Book Review- The Twelve Days of Dash & Lily

I just finished reading The Twelve Days of Dash & Lily by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan for an Around the World ARC Tour.

From Goodreads:

New York Times bestselling authors Rachel Cohn and David Levithan are back with a life-affirming Christmas romance starring Dash and Lily.
 
Dash and Lily have had a tough year since readers first watched the couple fall in love. Lily’s beloved grandfather suffered a heart attack, and his difficult road to recovery has taken a major toll on her typically sunny disposition. 
 
With only twelve days left until Christmas—Lily’s favorite time of the year—Dash, Lily’s brother Langston, and their closest friends take Manhattan by storm to help Lily recapture the holiday magic of New York City in December. 
 
Told in alternating chapters, The Twelve Days of Dash & Lilyreunites two beloved characters and is bound to be a Christmas favorite, season after season.

Who doesn't love a good Christmas book in August?? (I know I read an ARC so it won't be released until closer to the holiday season).  I love the holidays so I'm up for a holiday themed-book any time of the year!

This book kept me entertained.  It wasn't necessarily deep but it wasn't completely light either.  It was perfectly somewhere in the middle.

I liked Lily more this go round.  I thought she was more real and more depth.  And Dash got on my nerves this time.  He didn't seem as invested as Lily and there were several things he did that made me question if he really was as into the relationship as she was.  

But all ends as it should and kept this reader quite happy.

I gave this book a rating of 3.5/5.

The Twelve Days of Dash & Lily will be released on October 18, 2016.

*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Around the World Tours. 

Book Review- What Light

 reading What Light by Jay Asher last night for an Around the World ARC Tour.

From Goodreads:

Sierra's family runs a Christmas tree farm in Oregon—it's a bucolic setting for a girl to grow up in, except that every year, they pack up and move to California to set up their Christmas tree lot for the season. So Sierra lives two lives: her life in Oregon and her life at Christmas. And leaving one always means missing the other. 

Until this particular Christmas, when Sierra meets Caleb, and one life eclipses the other.

By reputation, Caleb is not your perfect guy: years ago, he made an enormous mistake and has been paying for it ever since. But Sierra sees beyond Caleb's past and becomes determined to help him find forgiveness and, maybe, redemption. As disapproval, misconceptions, and suspicions swirl around them, Caleb and Sierra discover the one thing that transcends all else: true love.

What Light is a love story that's moving and life-affirming and completely unforgettable.

I read one of the authors more famous books a few years ago and wasn't a fan of it like everyone else was.  So I was skeptical going into this one.  I have to say, I enjoyed this one more.

A plot of living in two cities during the year because of your family business was an interesting one.  I can't imagine having two lives each year.  Sierra and Caleb were a cute couple but Caleb had a secret from his past. I'm all about second chances, but his mistake was pretty serious.  I'm not so sure most parents would be understanding.

The story ended sweetly, but I could easily see room for a sequel.  And I'd gladly pick it up to read.

I gave this book a rating of 3.5/5.

What Light will be released on October 18, 2016.

*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Around the World Tours. 

Book Review- Liv, Forever

I finished reading Liv, Forever by Amy Talkington a few nights ago.

From Goodreads:

When Liv Bloom lands an art scholarship at Wickham Hall, it’s her ticket out of the foster system. Liv isn’t sure what to make of the school’s weird traditions and rituals, but she couldn’t be happier. For the first time ever, she has her own studio, her own supply of paints. Everything she could want.

Then she meets Malcolm Astor, a legacy student, a fellow artist, and the one person who’s ever been able to melt her defenses. Liv’s only friend at Wickham, fellow scholarship kid Gabe Nichols, warns her not to get involved, but life is finally going Liv’s way, and all she wants to do is enjoy the ride.

But Liv’s bliss is doomed. Weeks after arriving, she is viciously murdered and, in death, she discovers that she’s the latest victim of a dark conspiracy that has claimed many lives. Cursed with the ability to see the many ghosts on Wickham’s campus, Gabe is now Liv’s only link to the world of the living. To Malcolm.

Together, Liv, Gabe, and Malcolm fight to expose the terrible truth that haunts the halls of Wickham. But Liv must fight alone to come to grips with the ultimate star-crossed love.

As you know, I love stories set at boarding schools, so this one was no different.  Malcolm and Gabe--I thought there would be a love triangle but Gabe truly stays a friend throughout the whole story.  

I thought I had it figured out but I only had it half right and was very wrong about part of it.  And nope, I'm not going to give it away.  

I felt bad for Liv.  She had a rough upbringing (and while it had no effect on the story, I want to know what happened to her birth parents.)  And she's finally happy and herself at the school, with a love interest, and then BAM! It all ends.  But I guess the ending to that end ended as happily as possible (how many times can I use one word in a sentence??)

Anyways, this was a fun little mystery/ghost story that kept me entertained.

I gave this book a rating of 3.5/5.

*FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher for a review. 

Book Review-- The Chaos of Stars

I finished reading The Chaos of Stars by Kiersten White last night.

From Goodreads:

Kiersten White, New York Times bestselling author of Paranormalcy, is back with The Chaos of Stars—an enchanting novel set in Egypt and San Diego that captures the magic of first love and the eternally complicated truth about family.

Isadora's family is seriously screwed up—which comes with the territory when you're the human daughter of the ancient Egyptian gods Isis and Osiris. Isadora is tired of living with crazy relatives who think she's only worthy of a passing glance—so when she gets the chance to move to California with her brother, she jumps on it. But her new life comes with plenty of its own dramatic—and dangerous—complications . . . and Isadora quickly learns there's no such thing as a clean break from family.

Blending Ally Carter's humor and the romance of Cynthia Hand's Unearthly, The Chaos of Stars takes readers on an unforgettable journey halfway across the world and back, and proves there's no place like home.

I've always loved mythology and even took a class on Greek mythology in college.  But the history in this book confused me.  I guess because I'm not familiar with Egyptian mythology.  But I kept getting the gods confused and their stories confused.  Each chapter started with a mini story about Isadora's family and I couldn't keep it straight.

Other than that, I enjoyed this book.  I liked the Godess aspect.  And Isadora was funny.  I liked how she didn't know all the little things that teens these days do.  And I liked how spunky she was (although I wish she wasn't quite so angry in some parts).  I also really liked Ry.  I had a feeling there was going to be a twist at the end and it was going to be one of two things.  I was right and I'm so glad which one it was!  

Overall, I'm glad I got to read another book by Kiersten White.  Whenever I'm reading her books, they read like I'm talking to a friend.  And that's always a good thing.

I gave this book a rating of 3.5/5.

*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Around the World Tours.

Book Review- A Week of Mondays

I finished reading A Week of Mondays by Jessica Brody last night for an Around the World ARC Tour.

From Goodreads:

When I made the wish, I just wanted a do-over. Another chance to make things right. I never, in a million years, thought it might actually come true...

Sixteen-year-old Ellison Sparks is having a serious case of the Mondays. She gets a ticket for running a red light, she manages to take the world’s worst school picture, she bombs softball try-outs and her class election speech (note to self: never trust a cheerleader when she swears there are no nuts in her bake-sale banana bread), and to top it all off, Tristan, her gorgeous rocker boyfriend suddenly dumps her. For no good reason!

As far as Mondays go, it doesn’t get much worse than this. And Ellie is positive that if she could just do it all over again, she would get it right. So when she wakes up the next morning to find she’s reliving the exact same day, she knows what she has to do: stop her boyfriend from breaking up with her. But it seems no matter how many do-overs she gets or how hard Ellie tries to repair her relationship, Tristan always seems bent set on ending it. Will Ellie ever figure out how to fix this broken day? Or will she be stuck in this nightmare of a Monday forever?

From the author 52 Reasons to Hate My Father and The Unremembered trilogy comes a hilarious and heartwarming story about second (and third and fourth and fifth) chances. Because sometimes it takes a whole week of Mondays to figure out what you really want.

I think the lesson in this story is really a good one.  And no, I'm not going to give it away.  But Ellie finally gets it right--and it's really right.

I enjoyed reading about her antics and what she did during her do-overs.  Some of them were funny, some of there were sad, and some of them I just pitied her for.  Oh, and sometimes I wanted to smack her for not seeing the obvious.  But I guess we've all been there.  ( and don't we all wish we had some do-over moments or days?!?!)

I kept thinking it would suddenly be Tuesday and she'd be stuck in the wrong do-over, but I wasn't left disappointed.  I loved how she did the right thing in so many different aspects of her life, not just her love life.  It really is a feel-good story.

A Week of Mondays will be released on August 2, 2016.

*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Around the World Tours.

Book Review- Hunger

I just finished reading Hunger (Gone #2) by Michael Grant.

From Goodreads:

It's been three months since everyone under the age of fifteen became trapped in the bubble known as
the FAYZ.

Three months since all the adults disappeared. GONE.

Food ran out weeks ago. Everyone is starving, but no one wants to figure out a solution. And each day, more and more kids are evolving, developing supernatural abilities that set them apart from the kids without powers. Tension rises and chaos is descending upon the town. It's the normal kids against the mutants. Each kid is out for himself, and even the good ones turn murderous.

But a larger problem looms. The Darkness, a sinister creature that has lived buried deep in the hills, begins calling to some of the teens in the FAYZ. Calling to them, guiding them, manipulating them.

The Darkness has awakened. And it is hungry.

I find this series so disturbing.  It almost haunts me.  I'm not sure why.  I mean, clearly its fiction.  But maybe it's because it has to do with this society that has to thrive without adults.  And all these kids are running around doing adult things while still being kids.  Or the monster that's really freaking creepy and I can't quite figure out.

I still can't say I love it.  The characters are still kinda distant to me.  And it takes me such a long time to get through a book.  But man, I'm hooked.  I want to know what's going to happen next, while hiding my eyes at the same time.  

Bring on the next book, Lies!

I gave this book a rating of 3.5/5.

*FTC Disclosure: I traded this book with a friend.

Book Review- The Shadow Queen

I just finished reading The Shadow Queen by C. J.  Redwine for an Around the World ARC Tour.

From Goodreads:

Lorelai Diederich, crown princess and fugitive at large, has one mission: kill the wicked queen who took both the Ravenspire throne and the life of her father. To do that, Lorelai needs to use the one weapon she and Queen Irina have in common—magic. She’ll have to be stronger, faster, and more powerful than Irina, the most dangerous sorceress Ravenspire has ever seen.

In the neighboring kingdom of Eldr, when Prince Kol’s father and older brother are killed by an invading army of magic-wielding ogres, the second-born prince is suddenly given the responsibility of saving his kingdom. To do that, Kol needs magic—and the only way to get it is to make a deal with the queen of Ravenspire, promise to become her personal huntsman…and bring her Lorelai’s heart.

But Lorelai is nothing like Kol expected—beautiful, fierce, and unstoppable—and despite dark magic, Lorelai is drawn in by the passionate and troubled king. Fighting to stay one step ahead of the dragon huntsman—who she likes far more than she should—Lorelai does everything in her power to ruin the wicked queen. But Irina isn’t going down without a fight, and her final move may cost the princess the one thing she still has left to lose.

I know I've said it many times, but I love retelling of Fairy Tales.  So when I read that this was a retelling of Snow White I knew I had to read it.  It had many of the same aspects of the fairy tale such as the princess who had to run from the stepmother/queen, apples, dark hair with red lips and snow white skin, and a huntsman (but what about the dwarfs?)  But other than those aspects, the story was completely different.

I definitely enjoyed it, but it took me a while to get through.  I found that I couldn't really fly through it like I can some books.  I liked Lorelai and Kol.  They were both brave and fierce and loyal.  And I loved their connection of speaking through their minds.

It looks like this is the first book in a series, but from what I've read, the books are each going to be retelling of a fairy tale.  And each book will stand alone.  Fun!  I can't wait to see which one is next!

I gave this book a rating of 3.5/5.

The Shadow Queen will be released on February 16, 2016.

*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Around the World Tours.

Book Review- The Favorite

I also finished reading The Favorite (The Selection #2.6) by Kiera Cass last week.

From Goodreads:

While America Singer's heart was torn between Aspen and Prince Maxon, her friend Marlee knew exactly what she wanted—and paid the price.

Revisit the captivating world of Kiera Cass's #1 New York Times bestselling Selection series in this digital original novella. Told from Marlee's point of view, this all-new 64-page story returns to the fateful Halloween when Marlee and Carter were discovered, and reveals how that night—and Prince Maxon—changed their lives forever.

This was a short story that veered away from the main characters of the Selection and focused on another couple that paired up. 

This story made me love Maxon even more than I did after I read what he did for Marlee and Carter.  This novella was super short but it was nice to get a little peek into the lives of some secondary characters.

I gave this book a rating of 3.5/5.

*FTC Disclosure: I bought this book.

Book Review- Hotel Ruby

I just finished reading Hotel Ruby by Suzanne Young for an Around the World ARC Tour.

From Goodreads:

Stay Tonight. Stay Forever.

When Audrey Casella arrives for an unplanned stay at the grand Hotel Ruby, she’s grateful for the detour. Just months after their mother’s death, Audrey and her brother, Daniel, are on their way to live with their grandmother, dumped on the doorstep of a DNA-matched stranger because their father is drowning in his grief.

Audrey and her family only plan to stay the night, but life in the Ruby can be intoxicating, extending their stay as it provides endless distractions—including handsome guest Elias Lange, who sends Audrey’s pulse racing. However, the hotel proves to be as strange as it is beautiful. Nightly fancy affairs in the ballroom are invitation only, and Audrey seems to be the one guest who doesn't have an invite. Instead, she joins the hotel staff on the rooftop, catching whispers about the hotel’s dark past.

The more Audrey learns about the new people she's met, the more her curiosity grows. She’s torn in different directions—the pull of her past with its overwhelming loss, the promise of a future that holds little joy, and an in-between life in a place that is so much more than it seems…

Welcome to the Ruby.

This one was a super fast read.  At the beginning, I remember thinking that things didn't really line up right and something was off, but I don't remember what.  And then I got sucked in.

So I spent the whole time I was reading the book trying to figure out just what was going on in Hotel Ruby.  I knew it had to be something suspicious.  But I didn't even come close to figuring it out.  And I should have!

It was both a horror story (man, two in a row--good thing it's Halloween weekend) and a tender, sad one combined.  I really liked Audrey.  I felt so bad for her and her loss. And I loved her big brother Daniel.  He was everything an older brother is supposed to be.  And then there was Elias.  I loved his old-school gentlemanness (so not a word) and the way he treated those he cared about.  

The only thing I didn't really like, or get, what the ending with Kenneth.  I won't say more than that but how it happened confused me.  Overall though, this was a great book if you're looking for something a little creepy but with a little heart too.

I gave this book a rating of 3.5/5.

Hotel Ruby will be released on November 3, 2015.

*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Around the World Tours.

Book Review- Summer by Summer

I finished reading Summer by Summer by Heather Burch last night for a 2015 Booksparks YA Summer Reading Challenge.

From Goodreads:

When Summer took a job as a nanny for a couple vacationing in Belize, she imagined it would be a fresh start before starting college in the fall. And while she adores her charge, Josh, she can’t say the same for her employers’ oldest son, Bray. He’s cocky, inconsiderate, and makes her feel she’s a chore he has to put up with. In short, he’s everything she dislikes in a guy.

Bray had a plan for the summer: party, hang out with friends, and forget all the responsibilities waiting for him back home. But every time he’s forced to be around Summer, her dour, serious mood sets him off. Not to mention she has a habit of picking up on what he already knows is wrong with him.

Then the two find themselves on a dive trip gone wrong, stranded on a remote island. As they focus on survival, their differences melt away, and they find being together may be what both needed all along.

The premise of this story was pretty interesting.  I mean, how often have you played the whole "If you got stranded on a desert island and could only bring 3 things" game?  And I'm conflicted.  In a way, there was too much drama.  So much happened and even though it's fiction, I found myself rolling my eyes and thinking "really??"  And the whole ending with the illegal event was kinda strange.

I think somewhere in the summary, it should be mentioned that this is a religious book.  There is a lot of mention of God and praying and youth groups and abstinence.  Which is all good.  But something I don't really seek out in my books and I had no idea it was in this one.

I liked Summer and Bray separately.  Summer was sweet and I loved how good she was with Josh.  (Although comparing him to the fifth graders at the school where I teach, his actions and comments sounded more like a second grader).  And even though Bray was a party boy, there was something good in him.  Like the way he wanted to keep his family together.  But I didn't like their relationship.  I mean, come on.  Summer hated him minutes after she met him--such a strong feeling for a guy she didn't even know.  And he wasn't fond of her either.  But then they get stranded and suddenly, immediately, they're okay with each other?  Not likely.

That being said, there was something in the story that kept me hanging on and wanting more.  It's definitely not a beach read like the cover might lead you to believe but more of an adventure-type book.

I gave this book a rating of 3.5/5.

FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free to review as part of the 2015 Booksparks YA Summer Reading Challenge.

Book Review- Spinning Starlight

I finished reading Spinning Starlight by R.C. Lewis for an Around the World ARC Tour.

From Goodreads:

Sixteen-year-old heiress and paparazzi darling Liddi Jantzen hates the spotlight. But as the only daughter in the most powerful tech family in the galaxy, it's hard to escape it. So when a group of men show up at her house uninvited, she assumes it's just the usual media-grubs. That is, until shots are fired.

Liddi escapes, only to be pulled into an interplanetary conspiracy more complex than she ever could have imagined. Her older brothers have been caught as well, trapped in the conduits between the planets. And when their captor implants a device in Liddi's vocal cords to monitor her speech, their lives are in her hands: One word and her brothers are dead.

Desperate to save her family from a desolate future, Liddi travels to another world, where she meets the one person who might have the skills to help her bring her eight brothers home-a handsome dignitary named Tiav. But without her voice, Liddi must use every bit of her strength and wit to convince Tiav that her mission is true. With the tenuous balance of the planets deeply intertwined with her brothers' survival, just how much is Liddi willing to sacrifice to bring them back?

Haunting and mesmerizing, this retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's The Wild Swans strings the heart of the classic with a stunning, imaginative world as a star-crossed family fights for survival in this companion to Stitching Snow.

As we all know, I'm a sucker for fairy tale retellings.  And while I've actually never heard of The Wild Swans, I still wanted to read this one.

But I was confused for a lot of it.  I enjoyed it but I think a lot of it was over my head.  I liked Liddi and the basic plotline of how she has this large family of older brothers who she was super close to.  And she was set to take over the company when suddenly her brothers all go missing.  And there's a villain who makes it so that if she talks, her brothers die (which makes me think of the Little Mermaid because Ariel lost her voice).  So I got all of that.  But the actual other worlds and the whole Khua thing really lost me.  I think it was too techy or sci-fi for me to really get.

But I liked how at the end of each chapter we got a snippet of an important part of Liddi's life.  I think seeing those sides of her is what really made me like her and root for her.

I gave this book a rating of 3.5/5.

Spinning Starlight will be released on October 6, 2015.

*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Around the World Tours.

Book Review- The Stars Never Rise

I finished reading The Stars Never Rise by Rachel Vincent last night for an Around the World ARC Tour.

From Goodreads:

Sixteen-year-old Nina Kane should be worrying about her immortal soul, but she's too busy trying to actually survive. Her town's population has been decimated by soul-consuming demons, and souls are in short supply. Watching over her younger sister, Mellie, and scraping together food and money are all that matters. The two of them are a family. They gave up on their deadbeat mom a long time ago.

When Nina discovers that Mellie is keeping a secret that threatens their very existence, she'll do anything to protect her. Because in New Temperance, sins are prosecuted as crimes by the brutal Church and its army of black-robed exorcists. And Mellie's sin has put her in serious trouble.

To keep them both alive, Nina will need to trust Finn, a fugitive with deep green eyes who has already saved her life once and who might just be an exorcist. But what kind of exorcist wears a hoodie?

Wanted by the Church and hunted by dark forces, Nina knows she can't survive on her own. She needs Finn and his group of rogue friends just as much as they need her.

The Soul Screamer series by Rachel Vincent is one of my favorite series so I was excited to start a new one by her.  And while I enjoyed it, I didn't love it as much.

There was a lot going on in this book and I was confused about a lot of it.  The backstory and history mingled in with the current times was a struggle for me to understand.  I think I got the overall gist of it but not all the details.

All of the characters were great.  My favorite was Finn.  I loved how he switched bodies, like a demon but he had a soul and emotions and was just a great and funny guy.   Nina was a pretty great heroine as well.  I loved how much she cared for her sister.

The plot kept me interested and there were a few surprises thrown in.  I'm hooked and can't wait to see what's going to happen to Nina and the rest of the gang next!

I gave this book a 3.5/5 rating.

*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Around the World Tours.

Book Review- Divided

I finished Divided (Dualed #2) by Elsie Chapman a few days ago.

From Goodreads:

The hunter becomes the hunted. . . .

West Grayer is done killing. She defeated her Alternate, a twin raised by another family, and proved she’s worthy of a future. She’s ready to move on with her life.

The Board has other plans. They want her to kill one last time, and offer her a deal worth killing for. But when West recognizes her target as a ghost from her past, she realizes she’s in over her head. The Board is lying, and West will have to uncover the truth of the past to secure her future.

How far will the Board go to keep their secrets safe? And how far will West go to save those she loves? With nonstop action and surprising twists, Elsie Chapman’s intoxicating sequel to Dualed reveals everything.

I didn't remember too much about Dualed when I started reading this book but it came back to me pretty quickly.  I had forgotten how much I enjoyed it, and I enjoyed Divided just as much.

I liked West more in this book.  I remember that she seemed so cold in the previous book but I didn't feel that way at all here.  Maybe because she wasn't just a striker anymore.  

There was lots of action to keep me going and some twists and turns along the way.  I can't help but wonder if there will be another book, and if so, I'll definitely be picking it up.

I gave this book a rating of 3.5/5.

*FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review- Forever

I just finished reading Forever (The Wolves of Mercy Falls #3) by Maggie Stiefvater.

From Goodreads:

then.
When Sam met Grace, he was a wolf and she was a girl. Eventually he found a way to become a boy, and their loved moved from curious distance to the intense closeness of shared lives.

now.
That should have been the end of their story. But Grace was not meant to stay human. Now she is the wolf. And the wolves of Mercy Falls are about to be killed in one final, spectacular hunt.

forever.
Sam would do anything for Grace. But can one boy and one love really change a hostile, predatory world? The past, the present, and the future are about to collide in one pure moment--a moment of death or life, farewell or forever.

It's been almost 5 years since I read the first 2 books in this series.  And I could tell.  I couldn't remember anything about it.  And unfortunately, the book doesn't do a good job of reminding me.  So I kind of felt distant from the whole thing.

That being said, I did enjoy the world of Mercy Falls again.  I liked Grace and Sam's relationship.  And Cole and Isabel's in that twisted, not-really-a-relationship-but-you-know-its-gonna-be-one type of way.

The major event toward the end of the book was sad but needed to happen I guess.  But I feel the very last chapter didn't make sense.  There was too much that needed to be wrapped up at the end of the current times before the last chapter could jump forward many months.

This is supposed to be the last book in the series but there's a companion book that goes with it that I have to read next!

I gave this book a rating of 3.5/5.

*FTC Disclosure: I bought this book from a fellow blogger.

Book Review- 45 Pounds (More or Less)

I finished reading 45 Pounds (More or Less) by K. A. Barson on Thursday.

From Goodreads:

Here are the numbers of Ann Galardi’s life:

She is 16.
And a size 17.
Her perfect mother is a size 6.
Her Aunt Jackie is getting married in 10 weeks, and wants Ann to be her bridesmaid.
So Ann makes up her mind: Time to lose 45 pounds (more or less) in 2 1/2 months.

Welcome to the world of infomercial diet plans, wedding dance lessons, embarrassing run-ins with the cutest guy Ann’s ever seen—-and some surprises about her NOT-so-perfect mother.

And there’s one more thing. It’s all about feeling comfortable in your own skin-—no matter how you add it up!

45 Pounds (More or Less) deals with more than just being overweight.  It encompasses a variety of weight disorders (including anorexia).  This book really made me think.

I liked Ann and I felt so bad for her.  I couldn't empathize with her weight problem specifically, but I could empathize with there being times that I didn't like my body.  

Ann grew up in such a dysfunctional family and much of her eating problem stemmed from that.  Then there was the issue of her mom's relationship with food and how it affected her 4 year old sister.  That really got to me.  How many times do I talk about watching my weight?  It's so important to be healthy and have a healthy relationship with food.  This book brings that to light in a non-preaching way.

I gave this book a rating of 3.5/5.

*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Around the World Tours.

Book Review- The Fill-In Boyfriend

I just finished reading The Fill-In Boyfriend by Kasie West for an Around the World ARC Tour.

From Goodreads:

When Gia Montgomery's boyfriend, Bradley, dumps her in the parking lot of her high school prom, she has to think fast. After all, she'd been telling her friends about him for months now. This was supposed to be the night she proved he existed. So when she sees a cute guy waiting to pick up his sister, she enlists his help. The task is simple: be her fill-in boyfriend— two hours, zero commitment, a few white lies. After that, she can win back the real Bradley.

The problem is that days after prom, it's not the real Bradley she's thinking about, but the stand-in. The one whose name she doesn't even know. But tracking him down doesn't mean they're done faking a relationship. Gia owes him a favor and his sister intends to see that he collects: his ex-girlfriend's graduation party — three hours, zero commitment, a few white lies.

Just when Gia begins to wonder if she could turn her fake boyfriend into a real one, Bradley comes waltzing back into her life, exposing her lie, and threatening to destroy her friendships and her new-found relationship.

I've read several books by Kasie West so I was excited to read this one.  And once again I really loved the plot.  But the writing seemed a little immature to me and there were tiny details in sentences that I really didn't need to know about.

I liked Gia and I felt bad for her.  Her choice in friends was pretty crummy.  Well, maybe not her choice in them but rather the fact that she just let this new girl, Jules, come in and treat her horribly.  I get that it was part of her personality to not try to rock the boat but come on!  She was ruining the friendship with her best friends!  And I liked Hayden a lot.  The theatre boy with crummy choices in friends (yes, this one fit accurately.)  And I loved Bec.  Everyone needs a friend like her--one who is fiercely loyal and not afraid to say what she thinks.

The ending left me a little melancholy.  I mean, Gia got the boy but there was no reconciliation with her friends.  I  like happily ever after and I want that to mean with friends too.

Overall, it was an enjoyable book and I look forward to seeing what Kasie West has up her writing sleeve next!
I gave this book a rating of 3.5/5.

The Fill-in Boyfriend will be released on May 5, 2015.

*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Around the World Tours.

Book Review- Revenge, Ice Cream, and Other Things Best Served Cold

Last night I finished Revenge, Ice Cream, and Other Things Best Served Cold (Broken Hearts & Revenge #2) by Katie Finn for an Around the World ARC Tour.

From Goodreads:

The war rages on between Gemma and Hallie in the second installment of the Broken Hearts and Revenge series.

After the humiliating events on the 4th of July, Gemma's trying to handle the fact that Hallie knew who she was all along, and she was the one who stole Teddy from her. Gemma vows revenge, but things get more complicated than she planned. Ford, Gemma’s long-time crush, has arrived in the Hamptons cuter than ever. Josh is refusing to speak to her after she lied to him, and Teddy is playing champion to his beloved Marsh Warbler (in Gemma's backyard, no less).

Gemma and Hallie find themselves locked in an escalating revenge cycle. Just when Gemma thinks she has the upper hand, the biggest bombshell of all is dropped. And it’s one that threatens to change her life forever. This exciting sequel to Broken Hearts, Fences, and Other Things To Mend will leave you begging for the third installment.

I enjoyed the first book in the series and was excited to read this one.  I remember wondering if I thought the first book would seem to young to me and it didn't.  But for some reason, this one did.  Maybe because all of the drama going back and forth was very high-schoolish.

Putting that aside, I did enjoy it.  I liked getting to know more about Ford and Gwyneth (I'm don't think I spelled that right).  And even Teddy seemed a little bit likeable towards the end.

There were a few twists and turns.  One I guessed in the last book and found out I was right in this one.  And the other one I definitely didn't see coming!  I'm looking forward to third book in the series!

I gave this book a rating of 3.5/5.

Revenge, Ice Cream, and Other Things Best Served Cold will be released on May 5, 2015.

*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Around the World Tours.

Book Review- New Uses for Old Boyfriends

I finished New Uses for Old Boyfriends by Beth Kendrick for a Booksparks Blog Tour!

About the book:

After growing up in privilege and marrying into money, Lila Alders has gotten used to the good life. But when her happily-ever-after implodes, Lila must return to Black Dog Bay, the tiny seaside town where she grew up. She’s desperate for a safe haven, but everything has changed over the past ten years. Her family’s fortune is gone—and her mother is in total denial. It’s up to Lila to take care of everything…but she can barely take care of herself.

The former golden girl of Black Dog Bay struggles to reinvent herself by opening a vintage clothing boutique. But even as Lila finds new purpose for outdated dresses and tries to reunite with her ex, she realizes that sometimes it’s too late for old dreams. She’s lost everything she thought she needed but found something—someone—she desperately wants. A boy she hardly noticed has grown up into a man she can’t forget…and a second chance has never felt so much like first love.

I was happy to find myself reading about Black Dog Bay again.  It was like catching up with old friends.  

This time we are introduced to Lila.  I loved her story and the idea of opening up a vintage clothing boutique.  Fashion is always fun. I liked reading about her mom.  It broke my heart how upset she was.  I feel like my mom would be like that without my dad.  High school sweethearts and still crazy in love.  And of course there was a little romance.  This time between Ben, her high school sweetheart, and Malcolm, a guy she doesn't remember going on a date with in high school.  

This book was light, and fun, and just what I needed.  I'm hoping that there will be more books set in Black Dog Bay.  And I still say there needs to be a real Black Dog Bay!

I gave this book a rating of 3.5/5.

*FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review as part of a blog tour.

Book Review- A Court of Thorns and Roses

I finished reading A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas last night for an Around the World ARC Tour.

From Goodreads:

A thrilling, seductive new series from New York Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas, blending Beauty and the Beast with faerie lore.

When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.

As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.

Perfect for fans of Kristin Cashore and George R. R. Martin, this first book in a sexy and action-packed new series is impossible to put down!

I was really excited to read this one for 2 reasons.  1) I had read another series by this author and loved it and 2) not only is it a fairy tale retelling, but it was a retelling of Beauty and the Beast--my favorite!

However, I quickly realized this was not going to be a story that I was going to be completely engaged in.  I found it really difficult to get lost in.  There were so many weird creature names and character names that I had a hard time remembering what was what.  And for some reason, the words didn't flow as easy for me.  I found myself having to go back and re-read paragraphs.

But then a little over halfway through, something just clicked and I devoured the rest of the book.  Maybe my brain just got it.  I don't know.  But I really fell in love with the world that Tamlin was in.  And I could see how Feyre could love it there.

As for the main characters, I didn't love Feyre at first.  I compared her to Belle right away, and Belle is my girl.  Feyre--she was hard to love.  She was strong and kept her family together, but it made her cold and and untouchable.  Luckily, her time in the faery land softened her and made me love her.  Tamlin--well, he was just the beast from the instant we met him so I loved him right away.  Yup.  I knew what was going to happen.  And I loved that it did.

There were so many great things that I saw the connections to in Beauty and the Beast.  Feyre's hobby was art, where as Belle's was reading.  There was the blight in the book and the curse in Beauty and the Beast.  I could picture the side characters as the ones I'm so familiar with.  Even how she has to leave and come back is familiar.

So yes, it started off rough for me but I ended up loving it.  I've always wanted a sequel to Beauty and the Beast.  Not just one of the straight to DVDs but a real true sequel.  And I'm seriously hating that I'm going to have to wait so long to get my hands on the sequel to A Court of Thorns and Roses.  I NEED to know what is going to happen to Feyre and Tamlin!!

I gave this book a rating of 3.5/5.

A Court of Thorns and Roses will be released on May 5, 2015.

*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Around the World Tours.

Book Review- My Heart and Other Black Holes

I finished reading My Heart and Other Black Holes by Jasmine Warga today for an Around the World ARC Tour.

From Goodreads:

A stunning novel about the transformative power of love, perfect for fans of Jay Asher and Laurie Halse Anderson.

Sixteen-year-old physics nerd Aysel is obsessed with plotting her own death. With a mother who can barely look at her without wincing, classmates who whisper behind her back, and a father whose violent crime rocked her small town, Aysel is ready to turn her potential energy into nothingness.

There's only one problem: she's not sure she has the courage to do it alone. But once she discovers a website with a section called Suicide Partners, Aysel's convinced she's found her solution—Roman, a teenage boy who's haunted by a family tragedy, is looking for a partner. Even though Aysel and Roman have nothing in common, they slowly start to fill in each other's broken lives. But as their suicide pact becomes more concrete, Aysel begins to question whether she really wants to go through with it. Ultimately, she must choose between wanting to die or trying to convince Roman to live so they can discover the potential of their energy together.

This was a pretty dark story with rays of light.  I don't think I've read a story that was so open and direct about suicide.  And I think there should be more.  I think this is an important story for teens to read so that they know that they're not alone in their feelings.

I liked getting to know Aysel.  I felt so bad for her and for Roman.  They were so different yet had so many of the same feelings.  I liked watching their relationship grow.

I really wasn't sure where the end was going to go.  I kind of guessed it right at the last minute but I wasn't sure.  And while it's heartbreaking, its real.  Such a tough subject but such a real one.

I gave this book a rating of 3.5/5.

My Heart and Other Black Holes will be released on February 10, 2015.

*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Around the World Tours.