Josephine Haven, famous for her outbursts, is a student at the House of Industry, an academy for students who wield magic. Once she graduates, she is banished from the city to a remote mission in Frostbrook. There, she works under Julian, the House of Industry’s former golden boy, and Ezra, a flirtatious stranger. Soon, Josephine learns of a deadly disease spreading across the countryside and finds that the people there are less eager to embrace Progress: the march of industrialization. As Josephine begins to question the system that raised her, she must decide if she’s willing to make sacrifices that will expose the House’s corruption.
I’ve heard it’s similar to the show Arcane, so I am very excited!
Freddie and Stella are on a mission to take down their former best-friend-turned-queen-bee, Levi Preston, by claiming the one thing she wants more than anything: the Beaumont-Gardiner Award. Only the coolest, smartest, and hottest girls win, so the two make it their goal to become cooler, smarter, and hotter than Levi. As Levi’s popularity slowly plungers and the girls start to succeed, worming their way into the IT crowd, Freddie notices that Stella isn’t the same loveable, goofy friend she remembers.
Freddie realizes that she’ll need Levi’s help to pull Stella back from the dark side.
As the editor in chief of their school’s literary magazine, Mal Flowers expected their senior year to be filled with copyediting and building their college application to escape their small Midwestern town where a broke, fat, queer person with ADHD never fit in. But the year takes an unexpected turn when budget cuts result in the cancellation of the lit mag and Mal is forced to find another extracurricular to fill their application. Emerson Pike—Mal’s complete opposite—suggests that the staff go rogue and create a zine. While the plan is cool, the idea of selling contraband wasn’t exactly a part of Mal’s perfect plan. However, Mal enjoys being around Emerson and their new group of friends because for once in their life it feels like they belong, and they find that breaking the rules with Emerson is fun.
In the magical, cozy small town of Fair Glen in Illinois, Monroe Bennett—a junior recruit at the Bureau of Mystical Affairs—is tasked with locating the source of a rogue love charm and protecting her charmed classmates, especially her boss’ daughter, Iris James. But when Iris seeks to make her ex jealous, she asks Monroe to fake date her. Monroe’s top priority is her mission, but once her growing feelings for Iris tamper with her focus, things get complicated. Will Monroe succeed at solving the case, or will this obstacle make her career plummet?
I absolutely adore the “love charm/potion” trope, so I can’t wait to get my hands on this!
All her life, 16-year-old Ellie has acted the “right way,” said the “right things,” and dated the “right guy” to avoid being ridiculed for her autism. When her boyfriend dumps her before they’re supposed to leave for beach volleyball camp, Ellie’s world turns upside down and she gets outcasted and labeled as the “weird girl.” In a fit of desperation, Ellie goes to camp SMASH, ready for volleyball and whatever it takes to regain her old reputation. But the situation takes a turn once Ellie meets Sierra, a volleyball legend, who complicates Ellie’s mission to get her boyfriend back.
I recently had an awakening and discovered my love for sporty romances, so I am so excited for this story!
The fairy tales state that it’s been 100 years since the last heir of Gyldan fell into eternal slumber and subjected the once mighty kingdom to poverty. Corin, a thief who doesn’t believe the fables, is determined to find her younger sister, Elly, who ran away in search of the sleeping princess, Amelia, for a better life. When Corin discovers an ancient castle with remnants of the kingdom’s golden age, she uncovers a hidden portal into the princess’ subconscious with her sister’s voice ringing through. Inside the world of Princess Amelia’s dreams, the sisters reunite for a new adventure where they meet Briar Rose, Amelia’s whimsical alter ego, and Malicine, a demon with a gift for magic. As the sisters explore ice castles, sunflower mazes, and star-filled oceans, Corin begins to suspect that Briar Rose is hiding darker secrets.
As a fan of Cindy Pham, I am so excited for this Sleeping Beauty retelling to hit the shelves.
As the unmagical daughter of Queen Mab, Fae princess Hyacinth has never fit in, but her hope is if she can find her father who disappeared fifteen years ago, she might be able to uncover more about herself. When Hyacinth and her friend Chloe—a human trapped in the world of Fae—sneak off to a riverside market, they discover a magical book sent from her father, where he reveals he is trapped in the heart of a treacherous labyrinth. With the help of Chloe and a small dragon named Coffee, the two disobey Queen Mab’s orders and venture off towards the Moonshadow Kingdom. On their journey, the two face bandits, magical creatures, and an unexpected romance blooming between them.
I completely adore princess and knight dynamics, as well as human and non-human romances, so I’m really looking forward to this magical adventure.
I absolutely love any LGBTQ+ representation in stories, especially sapphic romances, so it’s always exciting to find new ones to share. Hopefully this gives you a few more to add to your TBR!
Anasofia Alejandro, Pine Reads Review Writer