Some years ago, I saw this blue-toned gem and had to have it. Never had I seen a book with such a lovely cover, so SHATTER ME by Tahereh Mafi changed the landscape of YA covers from dainty girls in ball gowns to a dressed up eye. (All of her novels’ covers in this series are just as gorgeous, btw.)
Not only was Mafi’s cover gorgeous, her prose felt fresh and real even in the post apocalyptic setting. Her first-person portrayal of Juliette coming into her own with censored sentences scratched out of paragraphs and replaced with more “appropriate” statements was something I’d never seen before. The novelty was well done, and combined with good story and gorgeous prose, I can’t be anything but a fan!
I read THE OPPOSITE OF YOU by Rachel Higginson. (You may recall the lovely beard on the cover.) Here. I will remind you.
The story was good. The meals described in the book sounded DIVINE. The backstory was revealed at just the right time. It ended conveniently (as a lot of romances do, I’m finding), but here was the BIG thing for me.
There was so much repetition in it.
It was like there was a list of, like, 4 key things the author wanted to make sure the reader knew, and then I (the reader) was pummeled by those things. It got to the point where it felt like filler.
I’m going to start rating scale, I think. (This is seriously off the cuff)
Story ⚡
Character depth⚡
Dialogue ⚡
Freshness ⚡
Writing ☁️
Overall, four sizzling lightning bolts and one rainy-type cloud! So, if you’re looking for a feisty story with culinary appeal, here’s a rec for you!
Are you reading something worth sharing? I’d love to put a few of your tried-and-true stories on my TBR! 😍
Mea Smith 
I’m SO not up on modern stuff, but a weirdly wonderful read for me lately was Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury.
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Oooo! It’s on my List now! Thanks, Amy!
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