Book Review: Fireworks by Katie Cotugno

Book Review: Fireworks by Katie CotugnoTitle: Fireworks
Author: Katie Cotugno
Also by this author: 99 Days (99 Days #1)
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult Fiction
Publication Date: April 18, 2017
Rating: four-stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

It was always meant to be Olivia. She was the talented one, the one who had been training to be a star her whole life. Her best friend, Dana, was the level-headed one, always on the sidelines, cheering her best friend along.

But everything changes when Dana tags along with Olivia to Orlando for the weekend, where superproducer Guy Monroe is holding auditions for a new singing group, and Dana is discovered too. Dana, who’s never sung more than Olivia’s backup. Dana, who wasn’t even looking for fame. Next thing she knows, she and Olivia are training to be pop stars, and Dana is falling for Alex, the earnest, endlessly talented boy who’s destined to be the next big thing.

It should be a dream come true, but as the days of grueling practice and constant competition take their toll, things between Olivia and Dana start to shift . . . and there’s only room at the top for one girl. For Olivia, it’s her chance at her dream. For Dana, it’s a chance to escape a future that seems to be closing in on her. And for these lifelong best friends, it’s the adventure of a lifetime—if they can make it through.

Set in evocative 1990s Orlando, New York Times bestselling author Katie Cotugno’s Fireworks brings to life the complexity of friendship, the excitement of first love, and the feeling of being on the verge of greatness.

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❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃


Last updated on March 3, 2025

Book Review: Fireworks by Katie Cotugno

Fireworks by Katie Cotugno is the 90s stardom book I never knew I wanted. The hard work and intense training shown in the story is exactly what I love to see, and the main character has a complex backstory and is so likeable. What I especially adored is the female friendship between the two main characters, since it is actually goals. Fans of Katie Cotugno’s previous books will not be disappointed with her latest work! Continue reading

The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli

The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli

Last updated on April 27, 2026

The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli is an extremely diverse and relatable book with a main character who is hilarious and inspiring. What I especially enjoyed is the teen-like writing style. After reading Simon Vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda last year, I have placed Becky Albertalli on my auto-buy list. I can definitely say that The Upside of Unrequited did not disappoint.  If this book is not already on your TBR, I strongly encourage you to add it to your list! Continue reading

Book Review: Take the Fall by Emily Hainsworth

Book Review: Take the Fall by Emily HainsworthTitle: Take the Fall
Author: Emily Hainsworth
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Genres: Mystery, Young Adult Fiction
Publication Date: February 16, 2016
Rating: four-half-stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

WHO KILLED GRETCHEN MEYER?

Fear grips the residents of Hidden Falls the night Sonia Feldman and her best friend, Gretchen Meyer, are attacked in the woods. Sonia was lucky to escape with her life, but Gretchen’s body is discovered at the bottom of a waterfall. Beautiful, popular, and seemingly untouchable, Gretchen can’t be gone. Even as Sonia struggles with guilt and confusion over having survived, the whole town is looking to her for information…could she have seen something that will lead the police to the killer?

At the top of the list of suspects is Gretchen’s ex-boyfriend—and Sonia’s longtime enemy—Marcus Perez. So when Marcus comes to Sonia for help clearing his name, she agrees, hoping to find evidence the police need to prove he’s the killer. But as Gretchen’s many secrets emerge and the suspects add up, Sonia feels less sure of Marcus’s involvement, and more afraid for herself. Could Marcus, the artist, the screwup, the boy she might be falling for have attacked her? Killed her best friend? And if it wasn’t him in the woods that night…who could it have been?

Amazon “Waterstones"

❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃


Last updated on April 3, 2026

Book Review: Take the Fall by Emily Hainsworth

Take the Fall by Emily Hainsworth is one of the most suspenseful books of the year. The reader will be turning the pages like mad, eager to learn the truth. This crime novel is action-packed as the characters try and catch a killer, and the focus is on the mystery, not the romance, which is enjoyable. However, the ending may be disappointing for some in this whirlwind of a story. Continue reading

Review: 99 Days by Katie Cotugno

Review: 99 Days by Katie Cotugno

Last updated on January 9, 2025

99 Days by Katie Cotugno is probably the most dramatic book I’ve read this year. While I did enjoy reading this book, the main character seems to not sit well with me. It is a gorgeously designed novel that has a very unique concept, however, the main character seems a bit artificial with her melodramatic tendencies. Continue reading