All That Really Matters - Nicole Deese

 

From christianbook.com :

"Molly's trendy fashion and beauty advice gains her a substantial social media following and an audition to host a makeover show for underprivileged youth. One problem: she has zero experience with kids in need! So she volunteers for a transitional program. Silas, the director, isn't impressed. Can she win him over---and discover what matters most in life?"

Oh my goodness, what an amazing book!  Such a deep commentary on today's attraction to social media and celebrity status and pretty things.  It seems so appealing and worth attaining, and yet there are so many more substantial purposes in life.  So many people more worth our time and talent and treasures.  SomeONE more worth our hearts.

Watching Molly's transformation from social media darling to a mentor of young adults in transition from foster care, was an amazing journey to follow.  Reading the foster kids' stories, which are likely close to many in real life, was heartbreaking.

5 stars!  This may be my favorite book so far in 2021! I really hope we get a sequel with Miles!

You can find All That Really Matters HERE.
You can find the author HERE.

I received a digital copy of this book, via NetGalley, from the publisher, in exchange for my honest review.

The Kingdom of Ink and Paper - Matthew Newman

 

From Net Galley -

"Every book you’ve ever read. Every story you’ve ever heard. What if they were all true?

When high school student Will Morgan goes on a school trip to Boston, he doesn’t expect to witness a murder. But when best-selling novelist Arthur O’Neill is found dead, Will realizes there’s more to this writer’s books than just words.

After O’Neill’s death, Will receives a mysterious package: a copy of The Redstone Keep, one of O’Neill’s famous novels. Upon reading the book, Will passes out and is introduced to a man named Tam Desmond, The Redstone Keep’s protagonist. Tam explains that he is a resident of the World of the Written, a universe parallel to our own where everything ever published by humans comes to life.

Through his conversations with Tam, Will learns that something was targeting Arthur, and that same force is now after him. Armed with his new powers and a magical sword, Will sets out on a journey to solve the mysteries surrounding the murder; however, all the while, Arthur’s death may have just been the start of something much more sinister."

In my opinion the quality of this book was fair. While the plot and characters were interesting, it reminded me of Here There Be Dragons, and there were several smaller plot holes. In the story the characters gain their powers much too quickly, and there isn't much of a real challenge. However, I did like the involvement of Characters, or people from the story that the Writers are in. Overall I would say that there was not a lot of character development outside of powers/abilities. I would give Kingdom of Ink and Paper a 3 out of 5 stars.

You can find Kingdom of Ink and Paper HERE.

You can find Matthew Newman HERE.