Book Blitz & Giveaway - Just Another Meet Cute by Jenn P. Nguyen

Just Another Meet Cute

Author: Jenn P. Nguyen

Publication Date: May 20th, 2025

Genre: YA Comedy / Contemporary Romance

Book Description:

Boy saves girl stuck on a disastrous hike. What could go wrong? So. Much.

Just Another Meet Cute is the joyful and funny story about what happens when you realize you’re dating the wrong twin.

When seventeen-year-old Nina Riley gets saved by a super cute Knight-in-Faded-Khakis just as she lands in an embarrassingly ‘ahem’ sticky situation during the most disastrous hike known to man, she wasn’t exactly looking for a meet cute. She really just needed some peace and quiet from her complicated family. Unfortunately, he disappears before she can properly thank him or get his number. All she has is his name (Ian Nguyen) and a navy jacket with a dog keychain, a gym card, and laundromat receipt. But a meet cute is a meet cute. And armed with years of watching Veronica Mars and a techy cousin, it should be simple enough for Nina to find the boy of her dreams, right? But when she finally tracks him down, he’s different than she thought ―right down to his name. Ryan is just as cute as she remembers, but the chemistry isn’t there like it was before. After a few dates, she meets Ryan’s family: his sweet grandma, his enthusiastic sisters, and his twin brother ―​​​​​​​―Ian.

Buy Links:

Amazon US | UK | Barnes & Noble | iBooks

Book Blitz & Giveaway - Unspoken Words by Linda Joyce

Unspoken Words

Author: Linda Joyce

Publication Date: April 22nd, 2025

Genre: Adult Women’s Fiction

Book Description:

What happens when the truth you’ve hidden becomes the key to your greatest fear—and your greatest hope?

For years, Jane Landry has carried a secret that could break hearts and heal them all at once. Her son, Christopher Marcus, is the light of her life—but he’s also the boy no one knows about. Not his father, her ex-husband Mark, nor his wife Maggie, or his sister Suzanne, Jane’s best friends from childhood. Now, with a cancer diagnosis threatening her future, Jane must summon the courage to confess her secret. She prays they’ll embrace Christopher as family before time runs out.

But just as Jane takes the first step, tragedy strikes—Mark is killed in an accident after learning he has a son. The devastating loss leaves Jane grappling with how to face Maggie and Suzanne, the two women she’s avoided for years but now desperately needs. Her truth risks alienating them, yet the stakes are higher than ever. Christopher needs a home. Jane needs to know her boy will be loved when she’s no longer there to protect him.

As Jane uncovers the secrets Maggie and Suzanne have been hiding, she realizes she’s not the only one carrying the weight of the past. Old wounds, unexpected betrayals, and the search for forgiveness weave together in a story about love, loss, and the lengths we’ll go to for family.

Set against the vivid backdrop of New Orleans, Unspoken Words explores the messy, beautiful journey of redemption and the bonds that hold us together—even when stretched to their breaking point.

Discover a story that will break your heart, heal your soul, and stay with you long after the final page.

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Amazon US | UK | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo

BOOK REVIEW: Slip by L. Ryan Storms

Slip

Author: L. Ryan Storms
Publication Date:  15 April 2025
Genre: YA Fantasy / Romance / Magical Realism

Book Description:

9 minutes and 53 seconds isn't enough time to change the world. It's not even enough time to finish a biology exam.

But 16-year-old junior, PJ "Slip" Ellis, gets to repeat the most anxiety-inducing parts of her life again and again. Because her panic attacks send her 9 minutes and 53 seconds into the past, which means she'll do whatever she can to avoid triggering her nerves. And she's learned to deal with her anxiety...mostly.

At least, until Ethan Morrow appears in class. Now, PJ is falling for Ethan, and her anxiety-once under control-is quickly spiraling out of hand. So, PJ's determined to avoid Ethan with every slip.

If only the solution were so easy. Ethan appears in PJ's life no matter what path she takes, no matter how many times she slips. Is it fate? Kismet? Organized chaos? One way or another, PJ must make peace with herself if she ever wants a shot at true happiness with-or without-Ethan Morrow in her life.

Buy Links:

Amazon US | UK

Connect with the Author:

Website | Blog | Facebook | Instagram | Threads

SUMMARY

Slip follows the story of sixteen-year-old Penelope Jane "PJ" Ellis, who has a unique and challenging ability—whenever she experiences anxiety or panic attacks, she's sent exactly 9 minutes and 53 seconds into the past. This unusual temporal displacement, which PJ calls "slipping", has become her coping mechanism for navigating the stressful moments of her teenage life. She's developed strategies to manage both her anxiety and her slips, creating a delicate balance that works—most of the time.

PJ's carefully constructed world begins to unravel when Ethan Morrow, an old classmate, returns to school after moving back from California. As PJ finds herself developing feelings for Ethan, her anxiety—which she thought she had under control—begins spiraling. What's most perplexing is that no matter how many times she slips to avoid Ethan, he continues to appear in her life through different circumstances. Even more startling, Ethan seems to remember events from her "slips" that should have been erased—something that's never happened with anyone else.

The novel explores PJ's home life with her workaholic but loving single mother, with whom she communicates primarily through handwritten notes. PJ's friendship with her best mate Mariana Salvadore provides grounding support as she navigates the complications of her condition. Throughout the story, PJ grapples with whether to reveal her ability to Ethan, especially after previous failed attempts to confide in her mother. The central question becomes whether PJ can make peace with her anxiety and her unique ability to give herself a chance at happiness.

MY THOUGHTS

Storms has crafted a refreshingly original take on the magical realism genre with Slip. What immediately struck me was how seamlessly the fantastical element of time-slipping integrates into the otherwise grounded narrative—a hallmark of magical realism. Unlike traditional sci-fi or fantasy tropes that often over-explain supernatural mechanics, Storms treats PJ’s slipping ability as an organic extension of her emotional reality. The 9-minute-53-second rewinds are not just plot devices but visceral manifestations of anxiety itself, blurring the line between psychological experience and literal magic in a way that feels deeply human. Haven't we all wished we could go back and redo those moments when anxiety gets the better of us? PJ actually can, and watching her navigate this power brings both humour and poignancy to the narrative.

The character dynamics are absolutely brilliant. The dialogue between PJ, Ethan and Mariana flows naturally and often had me chuckling aloud. Their banter feels authentic to teenage friendships without falling into the trap of trying too hard to sound "young". PJ's relationship with her hardworking single mum is portrayed with nuance—there's genuine love there, alongside the realistic frustrations of a teenager who wishes for more parental presence.

Storms handles the mental health aspects of the story with remarkable sensitivity. The conversations between PJ and Mariana about anxiety and mental wellbeing are thoughtfully constructed and genuinely moving. These moments provide valuable insights without ever feeling preachy, which is quite an achievement in YA literature where such themes can easily become heavy-handed.

Where the novel falters somewhat is in its pacing. The second half leans heavily into romantic tension at the expense of leveraging slipping’s unique storytelling possibilities. While Storms wisely avoids over-explaining the ability’s mechanics (a strength of the magical realism approach), I found myself wishing for more creative applications of the slips themselves. For instance, how might PJ’s relationship with her power shift if she actively engaged with it rather than solely reacting to anxiety triggers? The narrative’s focus on Ethan, while emotionally grounded, occasionally sidelines the very device that makes PJ’s journey so distinctive.

I was also slightly perplexed by PJ's reluctance to tell Ethan about her ability when she already knows he somehow remembers her slips. This hesitation feels somewhat contrived, especially given that he's demonstrated an awareness that should make him the perfect confidant. It's a small logical inconsistency in an otherwise well-constructed narrative.

Despite these minor quibbles, Slip delivers a compelling story that balances its supernatural premise with authentic emotional depth. The novel excels at depicting the everyday struggles of teenage life alongside extraordinary circumstances, making PJ's journey relatable despite its fantastical elements.

VERDICT

Rating: 4 Stars

Source: Author

Book Blitz & Giveaway - The Revenge Game by Jax Calder

The Revenge Game

(The Revenge Club, #1)

Author: Jax Calder

Publication Date: April 11th, 2025

Genre: Adult Comedy / Contemporary / LGBTQ+ / Romance

Book Description:

Rule #1 of Revenge Club: Don’t fall for your target

Andrew

I’ve come a long way since being the gawky, geeky, gay kid who was constantly picked on growing up. Having just sold my tech start-up for so much money it broke my phone calculator, I’m now at a loose end wondering what to do next in my life.

Then I run into Justin. Justin, the golden boy from high school. Justin, the popular jock who turned my life into a living hell for four years.

And do you want to know the kicker? He doesn’t even recognize me.

Even worse, it looks like karma hasn’t done its thing because Justin definitely hasn’t been punished for his previous sins.

Maybe my next mission in life is to give karma a helping hand…

Justin

My life looks perfect from the outside – good job, good friends, no worries. Only I know it is all based on a lie. I’ve never been honest with anyone about my sexuality.

Then I meet the new IT guy at work who has just moved into my apartment building too. Given I seem to be having an extraordinary run of bad luck with technology at the moment—like having my email randomly decide to spam the entire company with images of trolls in intimate embraces —Drew’s been a lifesaver. And the more I get to know Drew, the more I want to confess my secret in the hope we can become something more.

But I can’t help the niggling feeling Drew is hiding something from me…

The Revenge Game is a laugh-out-loud journey through misadventures in revenge and the unexpected twists of fate. It’s where old grudges spark new attractions, where secrets unravel, and where two men learn all about redemption and love.

Buy Links:

Amazon US | UK

Celebrating a Milestone: CBY Book Club in FeedSpot’s Top YA Blogs!

CBY Book Club: Honoured as One of the Top 100 Young Adult Book Blogs in 2025!

We’re thrilled to share some exciting news with our readers! CBY Book Club has been recognised as one of the Top 100 Young Adult Book Blogs on the web by FeedSpot. This incredible honour highlights our dedication to bringing you engaging reviews, recommendations and discussions about young adult literature.

What This Means for Us

Being part of FeedSpot’s comprehensive list of the best YA book blogs is a testament to our commitment to connecting readers with stories that inspire, entertain and spark meaningful conversations. This recognition motivates us to continue delivering high-quality content that resonates with our audience.

A Special Thank You

We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to FeedSpot and its panelists for selecting CBY Book Club for this prestigious list. Their support reinforces our passion for sharing the magic of young adult books with readers worldwide.

Celebrate With Us!

To celebrate this milestone, we’ve added FeedSpot’s badge to our website—a symbol of this achievement and a reminder of the incredible community we’re proud to be part of. Check it out on our homepage and feel free to share it on social media to help spread the word!

How You Can Support Us

Share Our Blog: Help us grow by sharing your favourite posts from CBY Book Club on social media or with friends who love books.

Follow Us: Stay connected by following us on social media and subscribing to our newsletter for updates, reviews and exclusive content.

Engage With Us: Leave comments, share your thoughts and recommend books you’d like us to review. Your involvement keeps our community vibrant!

Discover More Amazing Blogs

FeedSpot’s list is a treasure trove of incredible YA book blogs that cater to diverse tastes and styles. Explore the full list here and discover new favourites alongside CBY Book Club.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Here’s to more milestones, great books, and a thriving YA community!

Book Blitz & Giveaway - Eva is Waiting by Romola Farr

Eva is Waiting

Author: Romola Farr

Publication Date: February 14th, 2025

Genre: Adult Historical Thriller

Book Description:

Following the death of her mother, Lily is sent to a remote girls’ boarding school, tearing her away from all the excitement of London in the Swingin’ Sixties. Bereft, she develops a relationship with Rainer, the husband of Sylvia, the headmistress.

One day, Bella, the school Collie, goes missing whilst playing on the shore below sheer cliffs. Despite a rising tide, Lily is determined to find the beautiful dog and discovers her trapped between rocks in a cave. Deepening water swirls around them as her fingertips dig into the sand and touch the smooth surface of what she believes to be an animal skull. From that moment on, she is haunted by a young girl pleading for help.

Lily speaks to her headmistress and learns that eleven years previously a pupil went missing. Eva was a refugee from Hungary, and it was assumed by the police that she had run away.

Forced to stay on at school during the Christmas holiday, Lily is caught between those who know what really happened and wish to silence her, and her determination to end Eva’s wait for justice.

But is history about to repeat itself?

Buy Links:

Amazon US | UK