Ace of Spades, By Faridah Àbiké-Íyímídé ~ 5.0 Stars

Tags

Homophobia, LGBTQ, Mystery, Racism, Suspense, Thriller, YA Fiction

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group/Feiwel & Friends for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: June 1st, 2021

432 Pages

Synopsis: When two Niveus Private Academy students, Devon Richards and Chiamaka Adebayo are selected to be part of the elite school’s senior class prefects, it looks like their year is off to an amazing start. After all, not only does it look great on college applications, but it officially puts each of them in the running for valedictorian, too. 

Shortly after the announcement is made though, someone who goes by Aces, begins using anonymous text messages to reveal secrets about the two of them that turn their lives upside down and threatens every aspect of their carefully planned futures. 

As Aces shows no signs of stopping, what seemed like a sick prank quickly turns into a dangerous game, with all the cards stacked against them. Can Devon and Chiamaka stop Aces before things become incredibly deadly? 

With heart-pounding suspense and relevant social commentary, comes a high-octane thriller from debut author Faridah Àbiké-Íyímídé.

Ace of Spades is one of the best debuts I’ve read and I believe it will be one of the most buzzed about books of 2021! The author brilliantly spins a complex web of lies and betrayals with timely social issues including: being LGBTQ in the black community, socioeconomic status, and institutionalized/systemic racism. I can tell you after reading countless books that attempt to be both issue-driven and suspenseful, it’s extremely difficult to do without one or the other suffering. That’s certainly not the case here. I literally could not tear myself away and despite this being over 400 pages, I easily finished it in one sitting. Chiamaka and Devon are flawed yet relatable and sympathetic characters, and my heart ached at the things they were forced to do to fit in and get ahead. While there were certain parts I guessed at early on, there were a couple of head-spinning twists that were utterly insane, especially the last one which resulted in me not being able to go to sleep after finishing. Ace of Spades is a book that is a must read for teens and adults. If I was still a children’s/YA librarian/ I’d be preordering multiple copies for my collection. This is a pitch-perfect book that not only entertains, but makes you think about the systemic racism that’s so prevalent in society and what people of color are forced to put up with day in and day out. A blurb likens it to Gossip Girl meets Get Out, and I certainly would go along with that. I encourage everyone to mark their calendars and preorder this or put it on hold at your library ASAP. I read in Newsweek that twenty-two-year-old Faridah Àbíké- Íyímídé received a seven figure advance from the publisher for her debut and a second as yet untitled book, and I can certainly understand why. I can’t wait to read her next novel.

Faithless In Death (In Death #52), By J.D. Robb ~ 5.0 Stars

Tags

Adult Fiction, Cults, LGBTQ, Mystery, Suspense

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: February 9th, 2021

400 Pages

Synopsis: The scene in the West Village studio appears to be classic crime-of-passion: two wine glasses by the bed, music playing, and a young sculptor named Ariel Byrd with the back of her head bashed in. But when Dallas tracks down the wealthy Upper East Side woman who called 911, the details don’t add up. Gwen Huffman is wealthy, elegant, comforted by her handsome fiancé as she sheds tears over the trauma of finding the body—but why did it take over an hour to report it? And why is she lying about little things?

As Eve and her team look into Gwen, her past, and the people around her, they find that the lies are about more than murder. As with sculpture, they need to chip away at the layers of deception to find the shape within—and soon they’re getting the FBI involved in a case that involves a sinister, fanatical group, and a stunning criminal conspiracy. (Goodreads)

I know you’re probably sick of me raving about the In Death series by J.D. Robb, aka, Nora Roberts, but it’s really one of the best mystery series out there, and the upcoming Faithless In Death is a perfect example of why.

This is the 52nd book in this juggernaut of a series, but you’ll find no retreaded plots or tired old characters here. No, instead there’s a murder that seems ordinary until it morphs into this huge sinister conspiracy that could have been ripped from today’s headlines. Of course Team Eve is all over this as they operate like a well-oiled machine. While I would have liked to have seen more of Eve’s dishy husband Roarke, I have to be honest and say that I can never get enough of him, so I’m not taking any points off. What I love, is the skillful way Robb juggles both the central mystery, with further developing her characters’ stories.

As usual, Eve and company nab the villain(s) in an exciting and satisfactory manner, leaving me sighing happily yet somewhat disappointed that I finished it too quickly. Every time I open a new book in this series, I feel like I’m reuniting with old friends, and Faithless In Death brought out those emotions as well. I’m already counting down to the next book, Forgotten In Death which sadly won’t be out until September 6, 2021. I guarantee that fans of the series will love this new entry. And for those who haven’t tried these books, despite being this far along, you could pick up here without getting lost. I don’t really recommend it though simply because you’ll miss all the characters’ backstories which help bring them to life.

Before She Disappeared, by Lisa Gardner ~ 4.5 Stars

Tags

Adult Fiction, Immigration, LGBTQ, Mystery, Substance Abuse, Suspense

Thanks to NetGalley and Dutton for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: January 19th, 2021

400 Pages

Synopsis: Frankie Elkin is an average middle-aged woman, a recovering alcoholic with more regrets than belongings. But she spends her life doing what no one else will—searching for missing people the world has stopped looking for. When the police have given up, when the public no longer remembers, when the media has never paid attention, that when Frankie starts looking.

A new case brings her to Mattapan, a Boston neighborhood with a rough reputation. She is searching for Angelique Badeau, a Haitian teenage who vanished from her high school months earlier. Resistance from the Boston PD and the victim’s wary family, tells Frankie she’s on her own—and she soon learns she’s asking questions someone doesn’t want answered. But Frankie will stop at nothing to discover the truth, even if it means the next person to go missing could be her.

Before She Disappeared is Lisa Gardner’s first standalone in twenty years, and I have to say after devouring it in two nights, I’m keeping my fingers crossed that she writes more books about Frankie Elkin.

Frankie is an extremely complex woman whose traumatic backstory is tantalizingly teased out throughout the course of the story. I really connected with this troubled, flawed character who dragged herself out of the abyss of substance abuse (with help), and instead uses her demons to help look for those who have gone missing and have basically been forgotten by everyone except by their loved ones. My only criticism is that her detecting skills came off a little too expert for someone who’s a layperson, but this is a very minor complaint. The mystery itself is very compelling and I admit the final outcome caught me by surprise. In addition, the story also thoughtfully explores the inequality between how victims of crime are treated according to race and socioeconomic status. And finally, having lived north of Boston my entire life until a couple of years ago, Gardner captured the multicultural flavor of Mattapan perfectly. The ending ties everything up, but as I said, I’m really hoping that maybe this won’t be the last we see of Frankie. 

Before She Disappeared is a completely engrossing read and I believe fans of Lisa Gardner will be thrilled with it. If you haven’t read anything yet by this prolific bestselling author, this is a perfect book to start with, so treat yourself and check it out!

 

Lore, By Alexandra Bracken ~ 4.0 Stars

Tags

Contemporary Fiction, Greek Mythology, LGBTQ, Mystery, Romance, Thriller, YA Fiction

Thanks to NetGalley and Disney-Hyperion for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: January 5th, 2021

480 Pages

Synopsis: Every seven years, the Agon begins. As punishment for a past rebellion, nine Greek gods are forced to walk the earth as mortals, hunted by the descendants of  ancient bloodlines, all eager to kill a god and seize their divine power and immortality.

Long ago, Lore Perseous fled that brutal world in the wake of her family’s sadistic murder by a rival line, turning her back on the hunt’s promises of eternal glory. For years she’s pushed away thought of revenge against the man—now a god—responsible for their deaths.

Yet as the next hunt dawns over New York City, two participants seek out her help: Castor, a childhood friend of Lore believed long dead, and a gravely wounded Athena, among the last of the original gods.

The goddess offers an alliance against their mutual enemy and, at last, a way for Lore to finally leave the Agon behind forever. But Lore’s decision to bind her fate to Athena’s and rejoin the hunt will come at a deadly cost—and still may not be enough to stop the rise of a new god with the power to bring humanity to its knees.

Before I start this review, if you’re getting a sense of deja vu, or see that you’ve already written a comment, that’s because this is an updated post I did a few months ago on the chapter sampler of Lore. I apologize for being lazy, but instead of writing out the entire synopsis again, I thought I’d just update my original review now that I’ve had the opportunity to read the entire book.

What do you get when you combine bestselling YA author Alexandra Bracken with Greek gods? A surefire blockbuster is what I’m thinking! Except for Madeline Miller’s phenomenal Circe(2019), once Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson series ended, there haven’t been many Greek mythology-based books released, so I had high hopes for Lore. Well, it starts off with a bang and plenty of blood, gore, and even a decapitation. One word of warning, the violence continues throughout the book, including two scenes involving the murder of little girls. These two particular sections relate the murders in the third person, and compared to other parts, aren’t terribly graphic, but they still made me squirm, and may make some readers uncomfortable as well. While the storyline may sound similar to previous series, like Percy Jackson and The Hunger Games, let me assure you that this is completely unique. There are a lot of characters but they’re easily remembered because they each have an integral part to play. The romance is a bit ho-hum, but that’s okay because there’s so much else going on. The pacing is insane, and I flew through this in two days despite it being just under 500 pages. The only reason why I rated this 4 stars is because there are some rough passages, especially in the first fifty or so pages where the reader is being introduced to the history and rules of the Agon. I’ve been a voracious reader of Greek Mythology since I was a child and I consider myself fairly well-versed in the stories and characters involved, but there were a few times I was left confused and frustrated. Thankfully things became clearer the deeper I got into the story. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Lore and unhesitatingly recommend it to my fellow mythology enthusiasts who are looking for a refreshing take on the old legends.

Notorious (Rebels of the Ton #1), By Minerva Spencer ~ 4.0 Stars

Tags

Adult Fiction, Diversity, Historical Mystery, LGBTQ, Regency England, Romance, Suspense

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Available: November 24th, 2020

352 Pages

Synopsis: The cure for a willful wife…

Drusilla Clare is full of opinions about why a woman shouldn’t marry. But that doesn’t stop the rush of desire she feels each time her best friend’s brother, notorious rake, Gabriel Marlington, crosses her path. So imagine her dismay when she finds herself in the clutches of a scoundrel, only to be rescued by Gabriel himself. And when Gabriel’s heartless—and heart-pounding—proposal comes, it’s enough to make Dru’s formidable resolve crumble…

…is a smitten husband.

She’s sharp-tongued, exasperating, and due to one careless moment—about to become his wife. Still, something about Drusilla has Gabriel intrigued. First there’s the delicious flush of her skin every time she delivers a barb—and then the surprising sensual feel of her in his arms. Gabriel even finds himself challenged by her unusual philosophies. And when he discovers a clandestine rival for Dru’s affection, his temperature flames even hotter. But the real threat to their happiness is one neither of the newlyweds sees coming. If they’re to save their future—and their very lives—they’ll need to trust in each other and their growing love.

I have to confess that for the first few chapters I thought Notorious was going to be the second book in a row that would turn out to be a disappointment. I thoroughly disliked the shrewish Drusilla, and after a brief scene where Algerian born Gabriel, victim blames (he almost immediately apologizes), her, I wasn’t overly fond of him either. But then, much to my surprise they started growing on me. What begins as a cold marriage of convenience realistically develops into a true love match which was pleasurable to follow. The secondary characters are equally interesting, notably the villainous Godric Fleming, Earl Visel. Having done his best to torture Gabriel from the beginning of the book, his backstory is revealed about halfway through, and it makes him much more complex and sympathetic. I’m eagerly looking forward to the next book, Outrageous, which will feature him and Gabriel’s stepsister and Dru’s best friend, the impetuous Lady Eva de Courtney. Overall, Notorious is a thoroughly entertaining Regency romp with surprisingly diverse characters.

The Awakening (The Dragon Heart Legacy #1), By Nora Roberts ~ 5.0 Stars

Tags

Adult Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Diversity, Fantasy, LGBTQ, Romance, Suspense

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: November 24th, 2020

464 Pages

Synopsis: #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts, begins a new trilogy of adventure, romance, and magick in The Awakening.

In the realm of Talamh, a teenage warrior named Keegan, emerges from a lake holding a sword—representing both power and the terrifying responsibility to protect the Fey. In another realm known as Philadelphia, a young woman has just discovered she possesses a treasure of her own…

When Breen Kelly was a girl, her father would tell her stories of magical places. Now she’s an anxious twenty-something mired in student debt and working a job she hates. But one day she stumbles upon a shocking discovery: her mother has been hiding an investment account in her name. It has been funded by her long-lost father—and it’s worth nearly four million dollars.

This newfound fortune would be life-changing for anyone. But little does Breen know that when she uses some of the money to journey to Ireland, it will unlock mysteries she couldn’t have imagined. Here she will begin to understand why she kept seeing that silver-haired, elusive man, why she imagined his voice in her head saying “Come home Breen Siobhan. It’s time you came home.” Why she dreamed of dragons. And where her true destiny lies—through a portal in Galway that takes her to a realm of faeries and mermaids, to a man named Keegan, and to the courage in her own heart that will guide her through a powerful, dangerous destiny…

Many of you already know that I’m a longtime fan of Nora Roberts, and her upcoming novel is a perfect example of why. The first in a new fantasy trilogy, The Awakening is a gorgeously told tale that has left me eager for more.

For personal reasons, I really connected with Breen and enjoyed her transformation from timid mouse, to the beginnings of a fierce warrior. I was a little slower to embrace Keegan as his alpha male persona put me off in the beginning, but it didn’t take long for my feelings toward him to thaw. The secondary characters are numerous, but all are immensely likable. The world building is, well in a word, magical. From a Philadelphia drag queen club, to the misty Irish countryside, to the delightful world of Talahm, I was fully immersed with the delightful settings and characters. Except for a few scenes with the big bad and a couple of his minions, there’s not a lot of action, but due to Robert’s talented storytelling skills, this in no way takes away from the story.

For me, the mark of a perfectly written story is when it’s so immersive that it’s difficult to get my head back in the real world. If you’re looking for an escape I can’t recommend The Awakening enough. It’s an enchanting tale with memorable characters that will leave you eager for the next book.

Lies Like Poison, By Chelsea Pitcher ~ 4.0 Stars

Tags

Diversity, Drug Abuse, Implied Child Abuse, LGBTQ, Mystery, Suspense, YA Fiction

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: November 10th, 2020

304 Pages

Synopsis: Poppy, Lily, and Belladonna would do anything to protect their best friend, Raven. So when they discovered he was suffering abuse at the hands of his stepmother, they came up with a lethal plan: petals of poppy, belladonna, and lily in her evening tea so she’d never be able to hurt Raven again. But someone got cold feet, the plot faded to a secret of the past, and the group fell apart.

Three years later, on the eve of Raven’s birthday, his stepmother turns up dead. But it’s only belladonna found in her tea, and it’s only Belladonna who’s carted off to jail. Desperate for help, Belle reaches out to her estranged friends to prove her innocence. They answer the call, but no one is prepared for what comes next.

Now everyone has something to lose, and something equally dangerous to hide. And when the tangled web of secrets and betrayal is finally unwound, what lies at its heart will change the group forever.

I have to be honest and say that I’ve been waffling on how to rate and review Lies Like Poison. There is no doubt that Chelsea Pitcher’s writing style is beautifully lyrical which completely enthralled me. However, I did find a few weaknesses which detracted from the story.

The story is told from the perspectives of Belladonna, Poppy/Jack, and Lily. They all have secrets they’re keeping from each other and Raven, and their unreliability kept me me on my toes for a good portion of the book as to what actually happened the day Raven’s stepmother died. There’s also the mystery of who killed Raven’s mother and both wind up becoming intertwined. 

The characters are diverse and interesting. Raven is black, fragile, and very sweet, and it’s heartbreaking what he’s suffered. Two of the girls are in a romantic relationship, which I didn’t really by into at first, but as more of their backstories are revealed, I understood their connection more. But I was especially interested in Poppy/Jack who in addition to dealing with the murder, is also coming to terms with how being trans will effect his relationship with Raven. I absolutely loved his relationship with Raven, and that wound up being my favorite part of the book.

Adults do not come across well in this tale. Even the one parent who I initially liked and was sympathetic to, let me down in the end. I really don’t like books that use this one dimensional type of character development as it never seems plausible to me.

The story itself starts out a little slow, but soon gathers speed. There aren’t many shocking surprises except for one twist near the somewhat too-neat ending, but what saves this from being a ho-hum story is Pitcher’s evocative and poetic writing.

After mulling it over, I’m giving Lies Like Poison 4 Stars instead of the 3 to 3 1/2 stars which was my original intent. Despite its flaws, this contemporary murder mystery, with dark fairytale themes, turned out to be quite memorable, as did its main characters, which makes it a success for me.

Rebel Rose (Queen’s Council #1), Emma Theriault ~ 4.0 Stars

Tags

Fairytales, French Revolution, Historical Fiction, LGBTQ, Political Intrigue, Romance, Suspense, YA Fiction

Thanks to NetGalley and Disney-Hyperion for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: November 10th, 2020

352 Pages

Synopsis: Happily ever after is only the beginning as Belle takes on the responsibility of becoming queen and learns to balance duty, love, and sacrifice, all while navigating dark political intrigue—and a touch of magic.

It’s 1789 and France is on the brink of revolution. Belle has finally broken the Enchantress’s curse, restoring the Beast to his human form and bringing life back to their castle in the province of Aveyon. But in Paris, the fires of change are burning, and it’s only a matter of time before the rebellion arrives on their doorstep.

Not so very long ago, Belle dreamed of leaving her provincial home for a life of adventure. But now she finds herself living in a palace, torn between her past as a commoner, and her future as royalty. While Belle grapples with her newfound position, there are those who do anything to keep her from power.

When she stumbles upon a magic mirror that holds a dire warning, Belle wants nothing more than to ignore the mysterious voice calling her to accept a crown she never desired. But violent factions of the revolution may already be lurking within her own castle, and doing nothing would endanger everything she hold dear. With the fate of her country, her love, and her life at stake, Belle must decide if she’s ready to embrace her own strength—and the magic that ties her to so many female rulers before her—to become the queen she is meant to be.

Rebel Rose is the first in the Queen’s Council series, an empowering fairytale reimagining of the Disney Princesses—and the real history behind their stories—like you’ve never seen before.

It’s probably not a big surprise to you why Rebel Rose would appeal to me. First, there’s that gorgeous cover, and then of course, the continuation of Belle and the Beast’s (here known as Lio), story. Except for a couple of hiccups, I quite enjoyed it.

Surprisingly, the biggest issue I had was with Belle. For the first half she was almost unrecognizable as the character I’m more familiar with. Instead of the self-assured, intelligent Belle, this one was timid and full of self-doubt. She was also annoyingly unsure of what she should be doing in her new role. She obsesses too much over the title of Queen, and lets that get in the way of truly helping her people. Thankfully, in the latter half of the book, she begins to realize the power she holds if she’ll only accept it.

Lio, is very relatable, suffering from severe PTSD after being the Beast for ten long years. Adding to his torment is trying to ensure that the small kingdom of Aveyon isn’t dragged into the violent, political upheaval that France is devolving into. Unfortunately he’s sent off on a diplomatic mission early in the book which I understand is necessary to the plot, yet I found myself missing him and his interactions with Belle. They definitely bring out the best parts of each other.

The villain’s identity is known from nearly the beginning, yet his motivations are somewhat murky even at the end. As for the secondary characters, old favorites such as Mrs Potts, Chip, Cogsworth, Lumière and LeFou make a welcome return, as well as the mysterious Enchantress, who cast the original curse. I especially enjoyed the scenes with Mrs. Potts, whose sage advice was instrumental in encouraging Belle to embrace her role as Queen.

Overall, Rebel Rose is a wonderful start to the Queen’s Council series. It takes the beloved fairytale, skillfully adds in the backdrop of the beginning of the French Revolution, and introduces a few new characters who mingle perfectly and assist Belle and Lio on their destined path. There aren’t many details on forthcoming books in the series, but I’m looking forward to seeing where this leads.

The Mirror: Broken Wish (The Mirror #1), by Julie C. Dao ~ 5.0 Stars

Tags

Fairytale Retellings, Fantasy, LGBTQ, Romance, Suspense, YA Fiction

Thanks to NetGalley and Disney-Hyperion for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: October 6th, 2020

320 Pages

Synopsis: 1865 Hanau Germany 

Sixteen-year-old Elva has a secret. She has visions and strange powers that  she will do anything to hide. She knows the warnings about what happens to witches in their small village of Hanau. She’s heard the terrible things people say about the Witch of the North Woods, and the malicious hunts that follow. But when Elva accidentally witnesses a devastating vision of the future, she decides she has to do everything she can to prevent it. Tapping into her powers for the first time, Elva discovers a magical mirror and its owner—none other than the Witch of the North Woods herself. As Elva learns more about her burgeoning magic, and the lines between hero and villain start to blur, she must find a way to right past wrongs before it’s too late.

Broken Wish is the first book in the upcoming The Mirror series which in itself is an exciting premise. Four books following a multigenerational family by some of the most popular YA authors today: Julie C. Dao, Dhonielle Clayton, J.C. Cervantes, and L.L. McKinney. I started this last night around 8:00 p.m. and finished it three hours later. It’s a highly entertaining fairytale retelling of Snow White with a little of The Red Shoes thrown in, and it perfectly captures Germany in the latter half of the 19th century. Dao is a wonderful storyteller who is known for her richly detailed world building and complex characters, and that’s very much on display here. But included in this beautifully written fantasy is the thoughtful exploration of the difficulty of being unique in a world where differences are often met with ignorance and cruelty. It’s a tale of friendship, loyalty, and the ramifications of broken promises, that all lead up to a shocking ending. I cannot recommend Broken Wishes highly enough. It’s an exciting and original YA fantasy whose storyline will enthrall you and characters will capture your heart. The series continues with Dhonielle Clayton’s Shattered Midnight (July 2021), which jumps to 1920s New Orleans, and sounds from the title to perhaps be a retelling of Cinderella. I’m going to be impatiently counting down the months.

 

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, by V.E. Schwab ~ 5.0 Stars

Tags

Adult Fiction, Fantasy, LGBTQ, Romance, Supernatural Fiction

Thanks to NetGalley and Tor Books for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: October 6th, 2020

448 Pages

Synopsis: A Life No One Will Remember. A Story You Will Never Forget.

France, 1714: in a moment of desperation, a young woman makes a Faustian bargain to live forever and is cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets. Thus begins the extraordinary life of Addie LaRue, and a dazzling adventure that will play out across centuries and continents, across history and art, as a woman learns how far she will go to leave her mark on the world.

But everything changes when, after nearly 300 years, Addie stumbles across a young man in a hidden bookstore and he remembers her name.

As I do my final read-through on this book, a story nearly ten years in the making, all I can think is that I’ve put my heart and soul, my teeth and blood and bones into this one.

I hope you love it.

~ Message from V.E. Schwab on Goodreads ~

I’ve been truly blessed with the number of fantastic eARCS I’ve been approved for this year, but my goodness…two days and almost 500 pages, of being swept away into the captivating The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue and I find myself at a loss to come up with enough superlatives to express my love of this book. This sumptuous and gorgeously told tale ticked all my boxes: swoon-worthy romance, devilish yet perversely charming villain, feisty heroine, beautifully detailed world building, twists and turns aplenty, and overall, just an exquisite story that will have you laughing, crying, and holding your breath right up to the bittersweet ending. 

What she needs are stories. Stories are a way to preserve one’s self. To be remembered. And to forget. Stories come in so many forms: in charcoal, and in song, in paintings, poems, films. And books. Books, she has found, are a way to live a thousand lives—or to find strength in a very long one.

With the first quote, V.E. Schwab shares how much of herself she put into this book and all that work and passion certainly shows. The Strange Life of Addie LaRue is the eleventh book I’ve read by her, and I believe she may have outdone herself. It truly is a literary masterpiece and the characters and their stories will wring every drop of emotion from you. You’re going to want to make time for this guys, particularly if you’re a fan of books and films such as The Time Traveler’s Wife, and The Age of Adaline. Trust me. Get your preorders or library holds in now because this is a magical reading experience you don’t want to miss!