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August, huh.

To be honest––because this is my newsletter where I can be honest with you all and I’ve never felt comfortable doing that on social media, I know the world is especially heavy right now. While we try to carry however much we can, we have to simultaneously process and balance this reality with our own needs. It’s overwhelming. And that’s such a privileged statement from me: I’m watching world events from a village in Germany, I have food in my house, and a roof over my head. There is, of course, many concerns on this side of the Atlantic, I just don’t talk about them online. I don’t do anything serious online. I’ve found that I’m not articulate in short format and nuance doesn’t exist there. You can be like, I hate brussels sprouts, and someone will be like, how dare you, they saved my mother’s life!

Anyway, that’s not why I’m here today! Instead, I want to talk about books. Surprise, surprise, right? Specifically four of the books I’m looking forward to this September (there will be more in the next newsletter, BLOOD MOON by Britney S. Lewis being one). You ready?

First book: Tracy Badua’s GHOUL SUMMER, which comes out September 2nd. It’s Middle Grade adorableness and I have to say, Tracy is an incredible author (I should know, we cowrote two books together!), and she has such a beautiful understanding of what younger readers are looking for in stories. And look at this cover!!

Here’s the synopsis:

In this beachside ghost story that’s perfect for fans of Erin Entrada Kelly and Wednesday, twelve-year-old Barnaby is forced to spend his summer helping his grandpa move, only to be confronted by Maxwell—a moody ghost boy with some unfinished business.

Barnaby had grand plans for his summer. He should’ve been spending his days watching movies and gaming with his friends. Instead, his parents drag him to the boring beach town of Sunnyside to help his grandpa move.

Just when he thinks this summer can’t get any worse, a ghost boy named Maxwell shows up in their vacation rental home to kick Barnaby and his family out.

Barnaby tries everything to get rid of Maxwell on his own. But when his attempts fail and Maxwell actually becomes stronger, Barnaby realizes that there’s only one solution to his ghost troubles: helping Maxwell figure out his unfinished business. If he doesn’t, the ghost might ditch the rental home for Barnaby’s body instead.

With the clock counting down to the end of the trip, Barnaby is forced to enter an uneasy truce with Maxwell to find the truth—or be haunted forever.

Get it here!

Then there’s: Sonora Reyes’s THE GOLDEN BOY’S GUIDE TO BIPOLAR, a Young Adult contemporary that’s…. honestly, gorgeous. I blurbed, saying it is: "Filled with endless compassion, this book can––and will––save lives." I absolutely believe that. As someone with bipolar disorder, this book grabbed me right away. Its accurate portrayal of this illness, the nature of it in adolescence and the big emotions, would’ve made a world of difference to me as a kid. I mean it made a world of difference to me as an adult.

Here’s the synopsis:

From bestselling author Sonora Reyes comes a poignant and searingly honest companion novel to the multi-award-winning The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School,following beloved character Cesar Flores as he comes to terms with his sexuality, his new bipolar diagnosis, and more mistakes than he can count.

Seventeen-year-old Cesar Flores is finally ready to win back his ex-boyfriend. Since breaking up with Jamal in a last-ditch effort to stay in the closet, he’s come out to Mami, his sister, Yami, and their friends, taken his meds faithfully, and gotten his therapist’s blessing to reunite with Jamal.

Everything would be perfect if it weren’t for The Thoughts—the ones that won’t let all his Catholic guilt and internalizations stay buried where he wants them. The louder they become, the more Cesar is once again convinced that he doesn't deserve someone like Jamal—or anyone really.

Cesar can hide a fair amount of shame behind jokes and his “gifted” reputation, but when a manic episode makes his inner turmoil impossible to hide, he’s faced with a stark choice: burn every bridge he has left or, worse—ask for help. But is the mortifying vulnerability of being loved by the people he’s hurt the most a risk he’s willing to take?

Get it here.

Next up: V L Bovalino’s THE SECOND DEATH OF LOCKE, which comes out September 23rd. It’s an adult epic fantasy. Bovalino has several stories within the Young Adult genre, most of them spooky and acclaimed. I just know this one’s going to be fantastic. Look at this cover:

Here’s the synopsis:

Love. Loyalty. Sacrifice.

Grey Flynn has dedicated her life to her mage, Kier. She will be his blade on the battlefield, his healer and protector. The deep well of raw power inside her is Kier's to wield. They are bound together by blood and magic, but there is one truth Grey dare not reveal . . . not even to Kier.

When a quest to protect the child of an enemy kingdom pulls them into a dangerous mission, Grey will need to decide what she's willing to sacrifice to protect her secret.

For Grey is no ordinary magical well, and if she dies, all magic dies with her.

The Second Death of Locke is a devastatingly romantic epic fantasy about the undying bond between a knight and their mage, perfect for fans of Rachel Gillig and Alix E. Harrow.

Get it here.

And lastly: Kalynn Bayron’s MAKE ME A MONSTER, out September 30th. It’s a Young Adult contemporary horror and fantasy. As with all of Kalynn’s books, you know you’re in for a deliciously, heartfelt treat.

Here’s the synopsis:

New York Times bestselling author Kalynn Bayron is back with a Frankenstein-tinged horror romance.

Meka is used to death. After all, it's the family business.

As a newly certified mortician's assistant at her parents' funeral home, her days are not for the faint of heart. Luckily her boyfriend Noah isn't squeamish, and Meka is finally feeling ready to say the three little words that will change everything.

But then tragedy strikes, and Meka's world is torn apart. Nothing makes sense, especially the strange things start happening. Ravens are circling her home. Strangers are following her. Someone is leaving mysterious items at her door. And worst of all . . .

The dead don't seem to be staying dead.

Meka thought she understood death better than anyone. Turns out, the family business is a bit more complicated than it seems. And Meka isn't the only one desperate to unearth their secrets . . . because the truth may be worth dying for.

Get your copy here.

Please go grab those books!

Lastly, here’s my BIIIIIIG NEWWWWWWS. Ya girl got invited to Love Y’All Romance Book Fest in Atlanta, GA from February 13-15th. This will be the week after Until the Clock Strikes Midnight comes out. If you’re around, please come meet me and all of these incredible authors I cannot believe I get to be in the same room with. The tickets are up for sale here.

Alright, that’s it from me this time. The next newsletter will include more recs, the blurbs I received, and other big news I’ve been sitting on. Exciting, right?

As always, thank you for reading and your support. Hope you all aren’t carrying too much and you’re finding your way to balancing your reality with your needs. I’m rooting for you!!

See ya lata!

Alechia