Grumpy Sunshine

Tag: FMC

  • Book Review: Every Summer After by Carley Fortune

    Every Summer After is a mature YA romance that is sad, funny, intense, and maybe just a little dramatic… but in the best way.

    The story follows Persephone “Percy” Fraser and Sam Florek over six summers in Barry’s Bay. We watch their friendship grow from age 13 into something deeper, while the present timeline focuses on one very messy weekend when Percy returns for Sam’s mom’s funeral. Being back in Barry’s Bay — and back around Sam — kind of forces her to face the past she’s been avoiding.

    This book is honestly an emotional rollercoaster. I laughed. I cried. I dramatically vented to my friends (who had zero context but listened anyway). Watching Percy grow from a 13-year-old girl into an adult dealing with consequences was fascinating. Things change… but they also don’t? If that makes sense.

    And without spoiling anything: I will always be Team Sam. Always.

    Carley Fortune does such an amazing job describing the lake, the cottages, the small-town summer vibe — you can literally picture everything. The flashbacks every few chapters make it super engaging because you’re constantly piecing the past and present together.

    This is genuinely one of my favorite books ever. I’ve reread it four times (including the bonus chapters), and in my heart it’s not just a 5/5 — it’s a 100/5.

    🔞 Age rating thoughts: Common Sense Media says 17+, and they’re not totally wrong. There is spice. But a lot of the book takes place when they’re teens. I read it at 15 and personally think it’s best for 16+, or mature 15-year-olds who know what they’re getting into.

    📚 If you like: Second-chance romance, summer nostalgia, emotional growth, small-town lake vibes. Similar authors: Elle Kennedy (Avalon Bay series), K.L. Walther (The Summer of Broken Rules), Emily Henry (People We Meet on Vacation). Carley Fortune is a Candian author (:

    ⭐ Rating: 5/5 stars. No notes. Just feelings.

    Also by Carley Fortune:

    Meet me at the Lake

    Fern and Will

    This Summer Will Be Different

    Lucy and Felix

    One Golden Summer

    Alice and Charlie

  • Book Review: The Hawthorne Legacy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

    The Hawthorne Legacy is the exciting sequel to The Inheritance Games, full of clever puzzles, sneaky secrets, and just a touch of teen romance and flirting.

    Avery Grambs is back! The clever, slightly chaotic teen who somehow inherited a billionaire’s fortune is back at the Hawthorne mansion, navigating more puzzles, mysteries, and the confusing (but super cute) Hawthorne brothers. She’s trying to figure out who to trust… and survive the wild games that come with being a teenage heiress.

    I genuinely loved reading this book. Jennifer Lynn Barnes is an amazing, creative writer. The story is fast-paced and engaging, with dynamic characters, witty banter, and unexpected plot twists that keep you guessing. The chapters are short (2–10 pages), so it never drags and is super easy to get through.

    🔞 Recommended for ages 13+ (maybe mature 12+) for puzzle-solving, banter, and mild PG content. There’s some talk of parental abandonment, minor violence, and light swearing. No steamy scenes, just one or two sweet kisses.

    ⭐ Rating: 5/5 stars. I loved the thoughtful characters, clever plot twists, and how age-appropriate the story is while still being super fun and mysterious.

    📚 If you like: Clever characters, puzzles and mysteries, fun banter, and a little teen romance. Similar authors: Holly Jackson (A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder), Karen McManus (One of Us Is Lying), Lynn Painter (Better Than the Movies) – for more YA romance

    Also by Jennifer Lynn Barnes:

    Book 1 of the Inheritance Games series

    Book 3 of the Inheritance Games series

    Book 4 of the Inheritance Games series

  • Book Review: If He Had Been with Me by Laura Nowlin

    If He Had Been with Me is a deep, emotional teen romance that dives into the mind of Autumn, the main character. It’s full of intense internal thoughts, quiet heartbreak, and the feeling of being just slightly off from where you want to be.

    Autumn grew up side by side with Finny, her mom’s best friend’s son. They were inseparable as kids—but by high school, things changed. Finny is now the star soccer player with the perfect, popular girlfriend. Autumn is more of a misfit, hanging out with her artsy, dyed-hair friends and dating the group’s unofficial leader.

    As she goes through grades 9 to 12, Autumn tries to keep her feelings for Finny buried, all while dealing with anxiety, distant parents, and the weight of growing up. But sometimes, no matter how hard you try, first love refuses to fade.

    What I loved most was how Laura Nowlin writes high school from the perspective of kids who aren’t in the spotlight. It’s not just jocks and prom queens—it’s the quiet kids, the different ones, the ones with too many thoughts. That made it feel real.

    The writing is beautiful but heavy. I had to read it in small chunks just to process everything. There was a slow patch in the middle where things got repetitive, but it didn’t last long. The ending really brought everything together in a heartbreaking but powerful way.

    🔞 Recommended for ages 15+ due to mature themes like anxiety, depression, and mental health struggles.

    ✨ If you liked Girl in Pieces or How to Make Friends with the Dark by Kathleen Glasgow, or A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson, you’ll probably love this too.

    ⭐ My rating: 5/5. It took me longer to read, but it was worth it. The story stuck with me, and the emotional depth made it unforgettable.

    Also by Laura Nowlin:

  • Book Review: The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

    If you’re into mysterious mansions, mind-blowing puzzles, smart girls, and flirty boys with secrets—The Inheritance Games is a total must-read.

    Avery Grambs is super smart, totally broke, and just trying to survive high school and maybe snag a scholarship. Then—plot twist—she inherits billions from a complete stranger. Sounds amazing, right? Except there’s a catch: she has to move into a creepy (but also super cool) mansion filled with puzzles, riddles… and four Hawthorne brothers who definitely aren’t thrilled she just stole their future.

    Let the games begin. 😏

    This book is soooo fun and totally addictive. Even though the whole “randomly-inherited-billions-at-17” thing feels unreal, the story actually makes sense. The clues and twists are really well thought out, and the plot keeps you guessing. I loved that the chapters are short (like 2–10 pages), so it’s fast-paced and never drags.

    The characters—especially the Hawthorne brothers—are all mysterious and charming in different ways. There’s drama, clever banter, and just enough flirting to keep things interesting without it taking over the story.

    🔞 Recommended for ages 12+ — there’s a little bit of talk about death and family stuff (like abandonment or emotional abuse), but it’s not graphic or too heavy. No swearing, no steam, just one or two sweet kisses

    ⭐ My rating: 5/5 stars. I loved everything—puzzle solving, plot twists, clever writing, and fun character dynamics. It kept me hooked from the very beginning.

    📚 If you like mystery with a side of romance and brainy main characters, you’ll totally love this. Similar authors: Holly Jackson (A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder), Karen McManus (One of Us Is Lying), and Lynn Painter (Better Than the Movies) — if you want more romance with smart girls!

    Also by Jennifer Lynn Barnes:

    Book 2 of the Inheritance Games series

    Book 3 of the Inheritance Games series

    Book 4 of the Inheritance Games series