Really Short Reviews: Speak Easy, Speak Love and Release

I know September is a huge month for YA release but does it seem like there has there been even more than normal this year? Or maybe it seems like that to just me because I'm interested in way more YA books this year than in past ones. I have read a ton of ARCs for this month and while I enjoyed these books a lot I just don't have a lot to say about them. So it's time for another episode of Really Short Reviews!

Speak Easy, Speak Love
McKelle George
Release: September 19, 2017
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Six teenagers’ lives intertwine during one thrilling summer full of romantic misunderstandings and dangerous deals in this sparkling retelling of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing.

After she gets kicked out of boarding school, seventeen-year-old Beatrice goes to her uncle’s estate on Long Island. But Hey Nonny Nonny is more than just a rundown old mansion. Beatrice’s cousin, Hero, runs a struggling speakeasy out of the basement—one that might not survive the summer. Along with Prince, a poor young man determined to prove his worth; his brother John, a dark and dangerous agent of the local mob; Benedick, a handsome trust-fund kid trying to become a writer; and Maggie, a beautiful and talented singer; Beatrice and Hero throw all their efforts into planning a massive party to save the speakeasy. Despite all their worries, the summer is beautiful, love is in the air, and Beatrice and Benedick are caught up in a romantic battle of wits that their friends might be quietly orchestrating in the background.

Hilariously clever and utterly charming, McKelle George’s debut novel is full of intrigue and 1920s charm. For fans of Jenny Han, Stephanie Perkins, and Anna Godbersen.

Review:
This book was everything I wanted it to be! I will admit that while I'm familiar with the plot of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, I've never read it all the way through. And I don't think that took anything away from my enjoyment of this book. It's a fast-paced romp that's full of delightfully witty banter and amazing characters.

What I loved most was the different relationships and the found family aspect in this book. The relationships are complex and wonderfully endearing! I loved that the focus wasn't on just the romantic relationships but on the platonic friendships as well. The way these characters interact and care for each other is heartwarming on so many levels. I honestly can't pick a favorite out of them because I love them all!

I also loved the 1920s prohibition era setting! It's what really made the book awesome! You can tell George did her research and every small detail made me wish speakeasies were still a thing. This is one of my favorite books that I've read this year and certainly one of my favorite YA historical reads of all time. I cannot wait to see what this debut author has in store for us next.

ARC provided by the publisher via Edelweiss

    1/2

  4.5 / 5 Stars

Release
Patrick Ness
Release: September 19, 2017
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Adam Thorn doesn’t know it yet, but today will change his life.

Between his religious family, a deeply unpleasant ultimatum from his boss, and his own unrequited love for his sort-of ex, Enzo, it seems as though Adam’s life is falling apart.  At least he has two people to keep him sane: his new boyfriend (he does love Linus, doesn’t he?) and his best friend, Angela.

But all day long, old memories and new heartaches come crashing together, throwing Adam’s life into chaos. The bindings of his world are coming untied one by one; yet in spite of everything he has to let go, he may also find freedom in the release.

Review:
I'm still torn about what to rate this book. I liked it and the ending was fantastic! But the lead up to that ending was weird. This book is really two stories in one. At first, it seemed to me like the stories weren't really connected at all and the change from one story to the other was jarring. And that disconnect between the two continued almost to the end. I will say that in the ending the two stories were merged in a wonderful way and I really appreciate how it ended. 

I really wish the two stories would have been more interconnected throughout the book but then again I'm not sure the ending would have been so perfect if they were. The thing I adored the most in this book though was the openness that Adam and Angela had in their friendship. There was no holding back at all even on the topics people don't like to talk about. Sometimes YA books hold back when it comes to talking about sex but this book was like a breath of fresh air. Their friendship was awesome!

Overall, I'd recommend this book to people with the disclaimer that it's a little weird.

ARC provided by the publisher via Edelweiss

  

  3 / 5 Stars