• Home
  • Book Reviews
  • Books
    • Monthly Wrap Up
    • Giveaways
    • Book Hauls
    • Events
  • Discussions
  • New Releases
  • Features
    • Top Ten Tuesday
    • Romance Thursdays
    • Movie Reviews
    • TV Series Reviews
    • Waiting on Wednesday
  • Beta Reading Services
  • #LoveOzYA
    • OZYA Interviews
    • OZYA Reviews
  • About
  • Contact
Angel ReadsAngel Reads
  • Home
  • Book Reviews
  • Books
    • Monthly Wrap Up
    • Giveaways
    • Book Hauls
    • Events
  • Discussions
  • New Releases
  • Features
    • Top Ten Tuesday
    • Romance Thursdays
    • Movie Reviews
    • TV Series Reviews
    • Waiting on Wednesday
  • Beta Reading Services
  • #LoveOzYA
    • OZYA Interviews
    • OZYA Reviews
  • About
  • Contact
Books I Love That Take Place in Australia | #LoveOzYA
27 Mar

Books I Love That Take Place in Australia | #LoveOzYA

Posted by angelreads Features, Top Ten Tuesday 6 Comments

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. Each week they post a new Top Ten list that members at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone join as you please. This week’s topic is Ten Books That Took Place in Another Country. 

I took a little liberty with this weeks topic. If I went books that didn’t take place in Australia, I could talk about 90% of YA. So I thought I would share some of my favourite books set in Australia. Anyway, here we go. 

 

Every Breath by Ellie Marney: I adored this series. It’s one of my favourite #LoveOzYA books of all time and better yet, it’s set in Melbourne, Australia. It’s such an intense, fun and emotional book, but I also recommend it to everyone and anyone. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Secret Science of Magic by Melissa Keil: The Secret Science of Magic is an adventure. It’s a beautiful story of coming of age, growing up, and learning. It’s about letting go, and not just finding yourself, but believing in who you can become. It deals with the notion of first love, leaving high school, friendship, family and so much more. It’s one of those books that you pick up and just fall in love.

 

 

 

 

The Yearbook Committee by Sarah Ayoub: The Yearbook Committee is enchanting, you will be torn apart and put together over and over again. You will be taken on a ride with 5 students in their class year of high school – so be prepared. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Last Days of Us by Beck Nicholas: The Last Days of Us was a raw and emotional read. It tells a story of death and grief. What it’s like to lose someone at a young age and have your whole life change. It’s about friendship, family, and the good and bad. The Last Days of Us explores life at it’s best and worse. 

 

 

 

 

 

Zac and Mia by A.J Betts: This book broke my heart into so many pieces. I loved it so much. It’s such a beautiful novel that is very real. It doesn’t shy away from death or sickness. Plus it’s set in Perth, Australia, which is very rare. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley:  Words in Deep Blue is a poignant, beautiful story with fleshed out characters, gorgeous writing and a concept that is for every book lover. It’s about love, friendship, family and grief. You are taken on a journey through up’s and down’s and pulled into pieces.

 

 

 

 

 

When Michael Met Mina by Randa Abdel-Fattah: When Michael Met Mina should be on every high school book list in the country. The younger generations need to know that sometimes the government and media lie and manipulate the sense of asylum seekers. They need to know that most of these people are not illegal or jumping the queue, they are just simply people looking for freedom, safety, and peace. It’s an important story to write and share.

 

 

 

Life in Outer Space Australia

 

 

Life in Outer Space by Melissa Keil: Life in Outer Space by Melissa Keil explores friendship, first love, family and what it is like to keep everything bottled in. It shows that sometimes love needs to start off as a friendship and that the bonds of friends are not always broken – even if there is some turbulence on the way. In a beach-side Australian town it’s fun to see things that are similar to how I grew up. 

 

 

 

Frankie Australia

 

Frankie by Shivaun Plozza: A brilliant debut novel that captured my heart. It’s a story of heartbreak, belonging, finding yourself and what it is to be a family. It captures Melbourne as Melbourne from the language to the setting, it brings to light that sometimes when you think that you are alone, you are not alone and all that you need to do is let them in. Frankie by Shivaun Plozza is a must read. 

 

 

 

 

And that is it! What are some of your favourite books set in Australia? Do we share any that’s the same? Is there a book that you love set in another country? Let’s Chat! 

Shadowhunters
22 Mar

TV Review | Shadowhunters 3×01 ‘On Infernal Ground’

Posted by angelreads Season 3, Shadowhunters, TV Series Reviews No Comments

Shadowhunters

On Infernal Ground  ReviewShadowhunters: Season 3 Episode 1

Episode Name:  On Infernal Ground
Release date: 20 March 2018
Running Time: 42 minutes
Starring Katherine McNamara, Dominic Sherwood, Alberto Rosende, Matthew Daddario, Emeraude Toubia, Isaiah Mustafa, Harry Shum Jr.
Directed By: Matt Hastings 
Watch: Freeform (US) – Netflix (Worldwide)
Episode Reviews: Season 1 | Season 2 | Season 3

Secrets abound as the Shadowhunters and Downworlders try to get back to normal after Valentine’s death. Clary struggles with keeping her secret about Raziel’s wish, while Alec pushes Jace to come clean about whatever Jace and Clary are hiding. Luke must use tough love to keep his secret hidden from Ollie who is on a warpath for answers. And Magnus hides his true feelings about his new position in the Warlock community from Alec. Meanwhile, Lilith sets a plan in motion in New York City as Simon spends time in the Seelie Court.

On Infernal Ground:

Shadowhunters is back! Do you know how much I missed it? Especially with no books to get me through the break. With how season 2 ended, I really didn’t know what was going to happen next, but let me tell you, I am so excited. I have reviewed both season 1 and season 2 and cannot wait to share my thoughts on season 3. So let’s go! 

On Infernal Ground starts not long after the end of season 2. Valentine is dead, the shadow world has some peace, and Jonathon is dead. Or is he? Now with Valentine dead, Clary can finally become an official Shadowhunter and it was really nice to see some peace in the show. As well as seeing more Shadowhunter rituals.

There was a beautiful moment with Clary and Jace that just warmed my heart. You could see how proud Jace was of her and what she has done. We also get to see some of Jace’s real emotions in this scene. It’s the first time that he is able to see his true parents graves and it’s heartbreaking. 

But while all this is happening Clary and Jace are still trying to keep the secret of Raziel’s wish. And Clary is really having a hard time keeping it hidden. With both Alec and Izzy hinting there is something more, Clary wants to tell Alec especially. 

Meanwhile, there is a new demon on the loose. 

Clary, Jace, Izzy, Alec, and Luke are all on the hunt for this new demon. It was really good to see the gang back together, doing what they do best. Fight demons. I really enjoyed the scenes with Jace, Izzy, and Alec. The banter that they have with one another is just so great. 

Meanwhile in On Infernal Ground, Luke also has to deal with his cop partner Ollie. Who last season, saw some interesting things. While Luke tries to persuade her that the things she saw aren’t real, the shadow world isn’t hiding from her. Obviously, this is totally different from the books, but I am finding it really interesting. And we find out why she is so interested in finding out as well. Intrigued to see where they take this storyline. 

Along with Clary now being an official Shadowhunter, she has to choose her weapon. And while it isn’t done as it is in the books, the outcome is still the same. It still brings up the same emotions and power as it did in the books. And that scene between Clary and Luke was beautiful and brought tears to my eyes. You can see that they both care for one another, as well as sharing the grief of Joycelyn. 

 

After the downfall of Valentine, Magnus is demounted from his role of High Warlock of New York. On the outside, he seems like, he’s going okay and tries to put on a brave face for Alec. But we know he isn’t. And throughout the episode we see Alec find out the truth. We really get to see a ‘human’ side of Magnus in this episode. We see him feel and hurt, but we also see him want to protect Alec in a way. I love seeing these two together, they just make me smile, like crazy. 

On Infernal Ground

We start to see Lilith in On Infernal Ground.  And she is going to let hell loose. I am so excited to see where her storyline goes and it’s going to get crazy. 

We don’t get to see much of Simon in this episode, but oh boy was it exciting. What happens really set’s up the rest of the season. And hell I cannot wait. 

Overall, I really enjoyed On Infernal Ground. It was a great way to start the season. With a little action here and there, that’s is going to play a big part overall. Have you watched episode 1 of season 3 yet? What did you think of it? Are you planning on watching it? Let’s Chat! 

Love, Simon | Movie Review
17 Mar

Love, Simon | Movie Review

Posted by angelreads Movie Reviews, Movies News No Comments

 

love, simonLove, Simon

Release date: March 29, 2018
Running Time: 109 Minutes
Director: Greg Berlanti
Starring:  Nick Robinson, Jennifer Garner, Josh Duhamel and Katherine Langford. 
Links: IMDb | Rotton Tomatoes | Fox

Simon Spier keeps a huge secret from his family, his friends, and all of his classmates: he’s gay. When that secret is threatened, Simon must face everyone and come to terms with his identity.

 

Love, Simon:

Thank you to Student Edge and 20th Century Fox for the advance screening of Love, Simon. This has in no way influenced my thoughts and feelings about the movie. 

I’ve had the opportunity of seeing Love, Simon twice and gosh both times I was left crying, smiling and laughing all at the same time. It’s the type of movie that is heartbreakingly truthful, beautiful and hits you in the right places. 

Love, Simon based on the novel by Becky Albertalli Simon vs the Homo Sapien Agenda, follows Simon (Nick Robinson) as he navigates his last years in high school. And he is keeping a massive secret from everyone in his life – he is gay. After becoming ‘pen-pals’ with a closet gay guy from school, he starts to let himself feel free. But when his secret is threatened, Simon has to come to terms with himself and tell the truth. 

I loved, loved, loved this movie with everything in me. It’s so real and heartbreaking but also everyone should watch it. It’s of the first YA movies that really does focus on being part of the LGBT+ community and I think it was done really well. It was really great to see a coming out story of a current teen on the screen. It’s so rare and I think that it was done justice 

I adored Nick Robinson as Simon. He is this very shy person that is hiding a secret that hurts him. He doesn’t know what his family will think, or his friends and that scares the shit out of him. While not part of the LGBT+ community (that is known) he really does encompass the coming of age story really well. But it isn’t all sunshine and daisy and it hurt to watch.  Love, Simon really does show some of the harsh reality of coming out and while heartbreaking, I thought that it was done really well. 

Along with his parents played Jennifer Garner and Josh Duhamel, Simon has really good friends support system. Leah (Katherine Langford) and Nick (Jorge Lendeborg Jr.) have been his friends for years and Simon is terrified to tell them the truth. And even though Abby (Alexandra Shipp) is new to this friendship group, she fits in with these amazing misfits. It was both heartbreaking and beautiful to see this friendship group. And it was so hard to see Simon struggle with who he was when it came to telling people. 

After a boy from their school comes out as gay anonymous on their social media platform, Simon strikes up a friendship with him. Which was done so well? Unless you have read the book, you wouldn’t have a clue who Blue is. Simon eventually falls in love with Blue, without knowing who he is. And when everything hits the fan – oh gosh it broke my heart. 

Love, Simon also deals with the darkness of not wanting people to know. It’s was really hard to watch it, but it’s also so important to show it. Love, Simon looks out the reactions from classmates, family, and friends. There are still horrible people in the world and this movie does show that. 

The acting in Love, Simon was fresh, youthful and put a smile on my face. It just fit perfectly with the essence of the movie. We didn’t have all 30-year-olds playing teens and that was great to see for once. The movie felt very real. I also really liked how Love, Simon was filmed. I do not expect, but like the acting like the acting. It was fresh and just worked so well with the book. I loved the scenes with Blue and how the viewers also spent the whole time trying to work out who he is. 

Overall, Love, Simon is a coming of age novel for the current teen. It’s a heartbreaking but beautiful novel that really pulls at your heartstrings. Love, Simon is such an important movie for everyone to watch. For teens, for parents for every adult out there. It made me cry, laugh, and I left with a smile on face both times. I cannot wait to go watch it again. 

Have you watched Love Simon? What did you think of it? Are you planning on checking it out? Let’s Chat! 

 

  • 1
  • 2
  • …
  • 260
  • 261
  • 262
  • …
  • 445
  • 446

Recent Posts

  • Books That I Was Surprised That I Loved
  • Completed Series I Want To Finish This Year
  • ARC Book Review | Just Drive by Devyn Sinclair
  • ARC Review: Wild Side by Elsie Silver
  • Another Good Reading Month | February Wrap Up

Subscribe to Angel Reads

Enter your email address to subscribe to Angel Reads and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Bookstagram

angelreads

book blogger 💻| romance books 💜| bookseller 📖
💌 angel@angelreads.com
📚53/150

April was a very good reading month for me, especi April was a very good reading month for me, especially after last month. I had some really fantastic reads in April. I did do a lot of re-reading this month but I had such blast. I re-read Caught Up and Play Along and the first 4 books in the Ironside Academy series. 📚

I read some books that I’ve been waiting for including the new book from Kels and Denise Stone, as well as the new Tessa Hale. ✨

Overall it was such a good month, lots of binge reading series and starting on some new authors. I’m so excited to see what May brings. 🖤

What was your favourite book that you read in April? 

🏷️ 
#romancebooks #bookstagram  #romancereads #angelreads #bookblogger #spicybooks #romancereader #romance #smut #recentreads #aprilreads #aprilwrapup
IT’S RACE WEEK! 🏎️ If you didn’t know al IT’S RACE WEEK! 🏎️

If you didn’t know already I love F1, have ever since I was younger and decided that this year it would be fun to combined my love for F1 and reading together. 📚

After a week off we are back at it. We are in Miami this week’s and things are only just heating up. This week I’m reading Falling Off the Cliff  Kanitha P.

…

Formula 1 legend in the making and rising star Thiago Valencia is chasing redemption as well as his second World Champion title. With a tarnished reputation and an undetermined future in F1 that hangs by a terribly loose thread, he can’t afford to lose his seat. Thiago is ready to do anything to redeem himself and erase his past mistakes. When a mysterious woman intrudes on his private party in Monte Carlo, he is certain the universe has brought his polar opposite into his life as salvation. He is sunshine, she is moonlight; he is a bright star and she is a moonbeam.

Destiny takes the wheel, steering Kamari into Thiago’s orbit, but her open disdain and closely guarded heart warn her to stay away. Enchanted by her charms, Thiago is intent on melting her freezing barriers and tearing down the walls shielding her heart.

When Kamari agrees to help him save his future by being his fake girlfriend, the unexpected happens, triggered by a game of lies, secrets and desire.

As they plunge towards the finish line, the race veers offtrack and neither of them are ready to fall off the cliff.
… 

How Race Week Reads Will Work 

On Monday of race week I’ll announce the book I’ll be reading for the week, then throughout the week I’ll be posting stories and my thoughts. And then on Sunday, race day my review and final thoughts will go up.

🏷️ 
#romancebooks #bookstagram  #romancereads #angelreads #bookblogger #spicybooks #romancereader #romance #f1 #formula1 #ausgp #raceweekreads #f1romance #sportsromance #fallingoffthecliff #kanithap #fullthrottle
A little late but I am finally getting to share Ra A little late but I am finally getting to share Race 5’s Race Week Reads review. This week I read, Downforce (Pit Lane #1) by Hannah Lily.

🏎️ Review 🏎️

I had so much fun reading this book. I knew I was in for a ride as soon as I started Downforce. It was entertaining, fun, and I just had a good time reading it. And while it does explore some heavy topics, I don’t think it took away from the fun nature of the book.

Right from the start, we can see the tension between F1 Presenter, Olivia Fraser and F1 Driver, Jonah Scott. And while silly at times, it was fun seeing them interact together. Both really didn’t like each other. They both had said things about and to one another that sometimes it caused chaos. And I was here for it.

I did find that at times, just silly things happened. I am not a massive rom-com reader, and there was a lot of falling into one another, and arguments stemmed from nothing. This is honestly just because I don’t like these types of scenes, but it didn’t really make me dislike the book at all.

I loved the whole road trip aspect of the book, it’s different from other F1 books I’ve read so far this year and just made for some interesting banter and lust. I do wish that the road trip was a little longer than it was because I did feel like the romance moved pretty quickly here, but again, it didn’t really affect how much I was enjoying the book.

The romance was this combination of being slow burn and full of angst right at the start, to the road trip happening and then bam. But I loved it, though. The banter between Olivia and Jonah was fantastic. I loved seeing them grow not only with one another but with themselves as well.

Overall, I had a great time reading Downforce and will be continuing the series for sure when the other books come out. The romance was angsty and just felt right. The found family aspect really worked well here, and the F1 aspects were pretty okay. Not the best I’ve seen, but not the worst either. If you are looking for a fun read that has a great romance and a little rom-comy, then pick this one up.
I’ve already had a pretty amazing reading year. I’ve already had a pretty amazing reading year. There have been so many books that I have enjoyed but there are some that I have just loved. 🖤

I didn’t realise before I put this post together that all of these books are from authors I’ve read and loved before. There hasn’t been a Rebecca Yarros book that I haven’t rated under 4 Stars. Elsie Silver is just making me love everything that she writes. Wild and Wrangled may be my favourite in the series. 📖

Three rereads also made it to this list. Binding 13 still makes me gasp and smile all at the same time. And Caught Up and Play Along just hit every time. 📚

I’ve honestly had a great year so far and since making this post a few more books I’ve read I’ve ended up loving. It’s going to be hard to pick my favourites at the end of the year that is for sure. ✨

What books have you loved reading this year? Are any books that made my list on yours? Let me know! 

🏷️ 
#romancebooks #bookstagram  #romancereads #angelreads #bookblogger #spicybooks #romancereader #romance #smut #recentreads #2025favourites #onyxstorm #wildside  #binding13 #caughtup #wildandwrangled
Follow on Instagram

GoodReads

Angel - Angel Reads's bookshelf: currently-reading


goodreads.com

Contact Us

Send us an email and I'll get back to you, asap.

Send Message

© 2013 - 2025 · Angel Reads · Disclaimer