whole life upside down.
Turning my life upside down, too.
Like I said, I read the book in two sittings. I loved the first part... the raw reality of falling in love, falling into your first love. I loved reading about Ash's experience of being both Catholic and a minority, with her lovely, warm mother, kind father, sweet-tempered sister. I devoured the story sat outside in the sun, immersed in Ash's life, the vividness of it, the honesty and tenderness. And then Ash died. Ash died, and it was almost like I was starting a new book.
The divide between the two parts was a little too jarring to me. Maybe that could work with some readers - the shocking twist representing the suddenness of death, or something - but for me, I became disengaged, which rarely happens when I read a book - especially a YA book. It reminded me of 'Toxic' by Nicci Cloke in many ways... a book of two halves, two separate stories, separate realities. I enjoyed both in their entirety and couldn't stop reading, but not together, as a novel.
Without spoiling too much of the plot, I was disappointed by how many storylines and smaller details were never touched on again after Ash's death. We barely hear about Ash's family again, as Ash focuses solely on the girl she left behind. We barely hear about the best friend she loved, Adara, or the younger sister who became such a huge part of the first half, Rosh, with her love of reading and genuine intelligence. Plot points and characters, conversations and feelings, were all abandoned after Ash's death. The book - the first half, at least - felt... unfinished, unpolished. The book is a romance, and a great presentation of sapphic love at that, but I'm not sure why Ash was shown to not care about anybody but her girlfriend for the majority of the book. To me, she came across as slightly... selfish.
And Poppy. Dear Poppy. I liked Poppy, but I didn't find her believable. She seemed blissfully ignorant of her privilege and incapable of using her wealth for good, instead complaining constantly about the huge, beautiful house she'd grown up in, and trying to distance her image from that of her rich parents. In my mind, she became a stereotype of a young person doing everything "right"... a vegan, climate change activist, fighter for LGBTQ+ rights, hater of the rich. She was sweet and full of life, but I would've loved to see another side to her that wasn't so perfect, maybe a more complicated dimension of her personality.
That being said, I really loved reading this book, and will probably reread it! The premise was fascinating (even if there were bits which didn't add up) and I enjoyed so much of the plot, the characters, the warmth and colour of Brighton. I'm sad that it didn't come together for me, but I can see why others loved it. If you want sapphic love, and more minority protagonists within UKYA, I recommend you check this out.
The Secrets Of The Isle : by Cheryl van Gent
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
3.75
I was lucky enough to win a beautiful hardback copy of 'The Secrets of the Isle' in a giveaway (signed!), so thank you Cheryl for that - it's gorgeous, and I will definitely be buying a hardback copy of the sequel to match. I wanted to write an honest review, however, as I've also been placed on the ARC team for the sequel and will be reviewing the duology as a whole once I've completed it.
New adult fantasy isn't something I've ever really read much of. I read the ACOTAR series back when it was still considered YA, and the idea of "spicy" fantasy is a little weird to me. I don't really get the appeal of faerie s*x, but it seems to be a really popular genre now, and I absolutely loved reading this book - so much more than I was expecting to. Especially for a self-published book and Cheryl's debut, I loved the worldbuilding, the description, the characters, the richness of the backstories of both Ozenon and Stella. For a debut fantasy novel published at such a young age, this book stunned me, and I struggled to put it down.
The story follows Stella, a supposedly normal girl from a village on the outskirts of a faerie isle, called to the High King's castle in a twist of events. But as Stella finds out, she's no ordinary girl... She has powers and a history far beyond her wildest dreams. We see her falling for Celestun, the prince, and there are so many horrible twists that genuinely wrenched my heart out. The supporting characters become so beloved that when anything happens to them, you can feel the tragedy tugging at your heartstrings. Cheryl definitely has a very raw, heartbreaking way of writing, and I don't think I was expecting that from a book that's both primarily fantasy and also self-published, and, for the most part, self-edited.
However, I could only give the book 3.75 stars because, predictably, this is Cheryl's first book, and therefore had a few issues I know will be rectified in future books. For example, I could see Cheryl's writing getting better and better as the story continued and she herself learnt the art of dialogue, and there are significantly less errors in the second half of the book. There were a few little things with the formatting which irked me as a self-published author myself, and I think she could have benefitted from doing the formatting herself - it's a difficult skill to learn, but will avoid so many errors and inconsistencies!
I wasn't a huge fan of Celestun's POV, but I would've found it maybe a little more enjoyable if there were nearer differentiations between his chapters and Stella's... perhaps a different font. I think it'll be interesting to hear from him more in the sequel, as he seems like SUCH an interesting character!
One final critique I have is something I really, really didn't expect to be saying... but the book definitely needs more spice. As a book marketed as a spicy fantasy book, there was actually only one spicy scene. This is just personal preference, but I think it would have worked better if it wasn't a supposed "enemies to lovers" book (as Stella and Celestun don't really have any reason to be enemies) and instead if they'd gotten together right in the beginning, then fallen out over the untimely death of one of main characters at Celestun's hands. I'm not really a person for tropes anyway, but the enemies to lovers element and the "one bed" trope felt like they didn't fit with the story, which would have still been brilliant without either. Why was there only one bed in the abanoned inn? An inn should be full of beds!
That being said, I'm being nit-picky because there were so few things to dislike about this book, especially for a debut. Cheryl van Gent is such a talent, and I'm beyond excited to read the sequel! Congrats, Cheryl, on such a brilliant first book - and thank you so much for sending me a copy, I'll absolutely treasure it!
New adult fantasy isn't something I've ever really read much of. I read the ACOTAR series back when it was still considered YA, and the idea of "spicy" fantasy is a little weird to me. I don't really get the appeal of faerie s*x, but it seems to be a really popular genre now, and I absolutely loved reading this book - so much more than I was expecting to. Especially for a self-published book and Cheryl's debut, I loved the worldbuilding, the description, the characters, the richness of the backstories of both Ozenon and Stella. For a debut fantasy novel published at such a young age, this book stunned me, and I struggled to put it down.
The story follows Stella, a supposedly normal girl from a village on the outskirts of a faerie isle, called to the High King's castle in a twist of events. But as Stella finds out, she's no ordinary girl... She has powers and a history far beyond her wildest dreams. We see her falling for Celestun, the prince, and there are so many horrible twists that genuinely wrenched my heart out. The supporting characters become so beloved that when anything happens to them, you can feel the tragedy tugging at your heartstrings. Cheryl definitely has a very raw, heartbreaking way of writing, and I don't think I was expecting that from a book that's both primarily fantasy and also self-published, and, for the most part, self-edited.
However, I could only give the book 3.75 stars because, predictably, this is Cheryl's first book, and therefore had a few issues I know will be rectified in future books. For example, I could see Cheryl's writing getting better and better as the story continued and she herself learnt the art of dialogue, and there are significantly less errors in the second half of the book. There were a few little things with the formatting which irked me as a self-published author myself, and I think she could have benefitted from doing the formatting herself - it's a difficult skill to learn, but will avoid so many errors and inconsistencies!
I wasn't a huge fan of Celestun's POV, but I would've found it maybe a little more enjoyable if there were nearer differentiations between his chapters and Stella's... perhaps a different font. I think it'll be interesting to hear from him more in the sequel, as he seems like SUCH an interesting character!
One final critique I have is something I really, really didn't expect to be saying... but the book definitely needs more spice. As a book marketed as a spicy fantasy book, there was actually only one spicy scene. This is just personal preference, but I think it would have worked better if it wasn't a supposed "enemies to lovers" book (as Stella and Celestun don't really have any reason to be enemies) and instead if they'd gotten together right in the beginning, then fallen out over the untimely death of one of main characters at Celestun's hands. I'm not really a person for tropes anyway, but the enemies to lovers element and the "one bed" trope felt like they didn't fit with the story, which would have still been brilliant without either. Why was there only one bed in the abanoned inn? An inn should be full of beds!
That being said, I'm being nit-picky because there were so few things to dislike about this book, especially for a debut. Cheryl van Gent is such a talent, and I'm beyond excited to read the sequel! Congrats, Cheryl, on such a brilliant first book - and thank you so much for sending me a copy, I'll absolutely treasure it!
Every Word a Lie by Sue Wallman
challenging
dark
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
One thing I really don't like about Sue Wallman's books is that you cannot trust anyone.
I'm closing to have finished reading Sue's entire catalogue now, and this book did not disappoint. I was so grateful to receive an early copy, and devoured it in several sittings. I loved the drama, the suspense, the way you never see what's coming next. And I loved how quintessentially British it felt. That's one of my favourite things about UKYA.
You will not see the ending coming, so be warned. Trust no one. Believe nothing you see or hear.
Every word will be a lie.
I'm closing to have finished reading Sue's entire catalogue now, and this book did not disappoint. I was so grateful to receive an early copy, and devoured it in several sittings. I loved the drama, the suspense, the way you never see what's coming next. And I loved how quintessentially British it felt. That's one of my favourite things about UKYA.
You will not see the ending coming, so be warned. Trust no one. Believe nothing you see or hear.
Every word will be a lie.
Where the Light Goes by Sara Barnard
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
This is the kind of book I wish I'd written myself.
Raw, poignant, and full of grief. I think I've pre-ordered every Sara Barnard book since BBT, but I don't think any have struck me as much as this. The formatting, the style, the depth in each chapter, each line. Beautiful. Truly beautiful.
There are very few accurate YA books out there about grief, and how all-consuming it can be. Emmy is completely absorbed by her grief. It swallows her life, her family, her friendships and hobbies. It takes everything she could once depend on and plunges it into darkness, leaving her to question where the light has gone, how it can have vanished, just like that.
The book is raw in its realisation that a person doesn't have to be perfect for them to be loved and mourned. It's powerful in its simplicity, the way it doesn't rely on romance or drama to bring Emmy back to the surface.
If you do anything right this year, it should be reading this book.
Raw, poignant, and full of grief. I think I've pre-ordered every Sara Barnard book since BBT, but I don't think any have struck me as much as this. The formatting, the style, the depth in each chapter, each line. Beautiful. Truly beautiful.
There are very few accurate YA books out there about grief, and how all-consuming it can be. Emmy is completely absorbed by her grief. It swallows her life, her family, her friendships and hobbies. It takes everything she could once depend on and plunges it into darkness, leaving her to question where the light has gone, how it can have vanished, just like that.
The book is raw in its realisation that a person doesn't have to be perfect for them to be loved and mourned. It's powerful in its simplicity, the way it doesn't rely on romance or drama to bring Emmy back to the surface.
If you do anything right this year, it should be reading this book.
Midnight Sherbet by Emma Smith, Emma Smith
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Middy Sherb. My second novel, and my first love. I wrote this book shut away in my office the summer I turned eighteen, poured my heart and soul into every single word, every sentence... I didn't read it back for a year, but when I did, I bawled my eyes out. It's a story of love, love of all kinds, dedicated to all the people in my life who showed me that love doesn't always have to be romantic or familial. To me, "midnight sherbet" means exactly that... being content with wherever the love in your life comes from, and being grateful for that love. It means something else to Google, but let's just leave that there.
The Other Edie Trimmer: Two Girls, One Name, And A Twist In Time by Jacqueline Wilson
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
I wasn't sure this would be my cup of tea for some reason, and only bought the book because I saw the gorgeous inside cover illustrated by Rachael Dean. But my goodness has Jacqueline Wilson upped her game.
Long gone is the fairytale-esque feel of Hetty Feather, Opal Plumstead. Idealised, fluffy depictions of an era darker and more deadly than any Jacqueline Wilson book ever depicts. Not this time. The book explored the lack of medical knowledge, the lack of rights for women and children, police brutality, and the horrific conditions of the workhouse... all through the eyes of little Edie Trimmer, who time-travels from her perfect life in the present back to the life of a girl much less fortunate.
The illustrations aside, this book was genuinely one I would've been captivated by as a child. Grittier and more serious than her others, but not in a way which felt too much. I can't express enough how great this book is. Go buy it. Now.
Long gone is the fairytale-esque feel of Hetty Feather, Opal Plumstead. Idealised, fluffy depictions of an era darker and more deadly than any Jacqueline Wilson book ever depicts. Not this time. The book explored the lack of medical knowledge, the lack of rights for women and children, police brutality, and the horrific conditions of the workhouse... all through the eyes of little Edie Trimmer, who time-travels from her perfect life in the present back to the life of a girl much less fortunate.
The illustrations aside, this book was genuinely one I would've been captivated by as a child. Grittier and more serious than her others, but not in a way which felt too much. I can't express enough how great this book is. Go buy it. Now.
I Know You Did It by Sue Wallman
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I always love Sue Wallman's books, and this was no exception. Classic #UKYA mystery - with a classic Sue Wallman twist. I loved Ruby's character, love love loved the complexities of all of the side characters. And the little town of Barchester, which apparently does not exist but is a wonderful name for a town. Reading her books always inspires me to write more mysteries...
And maybe I should.
It wasn't my absolute favourite from her, but I don't think many books will beat the boarding school vibes of 'Dead Popular' (which honestly had me feeling sick to my stomach). But Ruby is my favourite of her protagonists, and the book outdid my expectations by a mile.
If you're looking for a thrilling ya book about a girl with a dark past and a school shrouded in murder, this is your book. Easy to read, fun, with a romance you can really root for and characters you want to trust but can't... there's a reason Sue Wallman will forever be one of my all-time favourite authors.
And maybe I should.
It wasn't my absolute favourite from her, but I don't think many books will beat the boarding school vibes of 'Dead Popular' (which honestly had me feeling sick to my stomach). But Ruby is my favourite of her protagonists, and the book outdid my expectations by a mile.
If you're looking for a thrilling ya book about a girl with a dark past and a school shrouded in murder, this is your book. Easy to read, fun, with a romance you can really root for and characters you want to trust but can't... there's a reason Sue Wallman will forever be one of my all-time favourite authors.