#AmReading YA

 

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The Other Side of Infinity by Joan F. Smith
Published by Feiwel & Friends on April 25, 2023
Age/Genres: Romance, Speculative Fiction, Young Adult

Goodreads

They Both Die at the End meets The Butterfly Effect in this YA novel by Joan F. Smith, where a teen uses her gift of foreknowledge to help a lifeguard save a drowning man—only to discover that her actions have suddenly put his life at risk.

It was supposed to be an ordinary day at the pool, but when lifeguard Nick hesitates during a save,
seventeen-year-old December uses her gift of foreknowledge to rescue the drowning man instead. The action comes at a cost. Not only will Nick and December fall in love, but also, she envisions that his own life is now at risk. The other problem? They’re basically strangers.

December embarks on a mission to save Nick’s life, and to experience what it feels like to fall in love—something she’d formerly known she’d never do. Nick, battling the shame of screwing up the rescue when he’s heralded as a community hero, resolves to make up for his inaction by doing December a major solid and searching for her mother, who went missing nine years ago.

As they grow closer, December’s gift starts playing tricks, and Nick’s family gets closer to an ugly truth about him. They both must learn what it really means to be a hero before time runs out.

I have SO many feelings, but I am not sure how to express them without giving too much away. Just know that this book was heartwarming, heartbreaking, and thought provoking. The blend of family, friendship, romance, and mystery had me turning the pages, but my heart was really captured by December.

Her precognition had presented her with many challenges, and I wonder what sort of decisions I would make if I had the ability to see parts of the future. Would I be able to resist trying to change things? That was a question December had to ask herself every day. In the case of what happened with Nick, she was faced with trying to save his life.

That’s a lot of weight to carry around, and it was something that kept her from experience those parts of life we take for granted. Though she broke her own rules, December finally got to experience friendship and first love, and that was something that filled me with happiness. I will admit that the story went in a direction I was not expecting, but I appreciated the journey and all the emotions it delivered.

*ARC PROVIDED BY THE PUBLISHER

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This Time It's Real by Ann Liang
Published by Scholastic Press on February 7, 2023
Age/Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Goodreads

When seventeen-year-old Eliza Lin’s essay about meeting the love of her life unexpectedly goes viral, her entire life changes overnight. Now she has the approval of her classmates at her new international school in Beijing, a career-launching internship opportunity at her favorite magazine…and a massive secret to keep.

Eliza made her essay up. She’s never been in a relationship before, let alone in love. All good writing is lying, right?

Desperate to hide the truth, Eliza strikes a deal with the famous actor in her class, the charming but aloof Caz Song. She’ll help him write his college applications if he poses as her boyfriend. Caz is a dream boyfriend -- he passes handwritten notes to her in class, makes her little sister laugh, and takes her out on motorcycle rides to the best snack stalls around the city.

But when her relationship with Caz starts feeling a little too convincing, all of Eliza’s carefully laid plans are threatened. Can she still follow her dreams if it means breaking her own heart?

Get ready to fall in love in this hilarious romcom about a girl who begins a fake relationship with the famous actor in her class, perfect for fans of Meg Cabot and Jenny Han.

What a fun and sweet fake-dating tale! Eliza spent most of her life moving from place to place and resigned herself to being an outsider. Her move from the US to Beijing resulted in some serious feelings of isolation. When tasked with writing an essay about a close relationship, she struggled and ending making it all up. Maybe it was a blessing in disguise when her school essay went viral and caught the attention of her classmate Caz.

Some of my favorite parts of this book where the “chemistry” outings. I adored getting out and about in Beijing, but also loved getting to know Caz and Eliza better. It was fantastic seeing their friendship take root and grow. I couldn’t fault Eliza’s attachment issues given how many times she was forced to pick up and start over in a new place, but I think that’s why I was happy when she opened her heart up to Caz. Am I greedy because I wanted an epilogue? Maybe, but I would love to know what happened next. Still, this was a wonderful and heartwarming tale which I greatly enjoyed.

Would you want to see the future?
Let us know in the comments!