Monday Minis…

I’m afraid to even say this but I think I may be back in my reading groove! I’ve read 9 books so far this month!

Here are two that hit me in the feels while providing all the swoony, romantic goodness I’m craving right now. Plus one more emotional one that still left me feeling happy in the end.



Date Me, Bryson Keller by Kevin van Whye ~ Goodreads “What If It's Us meets To All the Boys I've Loved Before in this upbeat and heartfelt boy-meets-boy romance that feels like a modern twist on a '90s rom-com! Source: e-arc provided in exchange for an honest review via Netgalley

My thoughts: Perpetually single Bryson Keller takes the dare to date a new person for one week – the first person who asks him each Monday. The girls all line up – but one fateful day, it’s shy Kai Sheridan who asks Bryson out. Kai isn’t out – and Bryson isn’t gay – but they agree to date on the down low for the week and as their friendship grows so do their feelings.

Finally! A book that advertises itself as a rom-com, that actually feels a rom-com! That’s not to say this book doesn’t delve into deeper waters or pack an emotional punch – because it does – but it also brings all those first love stomach flutters and secret crush cuteness.

It was interesting to read the contrast between how both Kai and Bryson approach coming out and the responses they get from friends and family. And Kai’s sister, Yazz, deserves the sister of the year award for her brutally honest take down of her parents. Whoop Yazz!

Bryson is a very one dimensional character and almost too perfect. I’m not sure I ever really understood how the challenge was a big deal but whatever…cute is cute and I neeeeeded this kind of book so I shall ignore my minor quibbles.

10 Things I Hate About Pinky (Dimple and Rishi #3) by Sanhya Menon ~ Goodreads “The follow-up to When Dimple Met Rishi and Theres Something about Sweetie follows Pinky and Samir as they pretend to date with disastrous and hilarious results.” Source: Borrowed

My thoughts: I read this back in April when it was originally planned to be released but because of a little thing called COVID – the release date has been pushed back to July 21st but I wanted to mention it here because this book is totally worthy of a pre-order!

Opposites - Pinky is vibrant and impulsive – out to save the world, while Samir is all about planning and schedules. Fake dating – Pinky needs to date a *good boy* to get her mom off her back & Samir needs an internship at a good law practice and Pinky’s mom is a top lawyer. Hate to more – my reading catnip.

I always enjoy Menon’s books but I think this one was my favorite so far. It had complicated relationships (especially between Pinky and her mom – something Menon frequently explores) and lots of fun moments as Pinky and Samir start to balance each other out and turn into something more.

I think the bump to a July release is perfect, as this has that summer, swoony vibe but with real issues that teens can relate to.

The Geography of Lost Things by Jessica Brody ~ Goodreads “In this romantic road trip story perfect for fans of Sarah Dessen and Morgan Matson, a teen girl discovers the value of ordinary objects while learning to forgive her absent father.” Source: arc provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review

My (not so mini) thoughts: Oh dear – I’ve had this one on my shelf since 2018. Bad, bad blogger but now I’ve read it and it was fantastic. I’m a huge fan of Brody and how she’s able to write with such variety within YA, going from sci-fi, to rom-com and now something more in line with women’s fiction, although this is still very much YA with romantic elements.

Ali’s, drug addicted father abandoned Ali and her mom years ago, leaving them in debt and about to lose their home. Now he’s dead but has left Ali the title and keys to his prized possession – a 1968 Firebird. Ali sees this as an opportunity to save her home by selling the car. Only problem is, to sell it, she has to drive it 5 hours to the dealer and she doesn't drive a stick shift. Enter Ali’s ex, Nico, who is willing to help her out. She has no choice but to accept even though it brings back bad memories for her.

This book has a bit of a strange rhythm to it. It goes back and forth between memories of her father from her childhood, her past relationship with Nico and the present. They all work well independently from each other and suck you in but it takes a bit for it all to tie together but the payoff is worth the wait.

The road trip itself is fun as it takes a detour – as all good road trips do. They meet different people as they use Craigslist to try to trade up the different items they find to make cash, instead of selling the car, and even those fleeting stories and characters are fascinating. They also take in the sights as they leave California and make their way into my neck of the woods in WA & OR and it was fun to see them discover the places I’m just now finding for myself in the PNW.

The trip, and the car, bring all the suppressed feelings Ali has about her dad to a head and she really has to come to terms with and get closure before she can move forward. And maybe give Nico another chance.

There is a bit of mystery regarding her and Nico’s breakup and I think it drags out too long. I was irritated by Nico kind of pressuring Ali to forgive her dad or to at least let things go when he is clearly hanging on to his own secrets. Knowing that Ali has trust issues made his hesitancy to open up irritating. But, as I said, it ties together eventually and I got it. He's a good guy with good reasons to be wary of opening up to Ali. So, just hang in there lol

This was a really solid book about grief, forgiveness and finding value in the things we leave behind.

What are you all reading this week? Have you read any of these or will you be?