LOVE AND BASEBALL by Jaime Jo Wright and Chloe JoAnne, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

CLEAN Young Adult ROM COM

REBECCA'S REVIEW

"Soooooo . . . like, I sorta pretended you into existence. Now that you are real and here, everyone thinks we are dating."

Tired of trying to explain why having a boyfriend wasn't on her radar, book and baseball fan Brielle Walters thought she had come up with the perfect solution . . . create a fake! Using AI and a host of little white lies (or untruths that she failed to correct) Brielle conjures up Brooks Mason, who conveniently lives very far away. And her plan was working just fine, until a very real Brooks Mason shows up at school.

What???? There were only so many places for a girl to hide, but viral social media reels were not one of them.

This is just about the sweetest, funniest, conundrum of a story that I have ever read! 

BackCover Blurb: 
She needed a boyfriend. AI came to her rescue. But then her fake boyfriend showed up at school.

Brielle has never wanted a boyfriend. She's happy with her book boyfriends--purely fictional, right? Easy to maintain. She's also not a huge fan of sports, except baseball. Not playing it. No. Again, books and cozy afternoons are her thing. But Brielle can get into baseball with the best of them when it comes to watching, repeating stats, and wearing her favorite jerseys. But apparently, that's not enough in life. At least according to her four nosy aunts, who all think she needs a boyfriend, people at school who are convinced Brielle is a closet serial killer because she's happier with her books, and yeah. Valentine’s Day is on the calendar.

There is a purpose for AI, and Brielle decides the genius thing to do is make a fake boyfriend. Complete with deepfake photos, Brielle creates the perfect boyfriend, and no one needs to know he's entirely fictional. They just need to believe she met him over summer vacation, and he lives somewhere in North Carolina. Only he doesn't. When baseball catcher, Brooks Mason shows up at high school, a lookalike to Brielle's AI boyfriend, her entire world becomes a dog-eared, bent pages book nightmare.

Brooks is getting sick of all the girls at school wanting to date him. He wants to play ball and hang out. So, yeah. It makes sense to help Brielle out. Fake date? Why not? But once together, dating for show becomes an act that both Brielle and Brooks aren't quite prepared for, and dealing with unexpected attraction, complicated situations, and interfering aunts and bffs?

It's a grand slam of problems just waiting to happen, plus a game-changing shot at a championship home run at love.
** CLEAN YA Rom-Com Fiction you can read without skipping a page **
*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review
 

MadLit Publishing, February, 2026

Available in digital ebook or paperback

Buy LOVE AND BASEBALL at Amazon 

THE CINDERELLA PLOT by Pepper Basham, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

REBECCA'S REVIEW: 

"And maybe that's the best part of every story. Not the one where you transform into someone perfect, but the one where you find the courage to show up as yourself - and discover you were enough all along."

High school senior Paisley Harper started out wanting to experience her own Cinderella story, and why not? She already felt practically invisible to everyone around her. What better way to accomplish her goal than according to a wildly popular self-help book, "The Cinderella Plot". And so it began; contact lenses, new hair style, updated wardrobe, shiny confidence . . . maybe that was stretching it a bit (but don't tell anyone). Exactly what did she receive in return? A lot of attention. Exactly what she wanted, right? Right. Except when it came to her best boy (with a space) friend, nothing felt right.

Simply put, I loved every single thing about this book. Humor perfumes the authentic struggles of an introverted teen who dares to be seen, when who she is on the inside already outshines any exterior makeover on the outside. She makes mistakes along the way, but don't we all? The overriding messaging of being "fearfully and wonderfully made" by the One who gives us the capacity to love others sacrificially, instead of loving and serving ourselves exclusively is crystal clear throughout, and makes this a story that mothers, daughters, grandmothers, granddaughters will all love to call their own.

*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

SEE PAULA'S REVIEW: 

BackCover Blurb

Paisley Harper is invisible.

Not in a superpower way. More like the people-look-right-through-you-in-the-hallway kind of way.

She’s the girl with the oversized cardigan, random book knowledge, and the uncanny ability to tutor the school’s star quarterback without actually being seen as anything more than helpful. Meanwhile, her aunt and uncle’s beloved small-town bookstore is under threat from a shiny corporate chain, her best friend keeps giving her looks that feel suspiciously loaded, and Homecoming is looming like a glittery reminder that senior year is running out…and she’s never been kissed.

Enter The Cinderella Plot—a wildly popular self-help book promising total transformation in five easy steps. New hair. New confidence. New life. Maybe even… a date.

With nothing to lose (except her dignity), Paisley decides to follow the plan. Because if fairy tales have taught her anything, it’s that invisible girls don’t get happy endings unless they change something first.

But as Paisley starts stepping into the spotlight, she has to ask herself an important question:
What if being seen comes at the cost of being herself?

Full of heart, humor, bookish charm, and small-town magic, The Cinderella Plot is a romcom about friendship, first love, faith, and discovering that sometimes the greatest transformation isn’t becoming someone new—it’s realizing you were worthy all along.

**CLEAN YA Rom-Com Fiction you can read without skipping a page ** 

MadLit Publishing, March, 2026

Buy THE CINDERELLA PLOT in digital ebook or paperback at Amazon

THE CINDERLELLA PLOT by Pepper Basham, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #ReleaseDay #YA

PAULA'S REVIEW:
If you are looking for a book for your teen that is clean and a lot of fun, this one is rated PG for Pure Genius! I was hooked from the start and I am 76!

Ms Basham has captured the high school atmosphere and has penned a story that teaches a lesson: God loves you as you are!  

Paisley is a nerd with nerdy friends but wants to fit in with the popular crowd. So she starts taking an advice book called THE CINDERELLA PLOT seriously. But it backfires and she almost loses her best friend Chris (a favorite character) in the process. With hilarious high jinx that landed me in a coughing fit, Paisley and friends are characters that are endearing and entertaining. I loved all the movie and literary references and the chapter headings were fabulous. The story sees Paisley getting herself into a pretty pickle but with prayer, honesty and pure guts, she sets things right again.  

Ms. Basham is very adept at writing a comedy with heart and purpose. And in this one, she writes a book within a book when she also writes a self-help book that Paisley follows in hopes of a transformation.
This may be a YA book but all ages will absolutely love it!
*A little copy of this book was provided by the author. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*Beyond 5 stars and a solid faith thread

BackCover Blurb:
Paisley Harper is invisible.

Not in a superpower way. More like the people-look-right-through-you-in-the-hallway kind of way.

She’s the girl with the oversized cardigan, random book knowledge, and the uncanny ability to tutor the school’s star quarterback without actually being seen as anything more than helpful. Meanwhile, her aunt and uncle’s beloved small-town bookstore is under threat from a shiny corporate chain, her best friend keeps giving her looks that feel suspiciously loaded, and Homecoming is looming like a glittery reminder that senior year is running out…and she’s never been kissed.

Enter The Cinderella Plot—a wildly popular self-help book promising total transformation in five easy steps. New hair. New confidence. New life. Maybe even… a date.

With nothing to lose (except her dignity), Paisley decides to follow the plan. Because if fairy tales have taught her anything, it’s that invisible girls don’t get happy endings unless they change something first.

But as Paisley starts stepping into the spotlight, she has to ask herself an important question:
What if being seen comes at the cost of being herself?

Full of heart, humor, bookish charm, and small-town magic, The Cinderella Plot is a romcom about friendship, first love, faith, and discovering that sometimes the greatest transformation isn’t becoming someone new—it’s realizing you were worthy all along.

**CLEAN YA Rom-Com Fiction you can read without skipping a page ** 

MadLit Publishing, March, 2026

BUY Cinderella Plot at Amazon in digital ebook or paperback. 

DUST by Kara Swanson, Reviewed by Kim

First off, can we just take a second to look at this gorgeous cover? The cover alone made me want to buy this book! And I’m so happy to say that what’s inside is just as good as what’s outside! I really really enjoyed this story and I’m not a huge Peter Pan fan either, but I loved the writing style and Kara Swanson’s take on Peter Pan!

Where to start! I was immediately drawn to Claire. I felt for what she had been through throughout her life and the grief she was feeling about her missing twin brother. I was so excited when she finally got a lead on what happened to him and we flew off to London where she meets Peter and Tiger Lily and Hook and the pixies! I loved the pixies!! 

I loved when Claire and Peter were with them because of the feeling of warmth and light that exuded off the page! Peter was charming and immensely likable, but he was also hiding something that kept me intrigued till the end of this story. Speaking of the end, I kind of need book 2 right now because I totally did not see that coming!

This is such a great YA fantasy! It is a bit darker than the original, but I highly recommend it! I can’t wait for book 2 to see what happens next.
*I bought this book and was under no obligation to provide a positive review. The faith element is light- (2) 
 

BackCover Blurb:
The truth about Neverland is far more dangerous than a fairy tale.

Claire Kenton believes the world is too dark for magic to be real—since her twin brother was stolen away as a child. Now Claire’s desperate search points to London... and a boy who shouldn't exist.

Peter Pan is having a beastly time getting back to Neverland. Grounded in London and hunted by his own Lost Boys, Peter searches for the last hope of restoring his crumbling island: a lass with magic in her veins.

The girl who fears her own destiny is on a collision course with the boy who never wanted to grow up. The truth behind this fairy tale is about to unravel everything Claire thought she knew about Peter Pan—and herself.



Enclave Publishing, July 2020
Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover and audiobook:
Buy Dust at Amazon
Buy Dust at Christianbook.com

MIND OF MINE by C.F.E. Black, YA Fiction Reviewed by Kim

Mind of Mine, by debut author C.F.E. Black, is a YA science fiction story that is packed full of intrigue, action, a twist or two -ones I totally did not see coming - and a storyline that is truly creative! And, it’s a clean read, which I’m always looking for, for my daughter!

I really enjoyed this story. It was so different- I mean sharing your mind with 15 other people? 😳 I can’t imagine adding more thoughts to the ones that are already in my head! Especially ones that are not originally mine! Yikes! I really can’t go into a lot of the story because I want to stay away from spoilers, but I will say I really enjoyed the wonderfully unique storyline and the characters, especially V, Marcus, and Julius and their interactions with each other. I also enjoyed the many unexpected twists and turns this story took!

Even though this story doesn’t end in a cliffhanger, I really wanted an epilogue! I want to know more about Marcus and V and Julius and what happens to them in the future! I am hoping there will be a book 2! Great debut!!!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts are my own. 

BackCover Blurb:
She is a genius . . . who frequently forgets her own name.
Raised to put science over self, V must link her brain with fifteen other people, making her one of the world’s smartest humans. With this privilege comes a life dedicated to continual research inside a secluded facility, a life devoid of freedom.

But V is losing her identity and unable to predict which face will peer back at her from the nearest mirror. Escaping this life will mean freedom to think for herself—and abandoning everything and everyone she’s known and loved.

When your thoughts and speech are no longer private, freedom comes at a price. But for V the price may be her life.

Available in digital ebook and paperback:
Buy Mind of Mine at Amazon
 

SHOW ME A SIGN by Susan Miura, Reviewed by Kim

I love Susan Miura’s writing style. I am immediately drawn into her stories and want to know more about her characters and what is going to happen to them. Throw in the fact that they are YA clean reads, that I can let my daughter read, and it’s a win-win!

After reading the prologue, I didn’t want to put this fast paced thriller down. Even though this is a novella, it reads like a full length story. I loved Nathan’s friendship with Alec! Their banter was pretty funny and their nicknames for people had me cracking up! Alec is a great secondary character and I’d love to read his story one day. I really liked Haylie. She’s smart and sweet and spunky. She doesn’t let the fact that she is deaf slow her down!

With this story, Susan Miura has jumped on to my auto buy list of authors! I am looking forward to her next story, Shards of Light, which comes out August 29th! It is the follow up to Healer.

*Thanks Susan Miura for sending me this copy! All opinions are my own. 

BackCover Blurb:
All he wanted was to share a pizza with the coolest girl he'd ever met. Then his almost-girlfriend was kidnapped. Seventeen-year-old Nathan Boliva is under investigation by the FBI for a kidnapping he didn't commit. Deaf and beautiful Haylie Summers agreed to go on a date with him, then disappeared the day before. When the Feds discover a text was sent from Nathan's cell phone, asking Haylie to meet him behind her garage, Nathan becomes a prime suspect. Tied and blindfolded, Haylie struggles to grasp Nathan's role in her captivity. He doesn't seem like the kind of guy who would kidnap her. Then again, if he didn't, who is holding her hostage, and why? Desperate to solve the crime and rescue Haylie, Nathan and his best friend, Alec, set out at midnight to gather intel...and end up with far more than they bargained for. An action-packed plunge into intrigue and danger.

Currently available only by third party sellers via Amazon --PAPERBACK