September 27th Pub Day

 
This is author Ailsinn Brophy's debut novel. It is a young adult fantasy book with queer representation. It also takes place at a magic school for witches so it gives those fall vibes. It feels more set in our world than Hogwarts though. This book follows our main character Shay Johnson who is trying very hard to get a scholarship. She starts to get a crush on her rival named Ana. While this is going on the guy in charge of the scholarship ropes her into being the star of the school play. He starts being super touchy and creepy towards her. After Shay learns that she's not the first girl he's done this too, she starts to take a stand even though it's at the risk of her losing the scholarship. I really liked the important themes and subjects this book tackled while having good representation. This book is long but didn't feel too long, I read it in two sittings.

Secrets so deep is written by the same author that wrote dark and shallow lies, Ginny Myers Sain. Because of that I was really excited to read this one. Sadly it was a huge disappointment in comparison. This is a young adult mystery/thriller book. It had a few creepy moments, but this was far from a horror book. This book follows Avril who returns to Whisper Cove for a theater camp. Over a century ago her mother drowned there and she almost drowned with her. She starts sleepwalking, seeing things in the fog like memories of the past. She starts to suspect that someone actually murdered her mom and wants to do the same to her. There's also this relationship she has with her mom's best friend's son. The problem I had with this book is there was so much filler. I was skimming like my life depended on it. I wish I had just dnfed it because the end was not worth it.