tristatereader's reviews
87 reviews

All Hail the Underdogs by E.L. Massey

challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Ok so E.L. Massey’s first two books in the Breakaway series altered my brain chemistry. I loved them so much and y’all should have heard the scream I screamt when I received an ARC for the third book in the series, All Hail the Underdogs. 

All Hail the Underdogs introduces readers to teenagers Patrick Roman aka Rome (not Patrick, not Roman, just Rome- this is important) and Damien Bordeaux. Rome is a  hockey phenomenon accepted to one of the best hockey prep high schools in the country. Rome comes from a life of poverty, neglect, and abuse. He’s grumpy and extremely leery of others. His sole focus is to do well in school and excel at hockey in order to enter the NHL draft. 

Damien grew up in the lap of luxury. A Black boy adopted by wealthy, white parents, Rome can’t help but scoff at the privilege he assumes Damien has as a result of his wealth. But while Damien is a ray of sunshine exuding cinnamon roll vibes, absentee parents and systematic racism plague his everyday life. As the two athletes begin to get glimpses into one another’s lives, they begin to grow as individuals, teammates, friends, and eventually more. 

E.L. did it again. I loved this book. I’m going to warn you that this definitely deals with some heavy ass shit compared to Like Real People Do and Like You’ve Nothing Left to Prove, so please heed the CWs that E.L. provides at the beginning of the book. My boys were going through it and my heart broke for both of them at times. The boathouse scene? Girl stop. Have your tissues readyyy my friends. But their enemies to lovers story was beautiful; full of growth and resilience from both boys. I really hope we get to see more of Rome and Damien (and Finley the littlest loml) with the Hell Hounds in book 4; let’s goooo Matts redemption arc!

Thank you so much to the author for this ARC. 

**Ebook pre-order is available now on Amazon and Nine Star Press. And if you order from the publisher (same price as Amazon) you’ll receive the book early on 8/25/23 vs 8/29/23 👀 Check out the link in E.L.’s bio.

Queried Sick by Dallas Smith

challenging emotional funny hopeful reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Queried Sick is adorable and you should read it ASAP. That’s it. That’s the review. 

Ok so… in this sweet romance, we’re introduced to Ezra Beaumont and Oliver Wheeler. While his family’s legacy is based on wealth and power, Ezra has no desire to be part of it. He’s spent the last 7 years backpacking his way through Europe solely to avoid his cruel family. When his mom hires a PI and finds Ezra in the arms of another man, he’s completely disowned. At the same time, Covid starts spreading and Ezra makes the decision to leave Europe and return to NYC, where he is able to quarantine and live with his cousin. As luck would have it, his best friend Ryan is also able to secure him a job at his family’s publishing company. Ezra starts to see a light at the end of the tunnel, until he’s introduced to his mentor, Oliver, who seems to want nothing to do with him.

Oliver Wheeler wants nothing to do with Ezra Beaumont. To Oliver, Ezra is an entitled, trust fund kid that his bestie Ryan knows from boarding school. And with the lockdown adding more responsibility and stress to Oliver’s job, the last thing he wants is to have to babysit a spoiled man-child. But how long can stubborn Oliver continue to focus on who he thinks Ezra is, rather than accept the sweet and sensitive peanut butter cup for who he really is?

There were so many things I loved about this book, starting with the autoimmune rep. Oliver has RA and this plays a huge role in this book’s narrative. I empathized so much with his isolation struggles. I also adored Ezra. He obliterated the stereotype of “trust fund kid” as he worked his ass off to prove himself at Coleman Press. And the sparks! These two guys had me giggling constantly throughout this book; the chemistry was chemistrying, y’all! 

My favorite part of this book was watching their romance blossom via epistolary communication (e-mails, texts, adorable video chat movie dates). It was unlike anything I’d ever read and I felt the author absolutely nailed it. 

Just a warning, there is a 3rd act miscommunication-semi-somewhat-kinda-breakup, but I felt it served it’s purpose for the two and their character development 💕

Thank you so much to the author for the gifted copy of this gem of a book!

Like You've Nothing Left to Prove by E.L. Massey

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I had ‘Like Real People Do’ on my Amazon wish list forever and then I won a giveaway and picked it! When I posted about it on bookstagram, a friend reached out and asked if we could buddy read. Of course I said yes because he’s one of the best around ❤️ Which is why it pains me to say I failed so miserably in our buddy read 😭 We were trying to do 5 chapters a day but E.L. Massey’s writing sabotaged my plans and I ended up finishing book one in 2 days. After apologizing profusely to my incredibly understanding friend, I immediately purchased the second book, ‘Like You’ve Nothing Left to Prove’, and also devoured that in 2 days.

Y’all screamed about these books, and rightfully so. I LOVED these books. They tell the story of Alex, a 19-year-old closeted gay man who is the captain of his NHL team, and Eli, an openly gay, 18-year-old college student whose Olympic figure skating dreams were derailed after suffering a TBI as the result of a car accident. They meet after Eli rightfully calls Alex out for parking in both handicap spots at the ice rink. Alex takes Eli to lunch to make amends, and the pair form an unlikely friendship.

Strangers to friends to lovers, this one is for you. The evolution of A&E’s relationships felt so organic. The found family and protectiveness of A&E’s friends and teammates actually made me tear up- Kuzy I’m looking at you ya big softy. I loved A&E’s shared journey to finding healthy communication, their “rules during fights”, and their mutual compromises in all facets of life. The two gave me a Yin and Yang dynamic that fit perfectly, and most importantly I loved their loyalty and commitment to one another. 

These books deal with some heavy things including internalized and externalzied homophobia, physical injuries, and managing Eli’s seizure disorder. But everything was written so well and with such care, I found both books heartwarming and comforting. And if all that hasn’t sold you, there’s a good girl service dog named Hawk and a grumpy cat named Bells (with over 1 million followers on insta, thank you very much). 

Like Real People Do by E.L. Massey

challenging funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I had ‘Like Real People Do’ on my Amazon wish list forever and then I won a giveaway and picked it! When I posted about it on bookstagram, a friend reached out and asked if we could buddy read. Of course I said yes because he’s one of the best around ❤️ Which is why it pains me to say I failed so miserably in our buddy read 😭 We were trying to do 5 chapters a day but E.L. Massey’s writing sabotaged my plans and I ended up finishing book one in 2 days. After apologizing profusely to my incredibly understanding friend, I immediately purchased the second book, ‘Like You’ve Nothing Left to Prove’, and also devoured that in 2 days.

Y’all screamed about these books, and rightfully so. I LOVED these books. They tell the story of Alex, a 19-year-old closeted gay man who is the captain of his NHL team, and Eli, an openly gay, 18-year-old college student whose Olympic figure skating dreams were derailed after suffering a TBI as the result of a car accident. They meet after Eli rightfully calls Alex out for parking in both handicap spots at the ice rink. Alex takes Eli to lunch to make amends, and the pair form an unlikely friendship.

Strangers to friends to lovers, this one is for you. The evolution of A&E’s relationships felt so organic. The found family and protectiveness of A&E’s friends and teammates actually made me tear up- Kuzy I’m looking at you ya big softy. I loved A&E’s shared journey to finding healthy communication, their “rules during fights”, and their mutual compromises in all facets of life. The two gave me a Yin and Yang dynamic that fit perfectly, and most importantly I loved their loyalty and commitment to one another. 

These books deal with some heavy things including internalized and externalzied homophobia, physical injuries, and managing Eli’s seizure disorder. But everything was written so well and with such care, I found both books heartwarming and comforting. And if all that hasn’t sold you, there’s a good girl service dog named Hawk and a grumpy cat named Bells (with over 1 million followers on insta, thank you very much). 

This Day Changes Everything by Edward Underhill

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

I wrote in my review of Always the Almost (which I loved- read it ASAP if you haven’t) that I was so excited for more future books by Edward Underhill. Well folks, he did it again. This was a 5-star read and Edward has officially landed himself on my auto-buy author list. 

This Day Changes Everything is the serendipitous story of two high school marching band members crashing into one another’s lives in NYC. Abby is from a small town in Missouri. She loves reading romance novels and browsing queer Tumblr. When she realizes she has feelings for her best friend Kat, she starts planning the perfect romantic gesture to win her heart. Leo is a trans boy from another small town in North Carolina. He’s struggling with the fact that while he’s out, his parents don’t seem to want his extended family to know. He feels conflicted about hiding his identity for the sake of peace in the family while also wanting to be his true, authentic self. Both Abby and Leo’s marching bands are chosen to perform during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC, both end up staying at the same hotel, both get separated from their respective bands, and both wind up on the wrong train together. Enter 12 hours of spontaneous, uninhibited adventures all over Manhattan.

I absolutely adored this book. I loved the initial grumpy / sunshine dynamic between Leo and Abby that blossomed into pure adoration. I also loved the tone and the pacing in this book. This is the first book I’ve read where the entire story takes place in the span of one day. I was curious to see if I would feel rushed or find myself wanting more, but I felt nothing but a full heart. The author executed Abby and Leo’s story flawlessly. 

I also can’t say enough about the setting of this book. I’m a Jersey girl, and watching Abby and Leo run around to some of my favorite spots in Manhattan was absolutely magical. I was so invested and captivated by their spontaneous adventures together. There was a scene in the Strand where I actually felt giddy; like full on giggling and kicking my feet while reading. 

Read this book if you want A+ representation, genuine chemistry, self-acceptance journeys, and two people finding someone who makes them both feel unapologetically free. 

Thank you so much to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for this ARC

Cover Story by Valerie Gomez

challenging emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

So basically I just adored everything about this book. At its core, Cover Story is a debut novel about two imperfect people finding their person.

AJ Bond and Dax Ximénez are two high achieving, successful adults living in NYC. AJ is the art director at The Modern Gentleman magazine (TMG) and Dax is an up and coming actor whose show has just been picked up by one of the top streaming services. When Dax has a scheduled photo shoot at TMG, he and AJ get off to a bit of a rocky start. But then Dax does something unexpected and invites himself out to dinner with AJ. It’s at dinner that the two spend hours getting to know one another, both seeming to agree that this is the start of a great friendship. As time goes on and the two spend more time together, it’s apparent that their platonic feelings have turned into more. But will the stress of high-demand careers allow for the two of them to be together? 

I loved these characters. I’m coming off some pretty heavy reads recently and breathed such a sigh of relief going into this book and genuinely liking both MCs right from the start. I need more of that in queer romances! The chemistry between D&AJ was incredible. Mental, physical, emotional; they really had so much fun together and I loved watching it unfold. It was all so organic and their transition from friends to romantic partners was seamless. We also need to talk about the beautifully written representation in this book! Mexican-American MC, developmental disability rep, trans and non-binary rep, unlabeled sexuality, and mental health… I loved it all. I also have to praise the author for making these characters in their early 30s because this is an age group that seems to be so underrepresented in queer literature. If what I’ve written so far still has you on the fence, I leave you with this: A+ character growth and tear-shedding found family. 

**Side note: As if the book wasn’t incredible enough, the author also illustrated her own gorgeous book cover! Can you imagine that much talent in one person?! 

Thank you to the author for this ARC 💕

Big Girl by Mecca Jamilah Sullivan

challenging emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

‘Big Girl’ by Mecca Jamilah Sullivan spans the childhood and early adolescence of Malaya Clondon, a young, Black girl who is labeled “obese” at just 8 years old. As generational trauma regarding weight seems to seep into her family, Malaya is forced to attend Weight Watchers meetings and encouraged to engage in unhealthy eating habits by her mother and grandmother. But after a traumatic loss, Malaya starts to realize that maybe the women in her family use weight as a measure of happiness due to deep-seated self-acceptance issues, and she begins to recognize that her weight loss and happiness are not mutually exclusive. 

This was a heavy read, but one that I encourage everyone to pick up. This story explored Malaya’s struggles in such relatable facets of life including body image, sexuality, school, and family life. The author’s writing style can be described as poetic and her words captivated me. I’m a Jersey girl with family and friends in all 5 boroughs and the imagery the author flawlessly executed in this book instantly transported me to NYC. Anyone who has been around the city for the past 3+ decades can tell you it’s not the same. The author did a brilliant job explaining just how the gentrification of Harlem began and it’s true affect on both businesses and residents. 

This was a coming of age story and with every turn of the page I became more and more hopeful that Malaya would gain the self-acceptance that she deserved. I was thrilled when I started seeing this subtle change and enjoyed watching Malaya start to take charge of her own life and recognize what truly defined her happiness. And I audibly whooped when she stood up to Ma-Mère toward the end 😏Other things I loved included all of the 1990s references that the author so seamlessly scattered throughout the book and Malaya’s deep connection to music and art, as these have always been therapeutic to me as well. I would have enjoyed reading more about Malaya’s experience in school and LaFamille.

Huge thank you to Hear Our Voices Tours and the author for the gifted copy of this book. 

Gwen and Art Are Not in Love by Lex Croucher

adventurous funny hopeful mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Gwen & Art Are Not in Love is a queer King Arthur retelling that takes place during Medieval times. Gwen & Art are both noble teenagers (Gwen being a princess) and have been betrothed to one another essentially since birth. Unfortunately, they hate each other. When they realize they’re both hot for other people, they decide to call a truce and marry in hopes that they can carry on their extramarital love lives in secret. But the kingdom begins to find itself vulnerable to outside forces and many obstacles attempt to break the bond formed between G&A as well as the rest of their crew.

IFUCKINGLOVEDTHISBOOK! Y’all this book was incredible. It was so freaking funny and I had such a blast reading it. I really took my time with this one because I was having so much fun and I didn’t want it to end. I started off side-eyeing both G&A pretty hard but by the end, I was ready to strap on some armor and go to battle for them. All of the characters in this book are so lovable. The diversity is so well thought-out and executed. The character growth was incredible for both of the stubborn asshole MCs (said affectionately because they are in fact the lomls). And the medical rep! I won’t spoil the major medical rep at the end but the author did confirm that Bridget has endometriosis and your girl loves to feel seen in books!

This was probably the most fun read I’ve ever had. I was laughing the entire time but also had my whole heart invested in the seriousness of the plot. Absolutely brilliant work by the author. 

Also, I would commit crimes for a copy of Gabe’s speech at the end. Lex, let me know if you can be persuaded to write this in the future 👀

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for this ARC

The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich by Deya Muniz

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Ok idk how to tell y’all this, but this is officially my favorite graphic novel of all time (sorry Heartstopper 🫶🏼). This was such a well-executed story and a total rush of serotonin.

The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich is a sapphic graphic novel that introduces readers to Cam and Princess Brie. Cam is the daughter and only child of the wealthy Count Camembert of Gougère. The count falls ill and due to the fact that women are not allowed to inherit, he comes up with a plan. His plan is for Cam to disguise herself as a man and move far away. So after the Count passes, Cam assumes the identity of Count Camembert’s son (also taking the same title) and moves to the capitol of Fondue in an attempt to start a new life. It’s in Fondue that Cam meets Princess Brie, and sparks fly.

I loved 👏🏼 every 👏🏼 single 👏🏼 thing 👏🏼 about this graphic novel. The artwork is absolutely incredible. I usually have a hard time focusing on the artwork in graphic novels, but I seriously couldn’t take my eyes off of the illustrations. The author did an incredible job in the way they meticulously captured every single emotion of each character. AND THE CHARACTERS! First and foremost Cam’s dad (who we only saw for a brief time) but who accepted Cam’s queer identity with nothing but love and support. Then my dream team: Lady Ricotta, Lady Gorgonzola (Zola), and Feta. I think they could bring about world peace if we gave them free rein. And I can’t forget the most goodest boy Gouda, who was so intuitive of his mom’s needs! 🥹🐶

Ok I could rant about this graphic novel all day but the bottom line is: you need this in your life. It’s the most fun reading experience I’ve had it a while. I’ll be here giggling and kicking my feet for the foreseeable future when you’re ready to talk about it. 6/5 stars. 

The Gentleman's Guide to Getting Lucky by Mackenzi Lee

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Two of my favorite characters reunite in this adorable novella. Monty and Percy were their typical hilarious and messy selves, which was exactly what I would have expected. I absolutely loved reading more about their new found family, especially Scipio’s heart to heart with Monty 🥹 Felicity is more badassery than ever and this novella has me really excited to read her story (Petticoats and Piracy). This was a really fun and quick read. Really enjoyed it.