The Everyday Book Review Roundup (April'22)

Welcome to April, and another Literature Book Review Roundup!

We’ve got some pretty exciting book reviews coming up, ranging from romance, fantasy and even dark gothic novels. Apologies in advance to your bank account - you’ll want to grab copies of ALL of these fab books!

The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams

Words by: Halimah Begum (@halimahbegum_)

‘Your soul is my favourite thing in the entire world.’

I have an odd history with this book. Initially I tried to purchase this from Waterstones back when this was self-published, and my order got cancelled due to stock issues, and I believe at the time the book was in the process of being traditionally published. When Headline Publishing reached out and asked if I’d like to participate in their online blog tour, I was pretty stoked, especially considering the history I had with the book.

I was even more impressed when I read the book. This was amazing, and I whizzed through this in a matter of days – it would’ve been quicker if I didn’t have university deadlines *sigh.*

‘The Cheat Sheet’ follows Nathan and Bree, two best friends who have been in the friendzone for years, without knowing that the other is head over heels. When Bree accidentally spills her guts out to a news reporter, Nathan’s PR team spot an opportunity. And so the two best friends fake date, whilst juggling their feelings for each other, and trying to convince the other there aren’t any feelings.

I thought that the use of dual POVs was very well executed and needed here, and it made the book extra enjoyable – I guess it reminded me of pantomimes where the audience can see the whole picture, but the actors are oblivious. Reading about Bree thinking that Nathan sees her as nothing more than a friend, when we actually knew he had some pretty unholy thoughts about her, and vice versa, was fun. I felt myself impatiently wanting a love confession. But that being said, I did unfortunately at times feel that the miscommunication trope got to a stage where it was a bit frustrating, which is why I cannot bring myself to give the book a five-star rating. When they eventually got together, I was ecstatic – they really were made to be. Also, how cool is it that Spotify just by mere coincidence started playing ‘Everything Has Changed’ by Taylor Swift when the couple had their first romantic kiss? (And yes, I listen to music while I read – the girls that get it, get it). I genuinely found their relationship to be beautiful; Nathan accepts Bree the way she is, and in fact sees her in a much better light than she sees herself.

I also really loved the anxiety representation in this book – especially in regard to male mental health. I thought it was very refreshing to read about that, and get an insight into how men feel, but I also thought those scenes served an important message – men shouldn’t be embarrassed about their mental health struggles.

I did, however, feel a little disappointment at the lack of ethnic diversity in the book, I do think that could have made the book stronger.

Nevertheless, this was a great read, and I will definitely be reading it again. I thought Bree and Nathan had a beautiful relationship, full of acceptance – and that is what love is all about, someone who accepts you the way you are, and loves you for the way you are.

Thank you to Headline Publishing for sending me an Advanced Readers Copy of this book, and inviting me to the online blog tour.

A Brush With Love by Mazey Eddings

Words by Halimah Begum (@halimahbegum_)

A Brush With Love was such an amazing read. Long after having finished it, there is still something so beautiful about the relationship between Dan and Harper that I can’t quite put my finger on. It follows Dan and Harper, two dental students in different year groups and at very very different stages in their life. Harper navigates her feelings for Dan, whilst also chasing her dreams of working in Dentistry, and juggling her anxiety. We see her personal and professional life clash, and I thought the way the book ended was beautiful.

I thought the story line was very interesting, but at towards the start I definitely found the relationship between Dan and Harper to be very very forced. This made me really dislike Dan. However, things start to clear up, and I found that reading from Dan’s POV made me see that actually Dan just really really liked Harper and was certain about his feelings for her from the start, unlike Harper. I ended up really liking Dan, and I also thought he was hilarious – I loved the humour between him and Harper. I very rarely find books funny, but I certainly sniggered a few times while reading this.

I really loved Harper’s character development; we really got to see her blossom over the course of the book and explore her trauma and anxiety. Equally, I also loved Dan’s character development, whilst he navigated his career and deciding between what his heart and brain.

The ending was fabulous in allowing them both to find happiness!

The book was rich with diversity, I absolutely loved it. I also appreciated the very real depiction of anxiety, and the openness about it. Mazey’s work and the representation she gave for anxiety has done amazing to debunk some myths and raise more awareness about the reality of the condition.

The love between Harper and Dan was magical, and it will stay with me for a long time.

Thank you to Headline Publishing for sending me an Advanced Readers Copy of this book!

The Bone Shard Emperor by Andrea Stewart

Words by: Tesni Jones-Edwards (@readers.realm)

‘One foolish choice is like a rat you let go. It will spawn more consequences than you first thought possible.’

In this action-packed sequel, Lin is no longer a pawn in her father’s sick and twisted game, and instead, she holds the title of Emperor - but for how long? As political alliances break down and a rebellion brewing, Lin, with Jovis at her side as Captain of the Guard, struggles her way through her new title, constantly fighting for her right to rule the Pheonix Empire.

As friends become foes and love turns to betrayal, Lin has no idea who to lean on especially when a greater threat presents itself - for the Alanga, powerful magic wielders long thought to be gone - have returned.

Lin may just need their help to defeat the rebels, but the question is can she trust them?

I was finally able to read the long-awaited sequel to The Bone Shard Daughter, and I can say with certainty that I was in no way disappointed. I have to say, I tried to keep my expectations low for The Bone Shard Emperor since I was unsure whether Stewart would be hit with the dreadful middle book curse, but all in all, I was once again blown away. Stewart has, for a second time, managed to capture a perfect tale of love, betrayal and magic that feels so new and fresh while simultaneously reusing typical tropes often seen in fantasy; enemies to lovers, an evil creation coming back for its master and reawakening magic.

I typically find that in books that use multiple points of view only a minority of characters feel like real people that you can love or hate, and the rest are more like the NPCs in a game; they are interesting enough but never memorable. In The Bone Shard Emperor, this is not the case. Each character means something to me, even the ones who you shouldn’t particularly like. Stewart manages to create characters who are flawed and morally grey and have so much depth that you have to feel something for each and every one of them. More importantly, their stories also hold impact. You can see their struggles, both mentally and physically, and you can see their growth as a character from the first to the second book. The constant shifting in perspectives never feels jarring or unnatural either - each story seems to fit in perfectly with those around it. Even Sand, whose perspective has an entirely different feel from any of the others, feels perfectly at home in the novel and I absolutely love that.

I don’t think I could write a review of this wonderful book without mentioning Mephi and Thrana. If you want just one reason to read this series, my answer would be them. I absolutely adore seeing the relationship between Mephi and Jovis develop to an entirely new level - it is so entrancing to see such dynamics between a creature and a human and I love that you cannot pinpoint what their relationship is. They seem to embody a parent and child dynamic while still maintaining their status as friends and guardians of one another.

Overall, this fast-paced sequel is packed with action that never disappoints and characters that will stay with you long after the final page. The world-building is spectacular, and the magic system is new and unique, so much so that you will find yourself wishing you too could wield bone shard magic with your trusty companion Thrana by your side.

‘Gallant’ by V.E. Schwab

Words by: Halimah Begum (@halimahbegum_)

This was my first V.E. Schwab book – and it did not disappoint. ‘Gallant’ follows sixteen-year-old Olivia Prior, who by the way is remarkably intelligent for a teen. Olivia is an orphan, but when she gets a mysterious letter offering her the one thing she has always wanted, a family and a home, she gives into the temptation. But the glamourous Gallant is not all what it seems; beyond the wall lurks an evil. Olivia being the typical teenager is eager to find out what’s beyond the wall, and more importantly uncover the truth about her parents and heritage. Olivia’s cousin Matthew is reluctant to let her stay at Gallant, and eventually gives in, if she stays indoors after dusk and stays on the right side of the wall. I’m frustrated that I cannot tell you anymore, well actually I can, but morally that feels wrong because I’ll end up spoiling it. But what I will say is that you NEED to pick this up. Think ‘long lost family’ meets ‘genuinely evil villain who only cares for himself,’ and a lot of angst, and alright, I’m caving – one spoiler- the wall that shouldn’t be crossed, is crossed. I don’t know what kind of trope that is, but let’s just say I’ve created an incredibly specific one.

Her writing style is genuinely like no other, how on Earth does she connect things the way she does? How does her brain work?? Around about 50% of my way through the book I had the ‘ohh, this all makes sense’ moment, and it was an insane experience because of how intricately Schwab has written the book. She describes in such detail; her writing is just incredibly captivating – and it made reading this book more of an experience. I also loved the variety of writing, we had multiple POVs, we had letters, and of course an epilogue which feeds the soul and all.

I also thought the pacing of this book was very well structured, it was pretty fast I’d say, and it left me very eager to read on and uncover the secrets alongside Olivia. The book does in some sense shift between tenses, BUT it’s easy to follow, and it adds to the story. It goes back and forth because this is how Olivia is piecing the story.

If there was one thing that genuinely broke me while reading this, it’s how Olivia so disparately yearns for a family. It’s all she has ever wanted. I found it quite upsetting to see just how lonely this young lady was, and her time was not made easier by girls at her orphanage abusing her inability to speak. Olivia is a likeable character, not just because of her tragic life, but because of her resilience and strength that she has despite the circumstances.

I gave this a 4-star review, this was a book certainly outside of my comfort zone, but I’m glad I read it – I really enjoyed it. It opened me to a new genre, and most certainly a new author, I’ll be reading a lot more of her work!

Thank you to Titan Books for sending me an Advanced Readers Copy of the book!

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