Book Review: The Little Bee by Nicola Killen

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The Little Bee  by Nicola Killen  is a children's picture book about a girl name Ollie who follows a bee to a magical, secret garden. But, the next day, the beautiful garden was gone, and the little girl misses her new friends. What will she do? This beautiful book has an expected publication date of May 5, 2026. I'd like to thank NetGalley, Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing, and Beach Lane Books for approving my request for a digital Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of The Little Bee . I received a copy for free in exchange for my honest review. Nicola Killen wrote such a beautifully worded story that I found myself immersed in the story, and I'm not even the target audience. It's a charming tale that should encourage children to explore nature and make them want to plant their own secret garden.  Equally beautiful were the illustrations. I found myself taking the time to actually look a the pictures as I read. It's a great story to read   at bedtime  with ch...
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Book Review: Love Shack (Ocean City, #2) by Katherine Applegate

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Love Shack (Ocean City, #2) by Katherine Applegate

Love Shack (Ocean City, #2) by Katherine Applegate opens with Grace thinking being on her own would fix all of her problems. Kate is still in love with Justin but worries she can't compete with his ex. Chelsea learns to stand up for herself, but is she ready for someone like Connor? Find out in Katherine Applegate's Love Shack.

Since I reread Ocean City (Ocean City, #1) by Katherine Applegate, I decided to continue with the series and picked up Love Shack (Ocean City, #2). Even though I’ve read this series at least twice before, I honestly didn’t remember much of the story, so revisiting it felt almost like experiencing it for the first time.

The central theme in this second installment is alcoholism, portrayed through the character Grace. Applegate illustrates the internal struggles of someone battling addiction ... the relentless craving, the repeated failures, and the realization that true recovery must come from within. Even with the support of others, a person with an addiction must truly want to change. While I personally found it surprising that an eighteen-year-old is already grappling with alcoholism given that drug experimentation seems more common at that age, the depiction serves as a poignant teaching moment for teens. It would have been especially helpful if the publisher or editors had included resources such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Al-Anon for teens facing similar challenges.

Young Adult Book Review of Love Shack (Ocean City, #2) by Katherine Applegate
Love Shack also touches on several important underlying themes, including illegal immigration, racism, premarital sex, sexual advances, and suicide. The exploration of illegal immigration is subtle but effective, giving readers a glimpse into the fear and constant vigilance experienced by those who have no choice but to live in hiding. This perspective may resonate with teens who haven’t personally encountered these circumstances, encouraging empathy and reflection.

Themes of racism, sexual advances, and suicide are present but somewhat underdeveloped. Applegate presents these challenges realistically without sensationalizing them, leaving room for readers to reflect on how they might respond in similar situations. I found her treatment of premarital sex particularly responsible, emphasizing safe practices, which is an important lesson for teens and young adults.

One of the more humorous moments comes when Kate’s parents unexpectedly show up at her rental house, leading to a discussion about her boyfriend, Justin. Her father jokingly calls the place a “sleazy love shack,” which immediately reminded me of the B-52’s song. This scene also transitions into a serious conversation about why Kate’s older sister committed suicide, highlighting another crucial real-life issue. Once again, a note from the publisher with suicide prevention resources would have been invaluable for young readers encountering these topics.

Overall, Katherine Applegate delivers an engaging and thoughtful story in Love Shack (Ocean City, #2). The book kept me hooked from start to finish, even as an adult revisiting it. Unfortunately, the themes, alcoholism, mental health struggles, racism, and social challenges remain highly relevant to today’s youth, making this series both relatable and meaningful. Tweens and teens will likely see themselves in these characters, while adults can appreciate the nuanced exploration of difficult topics. I gave it five out of five stars.

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