Sophie Reads YA: September 2022

September Summary

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2022 New Release challenge

Review: The Siren of Sussex (Belles of London #1) by Mimi Matthews

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The Siren of Sussex
Series: Belles of London #1
Author: Mimi Matthews
Published January 11th 2022 by Berkley

Goodreads Synopsis
Victorian high society’s most daring equestrienne finds love and an unexpected ally in her fight for independence in the strong arms of London’s most sought after and devastatingly handsome half-Indian tailor.

Evelyn Maltravers understands exactly how little she’s worth on the marriage mart. As an incurable bluestocking from a family tumbling swiftly toward ruin, she knows she’ll never make a match in a ballroom. Her only hope is to distinguish herself by making the biggest splash in the one sphere she excels: on horseback. In haute couture. But to truly capture London’s attention she’ll need a habit-maker who’s not afraid to take risks with his designs—and with his heart.

Half-Indian tailor Ahmad Malik has always had a talent for making women beautiful, inching his way toward recognition by designing riding habits for Rotten Row’s infamous Pretty Horsebreakers—but no one compares to Evelyn. Her unbridled spirit enchants him, awakening a depth of feeling he never thought possible.

But pushing boundaries comes at a cost and not everyone is pleased to welcome Evelyn and Ahmad into fashionable society. With obstacles spanning between them, the indomitable pair must decide which hurdles they can jump and what matters most: making their mark or following their hearts?
Goodreads

Review
Though Evelyn Maltravers is from a good family, her 'worth' on the marriage mart is not much, and she knows that she needs to make a name for herself in a different way, to save her future. A gifted equestrienne, she wants to be like the Pretty Horsebreakers, but she needs a tailor who can create haute couture riding habits, at a cost she can afford. But as she searches for a tailor, she finds that many don't want to take a risk on her, except for Ahmad Malik, who has been relegated to alterations for too long now. Taking a chance to work together, hoping that Evelyn can make a name for herself, and for Ahmad's designs, the pair work in close proximity, and soon the sparks fly.

This was my first book by this author, but definitely won't be my last. I'd heard a lot about this series, and as soon as I picked up my book, I knew it was going to be good. Evelyn and Ahmad were characters that you couldn't help but love, and they had both faced hardship and bigotry in the past. Ahmad, as someone who was half-Indian, was relegated to working in the back room of the tailor's, and not listened to, or valued, except for by Evelyn. Though this is a romance, the couple clearly respect, and adore each other, and their friendship was one of the best parts of the book. That being said, their chemistry is fantastic, and so believable. Neither of the pair underestimated the difficulty that they could face by being together, but their love for each other was enough for them, and the support of their friends, particularly Evelyn's new friends, Anne, Julia, and Stella. A great start to a new series, and I look forward to the next book, The Belle of Belgrave Square.

Dates Read:
April 16-17, 2022

Rating
4 Stars

2022 New Release challenge

Blog Tour & ARC Review: Well, That Was Unexpected (Untitled #1) by Jesse Q. Sutanto

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Well, That Was Unexpected
Series: Untitled #1
Author: Jesse Q. Sutanto
Published September 27th 2022 by Delacorte Press

Goodreads Synopsis
An outrageous, laugh-out-loud YA rom-com about a girl who's whisked from LA to her mother's native Indonesia to get back to her roots and finds herself fake-dating the son of one of the wealthiest families there, from the author of Dial A for Aunties.

After Sharlot Citra's mother catches her in a compromising position, she finds herself whisked away from LA to her mother's native Indonesia. It'll be exactly what they both need. Or so her mother thinks.

When George Clooney Tanuwijaya's father (who is obsessed with American celebrities) fears he no longer understands how to get through to his son, he decides to take matters into his own hands.

To ensure that their children find the right kind of romantic partner, Sharlot's mother and George's father do what any good parent would do: they strike up a conversation online, pretending to be their children.

When the kids find out about their parents' actions, they're horrified. Not even a trip to one of the most romantic places on earth could possibly make Sharlot and George fall for each other. But as the layers peel back and the person they thought they knew from online is revealed, the truth becomes more complicated. As unlikely as it may seem, did their parents manage to find their true match after all?
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher. This in no way impacted on my view.

For Sharlot Citra, her mother has always refused to talk about her home and family in Indonesia, but following an incident involving Sharlot's now ex-boyfriend, she's whisked off to spend the summer away from her bad influences, and with her extended family. What Sharlot thought about her family was clearly completely wrong, as she arrives in Jakarta to discover her family her quite rich, and that her mother's oldest friend is from one of the country's richest families. And Sharlot is not alone in having an interfering parent. George Clooney Tanuwijaya soon finds that his dad has created a profile for him online, and has got him a date with the perfect girl. Soon though, Sharlot and George find themselves going along with the ruse of dating when the media discover it, but the spotlight is harsh, and Sharlot finds herself being villainised.

When I first read the synopsis for this book, I was immediately hooked. Sharlot and George were the best characters for the plot line, and the fact the book has dual POV made this so much more enjoyable. I adored the way the characters came together, and though they were hiding the fact that neither of their profiles were real, as they spent more time together - admittedly forced at first - they soon became comfortable enough to be their real selves. What I thought would be a cute YA romance was so much more. Well, That Was Unexpected delves into the conflict of wanting to please your parents, but also being your own person, with your own dreams. There's the added conflict of social media and public attention, and the double standards placed on Sharlot when compared to George. I didn't realise this was part of a series, but hopefully we'll see more of the couple in future!

Dates Read:
August 25-26, 2022

Rating
4 Stars

About Jesse Q. Sutanto:
I grew up going back and forth between Jakarta and Singapore and consider both places my homes. I was fortunate enough to do my Masters in Creative Writing at the University of Oxford, which is surely one of the most gorgeous places in the world.

I am passionate about women’s rights and diversity in publishing. I regularly do giveaways where I critique queries or the first few pages, and I am especially interested in helping writers from marginalized communities. If you are a writer from a marginalized community, do hit me up! I love hearing from other writers, even if it’s just to say a quick hello.
LINKS: Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Facebook

Something in the Heir

Waiting on Wednesday: Something in the Heir by Suzanne Enoch

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2022 Beat the Backlist challenge

ARC Review: The Switch Up: L.A. Exchange (The Switch Up #2) by Katy Cannon

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The Switch Up: L.A. Exchange
Series: The Switch Up #2
Author: Katy Cannon
Published June 25th 2020 by Stripes Publishing

Goodreads Synopsis
WILLA
Film director
LA insider
Impulsive
Looks like Alice

ALICE
Eco warrior
LA tourist
Cautious
Looks like Willa

Alice can't wait to visit Willa in LA – home of Hollywood, where dreams come true. Their plan is to explore the city and see the sights, but then Willa gets the opportunity to work on the film project of her dreams and she can’t say no! The only problem is she is absolutely 100% supposed to be taking part in a beach clean-up. Which, now she thinks of it, sounds pretty perfect for Alice... Can the girls really swap lives again? Cue plotting, outfit swapping and award-winning performances. But everyone knows that real life is nothing like the movies…

The second instalment in THE SWITCH UP series and the perfect read for fans of GEEK GIRL and SUPER AWKWARD.
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

After being caught pulling the switch up last summer, Willa and Alice have become the best of friends. With Willa now living in LA, and Alice in London, they haven't seen each other for 9 months, but the Easter holidays is just around the corner, and Alice is headed for California to spend her break with Willa. But when Willa gets into trouble at school, and is forced to 'volunteer' at a local beach clean up charity, as well as being invited to help with a film shoot, she's spread too thin. How can she do both of these, and spend time with Alice? Can they pull off another switch, or have they learnt from the past?

This book was a quicker read that the first one, but at the same time, I think I got a little more annoyed at parts. I loved that Alice and Willa have stayed in touch, and are now really close friends, but really, have they learnt nothing? They knew that they had hurt people - namely Luca and Hal, and their parents - by the lies in the summer, so why could they think that to have Alice take Willa's place at the beach clean up, getting to know and grow close to Jake, without it causing some pain? I did like how it was all resolved though, and I think I'd probably read a sequel - I want to know what happens with Alice's dad's wedding. If you liked book 1, you'd probably enjoy this one.

Dates Read:
January 2, 2022

Rating
3 Stars

2022 Beat the Backlist challenge

ARC Review: The Switch Up (The Switch Up #1) by Katy Cannon

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The Switch Up
Series: The Switch Up #1
Author: Katy Cannon
Published June 13th 2019 by Stripes Publishing

Goodreads Synopsis
WILLA
Drama queen
Fashion guru
Spontaneous
Looks like Alice

ALICE
Bookworm
Allergic to fashion
Planner
Looks like Willa

LAX Departure Lounge. Two girls board the same flight to London as complete strangers. When the plane touches down, it’s the beginning of the craziest plan ever. Can Willa and Alice really swap lives for the summer?

Things are going to get complicated...

The first in a fun new series, this summer read is The Parent Trap meets Freaky Friday and is perfect for fans of GEEK GIRL and SUPER AWKWARD.
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Two girls bound for London from LAX decide to pull off the biggest prank ever. Willa Andrews and Alice Wright have never met before, but when they are put together in the Unaccompanied Minors lounge, abandoned by the parents for the summer and sent to stay with people they've never met, they hatch a plan. For the three weeks they are going to be away from home, they'll swap lives, and be the other person. Alice wished she could stay with her father in Australia, rather than being shipped off to London to stay with his 'friend' (girlfriend), and Willa wants more than anything to be in London, at her acting course, rather than on a farm in Italy. It sounds like the perfect plan, and somehow, they pull it off. But the longer they spend with the people they meet, the harder it is to lie and keep up the facade. And what will happen when the truth, inevitably, comes out?

This is a book that I've tried to read about three times now, and every other time I only managed to get about a third of the way through before moving on to something else. However, I decided to start 2022 focusing on old ARCs, and persevered through The Switch Up, and it's sequel, quite quickly. This was an okay book. It's definitely one focused on more of the younger side of YA, and I reckon kids in years 7-9 would love it. Out of the two characters, Alice was my favourite. I think she has a similar personality to what I had as a teen, whereas Willa was too much of an extrovert and very dramatic for my liking. I did feel really sorry for them, feeling abandoned by their parents for the summer, when they were going through changing and challenging times in their lives. I enjoyed the book, but I think the amount of lying to others and lack of planning annoyed me a little too much, so I only gave this book 3 stars. If you enjoyed The Parent Trap or Freaky Friday, this is probably a book for you.

Dates Read:
January 1-2, 2022

Rating
3 Stars

2022 New Release challenge

ARC Review: Nobody's Princess (The Wild Wynchesters #3) by Erica Ridley

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Nobody's Princess
Series: The Wild Wynchesters #3
Author: Erica Ridley
Published July 26th 2022 by Forever

Goodreads Synopsis
A fun and feminist Regency romp from a master of the genre hailed as "a delight" by Bridgerton author Julia Quinn.

Nothing happens in London without Graham Wynchester knowing. His massive collection of intelligence is invaluable to his family's mission of aiding those most in need. So when he deciphers a series of coded messages in the scandal sheets, Graham's convinced he must come to a royal's rescue. But his quarry turns out not to be a princess at all... The captivating Kunigunde de Heusch is anything but a damsel in distress, and the last thing she wants is Graham's help.

All her life, Kuni trained alongside the fiercest Royal Guardsmen in her family, secretly planning to become her country's first Royal Guardswoman. This mission in London is a chance to prove herself worthy without help from a man, not even one as devilishly handsome as Graham. To her surprise, Graham believes in her dream as much as she does, which makes it harder to resist kissing him...and falling in love. But how can she risk her heart if her future lies an ocean away?
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher. This in no way impacted on my view.

When Graham Wynchester discovers a missing princess through a series of coded messages in the papers, he knows he needs to use all of his knowledge to find her. But when it turns out that the person he's looking for is neither a princess, nor missing, he's quite surprised to meet the captivating Kunigunde de Heusch. Kuni has trained to be a Royal Guardswoman all of her life. Her family come from a long list of Guardsmen, and she would be the first female member of the group. But she needs to convince both her brothers, and her king, that she is right to move from the princess's lady in waiting, to a guard, with the blessing of the princess herself. Arriving in London prior to the royal party, she hopes to see all of the sites, and test their defences, before giving her notes to guards, and proving her worth. When her path crosses that of Graham, she's angry at his influence, but finds herself loving being a part of the Wynchester family, albeit temporarily, and her feelings for Graham are muddling the waters. Will Kuni be able to prove she is nobody's princess, and she needs no help?

With each book in this series, I find myself more and more jealous of the Wynchester family. Though they aren't blood, they are closer than anything, and would do whatever it takes to help those they care about. Graham was always a bit on an enigma in the previous books, but I loved learning more about him, and how he came to become a member of the family. His backstory was tragic, and it shaped him to be the caring, and focused man he was today. He hated seeing others suffering, and felt like it was his duty to help Kuni, though she clear could look after herself. Kuni was such a strong character, and I loved her from the get go. She had a vision of what she wanted in life, and she wasn't about to let her gender be the reason she failed. She could do everything her brothers could, and more, and she was out to prove it. The mystery to be solved in this book wasn't exactly a mystery, but it was great to see how the family came together to solve some of the issues in the northern mills, and how they embraced Kuni's help. I hope there are more books in this series, because I'm not done with the family, and there's plenty for the remaining siblings to do!

Dates Read:
July 29-31, 2022

Rating
4 Stars

September

Stacking the Shelves: September 24th 2022

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2022 New Release challenge

Review: His Lessons on Love (A Logical Man's Guide to Dangerous Women #3) by Cathy Maxwell

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His Lessons on Love
Series: A Logical Man's Guide to Dangerous Women #3
Author: Cathy Maxwell
Published January 25th 2022 by Avon

Goodreads Synopsis
New York Times bestselling author Cathy Maxwell’s delicious Logical Man’s Guide to Dangerous Women series continues with this provocative romance between a reprobate earl and a sensible spinster who agree to marry under scandalous circumstances. Perfect for fans of Sophie Jordan and Sabrina Jeffries.

Lesson #1: A man, even titled and handsome, cannot be careless forever.

The Earl of Marsden—better known as Mars to all—has lived his life by his own rules... until he is presented with a very big problem in a very tiny package—a baby girl, his daughter, cast off by his ex-mistress. Mars won’t let his child be cast adrift, except he doesn’t know the first thing about babies.

Panicking, he turns to a woman for help. Not just any woman, but Clarissa Taylor, village spinster, matron-in-training, and Mars’s greatest critic. Still, who better to tend a motherless child than a woman who was abandoned as a babe herself?

Lesson #2: Life always plays the upper hand—especially when it comes to love.

Clarissa desperately wishes to not to be beholden to anyone. She has spent a lifetime being pitied by the village. Her plan is simple—to use what the intolerable earl will pay her to become her own woman. It all sounds so straightforward until the threat of scandal sends her and the one man she can’t abide toward... marriage?

Mars and Clarissa are about to learn the greatest lesson of all—that sparks always fly when the iron is hot.
Goodreads

Review
The Earl of Marsden, or Mars as he's more commonly known, has lived life to the fullest, and has no intention of ever settling down. But when he's forced to take responsibility for his actions, namely the baby girl his ex-mistress dumps on his doorstep, he is way out of his depth. Even though he doesn't know what to do with a child, she is his daughter, and he does the last thing he ever expected - turn to the matrons of the village. And when the one person who is able to help, and willing to help, is revealed to be Clarissa Taylor, village spinster, and nemesis of Mars, they both have to get over all of their previous hangups to do what is right by baby, Dora.

When I read the first book in the series, I knew that Mars and Clarissa would one day get together. Even though Clarissa was engaged to Ned, there was no chemistry there, unlike with Mars, who seemed to hate her for some reason. I loved the humour in the scenes, particularly when Mars introduces Clarissa as his betrothed, rather than his nanny/governess. They already had enough chemistry to make it believable, but the interactions between them, and especially moments when with Dora too, were cute, and like a true little family. The road for happiness was not smooth for Clarissa and Mars, but it was well worth all the hardship, and this was the best ending to the series I could have asked for. His Lessons on Love is my favourite book of the series, and I'm really looking forward to reading what Cathy releases next.

Dates Read:
April 3-4, 2022

Rating
4 Stars