REVIEW: Little White Lies by Katie Dale

Name: Little White Lies

Author: Katie Dale

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Date published: 1st August 2013

Pages: 384, Paperback

Source: For review (from publisher)

Rating: 4.5 teacups

The first time Lou meets tall, dark, and handsome Christian, she knows he's hiding something. Why does he clam up every time she asks about his past? Why doesn't he have any family photos and why does he dye his blond hair black?
Then suddenly his terrible secret is unveiled to the world - and it seems everything he's ever told Lou is a lie. Can what the media are saying about him really be true? Should Lou trust him? Or is she in terrible danger? But Christian isn't the only one keeping secrets. For what if their chance meeting was no accident at all ...?
As lie follows lie, nothing is as it seems, and soon Lou finds herself ensnared in a web of deceit, her loyalties torn, her emotions in tatters as she faces a heart-wrenching dilemma: should she shatter the lives of those she holds dearest, or betray the guy who, against all odds, she's fallen in love with?

[summary taken from Goodreads]

My Review

Katie Dale rapidly became one of my favourite authors last year with her stunning debut, Someone Else's Life.  I obviously had high hopes for her next book, Little White Lies, and it didn't disappoint.

The premise and the storyline took centre stage.  It was so fast-paced, I was never bored; always kept on my toes, always wondering and contemplating what would come next. The beauty of it though was that my guesses were rarely correct.  Katie Dale threw in plot twists and surprises that you never see coming.  It was like sitting on a wave, my emotions rising and falling and being whipped around by the wind.

However, no matter how thrilling the premise, I knew I wanted the characters to be genuine and well-developed.  And they were definitely true to form.  Each with their own flaws, quirks and imperfections that made me instantly reach out and take them into my heart.  The anger and the hurt that Lou and Christian harboured within themselves felt so real and it was almost as if I was right there with them as the horrors and the answers they sought unfolded.  With Lou, I became a fiercely protective 'little sister' and hoped and wished she would receive her closure.

And then came the ending.  An ending so shocking and unexpected and in a way... fitting.  My emotions were thrown into turmoil and I just felt so conflicted.  It tore me apart as ache and joy met together and settled in my chest.  It was heart-wrenching and confusing and perfect all at the same time that I felt myself asking, 'Is there no other way?'

For me, Little White Lies turned out to be an incredibly emotionally charged read.  Katie Dale's writing style pulled me straight into the heart of the action and made me question everything.  This is a book you don't want to miss if you want real characters to relate to, a storyline that will take you on a fast-paced journey and an ending that will reduce you to an emotional wreck!

4.5 Teacups for Little White Lies!

*Thanks to Simon&Schuster for sending me this to review!*

Also, my review for Someone Else's Life for Chicklish is quoted on the back of the book! Squeee!!!!  First time ever *jumps around with glee*

Happy reading,

Beverley xxx

MINI-REVIEW: Speechless by Hannah Harrington

Name: Speechless

Author: Hannah Harrington

Publisher: Mira Ink

Date published: February 2013

Pages: 263, Paperback ARC

Source: For review (from publisher)

Rating: 4.5 teacups

Everyone knows that Chelsea Knot can’t keep a secret
Until now. Because the last secret she shared turned her into a social outcast—and nearly got someone killed.
Now Chelsea has taken a vow of silence—to learn to keep her mouth shut, and to stop hurting anyone else. And if she thinks keeping secrets is hard, not speaking up when she’s ignored, ridiculed and even attacked is worse.
But there’s strength in silence, and in the new friends who are, shockingly, coming her way—people she never noticed before; a boy she might even fall for. If only her new friends can forgive what she’s done. If only she can forgive herself.

[summary taken from Goodreads]

My Thoughts

It didn't take me long to request a copy of Speechless.  The fact that it was authored by Hannah Harrington, the oh-so-amazing-creator of Saving June, was enough to make me want to read it straight away.

When I first met Chelsea Knot, I knew she wasn't someone I'd want to be friends with in real life. She was gossipy and shallow and I wondered how I would ever come to warm to her.  However, by the end of the book, I really empathised her and felt truly protective of her.  Character development is such a key element in Speechless and is what made the book such a touching read for me.

The secondary characters also deserve a mention for adding their own quirkiness and warmth.  Asha was such a wonderful friend, soft-spoken and kind-hearted, and Sam was definitely a swoon-worthy love interest.  All of them were such unique figures with huge individuality.

Hannah Harrington has definitely not lost her touch for addressing deeper issues with such sensitivity and Speechless proved to be another heartbreaking, thought-provoking read with an important message which rings true for all its readers.  My words cannot do this book justice, so I'd like to finish with a quote from one of the characters that nicely sums everything up:

“Hate is... It's too easy. Love. Love takes courage.”

 4.5 Teacups for Speechless!

*Many thanks to Mira Ink for the review copy and apologies for the late review*

Happy reading,

Beverley

REVIEW: The Vincent Boys by Abbi Glines

Name: The Vincent Boys (The Vincent Boys #1)

Author: Abbi Glines

Publisher: Hot Key Books

Date published: 3rd January 2013

Pages: 257, Paperback 

Source: For review (from publisher)

Rating: 2.5 teacups

Beau Vincent is rude, bad, and dangerous to know. So, why can’t good girl Ashton Gray keep away from him? She already has the perfect boyfriend – her town’s local Prince Charming, Sawyer Vincent. But Sawyer is away for the summer, and in the meantime Ashton is bored, and the head between her and Beau is undeniable – as well as irresistible. Ashton is about to unleash her bad girl – but what will she do when Sawyer comes home? And how will Sawyer react when he returns to find his girlfriend in the arms of his best friend – and cousin?

[summary taken from Goodreads]

My Review

The Vincent Boys proved to be a fitting summer read - a light, mindless break from the world.  But that was all it was.  It was a little disappointing yet strangely addictive...

Firstly, look at that cover.  I was sent the Australian version and I much prefer it to the UK and US ones.  It's promises drama and sunshine and hot boys and instantly catches the eye.

Unfortunately, everything just felt too cliche for me.  The whole good girl falls for the bad boy against everyone's approval.  I don't mind the idea but I prefer it when authors put their own twist on it.  Despite this, the major problem I had with The Vincent Boys was Ashton's betrayal of her boyfriend when he was away.  I just hated the fact that Ashton was cheating on Sawyer with his cousin.  His cousin.

Which leads me on to this 'bad' boy who was supposed to make me gasp and swoon and buckle at the knees.  I'm sad to say that was not the response Beau drew from me.  There was nothing about him that attracted me to him.  He was always complaining about how Ash should be his, how they were meant to be.  But all I could see was possessiveness and a purely sexual attraction.  I was constantly told how sexy she was, how important she was, how he loved her... but was never shown.  Or maybe the sex scenes were supposed to be an indicator of their 'love' for each other... I'm not so sure it's great for true love to be portrayed in that way to us teens.

On top of this, I just had no empathy for Ashton.  I found her unlikable and annoying and there were moments where I wanted to slap her in the face.  I understood that she wanted to live on the edge for once and embrace her wild side but the way she moaned about having to pretend with Sawyer irked me.  Cheating on him wasn't going to solve things!  And afterwards, the way she was all, 'I don't want to hurt them... I don't want to put a wedge between them' made me want to pull my hair out.  I also felt so sorry for Sawyer and I fell for him instead of Beau.

Thinking about it now, I think my problem with it must have been that it was purely centred around a love triangle.  And for me, love triangles either work or they don't.  It didn't in this case, if you haven't already figured it out.  Even so, I found myself eager to find out what was going to happen and I am curious to read the next book, The Vincent Brothers.

Overall The Vincent Boys is a steamy read for the summer, ideal for lazy days by the beach when you just want light entertainment to pass the time.

2.5 Teacups for The Vincent Boys!

*Thank you to Hot Key Books for the review copy and apologies for the late review*

REVIEW: Easy by Tammara Webber

Name: Easy

Author: Tammara Webber

Publisher: Penguin

Date published: 13rd Janurary 2013

Pages: 322, Paperback 

Source: For review (from publisher)

Rating: 4.5 teacups

I took a deep breath and exhaled it slowly before turning around. It was Lucas who stood there. His gaze was penetrating, not wavering for a moment, and my pulse hammered under his silent scrutiny. I couldn't remember the last time I'd been so full of pure, unqualified desire.
Lucas is the stranger who saved Jacqueline from an attack by a fellow student - she'd never noticed him before then, and now he's everywhere. But can Jacqueline trust him - or will the secrets he's hiding come between them?

[summary taken from Goodreads]

My Review

Easy was my first foray into the genre of NA and it made such an impression on me that it definitely won't be my last.  I wasn't entirely sure what to expect but I had heard nothing but praise for it so I wasn't too worried.

What I loved most about Easy was the characters.  Each of them had their own flaws, their own problems, their own secrets.  And that made them all the more raw, real, human.  I rooted for Jacqueline from the start and it was a pleasure to watch her flourish into a strong young woman who knows where she wants to go and how she's going to get there.  And Lucas played a key role in shaping her development and I fell for him instantly.  He was totally sweet and so gentle with Jacqueline.  I thought he'd turn out to be a bad boy but underneath the exterior, he was a true gentleman and always had the best intentions at heart.  Also, the emails exchanged with Landon were terribly swoon-worthy - he was such a charmer!

It seems natural for me to move on and talk about the romance.  I initially had worries that Easy would all be about love and making out and having sex (that was my impression of NA).  But I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was not.  It was much more than that and it gave the book a lot more substance.  Yes, there were some pretty hot scenes, but the way they truly cared for each other was evident.  Also, as a reader who can't decide whether I like love triangles or not, it was pleasing to see that there wasn't much of one after all (although I did figure things out pretty early one!).

Finally, Tammara Webber doesn't shy from darker, grittier themes and I applaud her for addressing them full on with a touch of sensitivity.  Subjects like rape and harassment are rarely incorporated but Webber did this with style and spread the message that you shouldn't keep quiet and hide away, instead you need to face the truth and take a stand for yourself.

Easy was a wonderful read and I would recommend it to anyone who hasn't discovered the world of NA yet or is already a big fan of the genre.  It combines serious issues with characters you can't help but invest in and a romance that is very swoon-worthy indeed.

4.5 Teacups for Easy by Tammara Webber!

*Thanks to Penguin for the review copy and apologies for the late review!*

REVIEW: Dance of Shadows by Yelena Black

Name: Dance of Shadows

Author: Yelena Black

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Date published: 14th February 2013

Pages: 389, Paperback ARC

Source: For review (from publisher)

Rating: 3 teacups

Vanessa doesn’t believe that her sister is a runaway. She wouldn’t leave her family behind without saying a word. The only way Vanessa can discover the truth behind her mysterious disappearance is to follow in Margaret’s footsteps, but to do so she risks her sanity and maybe even her life . . .
Vanessa Adler is one of the talented few to get a place at the acclaimed New York Ballet Academy. Between backbreaking rehearsals for the school’s production of The Firebird she desperately tries to find out what happened to her sister before she vanished. There are rumors that the pressure of performing the lead role, the same role Vanessa is now rehearsing for, drove her mad. Other girls have gone missing too. Can the role be cursed? Vanessa’s new relationship with leading-man Zep only seems to complicate things further. What is he hiding from her and can she really trust him?

[summary taken from Goodreads]

My Review 

Dance of Shadows has left me in a rather conflicted mood.  Stunning cover art aside, the book was not without flaws and unfortunately fell short of my expectations.

I was instantly drawn by the concept of ballet and mystery combined in a world of supernatural.  The dance aspects of the book were simply stunning: each step described in intricate detail.  I was completely engrossed as Vanessa - the protagonist - pirouetted and releved across the pages.  Unfortunately, the supernatural elements did not appear until later on.

Which brings me nicely on to the pacing of the mystery.  It was dragged out far too much, to the point that the tediousness of it made me ask myself if I wanted to carry on, and it doesn't really pick up until the last third of the book.  I found this rather frustrating as I was led to believe by its marketing that it was 'deliciously dark' but there were only supernatural hints here and there before that mind-blowing finale.

Before I tell you my thoughts on the ending, I must mention the characters.  I didn't instantly like Vanessa.  There's nothing about her that makes you really connect with her.  She was a little... flat.  And also quite stupid.  There were moments where I wanted to shake her in disbelief and shout at her how obvious some things were.  And that love triangle... Some I can handle but this one didn't convince me.  Zep was too cliched in a dark and mysterious way and Justin wasn't stretched to his full potential.

Now, on to the breath-taking finale.  It almost made up for the previous flaws.  Almost.  It was eerily atmospheric and enticingly evocative.  Yelena Black has a talent for conjuring the most stunning of images within a reader's mind and I was fascinated and gripped by the unfolding events.  If the whole book had been at this standard, I would be giving it 5 stars.

Dance of Shadows turned out to be an interesting book but unfortunately did not live up to the high expectations I had for it.  I only came to the realisation at the end that it is the first in a trilogy so despite being curious as to what happens next, I'm not sure if I can go through another instalment which only ticks all the boxes at the very end.  If you plan on picking up Dance of Shadows, I would advise that you don't expect it to be fully supernatural.

3 Teacups for Dance of Shadows

*Thanks to Bloomsbury for providing me with an ARC*

Sticky Note: I'm going to be away for a week (it was a very last minute thing!) so apart from this review, the blog is going to be pretty inactive!  Apologies about this but I hope you guys are having a lovely summer :)  Also, I think I'll have WiFi so you will probably find me on Twitter if you miss me too much :P

REVIEW: Ferryman by Claire McFall

Name: Ferryman

Author: Claire McFall

Publisher: Templar

Date published: April 2013

Pages: 336, Paperback

Source: For review (from publisher)

Rating: 3 teacups

When Dylan emerges from the wreckage of a train crash onto a bleak Scottish hillside, she meets a strange boy who seems to be waiting for her. But Tristan is no ordinary teenage boy, and the journey across the desolate, wraith infested wasteland is no ordinary journey.
Life, death, love-which will Dylan choose?

[summary taken from Goodreads]

My Review

A love story like no other.  Indeed.  The tale that Claire McFall has crafted is truly original, unique and at times, breathtaking.  The premise is fresh and wildly imaginative and I was immersed in the haunting world of McFall's vision of the 'afterlife.'  Ferryman stands out as a one-of-a-kind read but unfortunately, despite its potential, I did not fall for it as much as I anticipated.

While the premise is absolutely wonderful, I felt that the storyline was somewhat lacking.  The concept of Tristan being Dylan's 'ferryman' who guides her to the other side following her death is striking but I found that their journey failed to grab my attention.  I expected something breathlessly mind-blowing but it didn't deliver and I would read on hoping that something big would hit me.  The climax, I suppose, is reached near the end but by this time, I wasn't concerned for the outcome.

What usually makes up for a storyline that doesn't grip me is the cast of characters.  However, I didn't connect with Dylan at all and felt largely indifferent towards Tristan, the love interest, who are the main characters.  I wasn't convinced by their 'love' and I didn't understand how it could be as strong as they seem to claim it to be.  I didn't root for them as a couple and there was no emotional investment in them either.

Despite all this, Claire McFall showed that she has huge potential with her enticing way with words.  My only fault about her writing is that there were often large chunks of description that caused my impatient self to skim read and skip passages.  Other than that her prose has a hauntingly mesmerising tone to it.

Ferryman did fall short of my expectations but I appreciate that others may enjoy it more than me.  As a debut novel, it highlights the creativity and out-of-this-world imagination of Claire McFall and I am eager to see what she will offer us next.

3 Teacups for Ferryman!

*Thanks to Templar Publishing for the review copy!*

Beverley xx

REVIEW: Coco Caramel by Cathy Cassidy

Name: Coco Caramel (TCBG #4)

Author: Cathy Cassidy

Publisher: Puffin/Penguin

Date published: 6th June 2013

Pages: 263

Source: For review (from publisher)

Rating: 5 teacups

Coco may be the youngest of the five Tanberry girls, but she can be as tough as her big sister Honey and as determined as either of the twins, Summer and Skye. Coco is always trying to save someone, whether it's the giant panda, a bullied boy or her favourite pony.
If only Lawrie, the moodiest guy in the school, would stop getting in her way, things would be fine. But has Coco bitten off more than she can chew this time?

Beverley's Review

I have a fervent belief that you can never grow too old for a Cathy Cassidy book.  Or maybe I just don't want to.  Either way, I'm sure you'll agree with me once you've read the latest instalment in her Chocolate Box Girls series.

There is something special about the way Cathy weaves in important issues to create a delightfully sweet concoction of adventure, young love, growing up and the unwavering idea that anything is possible.

Coco is the youngest of the Tanberry sisters and one of my favourites.  She's feisty and spirited and has a determination I can only dream of!  She has such passion for doing right by her family and and always at the best intentions at heart.  I especially enjoyed her naivete - it was a fresh reprieve from the pressures of real life.

The plot itself was delightfully spun and really showed off Coco at her best.  It was sweet and daring - everything Coco encompasses really.  There was a little romance swirled in to the mix too, which was very innocent and tentative.  I just love it when the secretive, moody guy reveals a different side: a kinder and softer one.

Overall, Coco Caramel is a wonderful, light read perfect for lazy days in the sun.  It explores the journey of growing up and encourages you to reach for the stars and that nothing is impossible as long as you put your heart to it.

5 Teacups for Coco Caramel!

*Thanks to Penguin for the review copy!*

Happy reading,
Beverley xxx

REVIEW: Dented Cans by Heather Walsh

Name: Dented Cans

Author: Heather Walsh

Publisher: Self

Release Date: Novemeber 2nd 2012

Pages: 148, Paperback

Source: For review (from author)
Rating: 2.5 Teacups

Sixteen-year-old Hannah Sampson knows her family is not what you would call normal. Her father compulsively buys dented cans and has a particular fondness for cans without labels, which are extremely discounted because their contents are a mystery. Her mother takes countless pictures of her family and then glues them down into the pages of her scrapbooks, but does not allow anyone to look at them. Ryan, Hannah’s mischievous fourteen-year-old brother, is headed straight for the remedial track at the local community college, if he’s lucky. Ben, her eight-year-old brother, is a walking sound effects machine, who prefers to communicate with noises rather than words. While Hannah is focused on escaping her working-class Connecticut suburb, she also finds herself being tugged back home as she worries about her brother Ben.
Hannah’s parents inflict one last family vacation on the Sampson children, a trip that goes comically wrong almost from the get-go. Hannah is forced to confront her family’s past in Disney World, of all places, when an emotional argument prompts her parents to disclose a secret they have been keeping from the children for sixteen years. Ultimately, she must decide whether to leave her hometown and not look back, or to focus on helping her family

[summary taken from Goodreads]

Beverley's Review

I feel rather conflicted, in that during reading and after finishing Dented Cans I wasn't entirely sure how I felt about this book and its characters and its plot.  On one hand, I did seem to like it.  On the other hand, when I think about it, everything just seemed a bit.. flimsy.

We are introduced to Hannah who is desperate to break free from her strange family and make her own way in the world.  She is a snarky, sarcastic character and her voice highlighted the author's writing potential and I am curious to see what Walsh will come up with next.  However, her complaining got to a point where it became rather annoying and I just didn't like her attitude towards her family.  Yes, they seemed a little out of it with her mother's hoarding addiction and her father's fetish for collecting dented cans.  As a teenager myself, I can understand the whole 'getting away from parents' thing but in the end they are the ones who are always there for you.

What attracted me to this books in the first place is that it is about family and it's set in Disney World.  Not things that are common in YA fiction so obviously I had high hopes. Unfortunately, both were not really stretched to their potential which is a real shame.  I liked the Disney World setting but it was hard to appreciate it when all Hannah and her brother, Ryan, did was ungratefully moan about how they didn't want to be there and how awful spending time as a family was for them. I realise the author wanted to create a dysfunctional family but it all just seemed a bit sloppy, to be honest.

In the blurb, I got the impression that the 'secret' would perhaps be important in terms of character development.  I was thoroughly disappointed when the secret was revealed near the very end of the book.  I had a sort of, 'Is that it?' reaction.  It just kind of deflated from there and I felt that it was all very rushed and I didn't get the character growth I was hoping for.  The family secret was just too sudden as if it was just randomly placed in a convenient position - it didn't really tie up loose ends.

Despite being just short of 150 pages, I felt the book was almost too long.  There were moments when it just seemed to drag on and on with more complaining, more moaning, more ungratefulness and I was left wondering where on earth the book was heading.  But I still kept on reading and I must admit that Walsh has great writing potential and I liked her style.

Overall, Dented Cans by Heather Walsh was a quick, light read and did have lots of potential.  If you're looking for a snarky protagonist, look no further.  Even though it wasn't really my cup of tea, there are readers out there who would enjoy it more than me.

2.5 Teacups for Dented Cans

*Thanks to the author for the review copy*

Happy reading,
Beverley xxx

REVIEW: Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Jen's Review

Before I Fall
by Lauren Oliver
Publisher: HarperCollins
Release Date: March 2, 2010

Having read this Before I Fall nearly two years ago, I was curious to see what I was going to think after reading it two years later, whether Oliver's book would evoke the same emotions it did for me in the past. While it started out extremely rough, it smoothed out towards the end and overall left me very satisfied with Before I Fall. I loved the book now just as much as I loved it two years ago.

The strongest point in Before I Fall is the character growth. I'm sure many other readers of this book can agree with me. The characters were my main problem for me at the same time though, too. Sam and her buddies started out as cruel, bratty, and just overly conceited girls. The immediate connection of these group of girls was to the movie Mean Girls. They were pretty much exactly like them. They started rumors, were slutty, and went to parties and drank their butts off. I disliked every one of them from the start. I must admit that I was really worried that the characters had ruined the entire book for me. But thank goodness, Sam really starts to grow and change as a character once she begins to learn and relive the same day every day. She becomes insightful and sees the real things in life that make in enjoyable and worth living for. She even begins to understand other people who she never noticed before. It was truly fascinating how Oliver transitioned Sam's character in every "new" day.

The concept, of course, was also entertaining, and also a clever way to go about telling the story. While some areas leave the reader to their own imagination, Oliver still tells us enough that we are not confused in any way. It's just enough that we ponder and make conclusions for ourselves.

To conclude, Lauren Oliver definitely has her own style in telling a unique contemporary story, with absolutely fantastic character growth. Even though this book started out really shaky, I eventually learned to love the main protagonist and fell in love with the story. This thought-provoking story will leave readers pondering for days after flipping the last page.

4 teacups for Before I Fall!

REVIEW: Transparent by Natalie Whipple

Jen's Review

Transparent
by Natalie Whipple
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: May 21, 2013

After reading the synopsis for Transparent, I was instantly intrigued. A girl who's invisible and works for her evil father? Yes please! Fortunately, Transparent turned out to be a fantastic read that kept me on the tip of my toes. First of all, I loved the plot. It's exciting and full of twists. It has intense moments, but there are a ton of fun scenes for the light-hearted. My one complaint is that some scenes are a bit cheesy, but I shrugged those off easily.

The characters in Transparent were definitely an enjoyable aspect of the novel. Fiona is a girl that readers can understand and connect with, and the feelings that she goes through as an invisible girl feel realistic. Not only did I love Fiona, but I loved her friends and family as well. Full of support and protection, these characters do not fail to put a heart-warming smile on your face. A seriously great cast of characters!

In all, I highly recommend Transparent, it's such a unique novel, and one of those where you can easily fly through. And I'm so glad that it's not a series! It's perfect as a standalone. Check this one out if you're looking for an adorable romance, contemporary/action filled story, and a character who's invisible!

4 teacups for Transparent!

*Much thanks to HarperTeen and Edelweiss for providing me with a copy to review!*

REVIEW: The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden by Jessica Sorensen

Jen's Review

The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden
by Jessica Sorensen
Publisher: Self-pubbed
Release Date: December 13, 2012

With the rise in New Adult novels releasing by the second (I swear), every new story has to stand out to become one of my favorites. The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden was quite different from some of the other NA books I've read out there. It's emotionally draining, yet beautiful at the same time. The main characters were both broken and needed mending, or they were going to crack soon. Poignant and realistic, The Coincidence was a truly gorgeous read that NA fans will enjoy from start to finish.

The story starts off with an intense, scary scene that sets up the mystery between Callie and Kayden's histories. The reader is left wondering what exactly happened to them, what scarred them for life. I was instantly intrigued and needed to know more. The rest of the plot in The Coincidence is a perfect mix of emotional, happy, steamy, and heart-pounding moments. Sorensen is skilled in the way that at the end of each chapter, she makes the reader want to know what happens next.

The most remarkable feature in The Coincidence has to be the characters themselves. Sorensen is able to pack a punch with these characters! All of the hardships they go through really tugged at my heartstrings. Callie, our female protagonist, is so broken that she needs to take little steps to recover what happened in her past. I loved watching her grow with the help from her best guy friend Seth, who is extremely supportive, loyal, and cute. Our male protagonist Kayden, is also very endearing. Kayden is scarred, but also extremely brave for doing what he feels is right. He is an impossibly patient guy with Callie, and knew his limits well. What's more is that I fell in love with their romance. Sure, Kayden kind of falls for Callie quickly out of lust, but takes his time falling in love by getting to know her deepest, darkest secrets. It was nice to see that they doubted themselves, because they didn’t even trust themselves yet. I absolutely adored the shattered main characters in this story.

And of course, you've got that element in every New Adult book-- those steamy scenes! Yes folks, it's in The Coincidence as well. Thankfully, these scenes didn't occur in the first half, so there is no case of insta-love (or raging new adult hormones in the beginning, at least).

As a whole, The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden stood out to me because of it's emotional level it takes the reader to. But I also loved the plot, and more importantly, the well-crafted characters, and the romance. Sorensen definitely left in a cliffhanger at the end, meaning that I will surely be picking up book two. With or without the cliffhanger, I would, without a doubt, pick up the sequel anyway, solely because of my love for the characters. I recommend The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden for anyone who's in the mood for an intense, romantic, and evocative story!

4 teacups for The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden!

Blog Tour: How I Lost You Review + Interview

Jen's Review

 How I Lost You
by Janet Gurtler
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Release Date: April 23, 2013

How I Lost You turned out to be a story about friendship, romance, and courage. What I liked about this one is that it's sole focus is the relationship between two friends, which isn't common among YA these days. You typically see romance-heavy issues in these types of contemporaries, but How I Lost You's outcome proved to be different. Even though I had some issues here and there, this one is an enjoyable read, with a good balance of sweet, adoring moments and serious, dark ones as well.

When I was first introduced to the main characters Grace and Kya, I immediately fell in love with Grace's character. I think the best way to describe her is loyal. Her obvious love for her best friend is clear and she didn't stop at anything to help Kya. However, my feelings for Kya were at the complete opposite end of the spectrum. To me, Kya felt like an absolutely shallow, meaningless girl. She's the character that has had a dark past and everything, and I understand that it's hard to deal with it all, but that's no excuse to treat everyone else differently just because you didn't have a good childhood. The entire time, I constantly asked myself, "Why, Grace, WHY are you still friends with this girl?" That's how utterly loyal Grace is-- she sticks with Kya, even through the worst. The characters in this book turned out to be a pro and a con; Grace made the story very touching and admirable, but Kya made it annoying and hair-pulling.

I definitely have to mention the romance, even though it played second to friendship in this story. It's a sweet, sweet romance, and I don't think I can describe it any other way. Levi, the love interest, was patient, kind, and shy. His hesitation and carefulness with Grace was just to die for. Aside from the romantic relationship itself, I really admired the fact that Gurtler did not over-exaggerate the romance, because, as mentioned, the main idea for this book was friendship. In other words, the romance didn't overshadow the friendship between Grace and Kya.

There were definitely times when I thought that the plot-pacing was very sporadic. The first half of the novel was fantastic. We were introduced to this colorful cast of characters, and Grace and Kya's summer had just begun. My instant reaction was: YES, A PERFECT SUMMER READ. However, towards the middle, I just got plain bored. Nothing was happening, and every description triggered a thought similar to this: Why the heck do I care that she went to the bathroom with her toiletries bag? I was definitely frustrated at this point, but luckily, the last quarter of this book was redeeming and my initial love for this book returned. The book ended on a good note that I was satisfied with, fortunately!

I think a main aspect that readers will enjoy in How I Lost You is the inclusion of paintballing. I've never read any books that involved a sport with paintballing. I think it added a nice little spark to it that kind of made it stand out. The integration was smooth and played a good role in the story.

How I Lost You had it's good times and not-so-good times, but overall, it's a read that I recommend. It has its useful life-lessons and friendship morals scattered about that everyone can learn from. I know for a fact that Janet Gurtler is an author that I look forward to reading more books from!

3.5 teacups for How I Lost You!

*Thanks to Sourcebooks Fire and Netgalley for providing me with a copy to review!*

Interview with Janet Gurtler

1. How similar or different are these character to you? Did you ever experience the issues that Grace and Kya go through?

Grace has a few of my qualities, loyalty the biggest one. She is however way cooler and braver. I never played paintball or had my goals so clearly defined at that age.  Kya is not really like me.  I had a couple of friends who went to things similar to what Kya went through and the emotional devastation manifests itself in so many different ways. I don’t want to give away what it was for spoilers, but something pretty horrible. 

2. Most contemporaries out there today are centered around romance. What made you want to center your novel around friendship?

I tend to write contemporaries that deal with relationships and/or change. Romance is always present in my books, but not necessarily at the forefront. Although, in this story, I think Levi, the romantic interest,  is kind of the catalyst for the changing relationship with Grace and Kya.  But I choose to write about friendship, because man, teen friendship is SO IMPORTANT. In my experience it’s the girlfriends I remember and cherish, way more than the boys I went out with or had crushes on. Girl friendships or platonic male/female friendships are just as important and often more important than romance. In my opinion. :) And the hurt of a best friend break up. Oh. That’s hurt.

3. Which character did you feel a closer connection with while writing HOW I LOST YOU? Why?

I felt a really strong kinship for Kya. I understood why she was doing the things she was doing.  She didn’t mean to be selfish and horrible has is kind of driven by a dark secret in her past that damaged her. She hasn’t dealt with it yet, and until she does she is going to be unable to deal with people or things or herself in a respectful way. She is a wounded little bird, and I wanted to fix her, but she wasn’t ready to be fixed yet.

4. Do you have a some sort of message or moral that you were trying to reach out to readers through this book? If so, what is it?

My message in this book is that ultimately in life, sometimes you have to make hard decisions in order to look out for own best interests.  Grace is the type of person who wants to fix Kya and help her and I think a lot of girls/women have this quality. But we also have to realize that sometimes relationships become toxic and we have to make a choice to put ourselves first sometimes. It’s a harder than for females to do. It’s the nurturing gene.  I want girls to know it’s okay to be strong and also vulnerable, but also strong.

5. What can we expect from you in the future? (What are you currently working on?)

 I have a book coming out in 2014 called Sixteen Things I Thought Were True.  It’s about a girl who has a video of her dancing in her underwear to “I’m Sexy And I Know It’ go viral online.  Ironically , she’s hiding out from the real world online, but when life throws curves at her,  she ends up on a road trip with a strange girl and her mean boss and finds out things about herself and her life that she never knew.

Thanks so much for your time, Janet!

Happy reading, 
Jen xx

REVIEW: Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins

Jen's Review

Sweet Evil
by Wendy Higgins
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: May 1, 2012

Why. WHY.

Seeing Sweet Evil land in multiple lists of 2012 favorites, I knew I had to pick it up. I'd heard only countless things about the amazing Kaidan Rowe (the HOTTIE.), and creativity of the angel and demon aspect. And yes, I can agree to those things. I loved the characters in Sweet Evil, as well as the twist on Nephilim, sure. The start of the story was addicting and I knew I was going to fall in love with it. I thought, "So THIS is what I've been missing out on! You guys were so right about this book." Well, turns out, I was kind of wrong. By the last quarter of the novel, I was bored to death. Because of this, I was left disappointed by Sweet Evil, but at the same time, I still enjoyed it.

But before I start ranting about this book, I'd like to rave about it for a little bit. The characters were one of my favorite qualities in Sweet Evil. I immediately loved Anna Whitt because she was innocent and new how to make the right decisions. She was a little too innocent at times, but it wasn't bothersome for me. I loved her relationship with her surrogate mother, Patti. It was really sweet and genuine and just really touching overall. Of course, I have to talk about Kaidan Rowe, the infamous British bad-boy that everyone seems to rave about. Um, can you say MAJOR SWOON? There was some definite fan-girling and sighs involved while reading the steamy scenes. Not only were the main characters fabulous, a lot of the side characters were just as significantly likeable. Jay, for example. Jay is Anna's music-loving best friend, and he was so supportive, he made me want to have a guy best-friend. He was super friendly and just an overall happy character. Also, previously mentioned before, Patti Whitt. As Anna's "mother", she was really lenient and protective at the same time. Her genuine concern really hit it home for me. The characters had to be one of my favorite attributes of Sweet Evil.

I also have to appreciate the angel and demon world that Higgins has created! It's unlike any other angel story I've read, since she brings in Dukes and Legionnares and it's just a bunch of awesome. The creativity of the demons was able to bring about conflict and little bumps along the way, which I thought was a very smart way to create plot tension.

However, my enjoyment for this book pretty much ends here. Let the ranting begin.

While I do say that I love Anna and Kaidan as characters, I didn't necessarily like them together. Their relationship didn't really seem real to me. I never fully understood why Kaidan liked Anna, as he IS the son of the Duke of Lust, and kind of easily falls for a girl's physical features. Similarly, Anna seemed to fall for Kaidan for the same reason. Because he was cute. Yeah, that makes a strong relationship, right? Their relationship was on-again, off-again for the ENTIRE time, and I just. *face palm* MAKE UP YOUR MINDS, HORMONE-LOADED TEENAGERS. Goodness.

I also got bored with the plot in the last quarter of the novel. Nothing was happening, and most importantly, nothing was being resolved. *Insert bored gif here* And you know how usually, novels end with a fast-paced, action scene? Well, Sweet Evil had one of those, but it certainly wasn't exciting or a page-flipper. Needless to say, the ending wasn't even able to satisfy me. There was no craving for more. I didn't even want to know what happens next for Anna and Kaidan. Yeah, super depressing.

This concludes my mixed-feeling review for Sweet Evil. I had every intention of picking this book up in the first place and devouring it, but no intention at all to pick up the sequel. While the characters and the concept of angels and demons were highly fascinating, I couldn't look past the romantic relationship or the plot in the end. However, there are so many other readers out there who enjoyed this book, so I do still recommend it!

3.5 teacups for Sweet Evil!

Blog Tour: The Rules for Disappearing Review + Giveaway!

Today is my stop for The Rules for Disappearing blog tour, hosted by Shane at Itching For Books! I have a review to share with you all, as well as a giveaway! To check out the rest of the tour, click here.

Jen's Review

The Rules for Disappearing
by Ashley Elston
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Release Date: May 14, 2013

The one thing that stands out for me when I first heard about The Rules for Disappearing was the fact that it's about the Witness Protection Program. I had never read anything like it before, so I was instantly curious and itching to read it. This book, more than ever, is a mystery. But more importantly, I felt that it was stronger as a romance, and a self-realization type of story. While this book was an entertaining read, it's not the most memorable.

One of the main factors that slowed down this book for me was that the overall plot of the story is interesting, but the pace gets slower as the reader gets closer and closer to the end. You'd expect the opposite: a mystery leading up to a fast-paced climax of the story, but personally for me, I was getting sleepier by each page. I loved the concept of the Witness Protection Program, but the mystery wasn't all that amazing. We got introduced to the story behind it all, and it was one of those "Okay, nodding my head, I'll go along with it, but I don't NEED to know what's happening" type of situations. It was fun to read about, but not gripping or heart-racing in any way. And the ending? So disappointed. It ended so abruptly, and the mystery was solved way too easily, leaving the reader wanting more of a mind-blowing resolution.

What's more strange, is that I absolutely LOVED the romance-- it's the strongest point in the whole novel-- but I didn't like the main character, Meg, independently. Meg alone is a sullen character, and she literally has no self-control. Sure, I understand that she's tired of moving so much and that she should keep to herself, but just because meeting a cute boy in a new town does NOT mean you can lose all control and fall in love with him, especially when you're under strict WPP rules. However, I'm glad this romance happened because it's seriously so sweet; I could taste the sugar on my tongue whenever they were together! Ethan, the love interest, doesn't hesitate to help and find out about Meg, and he was just the kindest, most endearing male specimen ever. SWOON, much?

In all, while the plot and mystery were pretty slow-going, the romance did it all for me. The romance was what kept me reading, and it's really something you don't want to miss out on if you're a romance junkie (like me). The Rules for Disappearing doesn't have the most memorable plot, but it is still a fun, quick mystery.

3 teacups for The Rules for Disappearing!

*Thanks to Disney Hyperion, Netgalley, and Shane for providing me with a review copy!*

Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy reading!
Jen xx

Blog Tour: Nantucket Blue Review + Giveaway!

I'm so excited to be a part of the Nantucket Blue blog tour, hosted by the lovely Shane at Itching For Books! Today I have my review of Nantucket Blue and a giveaway! To see the rest of the tour, click here.

Jen's Review

Nantucket Blue
by Leila Howland
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Release Date: May 7, 2013

Summer. When the sun's rays are shining down on your bare shoulders, when your ice cold glass of lemonade is freezing your hand off, even though the rest of your body is on fire. Summer, when your life is carefree. Summer, when sometimes, you discover who you are and who you're meant to be with. Summer, when you maybe find your summer romance.

Nantucket Blue was very much all of these things. It's quite the enjoyable perfect summer read, with it's distinct setting on an island off the coast, friendship problems, family problems, and of course, the boy problems. Although I had a few problems with it here and there, Nantucket Blue definitely prepped and got me excited for summer.

My favorite aspect of Nantucket Blue for sure was the setting. Leila Howland did a fabulous job creating the mood and picture of the story-- the island with its boat docks, little shops, sandy beaches, and bikes everywhere instead of cars. The picture was very clear and was accessibly easy to settle into the story. Perhaps it was the setting that I wanted to return to every time I wasn't reading this book, but I don't think Howland could have down a better job with it. It seriously makes me crave summer so much more!

And you know those contemporary novels that have a bunch of little mini problems that pop up here and there in the story, and they just somehow intertwine together to make an interesting story? Leila Howland was able to perfect that. The original plot with Cricket and her best friend Jules moving to Nantucket for the summer slowly turns into a whirlwind of problems amongst themselves, their parents, drama with boys, and more. All of these elements combined formed an intriguing plot line that I couldn't stay away from. I always wanted to know what happened next!

However, I did have some minor issues with the main character, Cricket, and the romance. Cricket was an okay character for me, but I never really felt a closeness or connection with her. Her obsession with her ex-best friend's family was a little intense and weird. The romance starts off as pure lust. Then, the love interest shifts into something that was uncomfortable to read about, but later on I grew more comfortable with it. I just have really mixed feelings about it, and I think it could have been done differently.

Aside from some minor problems with the main protagonist and the summer romance, I really enjoyed Nantucket Blue for its wonderfully vivid setting and well-thought out plot line. I definitely recommend it if you're looking for a quick summer read for reading on the beach!

3.75 teacups for Nantucket Blue!

*Thanks to IFB, Disney Hyperion, and Netgalley for providing me with a copy for review!*

Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy reading, 

Jen xx

REVIEW: The Last Academy by Anne Applegate

Jen's Review

The Last Academy
by Anne Applegate
April 30, 2013
Point
320 pages, Hardcover

Honestly, I just don't even know.

The only way that I can describe this book, is weird. HOLY. Like, I can't even describe. To be honest, after reading the last word in this book, my only thought was, "I'm glad that's over." The Last Academy by Anne Applegate is a book that I was highly anticipating for 2013, and all I got was a bunch of uncomfortable weirdness. Y'all might be thinking: is that the only way Jen can describe this book? And the answer is yes! Throughout the entire novel I was constantly thinking how strange and utterly freaky this book was, and not necessarily in the good way. So many things went wrong for me in this book, and I have to admit, it was frustrating. The Last Academy is a curious book with its odd characteristics here and there (and everywhere).

One of my main problems (among many..) in this book is the plot. There's not much going for it, which makes it really confusing. At first, I kind of just went along with it, but by the midway point, I was completely befuddled as to where the story was going. I wasn't even sure if the genre of this book was contemporary, thriller, mystery, or supernatural? It's all over the place. It's not until 90% that the reader finds out the answers in this book. Ninety percent. That's a long time; usually, it's the halfway point or a little after that, not right before the very end. Sadly, only the last ten percent of this novel was redeemable and actually slightly enjoyable. So that's how the plot went. As you can tell, not very well…

I also had issues with the characters in The Last Academy. The main character, Camden, is one of those characters that's just kind of there. I have no feelings for her, none at all. I felt no connection during my time with this book whatsoever. She is flat, and a bit boring at that. Camden goes through a lot of problems, and not one of them made me empathize with her. And the other characters in the book? Nawwwt much better. I have to mention the staff in The Last Academy. UUUMM, creepers! They are all totally pedos and spine-tinglingly uncomfortable!

So, clearly, this book didn't work out for me. However, it did make me curious enough to read the whole thing, and not DNF it. It's like those things that are so gross but you just can't look away, you know? It's a weird feeling. I honestly expected so much more out of this book because I love boarding school books (lately, I've noticed that boarding school books haven't been working out for me..), but The Last Academy was not my cup of tea. Hopefully some readers out there will enjoy this novel, but I can't really recommend it, unless you want to be completely weirded out!

2 teacups for The Last Academy!

*Thanks to the publisher & Netgalley for providing me with a copy to review!*