Where Fiction and Reality Meet
Title: Finding Home Author: Garrett Leigh Publisher: Riptide Publishing Length: 200 Pages Category: Young Adult, Contemporary At a Glance: Finding Home is a rich, compelling novel of redemption and healing, and one that any YA reader will want to have in their library. Reviewed By: Sammy Blurb: With their mum dead and their father on... Continue Reading →
Title: Sharing Secrets Author: Matthew J. Metzger Publisher: Finch Books Length: 228 Pages Category: YA/Teen Fiction, Contemporary At a Glance: This novel is brilliantly done from start to finish. Grappling with real life issues, the author creates a story that grips you by the heart and never really lets you go. Reviewed By: Sammy Blurb:... Continue Reading →
Title: The Rules and Regulations for Mediating Myths & Magic Author: F.T. Lukens Publisher: Interlude Press Length: 304 Pages Category: Young Adult, Fantasy At a Glance: The Rules and Regulations for Mediating Myths & Magic is one of the finest YA paranormal stories I have ever read. Reviewed By: Sammy Blurb: Desperate to pay for... Continue Reading →
Title: Kevin Corrigan and Me Author: Jere' M. Fishback Publisher: NineStar Press Length: 160 Pages Category: Young Adult At a Glance: I wanted to like this one more. Sadly, it lacked the emotional depth and maturity I was looking for. Reviewed By: Jules Blurb: Ever since their boyhood days, fifteen-year-old Jesse has craved something more... Continue Reading →
Title: Raise It Up Author: Nick Wilgus Publisher: Dreamspinner Press/Harmony Ink Length: 350 Pages Category: Historical, Teen Fiction At a Glance: I could go on and on—this novel was just brilliant. Raise It Up by Nick Wilgus may not be an easy read but it is so worth the effort. Reviewed By: Sammy Blurb: Secrets... Continue Reading →
Title: Waiting for Walker Author: Robin Reardon Publisher: IAM Books Length: 431 Pages Category: Teen Fiction At a Glance: Waiting for Walker is an exceptional novel that is intelligently written, compelling to read, and emotionally charged. I highly recommend it to you. Reviewed By: Sammy Blurb: Micah Jaeger's life is a mess. His folks have... Continue Reading →
Title: Riding with Brighton Author: Haven Francis Publisher: Dreamspinner/Harmony Ink Press Length: 220 Pages Category: Contemporary, Teen Fiction At a Glance: I LOVED this book, you guys. It has a strong Ferris Bueller’s Day Off vibe, which was so fantastic and fun. And, reading it reminded me of reading Simon vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda,... Continue Reading →
Title: Elpída (Elpída: Book Three) Author: C. Kennedy Publisher: Dreamspinner Press/Harmony Ink Length: 350 Pages Category: Contemporary, Teen Fiction At a Glance: Elpída is a glorious conclusion to a stunning series that dares to expose the abuse that goes on every moment of every day in our world. Reviewed By: Sammy Blurb: ελπίδα. Elpída. Greek.... Continue Reading →
Title: Micah Johnson Goes West (Get Out: Book Two) Author: Sean Kennedy Publisher: Dreamspinner Press/Harmony Ink Length: 186 Pages Category: Contemporary, Teen Fiction At a Glance: Micah Johnson Goes West is a novel rich in emotion and humor that addresses what it’s like to grow up and move on to new horizons in all the... Continue Reading →
Title: Stormfront (Lords of Arcadia: Book Four) Authors: John Goode and J.G. Morgan Publisher: Dreamspinner Press/Harmony Ink Length: 254 Pages Category: High Fantasy, Teen Fiction At a Glance: Stormfront delivers an adventure fraught with danger and action, and a diverse reading experience which the authors deftly ended with a baited hook. Reviewed By: Lisa Blurb:... Continue Reading →
Title: Castor Author: Shaun Young Publisher: Harmony Ink Press Length: 230 Pages Category: Teen Fiction, Sci-Fi At a Glance: While the world-building was well done in this book, the story fell short for me. Reviewed By: Taz Blurb: Sixteen-year-old James Fisher lives on the distant planet of Castor where he toils for the ruling classes... Continue Reading →
Title: A Boy Worth Knowing Author: Jennifer Cosgrove Publisher: NineStar Press Length: 173 Pages Category: Young Adult, Paranormal At a Glance: A Boy Worth Knowing should absolutely be a hit among YA fans, but I think will resonate with anyone who is looking for a fun paranormal story. Reviewed By: Jules Blurb: Ghosts can’t seem... Continue Reading →
Title: Beast Author: Brie Spangler Publisher: Knopf Books Length: 305 Pages Category: Young Adult/Teen Fiction At a Glance: One of the best YA trans stories I’ve read all year. Reviewed By: Ben Blurb: Tall, meaty, muscle-bound, and hairier than most throw rugs, Dylan doesn’t look like your average fifteen-year-old, so, naturally, high school has not... Continue Reading →
Title: At the Edge of the Universe Author: Shaun David Hutchinson Publisher: Simon Pulse Length: 304 Pages Category: Young Adult At a Glance: This novel, like life itself, is a roller coaster. And that’s a metaphor in the story that I can reveal without spoiling this lovely bit of Young Adult fiction. Reviewed By: Lisa... Continue Reading →
Title: whatever.: or how junior year became totally f$@ked. Author: S.J. Goslee Publisher: Roaring Brook Press Length: 272 Pages Category: Young Adult At a Glance: whatever.: or how junior year became totally f$@ked has reminded me why I have a longstanding affection for the YA genre. Reviewed By: Lisa Blurb: It's like the apocalypse came,... Continue Reading →
Title: Just Juliet Author: Charlotte Reagan Publisher: Inkitt Length: 224 Pages Category: Young Adult, Contemporary At a Glance: A sweet love story between two high school girls. Reviewed By: Ben Blurb: Juliet represents the road less traveled. Will Lena take it? Lena Newman is 17, her best friend’s a cheerleader, her boyfriend’s a football player,... Continue Reading →
Title: Junior Hero Blues Author: J.K. Pendragon Publisher: Riptide Publishing Length: 216 Pages Category: YA, Urban Fantasy, Superheroes At a Glance: This book was such a fun, refreshing read. There was great action, a sweet little romance, and enjoyable characters. Reviewed By: Jules Blurb: Last year, Javier Medina was your average socially awkward gay high... Continue Reading →
Title: The Five Stages of Andrew Brawley Author: Shaun David Hutchinson Publisher: Simon Pulse/Simon & Schuster Length: 320 Pages Category: Young Adult At a Glance: This is such a lovely novel, exceedingly recommendable, and it made me an instant fan of its author. Reviewed By: Lisa Blurb: A heartbreaking yet uplifting story about a boy... Continue Reading →
Title: Hold Author: Rachel Davidson Leigh Publisher: Interlude Press Length: 270 Pages Category: Young Adult, Paranormal At a Glance: I love YA books, and Rachel Davidson Leigh perfectly captured the mood, energy, and mannerisms of high school age teens. Reviewed By: Jules Blurb: Luke Aday knew that his sister’s death was imminent—she had been under... Continue Reading →
Title: Turn the World Upside Down Author: Nyrae Dawn Publisher: Harmony Ink Press Length: 200 Pages Category: Contemporary, Teen Fiction At a Glance: Author Nyrae Dawn has written the most beautiful story—an important novel that brings into light circumstances that teens deal with every day of their lives. Reviewed By: Sammy Blurb: They’d have to... Continue Reading →
Title: Ethan Author: Ryan Loveless Publisher: Harmony Ink Press Length: 210 Pages Category: Contemporary, Teen Fiction At a Glance: Mixed feelings on this one for sure, guys. There’s no question I still love the story, but if you’re an adult, and you haven’t yet read the original, I would start there. Reviewed By: Jules Blurb:... Continue Reading →
Title: Pictures of You: Book One Author: Leta Blake Publisher: Self-Published Length: 328 Pages Category: Young Adult, Coming of Age At a Glance: You should definitely check this series out…as soon as you replenish your alcohol and chocolate reserves! Reviewed By: Jules Blurb: Growing up gay isn’t easy. Growing up gay in Knoxville, Tennessee is... Continue Reading →
Title: Spy Stuff Authors: Matthew J. Metzger Publisher: JMS Books LLC Length: 226 pages Category: Young Adult, Transgender, Contemporary Romance At a Glance: A stealth trans boy falls in love with a straight boy; this was a cute contemporary young adult romance, and I’d recommend it for all teens, especially those who are on the... Continue Reading →
Title: The Bridge Author: Rachel Lou Publisher: Harmony Ink Press Length: 244 Pages Category: Young Adult, Paranormal/Fantasy At a Glance: I found myself enthralled by the world the author created. Reviewed By: Taz Blurb: Everett Hallman might not be the world’s most powerful witch, but he does his part by helping wayward souls find their... Continue Reading →
The Novel Approach Reviews 