The second quarter of this year seemed to move at lighting speed. Luckily, I still found time to sit down and smell the pages. I read some amazing books during this three month period! Here are all the books I read during the second quarter of the year!

April

The Name Drop by Susan Lee

I’ll admit when I read the concept of this book it seemed outrageous to me, two people from widely different circumstances sharing the same name and doing eachothers job during a summer internship! However, Susan Lee executed the plot perfectly. The Name is Drop is one of those books that remind you to fake it till you make it. This book has two POVs which I loved. This book is a romance that amazingly makes the reader feel like they are an intern In New York.

Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender

I originally picked up Felix Ever After because I saw it online, and it pleasantly surprised me. The first thing I have to say is that as a Catfish (the tv show) watcher, this book made me SCREAM. I mean if a personal account has no pictures of the user, then it's probably fake. Also why would you answer a DM from a rando. So you must suspend your disbelif as you read this book, and transport yourself into a pre-catfish world. Now that I’ve said my two cents about that, this book is great. Kacen Callender is able to authentically write Felix’s story in a way that showes humor, pain, joy, and life itself. If you’re looking for a romance, this isn’t it. However, if you’re looking for a great book, then pick this one up!

Surving Adam Meade by Shannon Klare

I hate to say it, but I eat up a good trope. Surviving Adam Meade is the classic coach’s daughter in love with the quarterback book. The plot of this book didn’t always flow and at times seemed jagged. However, it always made sense. This is the type of book that makes the perfect summer read, or in my case a book to distract you from piles of homework. 

May

A Pho Love Story by Loan Le

Loan Le did her big one with a Pho Love Story! I ate this up! This book is an amazing romcom that has the essence of Romeo and Juliet. Told in two POVs the novel follows two young Vietnamese Americans Bao and Linh who both work in their family’s restaurant. The characters are unique and memorable. I really enjoyed that each character had their own struggles which made the plotline believable. 

Pretty Funny for a Girl by Rebecca Elliot

Pretty Funny for a Girl was overall a good read, but at times felt lackluster. The main character Haylah goes through a lot of good character development, but it seems to take a long time to achieve. The book is written in first person, and it does capture the voice of an adolancecent girl which was a plus but at times it did feel too much. I really liked the subplots of this book and think they helped make the book more entertaining.

Flip the Script by Lyla Lee

I really enjoyed Flip the Scipt! The plot follows Hana, a young Korean American actress living in Seol that has a leading role in a Kdrama. In the book Hana has to participate in a publicity stunt to gain more viewers by dating her co-star. However, an old friend shows up that complicates matters. As someone that occasionally watches kdramas this had my tropes. From friends to lovers, to the classic unrequired love this book checked all of the boxes. If you like romances you’ll like this book.

June

Boys I Know by Anna Garcia 

The first hundred pages of this book had me questioning if I would have to DNF. However, by halfway through Boys I Know I was vibing with it. My library had marked this book as romance, but personally I would not classify it as such. The book was definitely more coming of age that happened to have romantic relationships in it. Throughout time the main character June was naive, but that was the point. Anna Garcia wrote a unique story that tackles identity, love, and future plans.

Everyone Hates Kelsie Miller by Meredith Ireland 

Meredith Ireland masterfully writes the plot of a road trip. Everyone Hates Kelsie Miller is absolutely amazing! It seems like in each chapter readers were able to pull back characters' onions a little bit more. As you probably know by now, I love a good romance book and this was definitely one. The book is about Kelsie who goes on a road trip to the Univerity of Pennslyvainia with her rival to figure out why her best friend stopped talking to her. Honestly no notes! 

Chole and the Kaishao Boys by Mae Coyiuto

Chole and the Kaishao Boys was such an amazing book. The relationship between Chole and  Maria was so sweet and a wonderful representation of female friendship. The plot flowed really nicely and had an amazing rhythm. While this had romantic aspects, I think even readers who don’t enjoy the romance genre will enjoy the book. I really enjoyed that the book was heavily centered around Chole’s family and her dreams. 

If This Gets Out by Sophie Gonzales and Cale Dietrich

I love books that have different writers writing for different characters! I think it's a great way to have distinct characterization and a cool plot. Gonzales and Dietrich did this amazingly! The two main characters Ruben and Zack feel alive. This book does feel long through, throughout the book there were points when I wondered why there were still more pages. However, the subplot points are interesting enough to keep readers entertained.