Reviewed by Cheryl Schopen for Readers' Favorite

In Daphne’s Questionable Bet by Sara Jo Cluff, it’s just 16-year-old Daphne and her mom ever since her dad passed away. After moving back to California, her mom’s old high school rivalry is somehow reignited through Daphne and the rival’s daughter, Sierra Winters. The girls decide to bet on who can get Bentley Anderson to ask them to the prom first. Daphne, in her unique Care Bear and Captain America attire, is pretty confident she can win this bet. But she didn’t expect to fall for a boy who isn’t Bentley. Now what is she supposed to do? She can’t let Sierra win, but she also doesn’t want to miss out on love with a great guy.

This book just warmed my heart. I can’t remember the last time I smiled so much while reading. Daphne became my idol. Her outfits are a reflection of her mood, she constantly has a soundtrack playing in her head that matches the situation and her feelings, and she has a tendency to break out into song and dance wherever she is. She also has panic attacks and bad anxiety. The bottom line is she’s real, she’s unique, and she is a character we can all relate to. Also, the relationships between Daphne and her mom, her friends, and her love interest were both touching and genuine. The romance literally had me crying tears of joy. It was so perfectly written. Sara Jo Cluff is an amazing writer, and Daphne’s Questionable Bet is the proof. Cluff took what could have been just a typical teenage angst-filled story and transformed it into something beautiful and inspiring. This story reminded me of how much I love love, and I am incredibly grateful for finding it.

Reviewed by Amy Powers for Readers' Favorite

Perfectly Accidental (Accidentally Perfect Book 2), a young adult romance for mature readers, is the follow-up to an earlier story by Elizabeth Stevens. Roman has always been perfectly comfortable with living up to his reputation as the bad boy. He smokes, drinks, hooks up with random girls, and gets into fights regularly. He's quite the contrast to his neighbor, the perfect, innocent girl who is completely off limits. When they accidentally start hanging out during the school holidays, Roman realizes how easy it is to open up to someone who doesn't expect anything from him. Their relationship becomes complicated when school starts again, and Roman has to figure out what he wants in life and how to present himself to the world now that his desires are changing.

Set in Australia, Perfectly Accidental follows Roman's view of events in contrast to Piper's version that was told previously. Having a first-person perspective from the bad boy's point of view is a side of the story that we don't often see. Elizabeth Stevens manages to portray Roman as both loveable and annoying with his raunchy and stubborn mind. I love how this story explores the theme of not judging a person based on what they present to the world. I found myself laughing many times throughout the story, which was quite long but flew by quickly due to the easy-to-read, conversational style of writing. I didn't know Piper's story before reading this book, which works wonderfully as a standalone novel, but I am curious to see what was going through Piper's mind now that I understand Roman's viewpoint.

Reviewed by Amy Powers for Readers' Favorite

Rules of Falling by Leslie Tall Manning tells the story of a teenager's unique struggles and how her entire life is defined by the one thing she can't control. Erica is a high school senior, but she hasn't had a normal high school experience ever since her chronic fainting began during freshman year. Since then, her best friend, Lindsay, has always been by her side to catch her when she falls, which is always at the most inconvenient time. When Lindsay suddenly breaks up with her boyfriend, Adam, in order to pursue a married man, Erica finds herself in a precarious position, which could potentially tear apart their friendship. Not only does she disapprove of Lindsay's affair, but Erica might be falling for Adam. On top of that, there seems to be an arsonist in town, and Erica has her suspicions about who could be behind the fires.

My summary of Rules of Falling does not do it justice. Leslie Tall Manning has pieced together a web of events and characters with a perfectly elegant flow. What seems to be a modern coming-of-age tale, mixed with a slight bit of romance, quickly turns into a suspenseful mystery filled with betrayal and deceit. Seemingly minor details come back later on to play an important role in the overall plot, and I was amazed at how smoothly everything wove together by the end. Erica is easy to love and understand, even if we can't personally relate to her experiences. I especially loved seeing a leading character with a medical condition that is rarely, if ever, represented within pop culture. I highly recommend Rules of Falling to lovers of young adult fiction, and I look forward to reading more from Leslie Tall Manning.

Reviewed by Jennifer Donovan for Readers' Favorite

In the Heart of Paradise is the third book in the Rainier Series by Jamie McGillen. While it could be enjoyed on its own, In the Heart of Paradise builds upon the story told in the previous two installments, so it is best read after In Sight of the Mountain and In Light of the Summit. In this third book, Anna is now pregnant, and while she feels she should be elated, she is filled with doubt. How will a baby impact her ability to climb Mount Rainier? Is she ready to be a mother? While Anna struggles internally with this unplanned surprise, Elizabeth, twice rejected and struggling with obsessive tendencies, fights for control of her mind. Her lifelong dream is to follow in the footsteps of Florence Nightingale, but after a disaster, she finds herself crippled by a new phobia that may put her aspirations in jeopardy. When a new man enters her life, she is compelled to push him away, convinced that her mental illness will lead to a life of solitude.

In the Heart of Paradise maintains the overarching theme of the series by empowering its female characters to break the norm and challenge those who seek to stifle them. Set in the 1890s, the book addresses Anna's and Elizabeth’s challenges with mental health when societal expectations of women further complicate these matters. Readers who are pregnant or who have been pregnant will be able to empathize with Anna’s anxiety and doubts. She is stricken with a fear of causing harm to the baby growing inside her through overexertion, but she feels she cannot waste away at home without losing a part of herself. Furthermore, readers will feel Elizabeth’s mental illness almost physically, experiencing the tingling in her extremities and the panic that consumes her. With characters so admirable yet raw, I have come to love each of them in my time spent reading the series, and I hope that I can raise my own daughter to be as independent and true to herself as the unbreakable women Jamie McGillen has created.

Reviewed by Leonard Smuts for Readers' Favorite

The tragic events of the past can make an indelible imprint on our lives, often returning to haunt us in later years. Through A Study in Terminal, Kara Linaburg takes a searching look at those aspects of life and death. This gripping tale follows the life of nineteen-year-old Sean Brogan from his troubled childhood, through his parent’s divorce, to the suicide of his caring mother when he was just ten years old. The trauma remained unresolved. His unhappiness is compounded by the poor relationship with his hard-working father. Equally disturbed, his father must also deal with deep emotions – for the moment drowned in alcohol and remorse. Sean struggles with his demons throughout his school years and joins a teen gang, where he finds a home and recognition of a sort. He is also a budding author and a distant relative of a famous detective. He is elevated to hero status after he discovers the body of a murdered woman and leads the police to her killer. As the tenth anniversary of his mother’s suicide approaches, Sean returns to their old family home to find closure – even if this means following her tortured path to its untimely end. He encounters some of his childhood friends and finally confronts his feelings of anger and guilt, still troubled by the same dark secrets as they are. The truth is finally revealed, but not before a gang member arrives to seek revenge.

The complex issues of life, love, alienation, guilt and ultimately death intertwine in this compelling novel. The characters are unusual and fascinating while the action is riveting. Through well-integrated flashbacks to Sean’s early life, Kara Linaburg builds a vivid picture of a troubled soul who has to come to grips with his feelings or reach his own point of termination. Then there is the age-old clash of right versus wrong and issues of conscience to be resolved. Sean ponders whether there is a God and whether God actually cares. He must decide whether he, in turn, can care for somebody again. I particularly liked the handwritten notes from Sean to his deceased mother that introduce some of the chapters. They are an inspired touch, a poignant reminder of Sean’s inner turmoil, while cleverly setting the scene as the story unfolds. Ultimately we must not fight the things that heal us, such as forgiveness and letting go of the past. A Study in Terminal is filled with profound insights into the human condition. While exploring the depths of despair, it provides hope for reconciliation. It is an outstanding novel and highly recommended.

Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

Nate and Gabrielle are two teenagers in love, eager to start their junior year of high school. However, their lives turn upside down when Gabrielle discloses that she is pregnant with Nate's child. Struggling to process the momentous news, Nate and Gabrielle slowly try to bring their lives to a semblance of normalcy. But conflict arises when the two of them inform their respective parents, who come from vastly polarizing backgrounds. Nate comes from a conservative Christian household where the mere mention of the word abortion is taboo, while Gabrielle's divorced parents fall on the other end of the spectrum. Caught in the midst of two opposing paths, Nate and Gabrielle must now carve their own way. Sincere and heartfelt, Absolute Value is a poignant coming-of-age tale written by Anna Henrik.

Author Anna Henrik handles the sensitive issue of teenage pregnancy with a deft touch and explores its ramifications with a thoughtful approach resembling movies such as Juno or Never Maybe Sometimes Always. She captures both sides of the argument in a graceful and intelligent manner that feels authentic and sincere. The characters are portrayed in a realistic manner that makes them all the more compelling to read. Nate, Gabrielle, and their respective parents seem like real people, which gives the narrative an added sense of authenticity. I found the conflict between Nate and his parents particularly absorbing to read. Absolute Value is an enthralling read from start to finish. I would recommend it to readers who enjoy coming-of-age stories with mature themes.

Reviewed by Rolanda Lyles for Readers' Favorite

In Bernard Jan's Cruel Summer, Michael is a seventeen-year-old boy living in New York. Michael loves skateboarding and wants to ride professionally. He and his abusive father, Hank, don't get along, and his mother died a few months ago. Michael's sister, Rebecca, is in Denver visiting their grandparents during summer break. Both Michael and Rebecca miss their mother a lot and deal with her death differently. Michael goes to visit his mother's grave often. Michael begins to have visions where he can see things that happen and he tells his sister. His dad suggests that he sees a psychiatrist who becomes a trusted ally. Michael's therapy sessions are going well and his sister begins to find relief after their mother's death until something tragic happens. Their father is dead, and Michael is the assumed killer. It's summertime, but the weather is cold like winter, and this is turning out to be quite a cruel summer.

Bernard Jan's Cruel Summer is an emotionally gripping story, full of love, friendship, loyalty, family drama, and skateboarding. Bernard did a wonderful job of creating a beautifully written and compelling story that is very descriptive so that the reader feels immersed in the story. I enjoyed the detailed skateboarding stunt instructions at the start of each chapter. His characters were brilliantly written and very compelling. Bernard's writing is full of twists and turns that keep you interested from the very beginning. An excellent read. I look forward to reading more stories by this author.

Reviewed by Eeva Lancaster for Readers' Favorite

Mark M. Bello's Betrayal High delves into the topic of bullying and the consequences at its core. Kevin Burns has been bullied all his life, and moving into the affluent neighborhood of Bloomfield did not help. Kevin's family did not fit in, and neither did he. They made fun of him in all possible ways. One day, the young man decides he's had enough. He takes his father's guns, goes to school, and shoots the bullies. He would've killed more if not for a teenager who prevented him from doing so. This is where the legal battle starts. High profile lawyer Zach Blake's son was the teenager who stopped Burns from killing more people and he got shot in the process. For Blake, it's personal. He goes after the arms dealers and questions the 2nd Amendment. Who should be allowed to buy weapons and are the restrictions being followed?

This legal drama was absolutely page-turning. Mark M. Bello showed the points of view of all sides and it was interesting to see the motivations of all parties involved. Powerful people are involved, and it goes as high as the President of the United States. You can imagine the suspense as each faction tries to get out of the situation. How far will they go to protect their own interests? And what about Kevin Burns? Is he fit to stand trial? Did he suffer a mental breakdown or was his murderous rampage planned and intentional? Did he feel remorse? Should he be pitied or condemned? One of the best legal thrillers I've read, Betrayal High kept me entangled in the story. It's relevant, well-written, perfectly paced, and an engaging read from page one. Highly recommended!

Reviewed by Vernita Naylor for Readers' Favorite

We all have our secrets. We believe that if those closest to us knew about our secrets they would either not like us or see us in a different light. Life and Other Complications by Heather Mullaly is a book about humanity, abuse, secrets, denial, exposure, and consequences. Aly has several secrets. One secret was discovered when the small town that she lives in found out that she has HIV, but what they don't know is how she contracted it. Some speculate that it's because she's promiscuous. Another secret is that she has a crush on Luke, who is not only a nice guy but he's hot. Would Luke want to be with someone like her? All of her secrets were safe until one day everything changed with a knock on the door. Once her secrets are out, how will it impact Aly, Luke, and those around her?

I enjoyed Life and Other Complications because Heather Mullaly brings this disease to the forefront by depicting the life of a young girl living with HIV and telling her story. In the past HIV had a stigma attached to it that still exists today, accompanied by whispers, fear, and stares. This is one of the only diseases that results in isolation and in being ostracized either by others or within oneself. Seeing the different phases of life that Aly must live while living with HIV and her interactions with those around her reflects the social issues of the story. Additionally, it will give the reader another perspective of HIV which demonstrates why a book like this is important. I highly recommend that you get a copy of this book today and tell others. Spread the word.

Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

The Band Room is a coming of age story written by Bob Seay. Angel is a typical teenager and high school football player whose life is turned upside down when he gets a court-ordered sentence of 90-hour community service due to an accidental scuffle with a police officer. Lack of football and becoming a social pariah leads him to seek help from the school Band Director Paul Roberts, who assigns him to file music in the library. To his surprise, Angel finds kindred spirits in the Band Room and soon makes some loyal friends, who not only help him with his mandatory community service but also go out of their way to mend the relationship between Angel and his mother.

The Band Room is a poignant and introspective drama about a high school senior that deals with issues of acceptance, parental relationship, addiction, and the courage to stand up for your beliefs. Author Bob Seay delves deep into the pressures of being a teenager, and the narrative flawlessly captures the anxiety and loneliness that they can go through. The Band Room also perfectly showcases the impact a teacher or a parent can have on a teenager and the choices they make. With relatable and likable characters, a well thought out plot, and suitable dialogue, The Band Room feels like more than the sum of its parts. I am glad that I read it. If you are in the mood for a well-written drama with a healthy dose of social commentary, The Band Room is the way to go.