I was really sad that Maia was found out so early on. The romance level is appropriate for the book and I was content with the cute overload. It’s refreshing to have a YA book that has cute love stories without millions of smut scenes. There are kisses and swoon-worthy moments and I was here for all of it. This is definitely a slow-burner and I wasn’t disappointed with the lack of smut. You won’t be disappointed with Maia or her tasks. I felt like I was on my own quest to find magical fabrics for dresses. They’re high-stakes, full of magic, and INTENSE. It doesn’t take long for Maia to be discovered and for her epic journey to begin.

Not going to lie, the first 12 pages or so are the first 5 minutes of any Disney movie, so prepare for the tragic backstory and lots of tears. Mix it all together with the “girl becomes boy to get what she wants” trope and you have all the makings of an awesome Disney fairytale-esque story. There are MAGICAL GLASS SLIPPERS, a MAGICAL CARPET RIDE, and a high-key reference to a trapped GENIE. Just know you’ll have to wait for Fall 2020 for Book 2! The Good Disney Vibes If you love Mulan, Cinderella, Aladdin, or any of the Disney classics, you’ll love Lim’s take with her Project Runway twist. Spin the Dawn is a Disney fairytale wrapped up in an EPIC fantasy box. She’s sent on a daunting, epic journey on behalf of the King and takes along a magical sidekick in hopes of making it out alive. Of course, Maia gets caught, and all hell breaks loose. There’s just one catch: Maia is one of twelve tailors vying for the job. She knows her life is forfeit if her secret is discovered, but she’ll take that risk to achieve her dream and save her family from ruin. When a royal messenger summons her ailing father, once a tailor of renown, to court, Maia poses as a boy and takes his place. Maia Tamarin dreams of becoming the greatest tailor in the land, but as a girl, the best she can hope for is to marry well.

Spin the dawn 2