This one was a long haul for me, particularly because of how raw this is. This is the perfect slice of life if I have ever read one, and I love the modern-day setting, especially in a post-COVID world. Rediscovering yourself after setbacks in your adulthood is such a humbling and hard experience. Chong perfectly captured this, from feelings of anger, pity, and resentment to finally acceptance and a new form of happiness.

Dark, haunting, unsettling, this book will slowly work its way under your skin like a damp rot until nothing but dread remains. The best way to describe this book is a sapphic medieval horror fantasy, but if you were having a fever dream. I am a lover of horror, but this book is a different breed; there is nothing that Starling does not throw at us, and it makes for the most enticing concoction. The story follows three compelling characters: Phosyne, an experimental alchemist; Treila, a fallen noble out for revenge; and Ser Voyne, a loyal knight bound to her king. Aymar Castle is under siege, its people starving as war looms on the horizon. Phosyne is tasked with performing a miracle when three mysterious Saints and The Constant Lady appear, promising salvation in the form of food. But as the characters grapple with the promises of these mysterious figures, they must ask themselves: What is the price of salvation? And how much will they have to sacrifice to escape the horror surrounding them? My only complaint and reason for giving 4 stars rather than 5 is the first half of the book was slow, almost too slow. But I will say, when I finally reached the second half, everything fell into place. I am so happy that I stuck it out because this is one I will be talking about for ages. If you are a fan of the horror genre, please read this! I akin this to books like The Unworthy, Bunny, with a sprinkle of Tender is the Flesh. This is one novel I cannot stress enough to check the trigger warning and do your research if you are in any way squeamish. Thank you, Harper Voyager and Harper Collins, for the opportunity to read and review this arc. This is one that will forever haunt me in the best ways.

As a Formula 1 fan at heart, I knew I absolutely had to read this. I will say romance is not a genre I tend to explore, but I am so glad I did. This is such a cute and easy read. This is Madge Maril’s debut book, and is a must read for anyone interested in the world of F1. Maril truly lays out the basic of the sport that’s an amazing introduction. And don’t even get me started on the tension; the yearning, the banter, the cocky (blonde) man, all of the things that had me kicking my feet and giggling. Arthur is hot, that is all. With that said, I only have two qualms with the book. One being the way some mental health was portrayed. When it came to neurodivergence representation, it felt a bit forced at times, as it only seemed to be a topic when something was going terribly wrong. My other qualm, and this is a personal preference, is the pacing of the relationship, specifically how quickly they seemed to do a 180 out of nowhere. It threw me a bit off guard and felt like insta-love, which is not my cup of tea. Overall, I did enjoy the book and would definitely recommend it as a cute summer read, especially if you are a Formula 1 fan.

“Is there anyone who knows a young woman’s body better than her closest friends? By way of love or comparison or some combination of the two?” What do you do when your entire art career has been sent into a downward spiral after the introduction of artificial intelligence? If you’re Enka, you start a rivalry with your best friend, who just so happens to be the only still succeeding artist in the current world, or more specifically, the girl who has achieved everything you have worked and dreamed of. And then comes the invention of SCAFFOLD, a cutting-edge technology designed to enhance empathy between people by creating a mental link, allowing the user to inhabit the mind of another. When Enka is presented with the opportunity to inhabit her best friend’s mind, accessing her memories, artistic inspirations, and deep-seated trauma, linking them together forever, well, that is an opportunity too good not to take. This is my first book by Ling Ling Huang, and oh my god, I am over the moon in love with the way she writes! This book is a literal work of art in itself. The first half reads as literary fiction, while the second half takes a turn into a more dystopian/horror read. Huang astutely dissects the absurdity of today’s art world, specifically the accessibility of art due to factors such as wealth and status. Beyond the world of art, Huang explores the complexities of being an artist, the self-trauma, power, gender, and the implications of science and technology. This is a book for all of us who love some weird girl fiction. I cannot recommend this highly enough. Immaculate Conception releases tomorrow at all major retailers. Thank you, Dutton and Penguin Books for the opportunity to read this ARC.

When I saw this compared to fleabag, I could not run fast enough. I am someone who loves lit fic with my entire being, but this was just not it. Joan and I could not get along, which is typically something I enjoy when reading these types of books; a character who is complex and fleshed out in the most human way possible, but I just found her unlikable to the point of unenjoyment.