Grumpy Sunshine

Tag: Teen

  • Book Review: A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

    AGGGTM is a sharp, clever YA murder mystery with a serious, dramatic tone… and just a tiny sprinkle of flirting.

    Pip is a smart, determined teen who’s never afraid to ask questions. For her senior project, she decides to investigate a local murder everyone else has already moved on from. The police say it’s solved. Pip says, not even close. With nothing but her notebook, her gut instincts, and later, help from Ravi, she starts uncovering secrets the town desperately wanted to keep buried.

    This book nailed the mystery aspect for me. The clues are well thought out, the characters feel real, and the pacing keeps you hooked. Each chapter is around 10 pages, so it’s fast-moving without feeling rushed. I did have to flip back a few times to double-check clues, but honestly, that’s part of the fun—and even Pip and Ravi circle back to earlier leads, so it works perfectly.

    🔞Recommended for ages 13+ – there is talk of Murder details, drug use, kidnapping, and dark themes.

    ⭐ Rating: 5/5. This was everything I want in a murder mystery: a plot that makes sense (seriously, why is that so rare?!), layered characters with interesting backstories, and a writing style that keeps you invested the whole way through.

    📚 If you like: Smart, independent FMC and small-town mysteries you’ll love this. Similar authors: Karen McManus (One of Us Is Lying), Kathleen Glasgow (How to Make Friends with the Dark), and Jennifer Lynn Barnes (The Inheritance Games)

    Also by Holly Jackson:

    Book 2 of AGGTM

    Book 3 of AGGTM

  • Book Review: Kiss Now, Lie Later by C.W. Farnsworth

    Kiss Now, Lie Later is a YA romance with an amusing but also slightly serious tone.

    Maeve Stevens is a smart, dedicated soccer player. Her dad is Glenmont’s head football coach and her twin brother is the quarterback. Across the rivalry? Weston Cole—deviously handsome, arrogant, and the star quarterback of Allegheny. When their paths cross again senior year (and a few secret late-night kisses happen), hating each other suddenly feels impossible… especially when they have to keep it hidden.

    When I say I loved this book, I mean it. I adored how the chapters switch POVs between Maeve and Weston. It makes the story super engaging because you get both sides of the rivalry, the gossip, and the banter. The small-town setting is written so well it feels real, and honestly, it’s like a modern-day Romeo and Juliet—but with football, soccer, and way less tragedy.

    ✨ There isn’t a single thing I’d change. I just wish it hadn’t ended! Even though there’s an epilogue, I desperately wanted more of Maeve and Weston’s story. Luckily, there is a sequel in the Rival Love Series called Not Now, Not Forever, which I can’t wait to read.

    🔞 Recommended for ages 14+ because of swearing, kissing/intimate scenes, and underage drinking.

    ⭐ Rating: 5/5 stars (but honestly, it felt like a 6/5 because I loved it THAT much). This was one of my favorite reads of 2025—I finished it in just three days because it was so perfect.

    📚 If you like: Dual POV romances, small town feuds and rivalries, and strong independent female leads Similar authors: Lynn Painter (Better Than the Movies), Carley Fortune (Every Summer After), Sarah Adams (The Rule Book), and Chloe Walsh (Binding 13)

    Also by C.W. Farnsworth:

    Book 2 of the Rival Love Series

  • 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: Betting On You by Lynn Painter

    Betting On You is the perfect light and funny teen romance—full of sarcasm, summer vibes, and just the right amount of slow-burn feelings.

    Bailey is a super relatable, slightly cynical teen who doesn’t believe in love (thanks to her mom’s messy relationship history). She’s planning a chill summer working at a fancy resort with her best friend… until she finds out she has to work with him—Charlie, the charmingly annoying guy she sat next to on a flight two years ago and hoped to never see again. Obviously, she doesn’t like him. Right?

    The best part of this book is how the story is told from both Bailey and Charlie’s points of view. You get both sides of the tension, the banter, and the feelings they’re both trying to deny. Lynn Painter does what she does best—writing characters with amazing chemistry, hilarious personalities, and dialogue that snaps.

    I honestly loved every second of it. There’s nothing I would change. It’s the kind of story that makes you smile while reading and maybe even giggle out loud.

    🔞 Recommended for ages 14+ (or mature 13+ readers) for mild topics like divorce, a little underage drinking, and kissing—but overall, it’s a clean and super cute intro to romance.

    ⭐ My rating: 5/5. I loved the characters, the banter, and how naturally their story came together.

    📚 If you love dual POVs, slow-burn romances, and flirty back-and-forth, this one’s for you! Similar authors you might like: Carley Fortune (author of Every Summer After) and C.W. Farnsworth (author of Kiss Now, Lie Later)

    Also by Lynn Painter:

  • 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

  • Book Review: Every Summer After by Carley Fortune

    Every Summer After by Canadian author Carley Fortune is a beautifully written summer romance with a mix of youthful memories and grown-up feelings. It’s a book about first love, second chances, and the people who shape who we become.

    The main character, Persephone “Percy” Fraser, spends her summers in Barry’s Bay, where her parents bought a cottage when she was 13. Right next door lives Sam Florek, a boy her age who quickly becomes her best friend—and more. For six summers, Percy and Sam are inseparable. But after one summer ends everything, Percy stays away for over a decade… until she’s called back to Barry’s Bay when Sam’s mother passes away.

    What makes this book so special is the way it’s written. Half the story takes place in the past, when Percy and Sam are teens falling in love, and the other half is in the present, where they’re 30 and dealing with everything that happened between them. The time jumps are super well done—you really feel like you’re growing up with them.

    Carley Fortune’s writing is emotional and vivid. You can picture the lake, the cottage, and the hot summer days. While there were a few slower parts, the story picks back up and holds your attention the whole way through.

    🔞 Recommended for ages 14+ due to mild mature themes and emotional depth. Even though the characters are 30 in the present, most of the story is about their teen years and the drama that follows them into adulthood.

    ⭐ My rating: 5/5. I loved the Canadian setting, the realistic characters, and the mix of summer nostalgia and emotional healing. If you like FMC stories and second-chance summer romances, this one is perfect.

    📚 If you liked Mr. Wrong Number or Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter, or The Summer Girl by Elle Kennedy (another Canadian!), you’ll probably love this.

    Also by Carley Fortune: