Early Reader Review: Salvage by Renee Nault

Source: From the Publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review.

Salvage by Renée Nault 

Publisher: Ten Speed Graphic
Publication Date:  July 21, 2026

 

Format: Ebook


Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

In this heartwarming graphic novel romance from the adaptor and illustrator of The Handmaid’s The Graphic Novel, two young artists' paths intertwine as they navigate the complexities of love in a world where sea levels have risen and society is sharply divided.

Paolo lives in the Flats, a dangerous, water-logged community where families survive by salvaging materials from skyscrapers hidden just beneath the ocean’s surface—remnants of a world before sea levels rose. Scavenging the depths comes with its risks, but when Paolo discovers a suitcase of designer clothes, he decides to fulfill his To spend one night in the Uplands, a place of privilege, excess, and freedom. There he meets Jules and her friends, and what begins as a single night of reckless adventure turns into a secret double life—and a seemingly impossible romance that forces Paolo to reckon with who he is, where he belongs, and the importance of being honest.

Rendered in vibrant watercolor illustrations that bring every scene to vivid life, Salvage is as much a visual masterpiece as it is a moving tale of love and self-discovery. Renée Nault’s atmospheric and luminous hand-painted art draws readers into Paolo and Jules’ world, promising an unforgettable coming of age story.

Review: 

This YA graphic novel is stunning, with detailed watercolor illustrations that bring every page to life. The artwork is bright, engaging, and packed with details that invite readers to stick around and explore. While I found it a little text-heavy at times, the beauty of the story and the richness of the world still made the read enjoyable.

Paolo lives in the Flats, a community where people survive by salvaging goods from the sea, including the remnants of a drowned city. When he discovers a waterproof case filled with in-style clothing (something really rare), he is inspired to travel into the Uplands, where the wealthy live. There, he meets a group of influencer teens and begins spending more time in a world that is completely different from his own.

Alongside a cute romance, the story explores themes of privilege, freedom, identity, and self-discovery. Paolo is the main character, but readers also get glimpses into the life of Jules, the girl he falls for. Despite coming from opposite sides f society, Paolo and Jules struggle with loneliness and share a passion for art in a world that doesn't fully appreciate their creativity.

One of my favorte things about the book was the art - the cities become an additional character. The contrasting landscapes of the Flats and the Uplands feel so vivid and interesting. and the juxtaposition between the two worlds adds depth to the story and gives readers so much to engage with/ look at. I wanted a little more background for how the cities got to this point, but it was still gorgeous. 

Overall, this was a beautifully illustrated and thoughtful read. It's a graphic novel that combines a compelling coming-of-age story with a richly imagined world. 

Early Reader Review: Winners & Liars by Aleema Omotoni

Source: From the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review. 

Winners & Liars by Aleema Omotoni 
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date:  June 30, 2026 

 

Format: Ebook

Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

Derin’s acceptance into Cambridge University is the end of an era—just not the one she expected.

When she and her ultra-competitive Uni prep group, The Kenfield Set, were first invited to Professor Darnley’s summer ball, they planned on celebrating the group's success surrounded by the riches of his historical Kenfield estate—not kicking off the festivities with the professor’s will reading.

But when the Darnley’s aristocratic children are disinherited, the students are offered the opportunity of a lifetime: compete in a Victorian, literary-inspired inheritance competition to be named the new heir—winner takes all!

For Derin, it's a chance to help her working-class family. But the remaining Darnleys won’t take losing their stately home and its multimillion-pound inheritance lying down. And into the mix, a mysterious note is slipped under Derin’s door alluding to a dark family secret lying in wait.

Now, Derin must balance the cutthroat games; scheming relatives; and a cute Kenfield intern amidst her dawning realization that the history of this inheritance might be soaked in lies… and blood.

Review: 

Derin is a graduating teen about to head off to her dream school. She has had the pleasure over the past years of working with a professor and other students to prepare herself for her college applications etc. When the professor passes and calls them all to the will-reading they are thrown into a game to determine who among them will win his estate and all the money along with it. 

This book reads like a more mature and historical Charlie and the Chocolate Factory with twists like Knives Out. I felt like the plot was intriguing and satisfying, but the slow pacing occasionally tested my patience, and I almost gave up on the book within the first few chapters. There was a bit too much jumping around in the timeline and the setup felt like a slog. Once we were into the real plotline…the historical sections added depth, though they sometimes disrupted the mystery's tension and pulled me out of the story. 

While I really liked and felt engaged in the challenges, the historical parts weren’t the only thing that kept me from fully immersing myself. I often felt like the characters were too close in personality to distinguish and even with Derin, I didn’t grow to empathize with her or really know her. 

On top of that, the author often found the need to interject with sexual representation, (I am all for representation!) but I didn’t feel like it added to the plot or the storyline at all. It often pulled me out of the story because of how oddly jarring it occurred in dialogue or thought processes. The main character is bi, and she has flirtatious banter with a few of the other characters. This dynamic and insertion makes the reader think that there might be more coming, maybe a romantic side story; however, the author sadly leaves this at the surface and doesn’t delve into it past that point. Again, fine for a YA read. Acceptance and representation are super important, I just felt like… if it was brought up so much that there might be a bigger point than just rep. It definitely read as if the author was telling us versus showing us in this instance. 

Overall, I think that the themes around whitewashing of history, racism, classism were exemplified in a very creative and engaging way. I think that the rep was there regardless of being told versus shown, and I think that readers that are looking for a plot with games and clues will enjoy it. I wouldn’t fully call this a murder mystery but there some elements of that too. 

Building the Book Pile #522

Welcome to Building the Book Pile!

Happy 4th of July weekend for those in the US. 

We had Friday off and took a ride up north. We went to a candy store, I bought some art, and we had a yummy lunch. We also stopped by a Lowe's which we don't have near us (only Home Depot). 

On the 4th, we grabbed food to grill and just did house-project stuff. Our stove and fridge for the new kitchen arrived on Thursday, so we are more excited to push forward. We are so close to having one half of the new kitchen done. 

Today we have a few projects/ tasks to get done and we are prepping for the week. AND if it F1 Race Day, so I will be watching that.

The past week was busy at work but productive busy because most people had the whole week off. I had a double-header softball game on Wednesday evening and my foot is almost all the way back... so I played. I took a runner because I didn't want to chance hurting it again though. 

I didn't read much at all, so my current lists are the same but I picked up a few short-form things to feel somewhat productive on that front. I am not sure if it is me or the book that is causing struggle. I am only 2 chapters in, so I am hoping I can push on and it is all just a slump.

• Currently watching: F1 and started a show called Sugar.
• Currently reading: Winners & Liars by Aleema Omotoni, finished Winnie the Pooh: The Graphic Novel, & Good Night, Break a Leg
• Currently listening to: Forty Love by Jane Costello (still need to finish)

Linking up with Caffeinated Book Reviewer Sunday Post 

xo steph

Coming up on the Blog

Early Reader Review: Winners & Liars by Aleema Omotoni (YA)

Early Reader Review: Salvage by Renee Nault (GN, YA)

Books Received Recently...  

For Review From Publishers 

Love Between the Lectures by Christie Curry

The Alibi Club by Carrie Talick

Not Another Christmas Movie by Ashley Cowan

Winnie-the-Pooh: The Graphic Novel by AA Milne, Kevan Chandler, and Joe Sutphin 

Good Night, Break a Leg: Life with Broadway Dads by Bret Shuford

 

Reviews and Such

Early Reader Review: Doe by Rebecca Barrow (YA) - ⭐⭐⭐⭐

June 2026 Re-Cap

Donating Caffeine is greatly appreciated ... Donate on Ko-fi

What have you been reading?  How was your week? Feel free to leave a comment!

Happy Reading! 

June 2026 Recap

Hello Readers, Bloggers, and Awesome people. 

Here is my June re-cap.

~~Books I Read in June~~

~~Review Links ~~

Doe by Rebecca Barrow

Their Will Undone by RJ Valldeperas

Milk & Mocha: Our Little Moments by Melani Sie

Calypso's Odyssey by Anna Ellison

Mate by Ali Hazelwood

June Bingo w/ Chapter Break

Lights Out - Book I've Been thinking about reading for a while, Audiobook, In a series

Doe - Not in a series, Free book (gifted), Multi-POV, Physical book

Mate - Shelf love, Beard, Powers, Mates, For a challenge, Found family

Their Will Undone - Ebook, Epic world building, Debut

Here was my plan.

Added to Completed:

Calypso's Odyssey

Doe

Mate

Throttled

DNFed: King Sorrow

Here was my plan.

Finished:

Mate

Goal: 3 books | Completed: 1/3

I did horrible on this one

Read:

Doe by Rebecca Barrow

Count: 1

Early Reader Review: Doe by Rebecca Barrow

Source: From the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review.  

Doe by Rebecca Barrow

Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books
Publication Date:  June 23, 2026

 

Format: Ebook/ Hardback


Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

Maris Larsen is the captain of the West Eaton High cheer team. She’s Coach’s favorite and the team worships her. Being on the team makes her feel special—powerful. When she’s leading the girls on the mat, Maris doesn’t have to think about her dead-end life in a dead-end town. She can forget about her depressed mother and absent father and the fact that her girlfriend doesn’t really love her. But when newcomer and Coach’s new golden girl, Genevieve Ray, joins the team, the only thing going right in Maris’s life is suddenly in jeopardy. A bitter rivalry develops between the two, but Maris is determined to take Genevieve down. The knife she needs to wield comes to Maris in her dreams.

While sleepwalking, Maris is visited by a monstrous, decaying beast in the shape of an enormous deer. Doe is an ancient, tired creature who has been wandering, trapped in her current form for decades. She cannot die, but she cannot go on living as she has. Only a girl related by blood to those who bound her in this form can free her, but those girls she loved died years ago—murdered in a fire.

But Maris is somehow linked to Doe’s beloved girls—linked by blood—and so she has the power to free Doe, to unleash her immense power. In Maris’s dreams, she and Doe form a bond, but Maris doesn’t know the creature from her dreams is real. Maris doesn’t understand the danger she’s in. She only knows Doe has promised her a way to win her battle with Genevieve. But for Maris to win, someone has to die, and the only real winner in the end will be Doe.

Review: 

This was such an interesting book. Told in verse, we transition between Maris - a cheerleading captain, the team as a whole, and Doe - a mystical being that lives in the body of a deer. The overall tone is eerie and strange and the format adds to that off-putting vibe.

The girls are from a nothing town and think they will all go nowhere, and cheer is all they have. They are wild and chaotic with no so great home situations. When a new member comes into the scene they need her to become a part of them or be gone for good. 

The story is this really dynamic interplay of past and present, expectations versus reality, and trauma bonding. Being written in verse only adds to that cutting sense of intensity that the author builds and builds throughout the story. 

I really enjoyed this one and will likely think about it a lot. The story was interesting, quickly paced, and easy to read. I liked the way that the eeriness of Doe also creeped into the team and Maris and how these were cheerleaders that were not the popular girls but the outcasts in a lot of ways. It turned things on their head a bit. 

Sadly, I picked up on the ending before I got there... so there wasn't a big surprise. That said it was really well done. 

Overall, I think this YA Horror is a great addition to libraries and TBRs. It will be a great Fall read but really it is a great read either way.

Building the Book Pile #521

Welcome to Building the Book Pile!

Hi there! I have been tired/ busy/ away for a conference ...but I have missed you all!

I just got back from a conference in Denver, the weather was really warm but so nice. I went to a Red Sox v. Rockies game at Coors Field and it was as the sun went down over the mountains - so pretty. I finished a book on the way out but didn't read while I was there, I picked up another one on Audio on the way home and finished it last night, so it was also a semi-productive reading week. 

Before that, I had a big presentation at work that I needed to get through and we were prepping to leave for the week - so most blogging fell off the radar for a bit. 

• Currently watching: F1 ...still, finished One Piece on Netflix. 
• Currently reading: Winners & Liars by Aleema Omotoni
• Currently listening to: Forty Love by Jane Costello (still need to finish)

Linking up with Caffeinated Book Reviewer Sunday Post 

xo steph

Coming up on the Blog

Early Reader Review: Doe by Rebecca Barrow (YA)

Early Reader Review: Winners & Liars by Aleema Omotoni (YA)

Books Received Recently...  

For Review From Publishers 

Bought

 

Reviews and Such

Early Reader Review: Calypso's Odyssey by Anna Ellison (YA) -⭐⭐⭐

Early Reader Review: Milk & Mocha: Our Little Moments by Melani Sie (GN)  - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Early Reader Review: Their Will Undone by R.J. Valldeperas (YA) -⭐⭐⭐⭐

Donating Caffeine is greatly appreciated ... Donate on Ko-fi

What have you been reading?  How was your week? Feel free to leave a comment!

Happy Reading! 

Early Reader Review: Their Will Undone by R.J. Valldeperas

Source: From the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review.

Their Will Undone by R.J. Valldeperas 

Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date:  June 2, 2026

 

Format: Ebook

Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

A debut YA fantasy must-read for fans of The Winner’s Curse, What the River Knows, and This Woven Kingdom.

When a maiden is selected to marry the emperor, her journey to the palace will see her fighting both a spark of magical power and her growing feelings for her broody escort in this romantic fantasy duology opener, inspired by a true story from the Inca empire. 

In the Amaru Empire, it’s considered an honor to be chosen for the annual harvest. But when guards stole Nina’s brother away, it devastated her family. So, when the guards returned for Nina’s sweet sister, she threw herself into their clutches instead. And Nina has spent every moment since then in the acllahuasi, a gilded cage where women are trained to become servants or wives.

When Kasik, an obedient lieutenant in Amaru’s army, is sent to the acllahuasi to retrieve the emperor’s new wife, it’s only the promise of his own command—and a chance to escape his controlling father—that forces him to accept.

Kasik has no reason to trust Nina, nor she to trust him. But, as they begin their journey, their chemistry is hard to ignore. Also hard to ignore? The tugging sensation of magic in Nina’s chest, awakening more questions than she can possibly answer as she travels with a handsome stranger to her unknown fate.

Review:

I really enjoyed the worldbuilding in this one. The Incan-inspired setting felt unique, and I loved learning about the culture, traditions, and the role the gods played in the story. The magic system was also interesting, especially how the girls and women were gifted with power. Some men also possessed magic but were treated differently, which tied nicely into th book's themes of feminine rage and power dynamics.

Nina was an easy character to root for. She's stubborn, strong, and determined, but also realistically fearful at times, which made her feel authentic rather than invincible. Her emotional struggles added depth to her character. I also enjoyed Kasik as a counterpart to her. He's a rule follower whose obedience is constantly challenged, while Nina fiercely values her independence. Their opposing personalities created great banter, tension, and chemistry throughout their journey to the capital.

I wasn't a huge fan of the child/teen-bride premise itself, but I thought it was handled in a way that strengthened both Nina's determination and highlighted the uneasiness Kasik feels beneath his obedience.

My biggest struggle ws keeping up with some of the vocabulary. While there is a glossary in the book, it was not easy to constantly flip back and forth while reading on my e-reader, so that element occasionally pulled me out of the story as I stuggled to remember the definitions along the way.

Overall, this was an interesting fantasy with a new-to-me type setting, strong themes, and a romance I really enjoyed. If you like forced proximity, forbidden romance, and fantasy worlds inspired by cultures that aren't often represented, this is definitely worth picking up.

Early Reader Review: Milk & Mocha: Our Little Moments by Melani Sie

Source: From Netgalley and the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review.

Milk & Mocha: Our Little Moments by Melani Sie  
Series: Milk & Mocha
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
Publication Date:  June 23, 2026

 

Format: Ebook


Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

Your favorite internet duo, @milkmochabear, is back with even more cozy and charming comics to brighten your day! Cozy up with a blanket and join Milk and Mocha in their sweet little moments.

With even more never-before-seen comics—and two pages of exclusive stickers—Milk & Mocha continue to delight readers worldwide with their newest comic Our Little Moments. Sweet Milk and stoic Mocha prove the old adage that opposites really do attract. Dedicated to all the little daily interactions, big and small, Milk & Mocha is perfect for anyone who has ever been in love. 

Review: 

Our Little Moments by Melanie Sie is absolutely adorable and does not disappoint. I love these comics and am happily giving this new installment 5 stars!  

This newest installment in the beloved Milk & Mocha series is just as heartwarming and charming as ever. Milk & Mocha continue to delight with their sweet, everyday love story. Milk, with their soft and affectionate nature, perfectly balances stoic Mocha, showing the love and support that opposites-attract has to offer.  What makes this collection so special is its focus on the little moments: the quiet gestures, playful teasing, comforting hugs, and simple acts of caring that make a relationship feel real and meaningful even through these little cartoon characters. 

The comics are adorable, full of warmth and tenderness, and so relatable. Anyone who has ever been in love will see themselves/ partners in these pages. It’s a gentle reminder that love isn’t just about grand gestures, but about sharing everyday life together.

Cute, comforting, and full of heart, Our Little Moments is perfect for fans of Milk & Mocha and for anyone who enjoys wholesome, feel-good romance. I absolutely loved it!

Early Reader Review: Calypso's Odyssey by Anna Ellison

Source: From Netgalley and the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review. 

Calypso's Odyssey by Anna Ellison

Publisher: Avon
Publication Date:  May 26, 2026

 

Format: Ebook


Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

Some loves are meant to stay…some are meant to set you free.

The Summer I Turned Pretty meets Circe in this windswept, emotional retelling of The Odyssey. A stunning story of first love, ancient echoes, and the power of rewriting your own fate.

Callie Quinn has never left Catalina Island. Her world is a crumbling cliffside inn, a father who’s more prison guard than parent, and a curse she believes she’s doomed to every summer brings a boy, a spark—and then a goodbye. Until one summer everything changes.

A storm. A shipwreck. A boy washed ashore.

Odie is secretive, wounded, and desperate to disappear. Callie offers him shelter, a place to heal, and slowly, something more. But Odie is no ordinary castaway. He carries secrets that could destroy them both. On Catalina, Callie shows him another way to live. A life of freedom and belonging. An everlasting life where he could be anyone—even himself.

But when Odie’s world crashes back into their paradise, both Odysseus and Calypso must make impossible one between legacy and love. The other, between holding on and setting herself free.

Inspired by the tale of Odysseus and Calypso from Homer’s The Odyssey, this fresh retelling gives star-crossed lovers a chance to defy fate. Full of longing, first love, and impossible choices, it’s a story where, at last, they find their happily ever after. 

A star-crossed, slow-burn summer romance. A contemporary reimagining with mythological roots. A girl who learns that sometimes, the most epic love story is the one you write for yourself.

Review: 

I enjoyed Calypso's Odyssey, as an adult reader it was engaging and a fun twist on some classics. 

Calypso, or Callie, has graduated high school and she is in limbo. She isn't sure about college and since her mom passed away, she feels a bit obligated to help her dad run their inn. She feels lost, unsure, and is dealing with some trauma over a guy that shared a picture of her with others that he shouldn't have. 

I thought that Callie was pretty accurate emotionally to how I felt at this time and age. Lots of changes, lots of uncertainty, lots of bad decisions at times. All that said, she also seems a bit too naïve also -possibly because of being too sheltered.  

Odie is dropped into her life as if by a miracle and she takes a lot of chances on him. Together they talk through their uncertainties and fall for each other. I appreciated the inspiration set in a modern world, I liked the plot overall. It was a meandering feeling story in a way that feels like the original story. 

I think that for me, the issue with this book was not the age range like most got rile about, more on that in a minute - it was that there were no repercussions for behaviors. A teen boy sails a boat into a storm, almost drowns... no issues. A girl lets a boy live in a dingy hotel room that might be moldy ... no issues.. also no water... the boy that is showing her picture around...only embarrassment and shame for Callie and her dad pretty much victim blames. I know that it is a story, but it just felt like there were more opportunities there for deeper moments that just didn't happen. 

Now, the age-range thing. I completely understand that readers say this is NOT a teen book because it talks about sex, sexual content, condoms, losing virginity, and yes this book likely isn't for young teens, but Juniors and Seniors - I hate to break it to people but these are conversations they are having and I was having at this age...it is an accurate depiction that some teens might appreciate having. 

Should it have disclaimers, probably but nothing is graphic. Adults just be mindful if purchasing for teen readers. 

Building the Book Pile #520

Welcome to Building the Book Pile!

I took a bit of a break from my weekly posts - apologies!

Sometime the blogging is a liiiiiiittle too much on top of all the other things and I was feeling burnt out. 

Over the past few weeks I have been working, supporting my softball team (no playing yet- foot is still healing), going to some life-skills training with Emma-dog, and reading. 

I am not as caught up on reading/ reviews as I would like to be, but I am trying to balance review books with my TBR of things I am really excited to read. 

It was SUPER hot for a few days last week, feels like NH skipped spring and jump right on into the hot part of summer this year. 

• Currently watching: F1 ... lots of it, One Piece on Netflix, and waiting to finish Off Campus with my friend. 
• Currently reading: Their Will Undone by R.J. Valideperas
• Currently listening to: Forty Love by Jane Costello and King Sorrow by Joe Hill [Sorrow is slow going though and feeling sloggy so it miiiight be a DNF situation]

Linking up with Caffeinated Book Reviewer Sunday Post 

xo steph

Coming up on the Blog

Early Reader Review: Calypso's Odyssey by Anna Carey (YA)

Early Reader Review: Milk & Mocha: Our Little Moments by Melani Sie (GN)  

Books Received Recently...  

For Review  

Murder Like Magic by Trisha Blanchet - from the publisher for review.

Any More Questions for the Corpse by J.J. Unthank - from the publisher for review.

Won! From Lisa Loves Literature

Thanks Lisa!

Reviews and Such

Monthly Re-Cap: May

Early Reader Review:  The Night King's Court by Elisa Bonnin (YA) - ⭐⭐⭐.5

Recent Reads: Two Can Play by Ali Hazelwood (Adult) - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Recent Reads: Mate by Ali Hazelwood (Adult) -⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 Recent Reads: Throttled by Lauren Asher (Adult) -⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Donating Caffeine is greatly appreciated ... Donate on Ko-fi

What have you been reading?  How was your week? Feel free to leave a comment!

Happy Reading!