I Wanna Be Where You Are by Kristina Forest
Published by: Roaring Brook Press
Pub Date: June 4, 2019
Pages: 272
Format: arc | Source: publisher
Genres: young adult, contemporary
Rating:

When Chloe Pierce’s mom forbids her to apply for a spot at the dance conservatory of her dreams, she devises a secret plan to drive two hundred miles to the nearest audition. But Chloe hits her first speed bump when her annoying neighbor Eli insists upon hitching a ride, threatening to tell Chloe’s mom if she leaves him and his smelly dog, Geezer, behind. So now Chloe’s chasing her ballet dreams down the east coast—two unwanted (but kinda cute) passengers in her car, butterflies in her stomach, and a really dope playlist on repeat.

I really enjoyed this debut, it was very cute! Chloe was a great character to root for, she was ambitious and driven, and willing to break rules (within reason) to make her dreams happen. Her mom was overprotective but you could understand where she was coming from and it felt like a realistic mother-daughter relationship. I also liked Chloe’s shifting relationship and adventure with Eli, although Eli’s sister Larissa might have been my favorite character!

Her Royal Highness by Rachel Hawkins
Series: Royals #2
Published by: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
Pub Date: May 7, 2019
Pages: 304
Format: hardcover | Source: purchased
Genres: young adult, contemporary, LGBT
Rating:

Millie Quint is devastated when she discovers that her sort-of-best friend/sort-of-girlfriend has been kissing someone else. And because Millie cannot stand the thought of confronting her ex every day, she decides to apply for scholarships to boarding schools . . . the farther from Houston the better.

Millie can’t believe her luck when she’s accepted into one of the world’s most exclusive schools, located in the rolling highlands of Scotland. Everything about Scotland is different: the country is misty and green; the school is gorgeous, and the students think Americans are cute.

The only problem: Mille’s roommate Flora is a total princess.

She’s also an actual princess. Of Scotland.

At first, the girls can barely stand each other–Flora is both high-class and high-key–but before Millie knows it, she has another sort-of-best-friend/sort-of-girlfriend. Even though Princess Flora could be a new chapter in her love life, Millie knows the chances of happily ever afters are slim . . . after all, real life isn’t a fairy tale . . . or is it?

An extremely cute and fast read, I read it in an afternoon! I only wish it had been longer, especially the ending. It felt fast and I would have loved to see an epilogue or just some more feelings discussions, including with Millie and her family. But Millie and Flora were adorable- I love Flora’s hard shell outside, marshmallow inside personality and I loved seeing Seb and Daisy and so many other characters again! Plus the orangery scene and Millie’s crush confession was so great. Super hope we get more books in this series, maybe a Seb book?! With Alex and Eleanor’s wedding and more Millie/Flora please!

Transformed: The Perils of the Frog Prince by Megan Morrison
Series: Tyme #3
Published by: Arthur A. Levine Books
Pub Date: March 26, 2019
Pages: 355
Format: hardcover | Source: publisher & purchased
Genres: middle grade, fantasy, retelling
Rating:

Syrah Huanui is a frog. He wasn’t always one–once he was a Prince of the Olive Isles, a champion launchball player, a beloved favorite of all.

Or so he thought! After accidentally (OK, intentionally) letting a love letter from the cloying Deli Gourd get published for everyone to read, his fed-up family kicks him out. And an unfortunate encounter with a Wishing Well leaves him trapped in the body of a frog, with no hope of transforming back.

A year later, Syrah finds himself in Yellow alongside who else: Deli. A sudden, deadly plague has started to run through the country, right before a crucial election for Governor. Syrah isn’t sure he’ll ever become himself again, or if anyone will ever realize that it’s HIM in there, but he is sure he might be able to help stop whatever evil is going on…

The Tyme series gets better and better- this book was incredible and y’all need to start reading!!! My favorite sort of character is one that you kind of dislike at first but you come to understand and love because of their character arc. This is one of Megan Morrison’s strengths as a storytelling and Syrah is no exception. I was so stressed when he’s trying to get noticed as a frog haha! As usual there were interesting politics and a mystery thrown in as well, and some returning favorite characters. I really enjoyed the island setting of Syrah’s home and the family structure, as well as getting to see yet another country in Yellow. Suffice to say Megan Morrison’s feel for pace, storytelling, twisty reveals, character arcs, and worldbuilding is second to none. I enjoy this series beyond measure and always find some new tidbit every time I read; I can’t wait to reread Transformed so I can really enjoy the breadcrumbs and twists. You don’t have to read the first two books to enjoy this one but it’s more rewarding (and less spoilery) 🙂

What have you been reading the past couple months, anything particularly excellent? Are any of these books on your TBR? Let me know!