Censorshipped by Savannah Scott

Censorshipped (Getting Shipped! #4) by Savannah Scott, 402 p.

"Duke’s always been like a big brother to me … a big brother with abs of steel, a heart of gold, and those dimples that make my heart rate double whenever he smiles. As far as Duke's concerned, I’ll always be his best friend Chris’ little sister—the little girl who dunked his Darth Vader action figure in Elmers glue and glitter. Even if Duke noticed me, it wouldn’t matter. I’m so off limits, I may as well be wearing an outfit made entirely of caution tape. We both know Chris would enlist a special ops tactical team to hunt Duke down if he ever pursued anything beyond friendship with me. 

Good thing I’m over Duke. One hundred percent attraction-free, that’s me. Well, mostly … until I accidentally send him one of my usual scrambled texts (thank you, autocorrect) … and he thinks I’m hitting on him. I’m mortified enough to momentarily consider relocating someplace obscure like Greenland. I can never show my face around town again. I’ll buy a parka and an ice pick and learn to love fish. A lot. But then Duke answers my text … Am I dreaming? He’s not mad. He’s not even making fun of me. In fact, it seems like he might be flirting back I guess I might not be completely over this crush after all."--Goodreads blurb

 This book just wasn't for me. I was on board for the first quarter of it, but little things started to annoy me, like the casual toxic masculinity. Once I finished the scene where Shannon met an old fling of Duke's and a bit of drama ensued, yet they kept referring to it as a trial they overcame and their relationship would be all the more strong for overcoming hardship, I was out. Come. On. I can be on board with a fun, mindless romance, but this was a bit much for me, who is a lover of love in general. I've never read this author before, and I did come in to this series in book four, but they are all pretty standalone from what I can tell. I may give her another chance in the future, but this book was a nope for me. 2.5 rounded up to 3 stars.

What They Always Tell Us by Martin Wilson

What They Always Tell Us by Martin Wilson - 293 pages

James is popular, smart, and attractive.  His brother Alex no longer has any friends since a suicide attempt several months ago.  James can't wait to escape this town that he's bored with and go to college.  Alex is surprised to find that he has an escape in running and the possibility of a new friendship.

This book takes place over the course of a year -- exploring the lives of the two brothers and how they start to reconnect.  It was an interesting story that I enjoyed.

The MacKade Brothers: Rafe & Jared by Nora Roberts

The Return of Rafe MacKade by Nora Roberts - 213 pages
The Pride of Jared MacKade by Nora Roberts - 219 pages

These are the first two books of a quartet about brothers by Nora Roberts.  They are older books and you can tell they are a little dated.  Still, I enjoyed reading them.

My Life With the Walter Boys by Ali Novak

My Life With the Walter Boys - 358 pages

After her family is killed in a car accident, Jackie moves from New York City to rural Colorado to live with her mother's best friend and family.  It's complete culture shock made worse by the fact that there are 12 children in the Walter family -- all boys.

This is basically a love triangle story.  While there is a lot of grief over the loss of her family, most of Jackie's time is consumed with how to deal with the two brothers that want to date her.  This was a novel written by a 15-year-old on Wattpad that eventually was published.

Charlie & Mouse by Laurel Snyder

Charlie & Mouse by Laurel Snyder - 36 pages
Theodor Geisel Medal - 2018

Charlie and Mouse are two brothers looking forward to a neighborhood party, wishing they had some money, and going through their bedtime routine.

This easy reader was just selected as the 2018 Theodor Geisel winner.  I think this would be a great book for kids just starting the beginning reader chapter books.  The text, and especially the illustrations, make it clear that this is a very inclusive neighborhood.  In fact, the illustrations are a huge part of the success of book.  (Make sure to look closely in the background of some of the illustrations for extra humor for adults.) 

Teeth by Hannah Moskowitz

Teeth by Hannah Moskowitz  246 pages

Be careful what you believe in. Rudy's life is flipped upside-down when his family moves to a remote island in a last attempt to save his sick younger brother. With nothing to do but worry, Rudy sinks deeper and deeper into loneliness and lies awake at night listening to the screams of the ocean beneath his family's rickety house. Then he meets Diana, who makes him wonder what he even knows about love, and Teeth, who makes him question what he knows about anything. Rudy can't remember the last time he felt so connected to someone, but being friends with Teeth is more than a little bit complicated. He soon learns that Teeth has terrible secrets. Violent secrets. Secrets that will force Rudy to choose between his own happiness and his brother's life.

The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher by Dana Alison Levy

The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher by Dana Alison Levy - 260 pages

This book tells the story of a family over the course of one school year.  It is a pretty normal family with four boys and two dads.  The boys are sports fanatics that are trying new things, dealing with changing friendships, and experiencing new schools.
I really enjoyed this book.  It was great to see a book dealing with gay fathers that never made it an issue.  The only time it was even mentioned was at a family night at a new school.  It mainly focused on the stories of the boys dealing with changing relationships and interests.  It kind of reminded me of the Casson family books by Hilary McKay in that regards.  I'm hoping that the author writes another story about the Fletcher family.
Two interesting notes about the book.  First make sure to read the Acknowledgements at the end of the book.  They are absolutely hilarious -- with footnotes.  Also, the author is the niece of prolific children's author Elizabeth Levy.  It's obvious she got her aunt's talent for writing humorous stories for children.

Comrads: Brothers, Fathers, Heroes, Sons, Pals

Comrads: Brothers, Fathers, Heroes, Sons, Pals
by Stephen E. Ambrose
139 pages

Stephen E. Ambrose, celebrated history writer, has composed a book on the special bond between male friends/family/comrades. He tells his own personal story of the family bonds between himself and his brothers and father. He explains the special relationship between Lewis and Clark, the explorers. Plus other notable Americans he has written about in the past.  

My Most Excellent Year: A Novel of Love, Mary Poppins & Fenway Park by Steve Kluger

My Most Excellent Year: A Novel of Love, Mary Poppins & Fenway Park by Steve Kluger - 403 pages

Even though one of the characters is a die-hard Red Sox fan, I really liked this book.  It was fun and magical to read.  It's the story of three friends during their freshman year told through diary entries, instant messaging, emails and memos.  Over the course of that year, one of the friends comes out and gets his first boyfriend, one determines that she wants to be an actress, and one finds a new little brother in a deaf child he befriends at a baseball game.  And then there are the quests in the book -- to build a baseball field at Manzanar, to exonerate ballplayer Buck Weaver of cheating, and to introduce Hucky to his idol Mary Poppins.  A fun book for all teens.