Reviewed by Cheryl Schopen for Readers' Favorite

In Accidentally Perfect by Elizabeth Stevens, Piper Barlow is perfect, or so everyone thinks. In reality, she finds herself feeling sad and all alone, even though she has a loving family and plenty of friends. She just doesn’t feel comfortable expressing herself since she thinks people will judge her. But she finds herself getting close to Roman Lombardi, the notorious bad boy and player of the school. However, it seems that there is more to Roman than meets the eye. Their surprising friendship turns to something more, but this can only end badly with a guy like Roman Lombardi, right?

Do you ever read book after book, desperately hoping to one day find the perfect book that, on some level, feels like it was written specifically for you? Well, that was me, and I am ecstatic to say that I finally found mine. It’s so hard to put into words how I feel right now. This was my perfect book. Everything about it was perfect. The characters were real and relatable. The plot was perfectly paced. It wasn’t rushed, and it didn’t drag on. The relationship between Piper and Roman was just brilliantly created by Stevens. It felt completely authentic. These two people have flaws and genuine real life issues. They are not perfect by society’s standards, but they are perfect in their own ways. This might be considered a romance story, but it’s much more than that.

Accidentally Perfect is about two broken people who find unlikely comfort in each other, making them realize things about themselves, which in turn helps them grow as human beings. It was a very beautiful thing to witness. If you want to experience extreme attachment to wonderful, memorable characters, smile at the surprising and unforgettable scenes and conversations, and cry like a baby because of all the mixture of emotions you will feel, then this is the book for you. I am so grateful that I read this book. It is definitely my new favorite, and I will be ordering myself a paperback copy because this is one of those books that I just HAVE to own. Elizabeth Stevens, thank you so much for writing my perfect book!

Reviewed by Christian Sia for Readers' Favorite

Last Exit to Montauk by Phillip Vega is a mixture of coming-of-age and romance with a strong setting and memorable characters; it is the story that will remind readers of their first love and it is wonderfully told. With a newly bought car from his “Ma” and summer camp over, the seventeen-year-old Hispanic boy could have a lot of fun. Yes, he feels like he could conquer the world. Along the North Shore of Long Island, a dramatic encounter with B, a very popular girl in school, will set him on the romantic ride of a lifetime. Read on to discover the sensations, the turmoil that goes on in a young man’s heart when he first falls in love. But how long can this romance last?

The story is told in the first person narrative, in a language that beautifully captures the youthful spirit of the protagonist and a setting that is colorful and well-developed. Set in Long Island in the 1980s, the story is told in an absorbing style, with beautiful prose and engaging dialogues. Some of the descriptions are terrific. For instance, the narrator describes B in the following words: “She smelled like summer, sunshine, and citrus.” The powerful use of imagery and the descriptive prose allow the reader to get the perfect idea of what takes place in the story. Here is another beautiful example that communicates how smitten the young man feels when he meets B: “There she was — the catalyst for my memory. I hadn't thought about her in years, but there she stood. It was her honey-colored hair and the way it flowed down past her shoulders that first caught my attention.” Last Exit to Montauk is a story that will delight young adult readers and those who still recall the magic of their first love. Phillip Vega’s characters are memorable and the story is as exciting as it is entertaining.

Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite

Who Are You, Trudy Herman? by B.E. Beck is a YA story set during World War II. It’s 1943. To Trudy, a young girl about to become a teenager, the war has no meaning. All she is interested in is boys, friends, and schoolwork. All that is about to change though. Three strange men, dressed in black suits, show up and the war becomes a stark reality for Trudy. Her father is arrested as an enemy alien and taken to a camp while Trudy and her mother are taken to an internment camp in Texas. For two years, they are trapped behind barbed wire, two years that will leave a mark on them forever. After their release, they are reunited and move to Mississippi but some things don’t change. Racial discrimination runs deep and Trudy will find herself having to make some tough decisions – will she do the right thing?

Who Are You, Trudy Herman? is a wonderful coming of age story, one that leads us deep into the American internment camps during World War II. This is rather a thought-provoking story and it brings to light issues that were not just common during the war but that still exist today. The story follows Trudy and her family, detailing their lives in the camps and outside. It takes all sorts to shape a person and it takes even more to triumph over bad, to stand up for what you believe in and for what is right. This is an educational book as well as being a fictional story. Little was said about the German-American internment camps and this story teaches us a lot. It is well written, well researched and the characters have been thoroughly developed into likable, identifiable people, real people with real lives. Great story, highly recommended for older adults as well as the young ones! There is much to be learned here.

Reviewed by Aimee Carol Dixon for Readers' Favorite

Billy is a spirited, good-hearted young man with dreams far bigger than the Valley of the Yew. It isn’t that he minds working alongside his father in The Valley’s Finest Inn. He could find a future happiness if he stayed. But when a noble guest invites him to go on the road with her, Billy leaps at the chance to make his dreams come true. Little does he know that the world beyond his cozy home is a more hostile place than he could ever have imagined, filled with dangers from which his father has done everything in his power to protect Billy.

Dancing back and forth between a unique idea for younger readers and one for older audiences, The Innkeeper’s Son stands strong in a place of universal appeal. There’s a delicate balance between the silly – lending itself to younger readers – and the darker, more mature themes that highlights K.C. Herbel’s skill. The effort made to make The Innkeeper’s Son such a solid work shines through every page; from the quiet strength of the common folk to the imbuing of life into the land and animals, Herbel never disappoints. There are a few rough spots scattered throughout, but none great enough to mar the first installment in a new fantasy series that should definitely be on your bookshelf.

It's a fast read, even taking into account the frequent pauses I took to admire the scenery. Herbel paints a beautiful landscape through the eyes of Billy, the young protagonist who sees the world with a child’s wonder even while confronting dark forces he’s never before known. Indeed, there is an unmistakable sense of magic to the countryside of The Innkeeper’s Son, drawing a sense of wonder and respect for the natural world into the whole work. Billy’s innate response to despair in himself and others adds much-needed lightness for those around him, earning him a cherished place in the hearts of most everyone he meets. Herbel does not shy away from allowing each character to have their own private pain, giving them a depth that cannot be overrated. A truly magical journey, and a delight to read.

Reviewed by Divine Zape for Readers' Favorite

It isn’t surprising that Tears and Trombones is the winner of the Independent Publishers medal for “Best Fiction in the Western Pacific Region” because of the great storytelling craft and the exceptional prose readers will find as they begin to read the story. Nanci Lee Woody’s story will be of great delight to music fans and readers who enjoy well-developed characters, swiftly paced stories, and balanced writing.

Meet young Joey, a boy with a dream of becoming a musician, ridiculed by a heartless father and humiliated on every occasion by a father intent on distracting him from his goal to make his dream come true. But nothing would stop the young man who eventually finds the support he needs from well-meaning and generous souls, developing his career to the point where he finds himself performing with icons such as Frank Sinatra, Johnny Cash, and others. As he scores many successes in the music industry, he has to sacrifice a love ignited in his heart since his high school days. Can one man have it all?

Tears and Trombones is an exciting tale that is inspiring, an impassioned story written most wonderfully. I enjoyed the emotional depth of the story, the strong conflict explored at multiple levels, and the powerful lessons that come across to the reader. One of the lessons of this story is that our dreams have the power to transform our lives. Nanci Lee Woody’s writing had me captivated from the very first page, and I found myself turning from one exciting page to the next mesmerizing one. Here is one of those books you read and want to watch on the big screen.

Reviewed by Susan Sewell for Readers' Favorite

After a traumatic car accident, a high school student suffers from amnesia that conceals more than teenage angst in the dramatic Young Adult fiction novel What The Valley Knows by Heather Christie. Molly Hanover and her mother Ann have just relocated to Millington Valley. Ann's new boss has offered one of his superior rental properties to them for half the price. Happy to move out of the small, stuffy apartment, they are excited to begin their new lives. Ann has finally got her paralegal license and has a good job, and Molly is looking forward to her senior year. However, men recently introduced into their lives begin to cause havoc. After a late night visit from one of them, Molly now has a horrible secret. If she tells someone, the consequences could be dire. What should she do? However, that problem is moot when Molly is in an accident, and the memory is erased. Will the loss of her memory leave someone else in danger?

What The Valley Knows by Heather Christie is a sensational Young Adult fiction novel that leaves the reader feeling empowered. The story takes the reader from tragedy to triumph as they observe the heartrending and traumatic circumstances that Molly and her mother encounter. It is uplifting to experience Molly's journey from emotions of grief and loss, to see how those feelings are transformed into promise and personal power. It is also very gratifying to see the villain, who is victimizing innocents, brought to justice. This sensational novel is a moving, poignant story and is ideal for readers over the age of sixteen, due to some of the adult content.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Snowball: Chronicles of a Wererabbit is a young adult coming of age/paranormal fantasy written by M.Y. Zeman with illustrations by Jason Moser. John Everly is a vampire scientist whose research has been stolen by people who will use it for evil purposes. His friend and partner, Edgar, was able to find out the address where the research was located, and John set out to retrieve it after fortifying himself with some type AB blood. The inside of the building was set up in a similar manner to his own lab, but with a few grisly differences. There were shelves filled with jars of strangely misshapen fetuses and hybrid monstrosities, and empty cages and tanks, and in one tank, John saw a small white bunny surrounded by three dead bunnies. He continued upstairs and was able to locate his research papers, but soon noticed the smell of smoke which became more intense as he headed back down the stairs. The first floor was ablaze. John put his retrieved papers in his coat and was at the door when he remembered the bunny. He couldn’t leave the little creature and ran back for it. The two just barely managed to escape the burning building before it exploded, leaving John sprawled on the snow covered ground with a little bunny watching him.

M.Y. Zeman’s young adult coming of age/paranormal fantasy, Snowball: Chronicles of a Wererabbit, is not your ordinary wereanimal/vampire fantasy. It’s much more than that. It’s a marvelous and simple tale of Snow, a young bunny and her fathers, John and Edgar, two vampires. I loved reading about Snow growing up and witnessing her first transition from bunny to young human, and I chuckled at John’s absolute panic when he realizes that he’s suddenly the father of a human child. Zeman touches on things that cause pain in all beings, be they vampire or wererabbit: being different, being bullied by others, and the need for love, acceptance and companionship. John and Edgar are a marvelous set of fathers for the young wererabbit, with John’s studious nature complemented beautifully by Edgar’s artistic and adventurous spirit. Jason Moser’s illustrations are fabulous! They lit up a brightly glowing story even more by showing the reader tangible images of Snow and John. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from a book about the coming of age of a wererabbit, but Snowball: Chronicles of a Wererabbit surely exceeded any expectations I might have had. It’s magical, moving and, yes, it does cry out for a sequel. This enchanting fantasy is most highly recommended.

Reviewed by Francine Zane for Readers' Favorite

Red Death by Jeff Altabef is a science fiction adventure set in a world where the Soulless are considered less than human by the citizens of Eden, mostly because they fear the Red Death that plagues those poor souls who inhabit this war-torn world. Aaliss is a Guardian of Eden, trained to protect her people from the Soulless. When her genius brother's life is threatened by the Priests who rule Eden, she escapes with him and a Soulless girl on an adventure that will either kill them or rid their world of the Red Death.

Jeff Altabef does an amazing job in creating a diversified world where good and evil populate every tribe. His mixture of scientific with magical elements provides a good balance of variety that will appeal to young adult book lovers everywhere. The characters who star in Altabef's Red Death are thoroughly memorable and decidedly relatable. The author provides a variety of villains to hate, and Viper in particular is downright creepy. The book is liberally dosed with breathtaking action and real-to-life relationships. Altabef kept his writing focused on plot development, with very little superfluous world building that wasn't directly related to the story.

As a reader, I was intrigued by the title and the cover, but it was the story development and the professional quality of the content that earned my respect. I highly recommend this book to anyone who believes the blending of genres can add a new and exciting element to an already great plot. I look forward to reading more from the creative mind of Jeff Altabef.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Helga: Growing Up in Hitler's Germany is a work of historical fiction by Karen Truesdell Riehl. It is based on the true story of a young girl who was ordered to become a part of Hitler's Jugend when she was 10 years old. Helga and the other girls in her group were plied with sweets and cookies while their leaders instilled in them a fanatical love of Hitler, who was revered by them as a godlike and all-knowing being. Helga's parents had no way to counteract the programming she was subjected to, as any intervention would result in a knock on the door and their disappearance. As the war progressed, Helga was evacuated with other Jugends to a hotel where food was abundant, but there was no freedom. Their letters back home were collected and examined before sending, and any objections were swiftly and harshly dealt with.

Karen Truesdell Riehl's historical fiction, Helga: Growing Up in Hitler's Germany, is a remarkable and stunning work describing a young German girl's coming of age during World War II. I found myself unable to put the book down and felt compelled to continue following her story. I've read many nonfiction and fictional works dealing with this tragic episode in history, and Riehl's work stands up there with the best. Many of us have seen movies and read stories where Hitler Youth are described as heartless, zombie-like children gleefully denouncing their parents to the Nazis and self-righteously watching as they're dragged away. Most of us probably realized it was not really all that simple and clear-cut. Helga's story helps bring a new comprehension of the strains and complexities the most vulnerable members of German society were subjected to, and how their lives and the lives of their families were affected. Helga: Growing Up in Hitler's Germany is a major and valuable addition to World War II literature. It's most highly recommended.

Reviewed by Divine Zape for Readers' Favorite

A Tempest Soul by Oliver Phipps is a coming-of-age story that explores Gina Falcone’s growth curve, the challenges she has to face, and the vicissitudes of her life. But it is mostly the story of her crucible of pain and how she allows it to shape her destiny, an inspiring and entertaining story. Gina lost her father when she was a small girl and now her mother abandons Gina to herself when she has just turned thirteen, after securing her a job to wash dishes. Through hardship, Gina weaves herself a path through life, creating success for herself, but for how long can she keep it? Watch as she discovers the most wonderful lessons of life and as she grows to create her destiny; watch as she learns the dread truth that life could be held together by a very fragile thread in spite of our successes, and that we could lose everything with the snap of a finger.

This is an incredible story of a woman who faces life with courage and who decides to change her stars, a story that is filled with many lessons. I had a lot to enjoy in this story. First, the characters feel real and they are well developed, with their backgrounds well explored. I enjoyed the fact that the author uses lively and entertaining dialogues to give readers the backstory. The prose is enticing, composed of beautiful sentences that are not convoluted at any moment. It reads very fluidly and clearly. The narrative voice is hypnotic and it offers readers powerful images to accompany the story. A Tempest Soul is a story that will entertain and instruct readers, and empower them to face life with some nerve. Oliver Phipps’ writing really captured my heart.