Short Book Reviews 1

Everyone Has What It Takes by William Kenower

⭐⭐⭐☆☆

William Kenower’s Everyone Has What It Takes shows that the life of a writer is not a walk in the park. Internal and external pressures shape the road to success into a meandering course. Be that as it may, the writer continues the journey to fulfill one purpose- to write stories with love. 

Kenower shared a lot of his experiences and thoughts about writing, getting published, fame, and money that are beneficial to new and veteran writers. Even though the personal stories are lengthy, profound insights can be gleaned from them.  I like the message of this book. With love, everyone has what it takes to write. 

I love writing but I don’t see myself as someone who could write well, write a book and have it published. After reading the book, it encourages me to continue stringing words into sentences, sentences into paragraphs, and paragraphs into a composition despite the level of my ability. Who knows? I might become a published author eventually. 

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House, Writer's Digest Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

A Life, Freed by Tracy Hewitt Meyer

⭐⭐⭐☆☆

A Life, Freed, the third book of Tracy Hewitt Meyer's Rowan Slone book series, is a deeply-felt story about Rowan Slone, a freshman college student,  who has just started her new life after struggling through her grim past. Little does she know, the new chapter of her life will be brimming with new challenges that strain her studies and her relationship with her family, best friend, and new boyfriend. 

The novel is well-written and easy to read. The heavy themes of betrayal, doubt, suffering, family drama, and postpartum depression left despair in my heart. Even so, the unfortunate events that Rowan experienced bring forth her strengths-- resilience, compassion, and determination-- making her more relatable. There are parts that, for me,  are rushed especially some of the events toward the ending but as a whole, I appreciate the story. Rowan Slone is a reminder that despite the trials we face in life, with hope and perseverance, life will become better eventually. 

Thank you BHC Press and LibraryThing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Dazzling Heights by Katharine McGee

Here’s my review of the first book- The Thousandth Floor

 ⭐⭐⭐☆ ☆ 

The teen drama continues as Leda Cole, Avery Fuller, Watt Bakradi, and Rylin Myers hide the secret that can ruin their lives.  The new character, Calliope Brown, brought fresh excitement to the story with her interesting background and job description. McGee also added more futuristic features to the world she created. I enjoyed the first book more but The Dazzling Heights is still fun to read.

The Towering Sky  by Katharine McGee

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ 

Among the three books of The Thousandth Floor series, The Towering Sky is my most favorite. There are so many unexpected events that I didn’t see coming. It was an interesting journey to follow the story of the different teenagers who got caught in a web of lies, found who they really are, and chose their own path in life.

Back of the Yard  by Meg Lelvis

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ 

A story with heavy themes such as family drama, depression, alcoholism, and mental health, left me teary-eyed even though there's more telling than showing. 

This book shows the power of a mother. Abandonment and rejection from a mother is a great force that can make or break a child’s life. However, it’s not the end of the world for the child. With love, forgiveness, understanding, and determination, life can be better. 

Thank you Black Rose Writing and LibraryThing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Master of One by Jordan Raynor

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is a life-changing book. I have been wondering all my life what is the ultimate purpose of my existence and this book gave me the answer. It also provides ways on how to find the right path for me to fulfill the purpose of my life. Highly recommended to those who are still looking for their North Star.