Sibylline by Melissa de la Cruz

Posted on by lynndellwatson

Interesting magical mystery with new adult relationship content.

Three best friends, Raven, Atticus, and Dorian, want more than anything to attend the Sibylline University to learn about magic. They’re devastated when they’re denied enrollment. They come up with a plan together, gain employment at Sibylline and learn whatever they can while they’re working around the magical students, professors, books and buildings. Atticus can sense emotions and is hired as an architect assistant. Raven can translate any language and is hired to help in the university library. Dorian can read items and he’s hired as an art detective to discover forgeries. They get pulled into a dangerous mystery that’s putting the university in danger and it’s going to take wise use of their skills to keep the three friends alive.

Likes/dislikes: I enjoyed the quotes from classic literature at the beginning of each chapter. I did enjoy the mystery and storytelling. This book is marketed to young adult readers, 14 and up, by the publisher, but has mature content.
Language: R for 22 swears and 3 f-words
Mature Content: R for foreplay and a three-way sexual scene with no mention of condoms or safe-sex
Vi0lence: PG-13 for bloody hitting
Ethnicity: Raven is Asian. Dorian is white, and Atticus is Latino

It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover

Posted on by lynndellwatson
A truly touching story with many life lessons!

Lily finds a random rooftop in Boston so she can reflect on the eulogy she gave at her father’s funeral. She misses solitude since she has moved to Boston and has a not quiet roommate. While on this rooftop, she meets Ryle, a neurosurgeon resident. Ryle is adamantly against relationships in his life but he enjoys flirting with Lily. Through coincidental circumstances, Lily sees Ryle here and there throughout the next year. They eventually become involved in a relationship and his family absolutely loves her. She doesn’t about his temper until he hurts her and then she’s left wondering if it was accidental. In the meantime, Lily grows closer to her mother and she runs into Atlas, her first boyfriend. We learn about her past with Atlas and how much they both helped each other when they were teenagers. I read this book quickly because it’s completely engrossing and I fell right into the story! The characters are authentic and I grew to love them, with their humor and quirks and through their struggles. The author’s notes share the author’s perspective as she created this story and I admire how well she dealt with the delicate issues and the choices of the main characters. A truly touching story with several life lessons, 5 stars!