(Summary from Goodreads). From the author of This Song Will Save Your Life comes a funny and relatable book about the hazards of falling for a person you haven't met yet.
Seventeen-year-old Arden Huntley is recklessly loyal. Taking care of her loved ones is what gives Arden purpose in her life and makes her feel like she matters. But she's tired of being loyal to people who don't appreciate her—including her needy best friend and her absent mom.
Arden finds comfort in a blog she stumbles upon called "Tonight the Streets Are Ours," the musings of a young New York City writer named Peter. When Peter is dumped by the girlfriend he blogs about, Arden decides to take a road trip to see him.
During one crazy night out in NYC filled with parties, dancing, and music—the type of night when anything can happen, and nearly everything does—Arden discovers that Peter isn't exactly who she thought he was. And maybe she isn't exactly who she thought she was, either.
I received a free copy of this book for an honest review.
I was interested in this book because of the cover. It is so pretty and I was very attracted to it. I couldn't put this book down! It was an interesting book. I like that Arden was loyal to her best friend and her bf even if they didn't deserve it. She sticks by her friends no matter what.
I loved Peter's writing. I definitely predicted what happened... and I'm glad that what happened to Peter happened to him. His writing made it seem like his story as the right story until Arden went to NYC and met him and found out more about this story.
The part with Arden's mother was surprising... She was devoted to being the best mother possible and going to extremes to fit that role... until she broke down and couldn't handle it anymore.
I really liked the epilogue. I liked that it was a relatable love story even if the rest of it might not have been as relatable (because who decides to dive to NYC last minute just to meet a blogger?). It was a fun and entertaining read. The plot developed quickly and was easy to follow.
4.5 out of five stars.
Saturday, June 27, 2015
REVIEW: Be With Me by J. Lynn
(Summary from Goodreads). Teresa Hamilton is having a rough year—she’s in love with her big brother’s best friend, but he hasn’t spoken to her since they shared a truly amazing, mind-blowing, change-your-life kiss. She got out of a terrible relationship. And now an injury is threatening to end her dance career for good. It’s time for Plan B – college. And maybe a chance to convince Jase that what they have together is real.
Jase Winstead has a huge secret that he’s not telling anyone. Especially not his best friend’s incredibly beautiful sister. Even though he and Teresa shared the hottest kiss of his life, he knows that his responsibilities must take priority. He certainly doesn’t have time for a relationship. But it doesn’t help that all he can think about kissing the one girl who could ruin everything for him.
As they’re thrown together more and more, Jase and Tess can’t keep denying their feelings for each other. But a familiar danger looms and tragedy strikes. As the campus recovers, the star-crossed couple must decide what they’re willing to risk to be together, and what they’re willing to lose if they’re not.
OMG. This book. I loved the characters. I loved that it was about Cam's little sister. It was such a great read. Very entertaining and I couldn't put it down. I will definiltey be reading more of J. Lynn's books.
Jase's story though! It was so perfect and different. I love that he finally opened up to love Teresa.
I felt so bad for Teresea... for what happened with her with dance and her roommate. The book had a great story and fast pace. The characters were likable and hilarious.
Of course I loved that Cam and Avery played big parts in this book. Their connection and humor made me laugh. Of course there was a lot of swoon worthy moments and hilarious moments. I had to resist turning to the last page to read what happened. I LOVED IT.
Five out of five stars.
REVIEW: The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things by Ann Aguirre
(Summary from Goodreads). Sage Czinski is trying really hard to be perfect. If she manages it, people won’t peer beyond the surface, or ask hard questions about her past. She’s learned to substitute causes for relationships, and it’s working just fine… until Shane Cavendish strolls into her math class. He’s a little antisocial, a lot beautiful, and everything she never knew she always wanted.
Shane Cavendish just wants to be left alone to play guitar and work on his music. He’s got heartbreak and loneliness in his rearview mirror, and this new school represents his last chance. He doesn’t expect to be happy; he only wants to graduate and move on. He never counted on a girl like Sage.
But love doesn’t mend all broken things, and sometimes life has to fall apart before it can be put back together again
Shane Cavendish just wants to be left alone to play guitar and work on his music. He’s got heartbreak and loneliness in his rearview mirror, and this new school represents his last chance. He doesn’t expect to be happy; he only wants to graduate and move on. He never counted on a girl like Sage.
But love doesn’t mend all broken things, and sometimes life has to fall apart before it can be put back together again
I honestly couldn't put this book down. I had to find out what happened with Sage... and what was going to happen with Sage and Shane. I wasn't disappointed. It was a really good book with a fast plot and likable characters.
I like how Sage would leave positive post-its on random lockers or lockers of people she thought needed it all throughout her high school life. That is such a great thing to do for fellow school mates. I love the thought of someone leaving warm fuzzies for other people.
Shane was an interesting character. I'm surprised he got away with living on his own for so long... Sage and Shane were such a good couple. The ending made me tear up a little bit. Sage obviously had some PTSD about what happened and was very guarded. I like the humor and the SONG OMG. The song that Shane sang was perfection.
This is probably one of my favorite reads of this year. It was very enjoyable and a quick read.
Five out of five stars.
Monday, June 8, 2015
REVIEW: Confess by Colleen Hoover
(Summary from Goodreads). Auburn Reed has her entire life mapped out. Her goals are in sight and there’s no room for mistakes. But when she walks into a Dallas art studio in search of a job, she doesn’t expect to find a deep attraction to the enigmatic artist who works there, Owen Gentry.
For once, Auburn takes a risk and puts her heart in control, only to discover Owen is keeping major secrets from coming out. The magnitude of his past threatens to destroy everything important to Auburn, and the only way to get her life back on track is to cut Owen out of it.
The last thing Owen wants is to lose Auburn, but he can’t seem to convince her that truth is sometimes as subjective as art. All he would have to do to save their relationship is confess. But in this case, the confession could be much more destructive than the actual sin.
I didn't know that Colleen had come out with a new book... OMG (hahaha). I loved everything about this book! I was so surprised with what happened in this. I loved that it was all fate.
UGH. This book. SO much stuff happened, and it was an emotional roller coaster the whole time. I couldn't put the book down. I just had to find out what happened. I LOVE the idea about the confessions. I want to read more... and I want to write one of my own. I wish there was somewhere that took confessions like that. ;)
I never liked Trey. He just had the worst vibe. Like... tucking in her hair... NO. No no no... Police officers who abuse their power is the worst in my opinion. He just scared me from the beginning. His view of what was happening was messed up.
I loved AJ... I just... he is such a sweet kid and the fact that Auburn had him was just perfect. I mean the situation probably wasn't ideal, but she will always have someone who is part of Adam.
I can't believe that Adam came from a family like that. Not only was the brother insane and horrible, Lydia was the same exact way! NO. I don't understand... like if Auburn knew she was like that, WHY WOULD YOU SIGN OVER ALL THE RIGHTS. NO. NO NO NO. UGH.
This book though. It made me so angry, but I loved it. Owen was just perfect. He was always there for Auburn and understood her. He was there for her and supportive of her decisions.
Five out of five stars.
For once, Auburn takes a risk and puts her heart in control, only to discover Owen is keeping major secrets from coming out. The magnitude of his past threatens to destroy everything important to Auburn, and the only way to get her life back on track is to cut Owen out of it.
The last thing Owen wants is to lose Auburn, but he can’t seem to convince her that truth is sometimes as subjective as art. All he would have to do to save their relationship is confess. But in this case, the confession could be much more destructive than the actual sin.
I didn't know that Colleen had come out with a new book... OMG (hahaha). I loved everything about this book! I was so surprised with what happened in this. I loved that it was all fate.
UGH. This book. SO much stuff happened, and it was an emotional roller coaster the whole time. I couldn't put the book down. I just had to find out what happened. I LOVE the idea about the confessions. I want to read more... and I want to write one of my own. I wish there was somewhere that took confessions like that. ;)
I never liked Trey. He just had the worst vibe. Like... tucking in her hair... NO. No no no... Police officers who abuse their power is the worst in my opinion. He just scared me from the beginning. His view of what was happening was messed up.
I loved AJ... I just... he is such a sweet kid and the fact that Auburn had him was just perfect. I mean the situation probably wasn't ideal, but she will always have someone who is part of Adam.
I can't believe that Adam came from a family like that. Not only was the brother insane and horrible, Lydia was the same exact way! NO. I don't understand... like if Auburn knew she was like that, WHY WOULD YOU SIGN OVER ALL THE RIGHTS. NO. NO NO NO. UGH.
This book though. It made me so angry, but I loved it. Owen was just perfect. He was always there for Auburn and understood her. He was there for her and supportive of her decisions.
Five out of five stars.
REVIEW: Illuminae (The Illuminae Files, #1) by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
(Summary from Goodreads). This morning, Kady thought breaking up with Ezra was the hardest thing she’d have to do.
This afternoon, her planet was invaded.
The year is 2575, and two rival megacorporations are at war over a planet that’s little more than an ice-covered speck at the edge of the universe. Too bad nobody thought to warn the people living on it. With enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra—who are barely even talking to each other—are forced to fight their way onto an evacuating fleet, with an enemy warship in hot pursuit.
But their problems are just getting started. A deadly plague has broken out and is mutating, with terrifying results; the fleet's AI, which should be protecting them, may actually be their enemy; and nobody in charge will say what’s really going on. As Kady hacks into a tangled web of data to find the truth, it's clear only one person can help her bring it all to light: the ex-boyfriend she swore she'd never speak to again.
Told through a fascinating dossier of hacked documents—including emails, schematics, military files, IMs, medical reports, interviews, and more—Illuminae is the first book in a heart-stopping, high-octane trilogy about lives interrupted, the price of truth, and the courage of everyday heroes.
Thank you Pasadena Loves YA for the ARC of this book.
I went into this book thinking it was AMAZING because a friend said it was. I got through about 200 pages when I realized I had no idea what was going on.. so I started over. That time I understood what was going on, but was still very unsure about what was happening. It is told from different perspectives, but the only one I really followed was between Kady and Ezra and what AIDAN was thinking. Ha.
Even though I didn't like the book as much as I wish I did, I LOVED the format. I love that it was through IMs, emails, interviews, files, etc. It is very different and I like that!
I think I would have liked this book more if I was into sci-fi. It is a great book, but just not my thing. The writing and plot were perfect. I went into this book with really high expectations, but I don't think that it met those expectations.... but it was really good.
It is 600 pages, but for many of the pages there are just a couple words on the pages... plus the format makes it just fly by. I'm sure I will try and read it again in a couple months, but for now I am taking a break from sci-fi. :)
Four out of five stars.
This afternoon, her planet was invaded.
The year is 2575, and two rival megacorporations are at war over a planet that’s little more than an ice-covered speck at the edge of the universe. Too bad nobody thought to warn the people living on it. With enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra—who are barely even talking to each other—are forced to fight their way onto an evacuating fleet, with an enemy warship in hot pursuit.
But their problems are just getting started. A deadly plague has broken out and is mutating, with terrifying results; the fleet's AI, which should be protecting them, may actually be their enemy; and nobody in charge will say what’s really going on. As Kady hacks into a tangled web of data to find the truth, it's clear only one person can help her bring it all to light: the ex-boyfriend she swore she'd never speak to again.
Told through a fascinating dossier of hacked documents—including emails, schematics, military files, IMs, medical reports, interviews, and more—Illuminae is the first book in a heart-stopping, high-octane trilogy about lives interrupted, the price of truth, and the courage of everyday heroes.
Thank you Pasadena Loves YA for the ARC of this book.
I went into this book thinking it was AMAZING because a friend said it was. I got through about 200 pages when I realized I had no idea what was going on.. so I started over. That time I understood what was going on, but was still very unsure about what was happening. It is told from different perspectives, but the only one I really followed was between Kady and Ezra and what AIDAN was thinking. Ha.
Even though I didn't like the book as much as I wish I did, I LOVED the format. I love that it was through IMs, emails, interviews, files, etc. It is very different and I like that!
I think I would have liked this book more if I was into sci-fi. It is a great book, but just not my thing. The writing and plot were perfect. I went into this book with really high expectations, but I don't think that it met those expectations.... but it was really good.
It is 600 pages, but for many of the pages there are just a couple words on the pages... plus the format makes it just fly by. I'm sure I will try and read it again in a couple months, but for now I am taking a break from sci-fi. :)
Four out of five stars.
REVIEW: Right of Way by Lauren Barnholdt
(Summary from Goodreads). Here are Peyton and Jace, meeting on vacation. Click! It’s awesome, it’s easy, it’s romantic. This is the real deal.
Unless it isn’t. Because when you’re in love, you don’t just stop calling one day. And you don’t keep secrets. Or lie. And when your life starts falling apart, you’re supposed to have the other person to lean on.
Here are Peyton and Jace again, broken up but thrown together on a road trip. One of them is lying about the destination. One of them is pretending not to be leaving something behind. And neither of them is prepared for what’s coming on the road ahead.
This was an interesting book to read. I love that after the couple of months, Jace still loves Peyton. I feel like he had a good reason to be angry with Peyton, but that twas not the right way to handle it.
I liked this book just fine. It wasn't my favorite contemporary book, but it wasn't the worst book ever. It was written well and I liked the characters. I've had it on my TBR for months when I first read Two-Way Street. It was great that the characters from that book made a cameo in this book!
The only thing I didn't like was that Peyton never confronted her mom about what she did! Like no. That part seemed open ended because it was a big part of the story.
It was an easy, beach/summery/road trip read. I liked it. Nothing about it stood out to me... but I liked it for what it is.
Four out of five stars.
Unless it isn’t. Because when you’re in love, you don’t just stop calling one day. And you don’t keep secrets. Or lie. And when your life starts falling apart, you’re supposed to have the other person to lean on.
Here are Peyton and Jace again, broken up but thrown together on a road trip. One of them is lying about the destination. One of them is pretending not to be leaving something behind. And neither of them is prepared for what’s coming on the road ahead.
This was an interesting book to read. I love that after the couple of months, Jace still loves Peyton. I feel like he had a good reason to be angry with Peyton, but that twas not the right way to handle it.
I liked this book just fine. It wasn't my favorite contemporary book, but it wasn't the worst book ever. It was written well and I liked the characters. I've had it on my TBR for months when I first read Two-Way Street. It was great that the characters from that book made a cameo in this book!
The only thing I didn't like was that Peyton never confronted her mom about what she did! Like no. That part seemed open ended because it was a big part of the story.
It was an easy, beach/summery/road trip read. I liked it. Nothing about it stood out to me... but I liked it for what it is.
Four out of five stars.
Saturday, May 30, 2015
REVIEW: PS, I Still Love You by Jenny Han
(Summary from Goodreads). Lara Jean didn’t expect to really fall for Peter.
She and Peter were just pretending. Except suddenly they weren’t. Now Lara Jean is more confused than ever.
When another boy from her past returns to her life, Lara Jean’s feelings for him return too. Can a girl be in love with two boys at once?
In this charming and heartfelt sequel to the New York Times bestseller To All the Boys I've Loved Before, we see first love through the eyes of the unforgettable Lara Jean. Love is never easy, but maybe that’s part of what makes it so amazing.
I've been a BIG fan of Jenny's since I first found her books after I found Sarah Dessen's. I loved her Summer series. They have a special place in my heart. I really liked To All the Boys. It was so adorable and sweet... I really liked Josh. I didn't think it was good for her to be with Gogo's ex boyfriend, but I also think that if it's true love... it's meant to be. You know?
Well in comes Peter. I don't know why, but he just rubbed me the wrong way. I feel like he's very into appearances. He's incredibly loyal to his close ones and that is what I liked about him even though it could be a negative aspect of him. I wish that Lara Jean chose John. I honestly do. I don't know why I don't like Peter. I really don't.
This was a fun book to read. It is VERY adorable and cute. Lara Jean is everything that a person who is in love with love embodies. She is such a dreamer, but will do what it takes to make her goals a reality. I love her love for crafts, baking, and finding love.
Overall this was a fun book to read, it wasn't bad... but also wasn't my favorite book ever. I liked it enough to read it again. :)
Four out of five stars.
She and Peter were just pretending. Except suddenly they weren’t. Now Lara Jean is more confused than ever.
When another boy from her past returns to her life, Lara Jean’s feelings for him return too. Can a girl be in love with two boys at once?
In this charming and heartfelt sequel to the New York Times bestseller To All the Boys I've Loved Before, we see first love through the eyes of the unforgettable Lara Jean. Love is never easy, but maybe that’s part of what makes it so amazing.
I've been a BIG fan of Jenny's since I first found her books after I found Sarah Dessen's. I loved her Summer series. They have a special place in my heart. I really liked To All the Boys. It was so adorable and sweet... I really liked Josh. I didn't think it was good for her to be with Gogo's ex boyfriend, but I also think that if it's true love... it's meant to be. You know?
Well in comes Peter. I don't know why, but he just rubbed me the wrong way. I feel like he's very into appearances. He's incredibly loyal to his close ones and that is what I liked about him even though it could be a negative aspect of him. I wish that Lara Jean chose John. I honestly do. I don't know why I don't like Peter. I really don't.
This was a fun book to read. It is VERY adorable and cute. Lara Jean is everything that a person who is in love with love embodies. She is such a dreamer, but will do what it takes to make her goals a reality. I love her love for crafts, baking, and finding love.
Overall this was a fun book to read, it wasn't bad... but also wasn't my favorite book ever. I liked it enough to read it again. :)
Four out of five stars.