Olivia_G

The Dating Game by Ally Zetterberg was a fun, quick read with an interesting premise. Tilda, a board game designer, decides to create her own dating game, but the people involved do not even realize they are playing or know the rules she has set. That alone made the story feel clever and kept me curious to see how everything would unfold.

The suspense builds even more when it becomes clear that Tilda has a stalker who seems to be playing a game of their own. Tilda was an intriguing character, and she definitely kept me guessing throughout the book. I enjoyed the fast pace and the way the story mixed romance, mystery, and tension.

While I had a good time reading it, the ending did not completely blow me away, which kept it from being a higher-rated read for me. Overall, I would give it 3 stars for being entertaining, original, and easy to get through.

After the death of their conservationist mother, sisters Danielle and Grace return to the South African bush and the family home located within a wild game reserve. Each sister brings along two friends for what is supposed to be a safari adventure. Instead, one of the friends is murdered on their very first morning in the reserve. With no way to call for help, limited supplies, and danger lurking around every corner, the group must decide whether to turn back or continue deeper into the bush toward the family home.

The South African setting was easily the strongest part of this book. The isolation of the game reserve created a creepy, eerie atmosphere, and the ever-present danger of the wilderness added tension throughout the story. I found the premise entertaining and was curious to see how everything would unfold.

While I enjoyed the book overall, I never became fully invested in the characters, and some of the suspense didn't land quite as strongly as I had hoped. I didn't dislike this book, but I didn't absolutely love it either. Still, it was a solid thriller with a unique setting and enough intrigue to keep me turning the pages.

I rarely give five stars. For me, a five-star rating is reserved for books whose characters stay with me long after the final page... the ones that settle into your heart and soul and refuse to leave. The Young Will Remember is absolutely one of those books.

Going into this novel, I knew very little about the Korean War. What I expected was a good historical story; what I found instead was something deeply human, emotional, and unforgettable. Eve J. Chung brings history to life through characters who feel achingly real — flawed, brave, vulnerable, and enduring in ways that linger long after you close the book.

This story didn't just entertain me; it educated me. It sent me down a historical research rabbit hole, eager to learn more about a war and a generation whose stories are too often overlooked. That, to me, is the mark of exceptional historical fiction- when fiction becomes a doorway to real history and deeper understanding.

This is not simply a book you read. It's a book you carry with you.