Steak and Cake by Elizabeth Karmel is the cookbook that I didn’t even know I needed. The first time that I saw the cover for this book, I was instantly intrigued by its steak and cake combinations. This book has a multitude of recipes and ideas to make your next steak night a success. Continue reading
There’s Something About Sweetie by Sandhya Menon is the charming rom-com I have been waiting for since we first met Ashish in When Dimple Met Rishi. I adored the mix of cute content and a powerful message, and both Ashish and Sweetie are realistic characters. This is the perfect light and sweet read for a sunny day. Continue reading
Shout Out is an anthology unlike any other that I have read before. This graphic novel is diverse and full of interesting stories. If you are a fan of the genre, this is one book to check out! Continue reading
Nocturna by Maya Motayne is a novel I had been highly anticipating since I first heard of its release, and I am happy to say it lived up to my expectations. I love the idea of a prince and a thief who steals faces so unique, and the main characters are well-developed. I also enjoyed the execution of the magic system and the originality of each person’s abilities. Nocturna is a book that is entertaining and compelling, and I would recommend it to fans of the fantasy genre. Continue reading
Title: Sock it to Me Santa
Ryan is assigned to Jamie Peterson for his class's secret gift exchange. If word gets out that he has to make a handcrafted gift for flamboyant and openly gay Jamie, Ryan will be the laughing stock of the school. It's a good thing no self-respecting boy would be caught dead in a craft store, because otherwise he'd be at risk of being spotted when his mom drags him to her weekly craft workshops. He hopes Jamie will appreciate all the trouble he's going to for this assignment. Finding the perfect gift is gonna be tricky. Jamie deserves something good, though, after all the crap he has to put up with at school. At least, Ryan tells himself that's the reason he's putting so much thought into the gift. It couldn't be that he has feelings for Jamie, could it?
Sock it to Me Santa by Madison Parker is short and sweet as it tells the story of a Secret Santa exchange. Ryan, who is in the closet, must make a gift for Jamie, who is openly gay and harassed for it. I enjoyed the theme of family, and the interactions Ryan has with his mom are adorable. However, as it is a novella, the plot felt very rushed, and I wasn’t able to get to know the characters as much as I would have wished. As well, there are so many homophobic remarks/actions in the book. I understand that the point is to educate others and show that this is wrong, but I don’t feel like the book pulls this off very well. It just didn’t feel like a very Christmassy read to me.