Tag Archives: Tiny Pretty Things

Spring Has Sprung With These 10 Spring 2022 Book Releases

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Only four- and five-star reviews here! While I’ve been gone from here and my book Insta for a few weeks and months, I’ve been trying to power through my TBR goals to get back on track this year. And if I may speak honestly (which I’ll do anyway lol), these ten springtime releases totally saved my reading slump. So, without further ago, I’d like to welcome you all, my faithful readers back to Miranda’s Book Nook for some early 2022 book recommendations that I can’t get enough of. Happy reading!

Hook, Line, and Sinker by Tessa Bailey

I was beyond excited to read Hook, Line, and Sinker after devouring its predecessor, It Happened One Summer. Here, it’s Piper’s younger sister Hannah’s turn in the spotlight. We’ve got a tale of a reformed playboy who’s secretly harboring romantic thoughts about his platonic best friend while giving her tips to land a different guy ala Cyrano. Taking place six months after IHOS concludes, local fisherman Fox and Hannah text daily since she left Westport three months ago. Every day, every night, all the time. When she’s in town for work, she crashes in his guest room but the more time she spends with Fox, the more apparent her actual feelings lie and the thin line between friendship and flirtation gets very blurry. Though they are both hopelessly against it because of his reputation around town and she doesn’t want to be just another notch in the bedpost. So, we’ve got forced proximity and friends-to-lovers tropes at play for a delicious romance read that I legitimately couldn’t put down. Plus, we get even more insight into the beloved characters that we first met in IHOS.

In the prologue, we see how their friendship has developed since IHOS through their daily texts, which is a nice introduction to their mindsets and inner thoughts because they are 1000 percent the same lovable characters we met in the first book. And yes, there is an adorable post-HEA check-in with Piper, Brendan, Opal, Sanders, and the rest of the Westport townies. Told in dual point-of-views, Tessa Bailey brings her signature style to this novel with her penchant for compelling language and relatable characters that enthrall me to keep reading.

As a rom-com pair, Fox and Hannah have tension and banter, which I love and is so adorable, but they also have so much heart, vulnerability, and emotional depths. I seriously couldn’t put this book down, which ended up being cuter and less spicy than IHOS. Don’t get me wrong, I still really really enjoyed it, it’s just comparatively, yes, there were fewer spicy moments. Still spice, just not as much as the first book in case your were wondering. Then, that epilogue, I don’t want to spoil, but eep, I love future HEA scenes. So much. Gotta move on for now, my cheeks hurt from smiling.

Rating: Four Stars

Available: Now

The Rumor Game by Dhonielle Clayton and Sona Charaipotra

Fans of Tiny Pretty Things and its Shiny Broken Pieces sequel are sure to enjoy Dhonielle Clayton and Sona Charaipotra’s next YA thriller, this time set in an elite DC prep school amid a plethora of scandals and rumors that have the power to destroy lives. Told in multiple perspectives (much like TPT and SBP), readers see the inner POVs of Georgie, Bryn and Cora through text, iPhone messages, emails and a Post-It note timeline of the events. This storytelling format helps make the plot feel modern and realistic as you see firsthand how these rumors started to spread in the first place.

Set at the uber-posh Foxham Prep high school for DC’s elite, we follow Bryn, Cora, and Georgie as they contend with potentially life-ruining rumors and gossip in their quest for popularity and future goals. Bryn, for her part, is the girl that used to have it all: devoted boyfriend, high school class presidency, close circle of friends and ultimate popularity until one mistake turned into a massive DC scandal that left her a pariah. As a result, she starts hanging out with neighbor Georgie more. Jashan “Georgie” is the new cool girl in school after a summer makeover turned her into a svelte, confident student instead of her formerly nerdy self. Her newfound popularity pits her against Bryn’s former bestie Cora, who’s the new Queen Bee after Bryn was dethroned from her post.

I was hooked on this book from the start, like, it’s so good and compelling, just chock full of twists I didn’t see coming at all. I legitimately couldn’t put this read down by the final chapters, there was just so much action that I needed to know what was going to happen next!

In this cautionary tale about bullying, there are definitely some content warnings surrounding topics of fatphobia, sexual assault, drug misuse, bullying, and cyberbullying.

Rating: Four Stars

Available: Now

Dating Dr. Dil by Nisha Sharma

After reading an ARC (thank you, NetGalley!) of Nisha Sharma’s adorable YA Radha & Jai’s Recipe for Romance, I was intrigued by this adult romance premise from the moment I (being honest here) saw a teaser on TikTok (haha long live #BookTok!).

Here, Kareena’s been dreaming of a true love story like her parents or her beloved romance novels though she is often found fixturing up her classic car instead of swiping on dating apps. After her dad reveals his intentions to sell their family home amid his retirement, she makes him a deal that she’ll buy the house from him if she gets in engaged … within four months. Soon after, she gets into a viral TV argument with Prem on his medical chat show when they seemingly dislike one another over their differing views on love and arranged marriages. Prem, for his part, is dedicated to building a local community medical center but needs funds to get it up and running, though his investor isn’t convinced. After Kareena’s meddling aunties convince them they are made for each other, they agree to fake a relationship until they both get exactly what they want — love out of the question.

Told in dual perspectives, this book has so much banter and I literally love it! In all its tropey, indulgent goodness, there’s also plenty of wit, humor, authenticity, and yes, even spicy content. Full of a fake dating trope and an enemies to lovers one, it was honestly equal parts adorable and authentic that I really did not want to put it down, especially as I neared the ending! Gosh, it was so sweet, indulgent and fun!

Rating: Four Stars

Available: Now

Being Mary Bennet by J.C. Peterson

Let’s be real: Any Austenian fangirl (which, hey, guilty!) dreams of being a protagonist of her own life ala Pride and Prejudice‘s Lizzie Bennet. Yet, Mary is the more authentic representation of us. Main character Marnie Barnes understands that all to well but decides that her new semester at her boarding school is the perfect time to design an all-new her, complete with a shiny new self-confidence.  As Marnie aims to reinvent herself with the help of her new friends, a cute new love interest and one adorable rescue puppy, she’s on a brand-new path to become a whole new person. This book had me by its “perfect for fans of Jenny Han, Becky Albertalli, and Jane Austen” description. Plus, I’m a sucker for a good P&P-inspired read.

This YA/New Adult read is fun and cute, like, totally smile-worthy. This Jane Austen-inspired novel features a compelling first-person point-of-view that pulls me in from the start. In this coming-of-age tale, nothing was really how I imagined it nor how I pictured it per the book summary yet that’s precisely why I liked it so much. It’s different yet still so compelling and less about love, instead focusing on self-growth and confidence to embrace your inner “Mary Bennet.”

Rating: Four Stars

Available: Now

Cover Story by Susan Rigetti

Okay, holy crap, this book! I literally was totally wrong in terms of what I expected, which made this book so good! Told through FBI transcripts, diary entries, emails and more, via four parts, it was so compelling, captivating and so freaking mysterious that I was desperate to learn more!

Here, Lora has landed a dream internship at ELLE Magazine, where she meets the elusive yet enthralling contributing editor Cat Wolff, who’s a total enigma. After Cat takes newbie Lora under her wing, our protagonist soon is offered a dream job to join Cat’s inner circle as her ghostwriter. Of course, there’s more to the story than you even know…

This book, much like a fictional portrayal of the Anna Delvey scandal, read super quick, and gah, I literally cannot stop thinking about it now that I finished it. Plus, that twist? Seriously, oh man, I think my jaw is still on the floor! Totally unexpected and mesmerizing. Seriously, this book is a special one. End of story. Period.

Rating: Four Stars

Available: April 5, 2022

Fool Me Once by Ashley Winstead

Described as a fierce and funny battle of the exes, this book follows independent Lee Stone “Stoner”, who runs the communications for a woman-owned electric car company by day and can drink guys under the table at night. However, she won’t let any potential relationships get further than one night in her bed.  After previous heartbreaks, she knows you can’t count on love, especially after she cheated on ex-boyfriend Ben. So, naturally, she’s totally shocked when he reappears in her workplace world five years later (still hyper-competitive) and they need to team up in order to pass a clean energy bill, that she’s uber-passionate about, on behalf of the Texas governor.

I was drawn into this novel’s storytelling from the first pages. Lee and Ben are the epitome of the enemies to lovers slash second chance trope, and as a result, they have such banter back-and-forth, which is so engaging and fun to follow. It reads quickly, and it’s so fun, cute, authentic and vulnerable that I really didn’t want to pause this read for even one minute. All in all, it’s equally fun, witty, romantic and relatable — balancing the sweet romance with an authentic finding yourself tale all wrapped up in one.

Rating: Four Stars

Available: April 5, 2022

I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston

Casey McQuiston. Young Adult Debut. Is Here. Eeep! McQuiston is fast becoming an auto-buy author for me after I devoured Red, White & Royal Blue, One Last Stop, and now, I Kissed Shara Wheeler.

Here, Chloe Green moves from southern California to small-town Alabama for high school with her eye on the prize of valedictorian upon graduation. However, her biggest academic rival is Shara Wheeler, the principal’s daughter and all-around teachers’ pet. One month before graduation and finding out which student will top the class ranking, Shara vanishes on prom night — just hours after kissing Chloe for the first time. On the hunt for answers about her kiss-and-dash, Chloe follows a trail of pink letters that her rival left for boyfriend Smith, neighbor Rory and herself. Which, hello, Paper Towns by John Green vibes, so I’m into it! For most of the book, the unlikely trio follow Shara’s series of pink-colored envelopes full of intricate clues to decode to find her location in time for their high school graduation.

True to style, McQuiston weaves her signature compelling, witty language to tell an engaging story full of diverse and authentic characters. By early chapters, I’m already so intrigued to learn more and find out what actually happened! This book is that unputdownable, truly, and adds a unique twist on the rom-com genre thanks to the added ‘Where is Shara’ mystery we have going on here. Main character Chloe Green, just like the side characters, is so authentic, honest and relatable as they all come of age in a small Southern town. All in all, this book is so, so, so good and intriguing, like I just loved it. Then, it does feature a cute rom-com and HEA, not just for our heroine but also the whole senior class too, which is equally sweet and cute.

Rating: Five Stars

Available: May 3, 2022

By the Book by Jasmine Guillory

When I tell you I legitimately screamed when I got approved for this ARC *and* found out this novel was a thing. True story. One of my top reads of 2021 was the first book in the Meant to Be series (If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy) and considering Jasmine Guillory is also a master of romance novels and wrote a literal Beauty and the Beast-inspired novel, like, SOLD. Instantly.

Here, Isabelle “Izzy” is a publishing house editorial assistant, yearning for her next step. Looking for her next career move, she volunteers to travel to a reclusive former child star to find out why is memoir manuscript is late. Upon arriving at his Santa Barbara, California mansion, she meets Beau Towers. He’s equally lost and withdrawn, unable to pen even a chapter of his book. Izzy is determined to hand-hold him to actually write his story and, along the way, they discover all they have in common.

I adore Beauty and the Beast and bookish romances, so naturally, I found this book completely charming and was fully drawn into the story immediately. There are tons of little Beauty and the Beast Easter eggs and nods to the original which were super fun and I loved that touch. The book is well-written, chock full of compelling language. I was so intrigued by the story and very much wanted to keep reading. While the main character Izzy is very a sugar-sweet, cookie-cutter good girl, I found myself more drawn to her love interest Beau, who was just so authentic, vulnerable and so interesting to see him shed his hard layers. Overall, it is a slow-burn romance that once it gets going, is very cute that had me swooning. The ending? Gah, it was just so precious and bookish and I loved it with my whole heart.

Content Warning: Stockholm Syndrome (which I guess can be said about Beauty and the Beast in general.)

Rating: Four Stars

Available: May 3, 2022

See You Yesterday by Rachel Lynn Solomon

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book but I was pleasantly surprised by the outcome and how much I really liked it. The story, much like a college/New Adult version of Groundhog Day, follows Barrett and Miles who have somehow gotten stuck in a time loop and are forced to relive their disastrous first day of college.

Here, Barrett is forced to relive her embarrassing, fateful first day of college over and over, including an encounter with her physics classmate, Miles. In an unforeseen twist, she learns that Miles has also been stuck in the same loop for nearly one month longer. The pair decide to team up to figure out a way out of the time loop, with everything from science to magic, as they go on various wild adventures around their college campus.

It’s full of compelling language that intrigued me and sucked me in. I was just so curious to learn more about what happened and how they could possibly fix it. The protagonists are equally authentic and vulnerable as leading players.

Rating: Four Stars

Available: May 17, 2022

American Royals III: Rivals by Katharine McGee

The Queen is here — literally. I nearly *screamed* when I learned one of my all-time favorite contemporary YA/NA series would have a third sequel. After devouring both of author Katharine McGee’s prior novels (and wishing I could be a combination of all of her leading ladies, let’s be honest), I was completely stoked and thrilled to revisit the Washingtons once more. And let me tell you: It completely lives up the hype of the Washington sibling’s regal world that I first fell in love with from the first books in the series. I am so grateful for this ARC, because, let’s be honest, I just couldn’t way another minute to find out what was next for Queen Beatrice, Princess Samantha, Daphne and Nina. While Majesty let me down slightly after watching my beloved Connor+Bea ship crash and burn, I am pleased to return that my fandom has returned in full force with this one.

Here, it’s a meeting of the monarchs as Beatrice (fresh off her canceled nuptials to Teddy from the last book) is set to preside over the prestigious Legions of Kings meetings for global regents. There, she’s representing America at the convention and desperately trying to get her first initiative past, all while balancing her fragile relationship with Teddy (whom she did postpone their wedding!) and meeting a glamorous international French princess who invites her into her elite inner circle. Meanwhile, Princess Samantha and beau Lord Marshall are still going strong (eeep!) but navigate difficult future plans considering the title differences. Then, there’s Daphne and Nina who are forced to (gasp!) team up to take down a new rival in town, equally vying for Prince Jefferson’s affections.

True to McGee’s style, this book brings her signature witty and engaging language that had me both yearning to find out what happened next but also wanting to savor every last morsel of text and storytelling. Told in 4 points of view, I’m quickly drawn into each leading lady’s head and become so desperate to learn what would happen next. And seriously, I just didn’t want this book to end!

It makes the perfect addition to the American Royals series, and selfishly, I hope it’s not the end of this series because I have so many questions left after that ending. Basically, I just need more content, like, right now. Or I’ll just re-read it, one, two or ten more times in the meantime.

Rating: Five Stars

Available: May 31, 2022

Advance reader copies of the books listed were provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

11 Books to Read If You Can’t Stop Listening to Olivia Rodrigo’s ‘SOUR’

Posted in Miranda's Book Nook, Pop Culture by

Even though I’m a millennial and not a cool Gen Z’er, I’ve still been listening to Olivia Rodrigo’s debut album, “SOUR” ever since it dropped earlier this spring. What can I say? Music that slaps, slaps; no reasoning necessary. Just like my posts on here that gave you personalized book recommendations based on Taylor Swift’s “folklore” and “evermore” albums, I’ve decided to do that for Rodrigo’s newly released album, too. Just like those two previous posts, I combed through each song off the album for core messages, lyrics, themes, and stories to see if any reminded me of some of my favorite books. So, keep reading for an assortment of book recommendations based on each “SOUR” track.

Writer’s Note: In case you were wondering how  I put this post together, know that I was meticulous in my choices. Much like my “evermore” and “folklore” recommendations, I listened to each track while simultaneously studying the lyrics. From there, I went to both my digital and physical bookshelves, my Storygraph already-read list, where I aimed to search for at least one book I’ve read that at least somewhat fits the song’s lyrics or stories. Now, of course, not all are perfect matches, since they are both original works. But, I tried to pull books with a similar plotline, character, love story, or something quite similar to one another.

If You Like: “brutal”

Try: Tiny Pretty Things by Dhonielle Clayton and Sona Charaipotra

This song has such an angsty feel, plus lines about insecurities, exploitation, and even “I’m so sick of 17. Where’s my f*cking teenage dream?” From the moment I first listened to it, I felt my eyes drift over to my Tiny Pretty Things copy. This book follows a gaggle of girls at their prestigious ballet school in New York, who would do anything to be the star, no matter how dark. These girls are willing to play dirty to tear their competition down, which reminds me of the grit and angst in the song. Plus, much of the song is Olivia being insecure which I can see bits of Bette, June, and Gigi coming out.

Here, I’ll show you:

I feel like no one wants me (Gigi being the new girl at school)
And I hate the way I’m perceived (June, totally June)
I only have two real friends (Gigi, but also June)
And lately, I’m a nervous wreck (June!)
‘Cause I love people I don’t like (Bette)
And I hate every song I write (All three with all their insecurities)
And I’m not cool and I’m not smart (Again, all three with all their insecurities)

Read the Book | Listen To the Song

If You Like: “traitor”

Try: Heartbreak for Hire by Sonia Hartl

The twist, oh, the twist! When I listened to this track, I thought of that giant twist about halfway through. In this enemies-to-lovers story full of witty banter,  twentysomething Brinkley works at “Heartbreak for Hire,” a Chicago-based company that helps women take back their power and get revenge on the men that jilted them. This undercover gig helps her earn enough money to eventually open her own gallery, while still getting her frustrations out on her ex and helping to empower other women. When her boss reveals her plans to hire male employees, she questions whether or not she’s in the right field. She learns her former target Mark, with who she had a brief flirtation, is hired to work on her team. As she trains him, they get closer and she falls for the nerdy professor. Yet, the big twist comes when she realizes he’s ********** [potential spoiler has been redacted]. And because of that, he’s sort of a traitor to her and the company alike. Sure, he didn’t cheat, but this book was full of their “twisted games” and betrayal that hurt her.

Read the Book | Listen To the Song

If You Like: “drivers license”

Try: One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London

From the first stanza, I kept going back to Bea and her ex slash old crush, Ray. From the lines, “I got my driver’s license last week just like we always talked about ’cause you were so excited for me to finally drive up to your house,” I felt a similar tone to where Bea was at trying to move forward after all the things Ray always said to her about them. But then, “today I drove through the suburbs, crying ’cause you weren’t around” because he was with that blonde girl his fiancee. The whole book is built around the premise of Bea coping with her broken heart that Ray smashed into a million tiny pieces, which is pure Olivia to me. Plus, the line about insecurity and “how could I ever love someone else” is totally where Bea’s head is at. 100 percent.

Read the Book | Listen To the Song

If You Like: “1 step forward, 3 steps back”

Try: Hot Mess by Emily Belden

While Allie was dealing with an addict ex-boyfriend that leads her in different directions, that push-and-pull gave me a similar vibe to this track. With the lines, “And maybe in some masochistic way, I couldn’t find it all exciting like which lover will I get today? Will you walk me to the door or send me home crying” that really reminded me of the beginning of this book, where some days Benji is this talented genius who’s head-over-heels in love with her or the tortured addict who walked out on her. Benji definitely “got [her] f*cked up in the head” this entire book. The back-and-forth of this read does show how she ends up doubting if she can run a restaurant after he bails and their “one step forward and three steps back” relationship that has her so confused. Allie meet Olivia and Olivia meet Allie, you girls have a lot in common.

Read the Book | Listen To the Song

If You Like: “deja vu”

Try: Four Days of You and Me by Miranda Kenneally

The whole premise of this book gives off serious déjà vu, truly. The whole concept is that it follows the same couple on the same day (and end-of-school-year trip) each year for the four years they are in high school. Whether Lulu and Alex are together or apart, the book mimics the same day.  Then, there’s the line, “So when you gonna tell her that we did that, too? She thinks it’s special, but it’s all reused. That was our place, I found it first,” which to me goes back to Lulu spotting her ex Alex at Six Flags with his new girl giving her a Jolly Rancher candy, just like he used to gave to Lulu between classes. So much tracks. So much.

Read the Book | Listen To the Song

If You Like: “good 4 u”

Try: Make Up Break Up by Lily Menon

Just focused on the very beginning of the book, it does somewhat resemble this angsty AF song. The whole premise is that the one who broke your heart has completely moved on when you are still a mess. That reminds me of the post-Vegas hookup between Annika and Hudson when they disappear from each other’s life. Then, he reappears in her office building and is a total work success while she’s struggling. The lines “Well, good for you, you look happy and healthy … Good for you, you’re doin’ great out there without me” seems to fit that for me. Especially as Olivia continues on, “Well, good for you, I guess you’re gettin’ everything you want. You bought a new car and your career’s really takin’ off. It’s like we never even happened.” Then, from the flip side, once we learn about the purpose of Hudson’s app: This song applies to that too.

Read the Book | Listen To the Song

If You Like: “enough for you”

Try: Love Your Life by Sophie Kinsella

This song reminded me of Matt and Ava once they returned from their whirlwind vacation/writer’s retreat. After they returned home to London, they discovered they were quite different and she “tried so hard to be everything that you liked” even if it wasn’t true to herself. She stayed in his modern apartment with his slobby roommates, slept on his uncomfortable bed, rarely went to her own house, let his parents drone on and on about his ex who’s so much better than her. The line about “I wore makeup when we dated ’cause I thought you’d like me more if I looked like the other prom queens I know that you loved before” and “maybe I’m just not as interesting as the girls you had before” really stood out to me about that part involving her insecurity about his ex-girlfriend. She tried to change herself so much just to be enough for this man she loved, which was just like what Olivia sang about.

Read the Book | Listen To the Song

If You Like: “happier”

Try: You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle

While this wasn’t an exact match, something about this book stuck out to me while I listened to “happier” and read through the lyrics. The whole concept of the book is that Naomi and Nick are unhappily engaged and searching for a way out, without getting stuck with the massive wedding bill. As they try to get the other to back out first and start in on their childish pranks back-and-forth, I felt the chorus sort of captured Naomi’s mindset as she realized one day he will marry the societally accepted woman that his mom would love and she’d be alone or with some fling. So, the lyrics of “Oh, I hope you’re happy, but not like how you were with me. I’m selfish, I know, I can’t let you go” kind of reminded me of that, where she knows they aren’t right for one another at this point yet can’t seem to walk away first. Plus, their whole cat-and-mouse games reminded me of the part of the song that goes, “So find someone great but don’t find no one better. I hope you’re happy, but don’t be happier.” Just as heartbreaking!

Read the Book | Listen To the Song

If You Like: “jealousy, jealousy”

Try: Dumplin’ by Julie Murphy

This was another song I just couldn’t quite find the right book recommendation that matched. Before I landed on Dumplin, I was stuck on the lyrics about confidence versus insecurity especially in terms of looks and relating to the whole body positivity movement. I saw the lines “I kinda wanna throw my phone across the room ’cause all I see are girls too good to be true with paper-white teeth and perfect bodies. Wish I didn’t care,” “But it feels like that weight is on my back and I can’t let it go,” and “Comparison is killin’ me slowly. I think, I think too much” and thought about Will’s struggles with her body images, not believing a boy like Bo could want her as she was or that she could enter or win the beauty pageant.

Read the Book | Listen To the Song

If You Like: “favorite crime”

Try: Lore by Alexandra Bracken

While I definitely clocked the song relating to a romantic couple, I thought Lore related to the same story just not in a romantic way. I compared this track’s message to the twist after Lore decided to bind her fate to her so-called mentor in an attempt to save the world. If you listen to the lines “Know that I loved you so bad, I let you treat me like that. I was your willing accomplice, honey” or “And I watched as you fled the scene, doe-eyed as you buried me,” I saw a similarity to how she blindly decided to follow her mentor of sorts, Athena. Then, there’s the part about “you used me as an alibi” and how “I crossed my heart as you crossed the line,” which definitely could be the soundtrack to that big twist/reveal scene.

Read the Book | Listen To the Song

If You Like: “hope ur ok”

Try: This Time Next Year by Sophie Cousens

As I listened to these lyrics, I heard Olivia sing about how she once knew this boy and sort of watched him from afar, wishing he’d just be okay even if they never saw one another again. That sort of reminded me of this book I read as an ARC last year when Quinn and Minnie kept randomly meeting once a year. From the lines “I knew a boy once when I was small. A tow-head blond with eyes of salt,” that reminded me of this read. Plus, even though they “fell out of touch” and didn’t “know if I’ll see you again someday,” they still wanted everything to work out with them each time met and tried to make their day/night better each time they re-met.

 

Read the Book | Listen To the Song