A mysterious pandemic has swept the world only affecting genetic females and has wiped out most of the female population.  Zinnia Browning and her daughter seem to be immune and go into hiding along with her son to escape the roving bands of men trafficking women and experimenting on them.  When they finally do find Zinnia and her family, one of the men is none other than Cy, Zinnia's first love and the father of her children.  Cy is discharged from the Army Special Forces and now working as a private operator. When he saw Zinnia's name among the list of women, Cy knew he had to claim her once again.  Zinnia and her daughter are removed and placed into a barbaric shelter.  When Zinnia and a few other women stage a coup in the shelter, she is once again removed by Cy to a different facility.  Within their time at the facility, Cy learns more of Zinnia's strength and will to survive and Zinnia learns of Cy's unyielding need for her.  


Acquired is a dystopian romance with a good dash of erotica.  The story dives right in with Zinnia and Cy meeting and forming an irregular sexual relationship, meant to be a one night experience.  These scenes are especially spicy and possibly traumatic with Cy in an experienced, dominant position and Zinnia in an inexperienced, submissive position.  I actually thought I started the wrong book since there was nothing about a pandemic; however, these scenes set up the dynamic for Cy and Zinnia in the future. The story then jumps into the future with Zinnia working as a nurse when the pandemic breaks out.  I was very interested in the unique target of the pandemic with just women falling victim.  I do wish there was a little more information about the pandemic, how it spread and how civilization disintegrated without women. The writing focused on Zinnia's character and her experience as one of the few remaining women in society, constantly on the lookout for her safety, learning to live off the land and defend herself. Zinnia's strength was the focus as she was transferred to the first facility and onto a second with the aid of Cy. I was confused about Cy's intention during all of these moves as well as the power dynamic between him and Zinnia.  I feel like any potential romance would have been broken with the abuse incurred. Zinnia was able to persevere through horrific treatment as well as deal with a confusing romance.  I was happy with the ending and definitely want to continue the series. 

The summer before her senior year of high school, Sage is recovering from an abusive relationship with a controlling boyfriend that resulted in Sage having panic attacks in crowded areas.  With the help of her best friend, Naomi, she is steadily recovering.  Neb is new to town, moving across Oregon to live with his mother after the unexpected death of his father.  Neb is adjusting, but misses his father and his avid love of science and outer space.  Neb is looking forward to the upcoming total solar eclipse, but it will be a bittersweet experience without his father.  Neb's friend throws him an epic bonfire to get to know some friends before the start of the school year along with a group text of everyone invited.  Through the group text, Neb gets to know Sage, but she opts out of the bonfire.  Through continued texting, Sage finds herself connecting strongly with Neb, but her fear of a new relationship stops her from going too far.  When an opportunity to view the eclipse on a school trip pops up, Neb jumps at the chance and Sage is convinced to come along.  When Neb and Sage finally meet, they see stars; but will Sage be able to overcome her trauma and will Neb be able to fully experience the eclipse without his father?


Chasing the Sun is a cute young adult romance centered around the 2017 total eclipse.  This character driven romance included strong male and female leads as well as an amazing supportive cast of friends.  Sage is strong willed and knows herself well, but has been shaken to her core by manipulative boyfriend, Pax.  Neb is caring and resilient but coming to terms with missing watching the eclipse with his father.  Their relationship forms very naturally, getting to know one another through text without ever seeing one another.  When Sage and Neb finally do meet, it is a moment of kismet.  With the backdrop of the approaching eclipse, there is magic in the air as the new couple is able to get to know one another over an epic three day date.  I loved all the space jokes and their easy nature with one another.  Sage and Neb's relationship showcased healthy relationships, respect for each other's boundaries and freedom of expressing yourself.  Sage and Neb's friends are also super supportive of each of their quirks and needs.  Overall, an amazing young adult romance with  spectacular  characters and settings. 
                                                                                                                                                                                                        

​Klara is a middle aged archaeologist who has found her place teaching at a small university in Maine.  Klara makes a living studying other cultures' history, but has never thought to look into her own Polish-Jewish heritage due to her mother's aloofness and father's abandonment at an early age.  When Klara's mother unexpectedly contacts Klara about reparations from the Polish government for her father's death, Klara jumps at the chance to connect with the family she never knew about in Poland and finds a deep curiosity to seek more knowledge about her roots.  


Klara's Truth is a story of finding yourself and overcoming trauma.  I felt strongly for Klara as her whole world was changed as her mother divulged that the father she believed abandoned her died when she was a young girl.  Klara's trip to Poland was eye opening in many ways.  First of all, this trip allowed Klara to grow past the hurt of her mother's treatment and lies.  Klara found connection with her family and culture with her Aunt Rachel.  Aunt Rachel was an amazing character, offering Klara what she needed most, but also helping her understand the impact of her showing up after so long with no contact and not knowing why.  Klara's new connection with her cultural heritage and family history  is another important aspect of the story.  The history of the Jewish Polish population is one of tragedy and resilience. Filip's character, a Jewish cemetery caretaker, helped Klara foster this connection and introduce her to the deep history of Poland's Jewish people.  As Klara explored Poland, she saw the strength of her ancestors and how people rebounded and used those principles in her own life. 


This book was received for free in return for an honest review. 

​All her life, Kai Martin family and the Tyler's have been a tightly knit unit.  Kai is best friends with Stephanie Tyler and has always dreamed of marrying Stephanie's older brother, Josh.  Kai is fiercely protective of her twin brother, Kade and looks to her trusting and gentle mother for advice.  As she grows, Kai notices some cracks in the family's foundation.  Both her father and the Tyler's dad drink a lot when they are together, sometimes the dads get violent as well, especially the Tyler's dad.  Kai also notices her and Kade grow apart and struggle. as they develop their own interests.  As Kai goes through several tragedies, she learns to rebuild and move on, although not always with the greatest coping strategies. Now, both adults Kai and Josh find themselves together once again and Kai is willing to change herself to fulfill her dream of being with Josh.  However, like many other things in Kai's life, her time with Josh is anything but perfect. 


All I Know is a raw look at the realities of life.  Told through Kai's point of view, the author brings us on an emotionally charged journey through several life changing events.  The writing handles all of these events with tenderness yet still communicating the matter-of-fact points of alcoholism, abuse, depression and abortion.  Following Kai from childhood to adulthood, her journey is one of finding yourself and not losing hope.  I do wish some of the other characters would have been a better source of strength in Kai's life.  Kai's mother was amazing, always offering advice and a steady emotional state, telling Kai what she needed to hear even when it was difficult. I was glad that Kai pursued therapy and reading Kai's letters to Kade were some of my favorite parts.  Josh was an interesting character, he seemed to be a constant for Kai, but was definitely fighting demons of his own that resulted in creating more turbulence for Kai.  In the end, I think Kai made the best decisions she could for herself.