Melissa is a YA book blogger, bookstagrammer, and a Slytherin living in Mexico. Her favorite genres are fantasy, contemporary, historical, and basically all things YA with a hint of romance. When she’s not reading, Melissa loves to sing out loud, eat sweets, and take lots of bookish photos. You can find her on her blog, The Reader and the Chef, on YA Books Central as the Instagram Manager, and contributing posts on Kate Tilton, Connecting Authors & Readers.

LINKS:
Blog: http://www.thereaderandthechef.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MeliRobles
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thereaderandthechef/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/6383562-melissa-robles

Oh my gosh, this book has got to be one of the best contemporary books ever! It made me laugh and cry SO HARD. It is absolutely beautiful and heartbreaking but it also feels like a light read yet it isn’t. The author did a wonderful job with this story, it is incredibly perfect that I even made my sister read it right after I finished because I just needed to discuss it with her and cry and laugh together. The main character is a boy and his thoughts are A+++++. There’s even a talking bookshelf! Crazy epic. But do get some tissues before you read it!

Geekerella by Ashley Poston

Okay, Contemporaries haven’t been my cup of tea lately but Geekerella is also among the exceptions! This is a super cute Cinderella retelling with an awesome Sci-Fi fandom inside called Starflight. I swooned with the romance but I fell in love with this book’s fandom. It’s actually the first time I fall for a fandom that doesn’t exist and oh, how I wish it did! ♥ “Look to the stars. Aim. Ignite!”. Read it read it read it!

Noteworthy by Riley Redgate

THIRD contemporary I ended up loving this year. Noteworthy is aca-awesome because it’s about a cappella!!! The girl main character dresses up as a boy to join an all-male a cappella group and it was a lot of fun to read about her experience. 

The Romeo Catchers by Alys Arden

I had not heard about this book until I saw it being promoted on Instagram for a blog tour and immediately fell with the concept. It takes place in a New Orleans recently ravaged by hurricane Katrina with added paranormal activities plus witchcraft and it was more than entertaining. I thought I was going to enjoy this book, but nope, I became obsessed! Good thing I had the sequel at hand and I quickly picked up right where I left off. It is a magical series and I wish more people knew about it!

The Sandcastle Empire by Kayla Olson

Last but not least, I did not expect to fall in love with The Sandcastle Empire so much. I was intrigued and curious about it since I heard that Leonardo Dicaprio was producing the movie, but I must admit I did not think it would be THAT good. Well, I was terribly wrong because it is THAT GOOD and so much more! Kayla Olson’s writing is flawless and captivating, the story drew me in and by the end of it I was wishing I had a never ending book! And I love how it’s NOT your typical dystopian book. Huge points for that.