Oh look, another stunningly mediocre Stephen King book. I've been meaning to make a video all about this, but his fans are pretty wild.

The Institute follows our two main characters Luke and what's his name. Yes, what's his name, because frankly I finished this book two weeks ago and already I can't remember his dang name. You wanted honest reviews so we're being extra honest with this one. Also frankly I'm exhausted with how lack luster the last few books by him have been and I don't have the energy in me to try to spin this in a positive light.

But Jes you rated this book three stars, it couldn't have been that bad. You'd be right in some ways. Most of the stars for this book were awarded from reminding me so much of some of his other works. Incredibly powerful child characters who like Black Sabbath and might want to bum a smoke off of you. Stephen is a little more than slightly detached from these kinds of characters these days.

Another star I gave to the overall feel of the book. Yes, feel. Stephen tends to write one of two ways: spooky scary monsters or mundane day in the life books with a bit of gore thrown in there. The Institute was one of the latter. This book felt like a regurgitated version of a few of the books he's written in the past so enjoyable but definitely seen it before.

Looking back I could honestly give this two stars. Let's talk endings. If you haven't read the book shield your eyes or look away because I'm going to spoil the entire plot for you.

Did we really need more Trump and political nods? I get it the world sucks right now. But the entirety of the plot was built around Trump and his cabinet. These children who have been stolen, an obvious nod to the families currently being torn apart and placed in camps all across America, were brought to the Institute to stop Trump from starting WWIII. Yup, you read that right. That is the whole friggin plot. The originality is gone. It's lazy. Incredibly lazy and I hate it.

Decided, this book now gets two very lame stars.

Yasss, the sassy, witchy, atmospheric, gay book I've been waiting for. I picked up Summer of Salt for the Read Your Gay's readathon and I am so happy that I did. We have a seamless f/f love story, great aroace rep, and Leno handled sexual assault so well. I feel like I've seen a few people talk about this book but I need everyone to be talking about it. I will say there are some trigger warnings for sexual assault.

“On the island of By-the-Sea you could always smell two things: salt and magic.”

Georgina and Mary live on the tiny island of By-the-Sea. Daughters in a long line of witches. Every year the Fernweh women (the girls and their mom) run a bed and breakfast, preparing for the return of the island bird. A bird rumored to be a reincarnated Fernweh. But she doesn't return and the entire island is turned upside down. When Mary is accused of killing the bird and everyone's livelihoods are threatened, the sisterly bond between Georgina and Mary is tested.

My favorite parts of this book is just how damn easy the love story between Prue and Georgina is. It was fun to read about. I never once felt like it was forced. They simple were. This book also tackles some hard hitting events and does it in such a great way. It was atmospheric and magical. Leno's writing is easy to read while really drawing you in. If you're looking for a great autumn read and this book is on your radar I would hold off and read it then! I may even reread it then if anyone wants to join me.

I gave this book 4.5 stars but rounded down to 4. I did see a few plot twists coming, but I often experience this with the YA that I read. But it was still very enjoyable! Highly recommend!

Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me is the single most important comic book I have ever read. I laughed, I cried and I wanted to scream at Laura Dean more than I've ever wanted to at any other character.

If by chance you haven't spotted this book out in the wild LDKBUWM (as I'm now calling it because this book has one of the LONGEST titles ever) is about our MC Freddy. She's dating Laura, the worlds biggest heartbreaker. Laura treats Freddy like crap. She cheats on her, blows her off, insults her, and her friends. A lot of the time it seems like Laura also uses Freddy for sex (we can only assume that's what's happening, it's a lot of fade to black). Overall she's just a shitty girlfriend. Freddy starts blowing of her friends as one tends to do when they're dating such a flighty person. All of her friends start getting upset as they should. But one day Freddy's best friend Doodle takes her to see a psychic who tells her she has to break up with Laura. Easier said than done.

I think I know why the words “love” and “punch” go together so often. Because, seriously. It’s like a punch.

This book seems pretty basic, but it is about so much more than what it shows itself to be at face value. It's about forgiveness and finding yourself. Discovering that there aren't such easy answers when it comes to love. People make mistakes and we grow and change. I wish I would have had this book when I was in high school. Younger me would have benefited so much from reading this!

I gave this book 4 stars. There was one thing that happened that I just couldn't move on from that tainted this book. I don't want to spoil it and I'm not exactly sure of the age of the girl involved, but it left a bad taste in my mouth. Otherwise this was a stunning read and rapidly one of my favorite books of all time.

LDKBUWP