Jen Ryland Reviews

Find books you love and get the most out of your reading.

Review of The Marvelous Mirza Girls

by // 1 Comment

This was pitched as The Gilmore Girls meets New Delhi. I’m a fan of this author and have a love/hate relationship with the Gilmore Girls, so what did I think of this one? Check out my review of The Marvelous Mirza Girls!

Review of the Marvelous Mirza Girls

Review of the Marvelous Mirza Girls

The Marvelous Mirza Girls by Sheba Karim. Published on May 18, 2021 by Quill Tree Books. Thanks to the publisher for providing an advance copy for review.

Synopsis: To cure her post–senior year slump and cope with the loss of her aunt Sonia, Noreen is ready to follow her mom on a gap year trip to New Delhi, hoping India can lessen her grief. In the world’s most polluted city, Noreen soon meets kind, handsome Kabir, who introduces her to the wonders of this magical, complicated place. With Kabir’s help—plus Bollywood celebrities, fourteenth-century ruins, karaoke parties, and Sufi saints—Noreen begins to rediscover her joyful voice.But when a family scandal erupts, Noreen and Kabir must face complicated questions in their own relationship: What does it mean to truly stand by someone—and what are the boundaries of love?

[Read more…]

Review of Better Than the Movies

by // 4 Comments

Do you love 90s rom coms? Then you should check out this YA homage to them. Here’s my review of Better Than the Movies!

Review of Better Than the Movies
Review of Better Than the Movies

What is Better Than The Movies About?

Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painer. To be published on May 4, 2021 by Simon and Schuster Books For Young Readers. Thanks to the publisher for providing an advance copy for review.

Synopsis: Perpetual daydreamer Liz Buxbaum gave her heart to Michael a long time ago. But her cool, aloof forever crush never really saw her before he moved away. Now that he’s back in town, Liz will do whatever it takes to get on his radar—and maybe snag him as a prom date—even befriend Wes Bennet. Wes is Liz’s annoyingly attractive next-door neighbor who has been a pain in Liz’s butt since they were kids. Pranks involving frogs and decapitated lawn gnomes do not a potential boyfriend make. Yet, somehow, Wes and Michael are hitting it off, which means Wes is Liz’s in. But as Liz and Wes scheme to get Liz noticed by Michael so she can have her magical prom moment, she’s shocked to discover that she likes being around Wes. And as they continue to grow closer, she must reexamine everything she thought she knew about love—and rethink her own ideas of what Happily Ever After should look like.

[Read more…]

Review: Kisses and Croissants by Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau

by // 4 Comments

Are you in the mood for a book that is light and fluffy as a croissant? Check out my review of Kisses and Croissants by Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau

Review of Kisses and Croissants

What’s Kisses and Croissants by Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau about?

Review of Kisses and Croissants

Kisses and Croissants by Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau. Published on April 6, 2021 by Delacorte.

Thanks to the publisher for providing an advance review copy.

I do freelance work for Underlined (part of Random House Books) who are the publishers of this title.

Synopsis: Seventeen-year-old Mia, an American girl attending an elite summer ballet program, has six short weeks to achieve her dreams: to snag an audition with one of the world’s best ballet companies. She’s also trying to solve a family mystery and stay one ballet step ahead of Audrey, her arch-rival in the program, a girl whose dancing is impossibly perfect. But there’s more to Paris than ballet—especially when a charming French boy, Louis, wants to be her tour guide—and the pair discover the city has more than a few mysteries and a lot of romantic detours up its sleeve.

This post contains affiliate links.

[Read more…]

Best YA Books With Fake Dating

by // 5 Comments

What better romantic trope is there than fake dating, fake romance, or “fauxmance?” There are definitely more fauxmances in adult romance than in teen, but there some YA books with fake romance. If you’re looking for high school YA romance books, this is a great place to start. Check out my list of 15 YA Books With Fake Dating! Updated in 2023!

YA Books With Fake Dating: a photo of the feet and legs of two people facing each other wearing jeans and Converse sneakers.
[Read more…]

YA Books Set in College

Are you looking for young adult books featuring characters who’ve graduated from high school and have moved on to freshman orientation, sorority rush and sketchy roommates? Check out my list of YA books Set in College!

Best YA Books Set In College

Best YA Books Set In College!

High school is great (and the source of a lot of YA angst) but college means new challenges, new experiences, and new freedom. No parents, plenty of parties.

YA Set in College That’s Focused on Romance

Rent a Boyfriend by Gloria Chao (2020) I LOVE a good fauxmance and this one is about a girl who rents a boyfriend to please her strict parents.

9 Days and 9 Nights by Katie Cotugno (2018) – this one isn’t set in college, but it’s about a college student forced to spend 9 days and 9 nights with an ex she has feelings for.

YA Set in College That’s Focused on Self-Discovery

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell (2013) a girl and her twin attend the same college.

Finding Felicity by Stacey Kade (2018) if you loved the show, try the book!

We Are Okay by Nina LaCour (2017) thousands of miles from home, Marin faces winter break alone.

Emergency Contact by Mary H.K. Choi (2018) – a girl heads to college to fulfill her dream of becoming a writer and starts a texting relationship with a guy.

American Panda by Gloria Choi (2018) – an overachieving Taiwanese American student struggles to find herself.

Freshmen by Tom Ellen and Lucy Ivison (2017) Two British (!) freshman navigate their first few weeks.

Say What You Will by Cammie McGovern (2014) a girl with a disability navigates life and love as a college freshman.

I Hate Everyone But You by Gaby Dunn and Allison Raskin (2017) – texts and emails sent by two best friends attending college on opposite sides of the country.

We Are Still Tornadoes by Michael Kun and Susan Mullen (2016) – Scott and Cath are best friends. She goes to college, he tries to make his rock star dreams work. And they write letters to one another.

YA About College Students Traveling or Studying Abroad

Again But Better by Christine Riccio (2019) – Shane decides to sign up for a semester abroad in London.

The Boy on the Bridge by Natalie Standiford (2013) – a girl studies in Russia during the Cold War and falls for a boy.

YA Books In College Featuring Greek Life or Secret Societies

Rush by Sarah Bennett Wealer (2016) a group of girls dream of joining their school’s most powerful sorority.

The Ravens by Danielle Page and Kass Morgan (2020) a paranormal book about a sorority of witches at a Southern college

Secret Society Girl series by Diana Peterfreund (2007) a girl is tapped to join the most exclusive secret society on campus.

Rush by Lisa Patton (2019) a coming of age story set in the sorority scene at Ole Miss

Frat Girl by Kiley Roache – to win a scholarship, a girl decides to pledge a frat and expose their bad behavior

Any more suggestions for my list? Tweet me! Also, check out my list of YA Books Set In Boarding School and my list of YA Books That Take Place the Summer Before College!

Privacy Policy

Find my privacy policy here.

Contact Me

Contact Me!