Blog Tour Review & Giveaway: To Be Honest

To Be Honest by Maggie Ann Martin (Aug. 21, 2018)
Length: 304 pages
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
Publisher: Swoon Reads
Source: I received a free copy as part of the Xpresso Book Tours. This did NOT affect my honest review. Thanks!
Purchase: Barnes & Noble | Amazon | iBooks
My Rating:

Synopsis: Savannah is dreading being home alone with her overbearing mother after her sister goes off to college. But if she can just get through senior year, she’ll be able to escape to college, too. What she doesn’t count on is that her mother’s obsession with weight has only grown deeper since her appearance on an extreme weight-loss show, and now Savvy’s mom is pressuring her even harder to be constantly mindful of what she eats. Between her mom’s diet-helicoptering, missing her sister, and worrying about her collegiate future, Savvy has enough to worry about. And then she meets George, the cute new kid at school who has insecurities of his own. As Savvy and George grow closer, they help each other discover how to live in the moment and enjoy the here and now before it disappears.

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My Review

To Be Honest in Three Words: Adorable. Strong. Honest.

Okay, I freaking adore this book! To Be Honest is the most honest young adult contemporary novel I have read in a while.

Savannah is bold. Savannah is amazing. Savannah is stubborn. Savannah is strong. Savannah is real. I wish I would have been as awesome as Savannah when I was a teenager. She is much more confident in her own skin than I was at her age, and that was a nice message to read.

Not only did I very much love Savannah, but I enjoyed reading about Savannah's relationships with her mom, sister, dad, her crush George, and best friend Grace. Her mom is struggling with her own body image, her sister is reliable and kind, Grace is sweet and fun, and George is nerdy and adorable. Each character impacts Savannah's life in a different way, and I loved reading about all of these different relationship dynamics.

I thoroughly enjoyed this quick read. However, I do wish the book would have been a little longer so we could have had more focus on some of the interesting and fun subplots that were going on. That is my only complaint.

The Bottom Line: To be honest, this book is worth every penny. Get yourself a copy sooner rather than later.

The Author

Maggie Ann Martin hails from Iowa City, Iowa but moonlights as a New Yorker. She has a shiny new BA in English and Journalism from the University of Iowa, the most welcoming literary community in the world. When she is not writing, you can find her binge watching TV shows or passionately fangirling over fictional characters on the Internet. The Big F is her debut novel.

WEBSITE | GOODREADS | TWITTER

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Review: Nowhere But Here by Katie McGarry

Nowhere But Here by Katie McGarry (May 2015)
496 pages
Genre: Young Adult Romance
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Source: The library.
Purchase: Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository | Amazon
My Rating:

Goodreads Summary: Seventeen-year-old Emily likes her life the way it is: doting parents, good friends, good school in a safe neighborhood. Sure, she's curious about her biological father—the one who chose life in a motorcycle club, the Reign of Terror, over being a parent—but that doesn't mean she wants to be a part of his world. But when a reluctant visit turns to an extended summer vacation among relatives she never knew she had, one thing becomes clear: nothing is what it seems. Not the club, not her secret-keeping father and not Oz, a guy with suck-me-in blue eyes who can help her understand them both.

Oz wants one thing: to join the Reign of Terror. They're the good guys. They protect people. They're…family. And while Emily—the gorgeous and sheltered daughter of the club's most respected member—is in town, he's gonna prove it to her. So when her father asks him to keep her safe from a rival club with a score to settle, Oz knows it's his shot at his dream. What he doesn't count on is that Emily just might turn that dream upside down.

No one wants them to be together. But sometimes the right person is the one you least expect, and the road you fear the most is the one that leads you home.

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My Review

I'm going to start off my review with the two main characters' opening lines.

Emily

"Top three awful moments of my life: Meeting my biological father at ten. Breaking my arm in three spots at nine. Falling into a hole and being trapped there overnight with a dead body at eight."

Oz

"It's three in the morning and Mom and I continue to wait."

My First Thought: Is this going to be my kind of book? A few pages later... Why, I guess it is! *smiles wide*

This seemed like a longer romance novel to me since it hit close to 500 pages, but I liked these characters enough that I didn't mind one bit and am thankful for its length. I am so glad I decided to finally take a chance on reading one of Katie McGarry's novels. I don't read a lot of young adult romance, but I am trying to be more open minded about what I read so I gave it a shot.

If I am going to read a romance novel, I prefer one with dual POVs from both the male and female (or male and male or female and female) love interests. I don't know if this will make sense to you, but the dual POVs seem to make me less aggravated with a character with a budding romance when I can get inside both peoples' heads.

In Nowhere But Here we get to witness Emily try to figure out who her biological father is, and if she can find a way to let him into her life. All the while we also get to see Oz deal with trying to conquer his dream of becoming an official member of the Reign of Terror. Their issues are different and the same. Figuring out where and how you belong as a teenager is always difficult. As for these two as a couple, they are super cute and have some steamy moments. Honestly, I didn't find them annoying at all, which is a big accomplishment for a young adult romance. Usually the "will they won't they" or "we fight because we don't communicate thing" drives me insane, but there really wasn't a lot of that here.

The Bottom Line: I am sure fans of Katie McGarry will love this novel. As for everyone else, next time you are in a romance type mood I suggest you pick up Nowhere But Here.

Blog Tour Review and Giveaway: Made For You by: Melissa Marr

Made For You by: Melissa Marr (Sept. 16, 2014)

368 pages

Genre: Young Adult/Mystery/Thriller/Paranormal

Publisher: HaperCollins

Source: I received a free copy of this book through Xpresso Book Tours in exchange for my honest review. Thanks to the author and Xpresso!

Purchase: Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository | Amazon| Kobo | iTunes

Synopsis: Bestselling author of the Wicked Lovely books Melissa Marr’s first contemporary YA novel is a twisted southern gothic tale of obsession, romance, and murder. A killer is obsessed with Eva Tilling. Can she stop him, or will he claim her?

When Eva Tilling wakes up in the hospital, she’s confused—who in her sleepy little North Carolina town could have hit her with their car? And why? But before she can consider the question, she finds that she’s awoken with a strange new skill: the ability to foresee people’s deaths when they touch her. While she is recovering from the hit-and-run, Nate, an old flame, reappears, and the two must traverse their rocky past as they figure out how to use Eva’s power to keep her friends—and themselves—alive. But while Eva and Nate grow closer, the killer grows increasingly frantic in his attempt to get to Eva.

For the first time, New York Times bestselling author Melissa Marr has applied her extraordinary talent to contemporary realism. Chilling twists, unrequited obsession, and high-stakes romance drive this Gothic, racy thriller—a story of small-town oppression and salvation. Melissa’s fans, and every YA reader, will find its wild ride enthralling.

My Review

Made for You is a thrilling novel that I won't soon forget. I have enjoyed Marr’s other books, Carnival of Souls and her Wicked Lovely trilogy a great deal, so much in fact that her name alone is what got me to read this book. I’m glad I took the chance because I am always looking for new young adult mystery/thrillers that are unique, and Made for You definitely fits the bill.

The beginning of Made for You may have started off a tad slow (the pacing just seemed a little bit off) but it gets better and better as you get further into the book. Other than the sometimes weird pacing, the plot is exceptional, along with its setting. It takes place in a nice little town that never sees any dangers... until now that is. Made For You is chilling and creepy, but luckily Marr did a wonderful job at adding some much needed comedic relief whenever the novel got super dark/creepy.

Now let's talk characters. As any good mystery writer does Marr made me extremely curious about the killer from the very beginning. There are chapters from the killer’s POV which were beyond creepy, but really added to the story. Eva is a likable main character who is just going through the motions, until she is attacked. Now she has visions and must worry about her safety and her friends' safety.Eva’s visions were interesting and added a small flare of paranormal awesomeness.Her friends, especially her best friend, are also essential characters in Eva’s life. They are all pretty interesting and I always enjoy when friendships trump relationships in my books. And a quick work on the relationship in this book. It is present and cute, but also a little frustrating. Either way, I liked it but I didn’t love it.One last great thing about the characters in Made For You, there is also the little fact that this book has parent sightings, multiple ones. The best part, the parents may not be the best (which is a young adult trope I’ve seen a million times), BUT this time the parents try to be better. Yea, you heard me right.

Although Made for You had a few small flaws, it was all in all a very good read. A very good read indeed. Made for You may not be a mystery novel with a huge shocking reveal, but it has a strong group of characters, a unique plot, and admirable writing.

The Author

Hmm, I’m never good at the bio bit. I used to teach college & bartend, now I write novels. I love to meet new people, to hear their stories, to walk through new streets and see new vistas. I enjoy art in all its guises–graffiti, surrealist paintings, classic sculptures, tattoos, interesting buildings, Renoir, photography . . . Art & nature, they feed my soul & thus my muse.

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Romantic Comedy Mini Reviews: How Zoe Made Her Dreams (Mostly) Come True & I've Got Your Number

How Zoe Made Her Dreams (Mostly) Come True by: Sarah Strohmeyer (2013)

295 pages

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Genre: YA/ Romantic Comedy

Source: The Library

Purchase: Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository

Goodreads Summary: From Sarah Strohmeyer, author of Smart Girls Get What They Want, comes this romantic comedy about one girl's summer job from hell. Think The Devil Wears Prada set in Disney World.

When cousins Zoe and Jess land summer internships at the Fairyland Kingdom theme park, they are sure they've hit the jackpot. With perks like hot Abercrombie-like Prince Charmings and a chance to win the coveted $25,000 Dream & Do grant, what more could a girl want?

Once Zoe arrives, however, she's assigned to serve "The Queen"-Fairyland's boss from hell. From spoon-feeding her evil lapdog caviar, to fetching midnight sleeping tonics, Zoe fears she might not have what it takes to survive the summer, much less win the money.

Soon backstabbing interns, a runaway Cinderella, and cutthroat competition make Zoe's job more like a nightmare than a fairy tale. What will happen when Zoe is forced to choose between serving The Queen and saving the prince of her dreams?

My Review: How Zoe Made Her Dreams (Mostly) Come True is a genuine young adult romantic comedy with a mystery thrown in. I was laughing through pretty much the entire novel. Disasters are abundant in the Fairytale Land theme park. Who knew that so much work and craziness goes on behind the scenes of a theme park? Some of the story was a little annoying but mostly it was just cute fun. The ending was fantastic! Zoe is a true friend and has such a pure heart. Her cousin and friend Jess added a little something extra. I really like how much the book focused on friendships more than anything else. There was romance too but it was in the background, a slight love triangle between Zoe, the lady in waiting, and a couple of princes. Her summer internship will bring you joy, this I know. Oh and there are fairy tale characters around every corner, for example, there is The Evil Queen who is evil indeed, and maybe a little crazy. 

MY RATING 3.5/5 

I've Got Your Number by: Sophie Kinsella

433 pages

Publisher: The Dial Press

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Source: The Library

Purchase: Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository

Goodreads Summary: I’ve lost it. :( The only thing in the world I wasn’t supposed to lose. My engagement ring. It’s been in Magnus’s family for three generations. And now the very same day his parents are coming, I’ve lost it. The very same day! Do not hyperventilate, Poppy. Stay positive :) !!

Poppy Wyatt has never felt luckier. She is about to marry her ideal man, Magnus Tavish, but in one afternoon her “happily ever after” begins to fall apart. Not only has she lost her engagement ring in a hotel fire drill but in the panic that follows, her phone is stolen. As she paces shakily around the lobby, she spots an abandoned phone in a trash can. Finders keepers! Now she can leave a number for the hotel to contact her when they find her ring. Perfect!

Well, perfect except that the phone’s owner, businessman Sam Roxton, doesn’t agree. He wants his phone back and doesn’t appreciate Poppy reading his messages and wading into his personal life.

What ensues is a hilarious and unpredictable turn of events as Poppy and Sam increasingly upend each other’s lives through emails and text messages. As Poppy juggles wedding preparations, mysterious phone calls, and hiding her left hand from Magnus and his parents . . . she soon realizes that she is in for the biggest surprise of her life.

My Review: I've Got Your Number is a book that will make you giggle the entire time your reading it guaranteed. This is my first Sophie Kinsella novel and I wasn't disappointed, I plan on reading more by her soon. It's the perfect book if you are looking for a light romantic comedy that will lift your spirits and have you cheering for the girl. Poppy is a slightly crazy and charming woman who is in complete panic mode over losing her engagement ring. She was easy to relate to and when she was in panic mode I felt like I was reading a story about my life. :) At times I've Got Your Number went a little too crazy with some really out there scenes for my taste, but it still had me laughing.  Take a break from those dystopian novels or deep thought provoking books and fall into Poppy's kooky life.

MY RATING: 4/5