4-Star Archives - Page 11 of 14 - Hsinju’s Lit Log

ARCs, Book Reviews, Fiction

In the Role of Brie Hutchens… by Nicole Melleby | ARC Review

24th May 2020
In the Role of Brie Hutchens… by Nicole Melleby
- Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers, 2020
- Genre: Middle Grade, LGBTQ+
- Format: eARC
- Page Count: 272 pages
- My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐️⭐ (4/5)
Brie Hutchens lied to her mom in a panic when she almost got caught looking up naked photos of her favorite actress. Being a mediocre student at a Catholic school, her lie of being chosen to crown Mary was unlikely to come true. And it certainly did not help when Kennedy, the perfect girl in her class, gave Brie butterflies in the stomach.
Read More

No Comments
ARCs, Book Reviews, Fiction

The Road Home by Erin Zak | ARC Review

10th May 2020
The Road Home by Erin Zak
- Publisher: Bold Strokes Books, 2020
- Genre: Romance, LGBTQ+
- Format: Paperback (eARC)
- Page Count: 263 pages
- My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Gwendolyn Carter left home seventeen years ago and never looked back. When she went home to celebrate her father’s birthday after failing to get a big acting role, Gwen came to face Lila Machowicz, a woman who basically became the Carters’ second daughter over the last fifteen years. Getting off on the wrong foot yet mutually attracted, Gwen and Lila had to work together and navigate through Carol Carter’s life-threatening cancer as well as other familial issues.
Read More

No Comments
ARCs, Book Reviews, Fiction

THE EXTRAORDINARIES by TJ Klune | ARC Review

22nd April 2020
THE EXTRAORDINARIES (The Extraordinaries #1) by TJ Klune
- Publisher: Tor Teen, 2020
- Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, LGBTQ+
- Format: Ebook (eARC)
- Page Count: 400 pages
- My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Click on the cover for my review on Goodreads.

When I started reading The Extraordinaries, I did not have any expectations. The opening of the story was a fanfic chapter by Nick, and I did not really appreciate it nor realise Shadow Star and Pyro Storm were real in the book. But as I read on into the main story, it was surprisingly enjoyable and gave me a few laughs. The book was the kind of YA fantasy with queer main characters I needed back in my teens.
Read More

No Comments
ARCs, Book Reviews, Nonfiction

Female Husbands by Jen Manion | ARC Review

5th April 2020
Female Husbands: A Trans History by Jen Manion
- Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2020
- Genre: History, LGBTQ+
- Format: Paperback (eARC)
- Page Count: 350 pages
- My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
This book is engrossing. It is a fascinating academic work on queer pioneers in the UK and US from the 18th to early 20th century. For a brief moment upon finishing, I had to remind myself I am in the 21st century.
Read More

No Comments
ARCs, Book Reviews, Fiction

The Mercenary’s Daughter by Jessica Therrien & Joe Gazzam | ARC Review

29th March 2020
The Mercenary’s Daughter by Jessica Therrien, Joe Gazzam
- Publisher: Acorn Publishing, 2020
- Genre: Thriller, Young Adult
- Format: Ebook (eARC)
- Page Count: 288 pages
- My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
This book was definitely not what I had expected. I was annoyed if not angry at the usage of “exotic” on Andy, so let’s just say The Mercenary’s Daughter did not leave a great first impression. However, plot-wise, it really amazed me. It was exciting and made my heart thump.
Read More

No Comments