Review: Abby and the Cute One by Erin Butler

Title: Abby and the Cute One
Author: Erin Butler
Published: November 16th 2015
Source: Copy given by author for honest review
Genre: Young Adult Romance
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Caution: May contain spoilers

He's cute. He's famous. And he could ruin everything...

Every member of Seconds to Juliet has a girlfriend-except for Nathan Strong. Now the band's manager is leaning hard on "The Cute One" to play the role of the band's heartthrob. With the band's sales in decline, it's up to Nathan to keep the fans' fantasy alive.

The plan is to stage a fake relationship and a fake breakup, and then let the fans fight to be the one to mend Nathan's broken heart. Just one problem. There's another girl in the picture-one Nathan can't stay away from. In private, Nathan's stealing kisses with the band's new opening act, Abby Curtis.

If they're caught, no one wins. Abby will be fired, and the band might not recover the success they need to survive. But even with the pressure mounting, Nathan and Abby can't stop themselves from stealing one more touch, one more kiss. And it's only a matter of time before it all falls apart.

My Thoughts:

I have a mixture of excitement and sadness over the Backstage Pass series ending, but I'd say mostly excitement because the series has been great! Given there have been five different authors who contributed to the series, you'd think you would notice as you're reading, but you don't. All the authors did fab when it came to continuity and a similar feel.

Nathan is the last guy in the band without a girlfriend, and their manager wants to keep it that way so that fans stay interested. With one guy single, the girls can have their fantasy of ending up with him someday stay alive. Unfortunately for Nathan, he meets Abby and falls for her almost instantly. He has to keep up appearances for the sake of the band, pretending like he doesn't care for her when he does. It's an upsetting situation for them to be in, but they try to find a way around it together. When all their plans seem to fail, they aren't sure what to do. They want to be together, but how can it work?

Abby and the Cute One is adorable and has all the swoons and feels. From the start you can sense how Nathan and Abby are perfect for each other, how insane their connection is. So it tears you up when they face the obstacles because you know they're meant to be. Great book from Erin Butler, completing this series in the absolute best way possible.

My Rating:

Blog Tour and Review: Blackmail Boyfriend by Chris Cannon @ccannonauthor @entangledteen

Welcome to the Blackmail Boyfriend book tour!

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Title: Blackmail Boyfriend
Author: Chris Cannon
Published: August 11th 2015
Source: Copy given by author for honest review
Genre: Young Adult Romance
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Caution: May contain spoilers

Sometimes, blackmail is the only weapon a girl has…

Haley Patterson has had a crush on golden boy Bryce Colton for ages. But when she hears a rumor that he hooked up with her she gives him a choice: be her boyfriend for a month to show other guys that she’s dateable—despite her overprotective and very intimidating brothers—or deal with the angry, cage-fighting boyfriend of the girl he actually did hook up with.

Bryce didn’t know the other Haley even had a boyfriend. He was just trying to get his ex off his back. And now, not only is he being blackmailed, he's being blackmailed by an honor student. His new “girlfriend” has two three-legged dogs, her father mows grass at the country club, and she's…well, difficult. And different.

Can something so fake turn into something real?

My Thoughts:

I love to divert myself with a little bit of young adult every now and again, and the Entangled Crush line is where I turn to for some sweet, innocent romances. I picked up this one the other day and kept on reading because it was so cute. Bryce and Haley are two people who are stuck in a very bad position--Bryce because he hooked up with a girl who has a boyfriend and Haley because the girl he hooked up with shares her first name. Since he doesn't want to get beaten up by an angry boyfriend, he pretends it was her instead of the other girl. Haley isn't too thrilled about the school thinking this is true, so she blackmails him into being her boyfriend temporarily so that people won't think she's that kind of girl. As they spend time together in this fake relationship, they get to know the other person and care for them. When that caring grows into something more, will they be able to be honest about how they really feel?

Blackmail Boyfriend was a cute little tale with a sweet ending. I loved how the story incorporated Haley working at an animal shelter and how animals were featured throughout. Also, I enjoy how the families aren't perfect, and how the children choose to handle the things they learn and have to deal with when it comes to issues that arise. It burns me up the way Bryce's family treated his life, trying to take his choices away from him, but he steps up to be a man. It was great. Really enjoyed this story by Chris Cannon!

My Rating:

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About the Author

Chris Cannon lives in Southern Illinois with her husband and her three dogs, Pete the shih tzu who sleeps on her desk while she writes, Molly the ever-shedding yellow lab, and Tyson the sandwich-stealing German Shepherd Beagle. She believes coffee is the Elixir of Life. Most evenings after work, you can find her sucking down caffeine and writing fire-breathing paranormal adventures or snarky romantic comedies.

Author Links:
Website│Goodreads│Twitter│Facebook

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Excerpt

“We need to talk.” Bryce gave an exaggerated sigh.

“Okay.” I opened my bag of chips.

“I’m sorry, but there’s someone else.”

He wanted to break up with me in the cafeteria? Fat chance. I leaned toward him and touched his arm in a girlfriend sort of way. “If you planned to stage a public breakup with me, you can forget it.”
 

Amusement showed in his hazel eyes. “Think you can stop me?”

“Yes. First, I’m going to appeal to your sense of decency. I’m not a hook-up kind of girl. Thanks to you, the entire school thinks I am.”

He snagged a chip and popped it in his mouth. “Do you even date?”

Ouch. It’s hard to have an active social life when you have two older brothers who chase everyone away, which is why I need you to stick around and stop that cycle.”

“Sucks to be you.” He stole another chip.

“If you don’t go along with Operation Boyfriend Bait, I’ll go with plan B.”

His brows came together. “Ratting me out to Denny?”

“After he pummels you into the ground, people will definitely believe you slept with his Haley and not me, so doesn’t it make more sense to play this my way? We both win.”

Jane came back and took her seat. “What did I miss?”
 

“He’s trying to break up with me. I gave him two options.”

“You or dismemberment by Denny?” she guessed.

“Exactly.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “What will it be?”

“I pretend to be your boyfriend for a week, and you keep your mouth shut.”

“Two months,” Jane chimed in.

Bryce grabbed another chip. “One week and you can keep the Homecoming tickets.”

“Five weeks and you can have the Homecoming tickets back,” I countered.

“Two weeks,” he said. “And I don’t want the Homecoming tickets.”

“Four weeks.” He reached for another chip and I smacked his hand.

His mouth dropped open, and then he laughed. “That was not good girlfriend behavior.”

I pulled the bag of chips closer. “Landing me in detention was not good boyfriend behavior.”

He grinned all-knowingly. “You didn’t mind at the time.”

My face heated. “Whatever. I want four weeks, the Homecoming tickets, and a double date with Jane and Nathan.”

“Thank you.” Jane bounced in her chair.

“Thought I’d share the wealth.” I smiled at Bryce.

“And this should go without saying, but I expect you to play my monogamous boyfriend. When this is over, we’ll do a mutual breakup with no one to blame.”

He sat back and seemed to weigh his options. “Three weeks, keep the tickets, one double date, and a no-fault breakup. Deal?”

~*~

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Blog Tour and Review: Anya and the Shy Guy by Suze Winegardner @scwine @CrushCraveEP

Welcome to the Anya and the Shy Guy blog tour!

~*~

Title: Anya and the Shy Guy
Author: Suze Winegardner
Published: July 14th 2015
Source: Copy given by author for honest review
Genre: Young Adult Romance
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Caution: May contain spoilers

It’s always the quiet ones…

Anya Anderson doesn’t just need a big break, she needs any break. Living on the streets doesn’t leave a girl many options, so when she scores a gig reporting on the Seconds to Juliet tour, she jumps at the chance to earn enough money to sleep somewhere safe. And the paycheck will get bigger—and keep her off the streets for good—if she can dig up dirt on Will Fray, the irritatingly hot “shy guy” of the band.

Problem is, Will Fray isn't who everyone thinks he is. In fact, he’s not Will at all. Matt, Will's identical twin, is actually the guy onstage, reluctantly covering for his brother while he’s in rehab. To make matters worse, Matt’s being shadowed by a cute reporter with troubled eyes determined to get the scoop. On him. And he's having trouble finding the willpower to keep his distance…

But if the secret gets out, it won't just be his head on a platter—it’ll be the whole band’s.

This Entangled Teen Crush book contains steamy make out scenes, graphic language, and a love story so hot your copy may spontaneously burst into flames. You’ve been warned.

My Thoughts:

I freaking love this series! I love how this story continued with the main character not even being in the band Seconds to Juliet. I thought it was a great little twist to add to the awesomeness that is the Backstage Pass series.

Anya is hanging around on the tour so that she can interview Will and write blog posts about being on the tour. But Will is actually Matt, his twin brother, taking over temporarily while he's away. When Anya meets Matt, she's surprised at how talkative he is. I mean, he's supposed to be the shy one, right? They spend time together, talking interview questions and other things. The close quarters leads them to a kiss, then another kiss, and yet another. It's all extremely romantic and made me feel all giddy. But the secrets they each keep are about to come out. Can this budding romance go the distance or will the truth tear them apart?

Anya and the Shy Guy was adorable from the start! I absolutely fell for Matt--he was totally a swoonworthy book boyfriend. And my heart went out for Anya and what she was dealing with in her life. Then add in all my favorite boys always around throughout the book... it just can't get any better! Great installment by Suze Winegardner, and can't wait for the last book.

My Rating:

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About the author:

Suze Winegardner is an ex-pat Brit who quells her homesickness with Cadbury Flakes and Fray Bentos pies. She thinks her life is chock full of hoot, just a little bit of nanny. And if you get that reference, well, she already considers you kin.


She is represented by Laura Bradford, of the Laura Bradford Literary Agency,and writes for Entangled Publishing‘s Crush imprint.

She’s lived in London, Paris and New York, and has settled, for the time being, in North Carolina.

When not writing, Suze loves to travel with her military husband, and take long walks with their Lab.

Author Links:

Website│Goodreads│Twitter│Facebook

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Blog Tour and Review: Daisy and the Front Man by Rebekah L. Purdy

Welcome to the Daisy and the Front Man blog tour!

~*~

Title: Daisy and the Front Man
Author: Rebekah L. Purdy
Published: June 16th 2015
Source: Copy given by author for honest review
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
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Caution: May contain spoilers

Hell hath no fury like a fangirl scorned…

When Daisy Morris finds out she’s spending the summer with her dad, bodyguard for Seconds to Juliet—the hottest boy band around—she knows it couldn't be more perfect. But not because she’s a fan. Oh, no. Because ever since front man Trevin Jacobs completely humiliated her by standing her up for homecoming, Daisy is out for a little revenge. Yup, Trevin Jacobs is goin' down...

When one of his bandmates bets Trevin he can't make Daisy—the gorgeous but surprisingly ice-cold daughter of their bodyguard—fall in love with him, it’s a bet he can’t resist. Sure, Daisy won’t give him the time of day for reasons he can't understand, and her dad’s hell-bent against his little girl spending time with a superstar. But the terms are set, and Trevin is determined to make Daisy fall…hard.

But every front man should know never to trust a girl with a pretty face…

My Thoughts:

This is my third Entangled Crush novel, and let's just say it's not going to be my last. I'm really enjoying the Backstage Pass series and meeting all the guys in the band. After reading Mia and the Bad Boy, I knew I had to get my hands on the rest of this series ASAP.

Daisy isn't too happy about tagging along with her dad on the Seconds to Juliet tour. She won a contest before to have Trevin escort her to homecoming, but he stood her up last minute and she's never forgotten. Once she's there, she realizes she has the chance for revenge. Unfortunately for Daisy, Trevin places a bet to get her to fall for him. She doesn't make it easy at first, but then she realizes her revenge could include leading him on. Somewhere along the way, they are discovering the other isn't as bad as they originally thought.

Daisy and the Front Man was a super sweet novel! Both Daisy and Trevin were amusing together, and so adorable. Not to mention all the other band mates--I can't stop giggling over all the humor throughout. I can't wait for the next Backstage Pass novel, and to see what else Rebekah L. Purdy has in store.

My Rating:

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Author Bio

Rebekah was born and raised in Michigan where she spent many late nights armed with a good book and a flashlight. She’s lived in Michigan most of her life other than the few years she spent in the U.S. Army. At which time she got a chance to experience Missouri, Kansas, South Carolina, and California. Rebekah has a business degree from University of Phoenix and currently works full time for the court system. In her free time she writes YA stories, anything from YA Fantasy to YA Contemporary Romance. Rebekah also has a big family (6 kids) she likes to consider her family as the modern day Brady Bunch complete with crazy road trips and game nights. When not hiding at her computer, Rebekah enjoys reading, singing, soccer, swimming, football, camping, playing video games, traveling, and hanging out with her family and gazillion pets.

Website: http://rebekahlpurdy.wordpress.com/  

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/RebekahLPurdy  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rebekahlpurdyauthor  

 

YA Bound Book Tours

Review: Center Ice by Cate Cameron

Title: Center Ice
Author: Cate Cameron
Published: May 19th 2015
Source: Copy given by author for honest review
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
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Caution: May contain spoilers

The hometown hockey hero won’t know what hit him…

Karen Webber is in small-town hell. After her mother’s death, she moved to Corrigan Falls to live with strangers—her dad and his perfect, shiny new family—and there doesn’t seem to be room for a city girl with a chip on her shoulder. The only person who makes her feel like a real human being is Tyler MacDonald.

But Karen isn’t interested in starting something with a player. And that’s all she keeps hearing about Tyler.

Corrigan Falls is a hockey town, and Tyler’s the star player. But the viselike pressure from his father and his agent are sending him dangerously close to the edge. All people see is hockey—except Karen. Now they’ve managed to find something in each other that they both desperately need. And for the first time, Tyler is playing for keeps…

My Thoughts:

This is my second Entangled Crush book... and will most certainly not be the last. I went into it expecting a sweet little romantic story, and ended up discovering there was so much more below the surface.

Karen has moved from the big city to a small town to live with her father after her mother died. She hasn't had anything to do with him all her life, but now she's forced into it. It's not easy for any of them to adjust to, especially her step-mom, Natalie, and her half-siblings. Stories are being told all over town about Karen, the new arrival to the family, along with some not-so-nice rumors about her family. The transition isn't easy, but Karen finds a friend in Tyler when he rescues her from a squirrel (completely hilarious and adorable scene, by the way). The two of them have this level of understanding, and they each grow throughout the story.

Center Ice was brilliant squared. I mean, I was so enraptured by this book--the romance, the emotion, the overall feel of learning about life--the author did an amazing job. I caught myself tearing up numerous times, my heart going out to Karen and her family and even Tyler. Karen was a great protagonist--she was real, like REALLY real--not a pushover and willing to stand up for herself and speak her mind regardless of how anyone reacts. Cate Cameron has definitely made her way up there when it comes to authors for me. Amazing job--keep them coming!

My Rating:

Review: Mia and the Bad Boy by Lisa Burstein

Title: Mia and the Bad Boy
Author: Lisa Burstein
Published: May 19th 2015
Source: Copy given by author for honest review
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
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Caution: May contain spoilers

This good girl’s about to meet her match…

Ryder Brooks is living the dream—he’s famous, loved by millions of girls, and miserable. All he really wants is to write his own music, not Seconds to Juliet’s sugary sweet pop. In order to do that, though, the “bad boy” of the band will have to play by the rules. And that includes behaving with his new—and super cute—über-good-girl tutor.

Mia Reyes is in fangirl heaven. Tutoring her favorite member of her favorite band? It’s a dream come true…until it turns into a complete nightmare. Ryder is nothing like she thought. He’s crude, arrogant, and pretty much a total jerk. And the worst part? She’s roped into pretending to be his girlfriend so that no one finds out he’s being tutored. Fake kisses, plenty of PDA, and even sharing his hotel room…

But sometimes even the baddest of bad boys needs a little redemption.

My Thoughts:

It's been a long time since I've read a YA (at least, one that wasn't about to come out on the big screen). When I saw this one and learned about Entangled's new YA line, Crush, I was intrigued. It almost has a feel of NA in it--the main characters are under 18, but the theme is a little more mature. So, I was sold...and I devoured the story!

Mia gets the opportunity to tutor Ryder in his studies while he tours. Unfortunately, Ryder doesn't want anyone to know he has a tutor, so he asks her to pretend to be his girlfriend. She's less than psyched about this prospect, but goes along with it. It isn't as difficult as they thought it would be--just pretend to be together around the band, then spend their alone time studying. As they spend more and more time alone, they get to talking and get to know each other. Pretty soon, they realize there's more to their relationship than just tutoring. But Mia isn't sure if Ryder is the kind of guy willing to settle down with one girl.

Mia and the Bad Boy is what the young adult genre should be made of! A story full of heart and humor with the right mixture of romance throughout. I loved the friendship that blossoms between Mia and Ryder, and seeing it develop into more. I will absolutely be reading more from the Crush line, and more of Lisa Burstein!

My Rating:

Review: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins *spoilers*

Title: Mockingjay
Author: Suzanne Collins
Published: August 14th 2010
Source: Purchased
Genre: Young Adult Dystopian
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Caution: Will contain spoilers

My name is Katniss Everdeen.
Why am I not dead?
I should be dead.

Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived, even though her home has been destroyed. Gale has escaped. Katniss's family is safe. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. District 13 really does exist. There are rebels. There are new leaders. A revolution is unfolding.

It is by design that Katniss was rescued from the arena in the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell, and it is by design that she has long been part of the revolution without knowing it. District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to overthrow the Capitol. Everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plans--except Katniss.

The success of the rebellion hinges on Katniss's willingness to be a pawn, to accept responsibility for countless lives, and to change the course of the future of Panem. To do this, she must put aside her feelings of anger and distrust. She must become the rebels' Mockingjay--no matter what the personal cost.

My Thoughts:

When I first started blogging, this book had just been released and there were seriously reviews of it everywhere. It was hard to avoid. Back then, I hadn't gotten into the dystopian genre yet, and I wasn't really interested in the series. So unfortunately, I read reviews with spoilers. The weird thing is, it didn't taint my reading the book this year. I knew some of what was going to happen, and I expected to not really like it...but I actually DID like it.

Seeing what happened to Katniss, essentially PTSD, was heartbreaking to me. I can't even imagine being in her shoes. And then add on Peeta's brainwashing and I'm just so angry. SO ANGRY. The rebellion itself is just intense all around. The growth Katniss has experienced throughout this whole ordeal is nothing short of amazing. Once you reach the end, you're so full of emotion it's hard to keep it contained. And I have to say, the epilogue was brilliant, bringing everything full circle and giving you something you never thought possible for them: hope.

Mockingjay was, to me, a realistic portrayal of how you would expect this world of Panem to play out. Yes, people die; yes, your heart is ripped from you. But, this trilogy wasn't meant to have everyone survive and live happily ever after. There's just too much wrong with the system for everything to happen the way you want it to. While I know a lot of people were unhappy with how it played out, I can honestly say that the end--while heartbreaking--was well written. Suzanne Collins definitely made this series go out with a bang.

My Rating:

Review: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Title: The Fault In Our Stars
Author: John Green
Published: January 1st 2012
Source: Purchased
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
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Caution: May contain spoilers

Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.

Insightful, bold, irreverent, and raw, The Fault in Our Stars is award-winning author John Green's most ambitious and heartbreaking work yet, brilliantly exploring the funny, thrilling, and tragic business of being alive and in love.

My Thoughts:

Well, I finally got caught up on the bandwagon right before the movie came out in theaters, which was a good thing. I kinda like knowing what I'm getting into before I see a movie. And I have to say, my book reading experience versus movie watching experience was a little different.

I did enjoy the book, but I actually liked the movie a lot more. Maybe it was because of how well the movie was made, I'm not sure. All the important elements from the book were portrayed as they should have been. The story itself... John Green is nothing short of genius when it comes to these kinds of stories. They're DIFFERENT and in the best and worst ways possible. If that makes sense. It makes sense to me. What I mean is that he takes an idea and he runs with it, and often with unique characters and circumstances. That's why he's a genius. Augustus and Hazel are perfectly and imperfectly paired, and their story is TIMELESS. Better than Romeo and Juliet. Yep, I said it.

The Fault In Our Stars is a brilliantly told love story. I don't know how else to describe it. When I read the book, I teared up off and on, but I didn't full on cry... I'm not sure why that is. After watching the movie, seeing it brought to life and bawling my eyes out, well, I'd probably cry if I read it again. In any case, if you haven't read the book/seen the movie--grab your tissues and hold on tight. Because THE FEELS. You will be feeling many feels.

My Rating:

Review: The End of Feeling by Cindy C. Bennett

Title: The End Of Feeling
Author: Cindy C. Bennett
Published: March 31st 2014
Source: Copy given by author for honest review
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
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Caution: May contain spoilers

Benjamin Nefer seems to have it all. He’s the most popular guy in school, the star quarterback with college scouts looking at him, his grades are near the top of his class, he can get any girl he wants . . . but he hides behind his dream life to mask the nightmare of his reality.

Charlie Austin is the new girl. Forced to move in with a bitter aunt, she only wants to protect her fragile mom from the world’s cruelty. When Benjamin sets his sights on Charlie, she’s armored against his charm—friends warned her about Benjamin’s game of pursuing and then dumping a long line of girls, not caring about the broken hearts he leaves behind. She doesn’t count on how single-minded he can be when she refuses him, or how charismatic, easing into her life through what he claims is just friendship.

Benjamin thought he could keep Charlie in the same place he keeps all girls—something to be used and then discarded. But Charlie has as many secrets as he does, secrets he’s determined to discover while keeping his own hidden. He realizes she’s the perfect girlfriend candidate . . . someone he can use to keep up the façade of a perfect life. Now he just has to keep his frozen heart from softening toward this unique girl, because if he doesn’t, his carefully constructed lies might just come thundering down around him, crushing him beneath the burden of feeling.

My Thoughts:

It's no secret that every time I read a book by Cindy C. Bennett, I fall in love with it. I honestly have no idea how I'm even going to write this review because there are just no words to explain how wonderful this story is. I can't remember where my eyes became so glued to the page, but once they did, I was up for hours after my bedtime wanting to know what happens, needing to know.

On the surface, Benjamin seems like a player, and everyone warns Charlie to be careful with him. But Benjamin can't keep away from her, so they become friends. Of course, as much as they try to deny it or pretend, they aren't just friends. The reality of where their friendship is leading is coming to the forefront... and the parts of their lives they've hoped to remain a secret might not stay hidden anymore. They fall for each other, slowly and beautifully.

The End Of Feeling is achingly beautiful. The relationship between Benjamin and Charlie from friends to possibly more than friends was full of emotion. Their lives are different than others, and I loved how Cindy developed them, and the story. The secrets surprised me, but the way Benjamin and Charlie handle it makes me want to hug them ten times over. I don't think it's possible to adore a story more. You must read and find out for yourself. Seriously.

My Rating:

Review: After the Storm by Marie Landry

Title: After the Storm
Author: Marie Landry
Published: April 9th 2014
Source: Copy given by author for honest review
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
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Caution: May contain spoilers

For most people, starting senior year at a new high school would be a nightmare, but for Ella O’Dell it’s the new beginning she desperately needs. Two months after her mother’s death, she’s ready to leave behind the rebellious, unhappy person she became when she found out her mom was dying.

When Ella meets River Maracle and Sadie Fitzgerald, she begins to learn it’s okay to be herself, even if that means being different. River and Sadie aren’t ashamed of their misfit status—River grew up on a reservation, and his mother is the school counselor; Sadie stands out with her funky homemade clothes, and is a master at ignoring the whispered rumors that have plagued her since the beginning of high school.

Ella finds a kindred spirit in Sadie, and something more in River. After almost a year of pretending to be someone she’s not, she finally embraces life and allows herself to have fun without constant guilt. But despite her budding happiness, something is off with her new life. She doesn’t want to dwell on the past, but Angel Island is a small place, and she soon realizes her demons are harder to outrun than she thought…

After the Storm is a standalone companion novel to Waiting for the Storm

My Thoughts:

Welcome to awesome. I mean, hey! You guys! It's time to talk about After the Storm. This is the... *counts* ...5th book (full-length and novella) that I've read by Marie. And like a good bottle of wine, her writing continues to get better as times goes on. ATS is the second book in the Angel Island series, and follows Waiting for the Storm. WFTS is Charlotte's story, but in ATS we get to see things from Ella's POV.

Going in, I already knew I was going to need a tissue (or two or three). Ella has been through a lot, and her eyes have seen a lot. She's learning how to be a better person again after spending so much time being terrible to everyone she came in contact with. It's still a struggle to refrain from turning into that person she was, but she's fighting it. Seeing Ella go through this, thinking back on the past and wishing for something different, I could feel her pain and frustration.

We meet some new people in ATS: some great, some not-so-great. I'm going to focus on the great. Ella's new best friends, Sadie and River, are wonderful. I loved seeing Ella become friends with Sadie--it was genuine and a true friendship, unlike Ella's previous friends over the years. And Ella and River, that was truly amazing. My favorite part of this budding romance was that it was realistic and honest, not just thrown together because they were in the same vicinity or met through friends. They had a true connection, a friendship that developed into something much deeper.

After the Storm takes you on a journey through the spectrum of emotion. You feel the loss, the regret, the hope, the pain, the love. And you can't help but connect to Ella. Marie Landry is a superb writer who knows how to create fictional characters that feel like real people. I don't think it will be possible, ever, to not love a story written by her. This one is another must read.

My Rating:

Review: Allegiant by Veronica Roth

Title: Allegiant
Author: Veronica Roth
Published: October 22nd 2013
Source: Purchased
Genre: Young Adult Dystopian
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Caution: May contain spoilers

The faction-based society that Tris Prior once believed in is shattered—fractured by violence and power struggles and scarred by loss and betrayal. So when offered a chance to explore the world past the limits she’s known, Tris is ready. Perhaps beyond the fence, she and Tobias will find a simple new life together, free from complicated lies, tangled loyalties, and painful memories.

But Tris’s new reality is even more alarming than the one she left behind. Old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless. Explosive new truths change the hearts of those she loves. And once again, Tris must battle to comprehend the complexities of human nature—and of herself—while facing impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice, and love.

Told from a riveting dual perspective, Allegiant, by #1 New York Times best-selling author Veronica Roth, brings the Divergent series to a powerful conclusion while revealing the secrets of the dystopian world that has captivated millions of readers in Divergent and Insurgent.

My Thoughts:

Okay, you guys, here goes nothing. *deep breath* After devouring Insurgent when it was released, I couldn't wait to see how it was all going to end. I was super stoked, like SUPER stoked, because I loved how the Divergent series was. It's the one that had me the most captivated of all the series I've gotten into. When the final book came out, I had to get it. Even though so many people were giving mixed reviews (mostly negative), I crossed my fingers that I wouldn't want to throw the book out the window.

Unfortunately, crossing my fingers didn't prevent this.

*heavy sigh* Anyone who has read the book will know all the reasons why it fell short of being amazing. I won't get all spoiler-y, because I don't like to when I'm able to. The bottom line, for me, is that the story just wasn't well-developed, it was sloppy, and nothing seemed to lead to anywhere definitive. The world was a hot mess, and the relationship between Tris and Tobias was a downhill battle with very few positive plateaus. It was nice to read from both of their POVs, but I would start reading a new chapter and sometimes have to check to see whether it was Tris or Tobias. And the very end? Yep. Book. Out. Window.

I gave Allegiant two stars (on Goodreads) because it didn't suck entirely. If it didn't end the way it did, I may have given it three, but even THAT is iffy. I get why Veronica Roth ended it the way she did, I really do; it fits personality profiles and whatnot, but it doesn't make it any less frustrating. It would have just been nice to have a decent ending to a trilogy and not have it end poorly for once.

My Rating:

Review: The Almost Girl by Amalie Howard

Title: The Almost Girl
Author: Amalie Howard
Published: January 7th 2014
Source: Copy given by author for honest review
Genre: Young Adult Dystopian
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Caution: May contain spoilers

Seventeen-year-old Riven is as tough as they come. Coming from a world ravaged by a devastating android war, she has to be. There’s no room for softness, no room for emotion, no room for mistakes. A Legion General, she is the right hand of the young Prince of Neospes, a parallel universe to Earth. In Neospes, she has everything: rank, responsibility and respect. But when Prince Cale sends her away to find his long-lost brother, Caden, who has been spirited back to modern day Earth, Riven finds herself in uncharted territory.

Thrown out of her comfort zone but with the mindset of a soldier, Riven has to learn how to be a girl in a realm that is the opposite of what she knows. Riven isn’t prepared for the beauty of a world that is unlike her own in so many ways. Nor is she prepared to feel something more than indifference for the very target she seeks. Caden is nothing like Cale, but he makes something in her come alive, igniting a spark deep down that goes against every cell in her body. For the first time in her life, Riven isn’t sure about her purpose, about her calling. Torn between duty and desire, she must decide whether Caden is simply a target or whether he is something more.

Faced with hideous reanimated Vector soldiers from her own world with agendas of their own, as well as an unexpected reunion with a sister who despises her, it is a race against time to bring Caden back to Neospes. But things aren’t always as they seem, and Riven will have to search for truth. Family betrayals and royal coups are only the tip of the iceberg. Will Riven be able to find the strength to defy her very nature? Or will she become the monstrous soldier she was designed to be?

My Thoughts:

It's been awhile since I've been interested in a new dystopian YA novel. I don't even know what it was that attracted me to this one. Maybe it was in the synopsis, or the loveliness of the cover. Either way, it was a nice change of pace for me, and it reminded me of when I first started to love YA.

Riven was my kind of girl: very strong, not just in action but also on the inside. While there was romance, which I'll get to in a second, there was a lot more when it comes to the world and the characters that kept the story together. The depth of the world was difficult for me to follow, but written well. It had me wanting to punch people, but that always happens in dystopias, right? But, let's talk about Caden. Sweet Caden. It's funny, I always have to have some sort of romantic element to keep me tied into books like this. Otherwise I get bored. I like feeling the romantic tension between the characters, and that was definitely there between Riven and Caden. Oh man... the kiss. THE KISS. Wow.

The Almost Girl was a pretty good read. Riven is someone you want to be, and Caden is someone you want to love. Amalie Howard has written a very intriguing dystopian tale. It's nice to get back to my YA roots and I'm glad I picked this one up.

My Rating:

Review: Kiss Me Again by Rachel Vail

Title: Kiss Me Again
Author: Rachel Vail
Published: December 5th 2012
Source: Library
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
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Caution: May contain spoilers

He closed the distance I'd opened up between us and kissed me lightly on the lips. "Maybe we can just be," Kevin whispered.

Charlie Collins doesn't know what to do about Kevin Lazarus, her crush and, awkwardly, her new stepbrother. Things were complicated enough when their parents were only dating and when Kevin was going out with Charlie's best friend, Tess. Now, post-wedding, Charlie and Kevin are crossing paths and crossing lines, and then they have to eat breakfast . . . together.

If only Charlie could get some time away from Kevin and her annoyingly happy and strange stepfamily, she might be able to deal. Yet first she has to make things right with George, her sort-of boyfriend, and Tess, whose trust she broke. But while Charlie struggles to be the perfect friend and daughter, at the end of the day Kevin is the one waiting for her at home. Would it really be so bad if they kissed again?

The follow-up to If We Kiss, Rachel Vail's addictive story of first kisses and heartbreak, Kiss Me Again at long last answers the question of what happens when a crush so off-limits it has to be a fantasy suddenly becomes something very real.

My Thoughts:

This book. Oh my. Okay, so I've been saying off and on about how YA has been kinda "meh" for me as of late. However, this one really had me involved in the story, sitting on the edge of my seat, and pining away for the love to happen.

I read If We Kiss awhile ago and it was one of those absolutely adorable stories. I imagined myself as Charlie and felt all those feelings about what would happen if I kissed Kevin. And then we're taken down that path again in Kiss Me Again, a story I never expected to see written. If We Kiss had been written in a way that seemed like the story had been told. Little did I know, the story wasn't over. Having it continue was a brilliant idea, and I loved to see Charlie and Kevin again, and watch their chemistry unfold over and over again... Oh SWOON.

Kiss Me Again is a worthwhile sequel to a just as great first book. I will admit that yes, I picked this one up a few times JUST to reread the kissing scenes. I mean, the title is Kiss Me Again, why wouldn't they be good? Am I right? Just go out there and get your hands on both If We Kiss and then Kiss Me Again. Rachel Vail knows how to write young adult right and I will keep reading her books.

My Rating:

Review: To Be Perfectly Honest: A Novel Based on an Untrue Story by Sonya Sones

Title: To Be Perfectly Honest
Author: Sonya Sones
Published: August 27th 2013
Source: Library
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
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Caution: May contain spoilers

Her friends
have a joke about her:
How can you tell if Colette is lying?

Her mouth is open.

Fifteen-year-old Colette is addicted to lying. Her shrink says this is because she’s got a very bad case of Daughter-of-a-famous-movie-star Disorder—so she lies to escape out from under her mother’s massive shadow. But Colette doesn’t see it that way. She says she lies because it’s the most fun she can have with her clothes on. Not that she’s had that much fun with her clothes off. At least not yet, anyway…

When her mother drags her away from Hollywood to spend the entire summer on location in a boring little town in the middle of nowhere, Colette is less than thrilled. But then she meets a sexy biker named Connor. He’s older, gorgeous, funny, and totally into her. So what if she lies to him about her age, and about who her mother is? I mean, she has to keep her mother’s identity a secret from him. If he finds out who she really is, he’ll forget all about Colette, and start panting and drooling and asking her for her mother’s autograph. Just like everyone always does.

But what Colette doesn’t know is that Connor is keeping a secret of his own…

My Thoughts:

I really adore Sonya Sones and her books in verse. Every one that I've picked up, I have loved and own all of them. When I heard there was FINALLY going to be a new one by her, I was so stoked! You have no idea. So when I saw it on the shelf at the library, I snatched it even though I already had way too many books to read. I wanted to read this one that bad.

At first I was kinda like, "Eh? Okay..." But then when she met and started seeing more of Connor everything changed for me. I started feeling very swoony. I felt more invested in Colette and her situation and wanted her to reach a point of clarity. The seriousness of the lies made it feel like more than just a nice little story. When everything came down in the end, it wasn't what I was expecting but I was very satisfied with the moral learned.

To Be Perfectly Honest had its cute moments and funny moments. Sonya Sones had me hooked and reeled me in. The story appeared to be light and very YA on the surface but had a lot more to it in the end. I would definitely recommend this one for anyone who wants an honest and realistic YA novel.

My Rating:

Review: Smoke by Ellen Hopkins

Title: Smoke
Author: Ellen Hopkins
Published: September 10th 2013
Source: Library
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
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Caution: WILL contain some spoilers from the first book

Pattyn Von Stratten’s father is dead, and Pattyn is on the run. After far too many years of abuse at the hands of her father, and after the tragic loss of her beloved Ethan and their unborn child, Pattyn is desperate for peace. Only her sister Jackie knows what happened that night, but she is stuck at home with their mother, who clings to normalcy by allowing the truth to be covered up by their domineering community leaders. Her father might be finally gone, but without Pattyn, Jackie is desperately isolated. Alone and in disguise, Pattyn starts a new life, but is it even possible to rebuild a life when everything you’ve known has burned to ash and lies seem far safer than the truth?

My Thoughts:

Burned was the first Ellen Hopkins book I read. It was quite an experience for me, completely new and tragic and wonderfully written. I was compelled, and it being written in verse had me completely sucked in and added to the emotions evoked. When I heard there would be a sequel, I was so excited and yet a little bit worried. If you have read Burned, you know what I'm talking about (if you haven't read Burned but are interested in it, please do not keep reading this review because there are somewhat spoilers). Unfortunately, my worries were justified.

With the tragedy that happened at the end of the first book, I had a feeling I knew how this book would go, and I wasn't wrong. Maybe the story needed to be told, maybe not. Seeing what happened after was unnecessary. It did tie the story up instead of leaving you hanging. By the end I felt a lot better because there was redemption and resolution for some of it. You can't fix everything and that's why I do love Ellen Hopkins. She is explicit about the facts and the whys and not all things are perfect or can be fixed entirely.

Smoke didn't completely live up to my expectations. I found myself irritated throughout the majority of the story. The religious views kill me, they really do. I like Burned by itself, and I would recommend that book up and down to anyone who wants a very serious novel to read. But when you do read Burned, it's a toss up as to whether I would tell you to read the sequel. If you really want to know what happens next, go for it. If you don't want to know, you're not missing much.

My Rating:

Review: Like Mandarin by Kirsten Hubbard

Title: Like Mandarin
Author: Kirsten Hubbard
Published: March 8th 2011
Source: Won in a giveaway
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
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Caution: May contain spoilers

It's hard finding beauty in the badlands of Washokey, Wyoming, but 14-year-old Grace Carpenter knows it's not her mother's pageant obsessions, or the cowboy dances adored by her small-town classmates. True beauty is wild-girl Mandarin Ramey: 17, shameless and utterly carefree. Grace would give anything to be like Mandarin.

When they're united for a project, they form an unlikely, explosive friendship, packed with nights spent skinny-dipping in the canal, liberating the town's animal-head trophies, and searching for someplace magic. Grace plays along when Mandarin suggests they run away together. Blame it on the crazy-making wildwinds plaguing their Badlands town.

Because all too soon, Grace discovers Mandarin's unique beauty hides a girl who's troubled, broken, and even dangerous. And no matter how hard Grace fights to keep the magic, no friendship can withstand betrayal.

My Thoughts:

When you read a synopsis like that, you know you're going to be taken on a journey. Those stories, to me, are amazing. A journey into a new perspective, a new take on life. That's what this one gives.

Grace is already to a point of frustration when Mandarin becomes part of her life. Grace is afraid of stepping out there, but Mandarin's carefree (and sometimes careless) spirit causes her to take a step. Grace is swept into a different world with Mandarin, one that takes her away from the world she once knew. While Mandarin has a new view on life, and a desire for something better outside Washokey, she's got this other side to her, one that is a little bit off-kilter. There's something dark about her, but at the same time you want to scoop her up because you know she's dark because of something. Grace tries to ignore it since she wants so much to be like Mandarin, but sometimes ignoring signs can have consequences.

Like Mandarin was very much in the style of Kirsten Hubbard--hard not to love. I could feel Grace's struggles of pleasing people and desiring to really live and go outside your box. It's a deep story with twists and it's just perfect in its imperfection.

My Rating: