Tag: Debut Novel

Books

Book 841: The Sky Blues – Robbie Couch

Geoff W

Book cover of "The Sky Blues" with Amazon Affiliate linkAfter finishing Jay’s Gay Agenda, I stumbled across this one either on Amazon or Overdrive in a “similar books” list. The cover was adorable and then I read the blurb and immediately requested a copy of it.

The Sky Blues is a delightful debut novel that tugs at all the heart strings without causing too much angst to the reader, highlights the importance of found family and community, and gives all the young LGBT+/queer kids out there another wonderful book to read that’s full of hope, wonder, and joy.

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Book 837: Fifty Words for Rain – Asha Lemmie

Geoff W

Book cover of "Fifty Words for Rain" with Amazon Affiliate linkI feel hollow after finishing this book—I’m not sure emotionally drained is the right word because I feel like I have so many emotions going on that they’ve just forced each other out and there’s just nothing.  And when you take in that this is a debut novel, damn.

I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it’s been on my radar since the publisher reached out last year when it was first published but I didn’t get to it until the paperback was recently released.* I really should’ve prioritized it from back then because I feel like Dutton never steers me wrong looking at the books I’ve read from them.

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Books

Book 835: Legendborn (Legendborn Cycle #1) – Tracy Deonn

Geoff W

Book cover of "Legendborn" with Amazon Affiliate linkI was on hold at the library for months to get this one! I vaguely remember it being released, but didn’t realize it’s connection to UNC Chapel Hill (my undergrad) until I saw the cover and Deonn in one of the alumni newsletters and then of course immediately had to read it, but was stifled by the long hold times :’-(

I wasn’t only drawn to it because of the UNC connection, but also because of the modern retelling of Arthurian legends. I knew this was going to be a fascinating take on them with a Black protagonist, southern history, secret societies, and the first public university in the country, how couldn’t it be!

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Book 834: Blackout – Marco Carocari

Geoff W

Book cover of "Blackout" with Amazon Affiliate linkIn general, I don’t read a lot of mysteries or thrillers, even though I really should (see next paragraph). However, when the publicist reached out about this one with a gay protagonist I thought sure why not give it ago.*

Although there were definitely some issues with this book, pretty sure the authors native language isn’t English, for the most part I enjoyed it. And if my reaction to the two big reveals in the novel are anything to go by I really should read mysteries/thrillers more often. The first WTF moment happened and I had to take a few minutes to collect myself. I mean it was obvious it was coming looking back, but I got caught up in the story and didn’t pay attention to the clues or hints. And then the second one, I was just pissed about.

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Book 833: You’re My Home – Katie Moore

Geoff W

Book cover of "You're My Home" with Amazon Affiliate linkLooking back at the review request for this, I’m not sure what drew me to it. Maybe it was the best friends, the religious homophobia, the slow-burn or the hurt/comfort friends to lovers draw.* Whatever it was, I’m glad I said yes because even though I was emotionally exhausted by the end of the novel it was 100% worth the 460-page slog!

You’re My Home is the story of Zach, an underdeveloped young man who survives an abusive religious family, and Brady, the wealthy outgoing football jock with a heart of gold. They meet when they’re young and the story spans five or six years and you feel every one of those years on the page.

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