Carmela's Books

Kelly Quindlen has long been championing queer youth with her works, and She Drives Me Crazy is no exception. Funny, quirky, and deceptively smart, this book is a gem of a tribute to the tropes and cheesy nature of classic high school media. After losing spectacularly to her ex-girlfriend in their first game since their break up, Scottie Zajac gets into a fender bender with the worst possible person: her nemesis, the incredibly beautiful and incredibly mean Irene Abraham. Things only get worse when their nosey, do-gooder moms get involved and the girls are forced to carpool together until Irene’s car gets out of the shop. Their bumpy start only gets bumpier the more time they spend together. But when an opportunity presents itself for Scottie to get back at her toxic ex (and climb her school’s social ladder at the same time), she bribes Irene into playing along. Hijinks, heartbreak, and gay fake-dating scheme for the ages. From author Kelly Quindlen comes a new laugh-out-loud romp thr...

Blending a rivals-to-lovers romance with sports, mental health, and the NHL, Icebreaker is certainly one of the most unique and exciting releases I’ve seen so far this year. This book is a hidden gem—quick-paced and true to life with confident humor—and has cemented A.L. Graziadei as a new author I’m excited to follow.  Seventeen-year-old Mickey James III is a college freshman, a brother to five sisters, and a hockey legacy. With a father and a grandfather who have gone down in NHL history, Mickey is almost guaranteed the league's top draft spot. The only person standing in his way is Jaysen Caulfield, a contender for the #1 spot and Mickey's infuriating (and infuriatingly attractive) teammate. When rivalry turns to something more, Mickey will have to decide what he really wants, and what he's willing to risk for it. I’ve been wanting to read this book for months. When I say I’ve thought about Icebreaker near weekly since its release in January, I truly mean it. And, let ...