ARC Review: The Lovely and the Lost

The Lovely and the Lost by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Genre: YA Contemporary Mystery
Length: 336 pages
Publisher: Freeform
Source: I received a free ARC from the publisher through Netgalley. Thank you! This did NOT affect my honest review.
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository
My Rating:

Goodreads Synopsis: Kira Bennett’s earliest memories are of living alone and wild in the woods. She has no idea how long she was on her own or what she had to do to survive, but she remembers the moment that Cady Bennett and one of her search-and-rescue dogs found her perfectly. Adopted into the Bennett family, Kira still struggles with human interaction years later, but she excels at the family business: search-and-rescue. Along with Cady’s son, Jude, and their neighbor, Free, Kira works alongside Cady to train the world’s most elite search-and-rescue dogs. Someday, all three teenagers hope to put their skills to use, finding the lost and bringing them home. But when Cady’s estranged father, the enigmatic Bales Bennett, tracks his daughter down and asks for her help in locating a missing child—one of several visitors who has disappeared in the Sierra Glades National Park in the past twelve months—the teens find themselves on the frontlines sooner than they could have ever expected. As the search through 750,000 acres of unbridled wilderness intensifies, Kira becomes obsessed with finding the missing child. She knows all too well what it’s like to be lost in the wilderness, fighting for survival, alone. But this case isn’t simple. There is more afoot than a single, missing girl, and Kira’s memories threaten to overwhelm her at every turn. As the danger mounts and long-held family secrets come to light, Kira is forced to question everything she thought she knew about her adopted family, her true nature, and her past.

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My Review

The Lovely and the Lost in Three Words: Captivating. Dogs. Mysterious.

I don't believe I have quite read a YA book like this one before. Since I don't want to give too much away, and because I want you to actually read this review, I am writing my review in short bullet points.

Reasons why you should read The Lovely and the Lost:

• It's a unique story
• There are search and rescue dogs
• The excellent writing makes for a seamless reading experience
• Features a solid mystery
• The main character is extremely compelling
• Family secrets are abound
• It's a real page-turner
• Did I mention the dogs?!

The Bottom Line: If you don't want to buy a copy, although you should, then at least request a copy at your library!

ARC Review: Serious Moonlight by Jenn Bennett

Serious Moonlight by Jenn Bennett (April 16, 2019)
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: 432 pages
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Source: Thanks Simon Pulse for an ARC of Serious Moonlight! This did NOT affect my honest review.
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository
My Rating:

Goodreads Synopsis: After an awkward first encounter, Birdie and Daniel are forced to work together in a Seattle hotel where a famous author leads a mysterious and secluded life in this romantic contemporary novel from the author of Alex, Approximately. Mystery-book aficionado Birdie Lindberg has an overactive imagination. Raised in isolation and homeschooled by strict grandparents, she’s cultivated a whimsical fantasy life in which she plays the heroic detective and every stranger is a suspect. But her solitary world expands when she takes a job the summer before college, working the graveyard shift at a historic Seattle hotel. In her new job, Birdie hopes to blossom from introverted dreamer to brave pioneer, and gregarious Daniel Aoki volunteers to be her guide. The hotel’s charismatic young van driver shares the same nocturnal shift and patronizes the waterfront Moonlight Diner where she waits for the early morning ferry after work. Daniel also shares her appetite for intrigue, and he’s stumbled upon a real-life mystery: a famous reclusive writer—never before seen in public—might be secretly meeting someone at the hotel. To uncover the writer’s puzzling identity, Birdie must come out of her shell…discovering that most confounding mystery of all may be her growing feelings for the elusive riddle that is Daniel.

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My Review

Mysteries. Pies. Kisses. Oh my! Serious Moonlight is sure to be another contemporary romance hit from author Jenn Bennett.

Birdie Lindberg is relatable and adorable. Birdie is often anxious and awkward, and is always worried about being embarrassed. I totally get where you are coming from, Birdie! She is also kind, unique, a mystery buff, and so much more. She is continually growing and figuring her self out after living a pretty sheltered childhood. We also have Daniel, Birdie's love interest. Daniel is sweet, dorky, outgoing, loves magic, and appears to be the exact opposite of Birdie. Although they are both dealing with some heavy personal stuff, they always seem to be able to have fun together. The romance component of Serious Moonlight was refreshing. I can't say more since I don't want to spoil it, but I can say that it was a nice change of pace compared to the many other romances I have read.

Serious Moonlight was a delight to read! It features a fun mystery, an adorable romance, and reminds you that although life is complex and will throw you curve balls, it can still be manageable. The setting takes place in unique places in Seattle, giving readers a different view of the city. There are also many fun mystery novel references throughout the book. Although the pacing of the book was just fine, I did feel at times like the romance and the mystery aspects of the book were fighting for attention in the spotlight. However, I think that reflects on Birdie's feelings, so I was okay with it.

The Bottom Line: Serious Moonlight is another Jenn Bennett book you won't want to miss. Grab a piece of pie, sit back, and enjoy Birdie's story. A perfect read for a rainy day, Serious Moonlight is in fact, sweet as pie.

Other Fantastic Titles by Jenn Bennett:

       

ARC Review: Internment by Samira Ahmed

Internment by Samira Ahmed (March 19, 2019)
Genre: Young Adult Dystopian
Length: 400 Pages
Publisher: Little Brown
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher. This did NOT affect my honest review. Thanks Little Brown!
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository
My Rating:

Goodreads Synopsis: Rebellions are built on hope. Set in a horrifying near-future United States, seventeen-year-old Layla Amin and her parents are forced into an internment camp for Muslim American citizens. With the help of newly made friends also trapped within the internment camp, her boyfriend on the outside, and an unexpected alliance, Layla begins a journey to fight for freedom, leading a revolution against the internment camp's Director and his guards. Heart-racing and emotional, Internment challenges readers to fight complicit silence that exists in our society today.

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My Review

Internment is the politically charged YA fiction title we all need to read. Although it hits painfully close to reality, making it a challenge to read, it's an important message of fighting back and speaking up against what's wrong. Islamophobia and racism are happening today, in 2019, and we need to be aware and speak up against those that say and do horrible things. We can't be silent.

Ahmed does an excellent job at creating a horrifying yet pretty believable near-future America where Muslim American citizens are forced into an internment camp. After reading this book, I am even more aware of the importance of speaking up against hate, to vote, donate what I can, be an ally, and pay attention to what is happening in our country. Readers will find many powerful passages inside the pages of Internment. The author's note at the end of the book shares the horrible shit our country has done in the past and what is currently happening in our country, and how this inspired her novel, a way to bring awareness to these events.

Layla Amin is a Muslim American teen who decides to stand up for her rights, and for those who were also forced into the internment camp that may be too scared to do so. I have seen some reviews floating around saying that Layla makes some rash decisions and cares too much about her boyfriend. I disagree. Layla acts like a teenager, which she is. Just a small reminder to those adults out there reading YA books, which is awesome and please keep doing it, (I too am one of those adults), that these books are written about teens for teens and that may just be why the main characters act like teens. Layla is brave. If anything, I was more annoyed with the parents in this book and their decisions, although I can also understand their point of view as well. I liked Layla, her family, the friends she makes, and found their story thought provoking. 

The pacing of the plot is steady and captivating enough that I read the book in one day. The setting of the desert is described in rich detail, emphasizing the conditions the people are forced to deal with in the camp. 

The Bottom Line: Buy it. Read it. Borrow it. Do whatever you must to give this book the attention it deserves, and which will in turn hopefully spark some important discussions about our current political climate.

My heart goes out to all those affected by the recent terrorist attack on Mosques in New Zealand. Support the victims here: United for Christchurch Mosque Shootings

YA Book Review: A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer
Genre: Fantasy Retelling
Length: 496 pages
Publisher: Bloomsbury YA
Source: The library, but I will be purchasing my own copy.
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository
My Rating:

Goodreads Synopsis: Fall in love, break the curse. It once seemed so easy to Prince Rhen, the heir to Emberfall. Cursed by a powerful enchantress to repeat the autumn of his eighteenth year over and over, he knew he could be saved if a girl fell for him. But that was before he learned that at the end of each autumn, he would turn into a vicious beast hell-bent on destruction. That was before he destroyed his castle, his family, and every last shred of hope. Nothing has ever been easy for Harper Lacy. With her father long gone, her mother dying, and her brother barely holding their family together while constantly underestimating her because of her cerebral palsy, she learned to be tough enough to survive. But when she tries to save someone else on the streets of Washington, DC, she's instead somehow sucked into Rhen's cursed world. Break the curse, save the kingdom. A prince? A monster? A curse? Harper doesn't know where she is or what to believe. But as she spends time with Rhen in this enchanted land, she begins to understand what's at stake. And as Rhen realizes Harper is not just another girl to charm, his hope comes flooding back. But powerful forces are standing against Emberfall . . . and it will take more than a broken curse to save Harper, Rhen, and his people from utter ruin.

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My Review

Review in a Tweet: A Curse so Dark and Lonely is both enchanting and dark, this Beauty and the Beast retelling is as unique as they come. A slow-burn romance, a cursed castle, and a kick-ass heroine make this book unforgettable. You will want to read it in one day.

Opening Lines: "There is blood under my fingernails. I wonder how many of my people I've killed this time."

Do I have a new favorite Beauty and the Beast retelling? You bet your ass I do. This book blew me away. Once I started it I just couldn't put it down. This is your warning to make sure you choose a good time to read this book, not right before having to go to work. Kemmerer does an amazing job at creating the magical fantasy world of Emberfall that exists alongside our real world. The descriptions of the cursed castle made it easy for me immerse myself into this story. While some of this story is dark, other times it is full of light.

A Curse So Dark and Lonely is told in dual POVs from Prince Rhen of Emberfall and Harper of Washington, DC. Prince Rhen is cursed and his people are suffering. Harper has her own troubles and was not expecting to be kidnapped and brought to a magical kingdom. These two characters' slow-burn romance was incredibly painful and yet wonderfully beautiful to read. They are both different and compliment each other perfectly. I absolutely love that Harper doesn't just accept that she has been taken from her life and can't leave, she fights back. She is a fighter while Rhen is so over the curse he has basically thrown in the towel. Harper is strong, doesn't give up, and also admits when she is wrong. She is just so freaking awesome, and gives Rhen hope. You will want to meet her.

Although on the longer side, there is always something going on in this magical story so the reader will never be bored. The plot doesn't just feature a romance, but a friendship, family, a mystery, a monster, and a kingdom falling to ruin. I don't want to go into too many more details so you can discover them on your own.

The Bottom Line: If I haven't convinced you to read this book yet, I don't know what will. Read it! If you like fairy tale retellings, slow-burn romances, or mysterious fantasy novels, you will love A Curse So Dark and Lonely.

If you liked A Curse So Dark & Lonely try:

Blog Tour Review & Giveaway: The Birds, The Bees, and You and Me

The Birds, The Bees, and You and Me by Olivia Hinebaugh (Jan. 22, 2019)
Genre: YA Contemporary
Length: 304 pages
Publisher: Swoon Reads
Source: I received a copy of this book from Xpresso Book Tours.
Purchase: Barnes & Noble | Amazon | The Book Depository
My Rating:

Goodreads Synopsis: Seventeen-year-old Lacey Burke is the last person on the planet who should be doling out sex advice. For starters, she’s never even kissed anyone, and she hates breaking the rules. Up until now, she's been a straight-A music geek that no one even notices. All she cares about is jamming out with her best friends, Theo and Evita. But then everything changes. When Lacey sees first-hand how much damage the abstinence-only sex-ed curriculum of her school can do, she decides to take a stand and starts doling out wisdom and contraception to anyone who seeks her out in the girls' restroom. But things with Theo become complicated quickly, and Lacey is soon not just keeping everyone else’s secrets, but hers as well.

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My Review

The Bids, the Bees, and You and Me is an inclusive sex positive young adult novel, which is freaking awesome! This book would be a great resource to open up some dialogue about sexual health with its readers.

The main character Lacey is sweet and passionate. This is also such a small thing, but I was also so happy to see a teen MC play the viola! That never happens, and I used to play one as a teen! Anyway, Lacey is trying to figure out what she wants to do after high school. She loves playing with her friends in their band and is passionate about music, but she is also discovering her love of being a Doola and having frank discussions about sex and helping improve the school's sexual education curriculum. Does she want to focus on music or nursing after high school? That is the question.

While she is trying to figure out her future she is also juggling her feelings for her best friend Theo. There is just one big problem about that, her other best friend Evita used to date Theo so he is totally off limits. I adored Lacey and Theo's friendship, but I wasn't really caring if it turned into something more. That whole plot line just seemed like it was there because it had to be. I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it. However, Lacey's struggle with her feelings seemed authentic, if not predictable. Evita on the other hand was such a wonderful outspoken and fun character, and her and Lacey's friendship ringed true and I thoroughly enjoyed reading about. However, this book constantly pushes its message in your face, making the friendships and romance stories take a backseat, which was kind of a bummer.

The Bottom Line: The Birds, the Bees, and You and Me is an overall fun story with some great/important discussion-worthy scenes. I loved this line "Like, which is better for keeping us healthy: shame or information? It seems like a no-brainer."

The Author

Olivia Hinebaugh loves all stripes of literature for children. When she isn’t writing fiction, she can be found writing freelance, making art, discovering new songs on spotify, texting her writing buddies, or folding laundry. She lives near Washington, D.C. with her spouse, three kids, a dog that looks like a coyote, and a one-eyed cat. The Birds, The Bees, And You And Me is her debut novel.

WEBSITE | GOODREADS | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

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Book Review: Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson

Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
Length: 387 pages
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Source: The Library
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository
My Rating:

Goodreads Synopsis: Mary B. Addison killed a baby. Allegedly. She didn’t say much in that first interview with detectives, and the media filled in the only blanks that mattered: A white baby had died while under the care of a church-going black woman and her nine-year-old daughter. The public convicted Mary and the jury made it official. But did she do it? She wouldn’t say. Mary survived six years in baby jail before being dumped in a group home. The house isn’t really “home”—no place where you fear for your life can be considered a home. Home is Ted, who she meets on assignment at a nursing home. There wasn’t a point to setting the record straight before, but now she’s got Ted—and their unborn child—to think about. When the state threatens to take her baby, Mary must find the voice to fight her past. And her fate lies in the hands of the one person she distrusts the most: her Momma. No one knows the real Momma. But who really knows the real Mary? In this gritty and haunting debut, Tiffany D. Jackson explores the grey areas in our understanding of justice, family, and truth, and acknowledges the light and darkness alive in all of us.

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Allegedly in Three Words: Shocking. Compelling. Somber.

Mary B. Addison killed a baby. Allegedly. This is her story. Readers will immediately be pulled into the depressing reality Mary finds herself in after she is released from prison and living in a group home. While in prison she was mostly on her own, and now she must try and survive the other teen girls living at the group home with very little supervision, and it certainly doesn't help that they think she is a baby killer. Mary is a complex character who is just trying to survive. The author doesn't shy away from describing Mary's horrible living situation and her rough childhood.

This book is dark and gritty and may not be for everyone, but I always enjoy a well-written thrilleresque novel, and Allegedly fit the bill. I was sucked into Mary's story and was desperately reading it late into the night so I could get some answers/closure. I was in for a surprise. I won't go into details because there is a lot going on and I don't want to give away any of the surprises.

The Verdict: Allegedly is a must read. This page-turner will throw you off balance and make you stop and think about many things. I will be reading this author's other works.

ARC MINI REVIEW: The War Outside by Monica Hese

The War Outside by Monica Hesse (September 25, 2018)
Length: 336 pages
Genre: Young Adult Historical Fiction
Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers
Source: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. This did NOT affect my honest review. Thank you Little Brown Books!
Purchase: Amazon | Banes & Noble
My Rating:

Goodreads Summary: It's 1944, and World War II is raging across Europe and the Pacific. The war seemed far away from Margot in Iowa and Haruko in Colorado--until they were uprooted to dusty Texas, all because of the places their parents once called home: Germany and Japan. Haruko and Margot meet at the high school in Crystal City, a "family internment camp" for those accused of colluding with the enemy. The teens discover that they are polar opposites in so many ways, except for one that seems to override all the others: the camp is changing them, day by day and piece by piece. Haruko finds herself consumed by fear for her soldier brother and distrust of her father, who she knows is keeping something from her. And Margot is doing everything she can to keep her family whole as her mother's health deteriorates and her rational, patriotic father becomes a man who distrusts America and fraternizes with Nazis. With everything around them falling apart, Margot and Haruko find solace in their growing, secret friendship. But in a prison the government has deemed full of spies, can they trust anyone--even each other?

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My Review

During World War II, after being convicted of treason, Haruko’s Japanese father and Margot’s German father are forced into a family internment camp in Crystal City, Texas, where a 10-foot fence topped with barbed wire and armed guards surrounds their new home. Months later, Margot’s and Haruko’s families are reunited at the camp. Haruko spends her days trying not to worry about her brother fighting in the war while Margot focuses her efforts on studying and taking care of her mom. Neither of them expects to find happiness while living in a camp full of secrets and unrest, but when they meet, an unlikely friendship starts to form. Haruko is brave and naïve while Margot is studious and strong-willed, adding even more tension and intrigue to their friendship. Although the plot was slow-moving at first, its slowly unraveling mystery and unexpected ending make for a thought-provoking discussion. Hesse not only shines light on a dark part of America’s history that some may not know about, but her unique storytelling inspires further research on this tragic history. Hesse provides a brief note on historical accuracy at the back of the book which is also filled with further resources and helpful information. This powerful story will make a good addition to any young adult historical fiction collection.

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: Kiss of the Royal by Lindsey Duga

Kiss of the Royal by Lindsey Duga (July 3, 2018)
Length: 400 pages
Genre: Young Adult/Romance/Fantasy
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Source: I received a free copy of the book from the publisher. Thank you Entangled Teen! This did NOT affect my honest review.
Purchase: Barnes & Noble | Amazon
My Rating:

Goodreads Summary: What if a kiss could turn the tide of a war? In the war against the Forces of Darkness, the Royals are losing. With increasing omens foretelling an unthinkable future ruled by evil, Princess Ivy is determined to end this war once and for all—but her battle magic doesn’t work without a partner. Prince Zachariah’s unparalleled skill with a sword, enhanced by Ivy’s magic, should make them an unstoppable pair. But once they’re on the battlefield, Zach refuses to do the one thing Ivy knows will ensure their victory, because he believes love is the most powerful weapon they have, even in war. Now Ivy must convince Zach to listen to reason and fight with her magic, before everything they’ve been working to protect is destroyed by the darkest creature their world has ever seen.

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My Review

Kiss of the Royal in Three Words: Entertaining. Adventurous. Romantic.

I absolutely adored Kiss of the Royal. In this fairy tale story the girls have all the kissing power. Princess Ivy is a hard-working stubborn main character who has the most powerful kiss in the kingdom. Prince Zachariah is a charming swordsman, and nothing like what Princess Ivy expected in a battle partner. With a dark and powerful evil growing in the mountains, they have no choice but to team up and save the kingdom. This standalone fantasy features all of my favorite fantasy tropes including mythical creatures and a quest with many battles/challenges along the way. I loved Ivy and Zach, their banter, and their complete opposite beliefs about love and magic. Although the idea of fighting by kissing (transferring magic) may sound ridiculous and silly, I ended up finding it entertaining and leading to a lot of interesting discussions between the two main characters. The plot it fast paced and full of romantic tension and magical battles. I think this would be a good book for fans of An Enchantment of Ravens.

The Bottom Line: Kiss of the Royal is a quick and enjoyable read. It was a nice escape from the real world. Give it a try!

Review: Starry Eyes by Jenn Bennett

Starry Eyes by Jenn Bennett
Length: 432 pages
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Source: I bought myself a copy with my birthday money!
Purchase: Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository | Amazon
My Rating:

Goodreads Summary: Ever since last year’s homecoming dance, best friends-turned-best enemies Zorie and Lennon have made an art of avoiding each other. It doesn’t hurt that their families are the modern day, Californian version of the Montagues and Capulets. But when a group camping trip goes south, Zorie and Lennon find themselves stranded in the wilderness. Alone. Together. What could go wrong? With no one but each other for company, Zorie and Lennon have no choice but to hash out their issues via witty jabs and insults as they try to make their way to safety. But fighting each other while also fighting off the forces of nature makes getting out of the woods in one piece less and less likely. And as the two travel deeper into Northern California’s rugged backcountry, secrets and hidden feelings surface. But can Zorie and Lennon’s rekindled connection survive out in the real world? Or was it just a result of the fresh forest air and the magic of the twinkling stars?

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My Review

For this review I am sharing my Goodreads status updates I did while reading Starry Eyes! Read from bottom to top.

As you can see, I totally loved the romance, the plot, and pretty much everything about it. Starry Eyes was such a fun book to read! You must add this book to your summer TBR pile.

Review & Giveaway: Airports, Exes, and Other Things I'm Over

Aiports, Exes, and Other Things I'm Over by Shani Petroff (May 15, 2018)

Length: 224 pages

Genre: Contemporary, Romance

Publisher: Swoon Reads

Source: I received a free copy for this blog tour. Thank you Xpresso Book Tours!

Purchase: Barnes & Noble | Amazon | iBooks | Kobo

My Rating:

Goodreads Summary: A bad storm, two canceled flights, stuck in an airport with a hot stranger and the guy who broke her heart... what could go wrong? After Sari caught her boyfriend Zev cheating on her, their romantic Florida vacation was ruined. She can't get back to NYC soon enough. Unfortunately, mother nature may have different plans. A huge storm is brewing in the Northeast, and flights all over the country are getting canceled—including Sari's. She winds up stuck at the airport for hours. With Zev! When another stranded passenger (a hot NYU guy) suggests a connecting flight to Boston, Sari jumps at the chance. But when her mom freaks out about her traveling alone, she has no choice—she has to include Zev, and somehow survive being trapped with the guy who broke her heart!

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My Review

Airports, Exes, and Other Things I'm Over in Three Words: Musical. Stressful. Entertaining.

What I Liked

• I was a big fan of the overall plot of Sari trying to deal with her feelings about her boyfriend's cheating when she just can't seem to get away from him! Her Florida vacation turns into a nightmare as she struggles to get back home before a big storm hits. I loved this story line.
• Sari's best friend is pretty awesome, but I do wish she was in the book more.
• Sari's parents are present and aren't just in the background! Their worry for her seemed realistic.
• Fitz and Zev are both fun and sweet characters. 
• I was really transported into the various settings. Whether Sari was stuck in the cramped airport or in squeezed in the backseat of a car in the middle of a storm, the descriptions were spot on.
• The beautiful cover!

What I Didn't Like

• It was too short! I wasn't able to really connect or get to know Sari or her boyfriend as much as I would have liked, which is kind of a bummer.
• All the miscommunication. It is one of my least favorite romance tropes. This is a personal preference.
• Although the drama did remind me of my teenage years, it was a little too annoying to read as an adult.

The Verdict: I think teens will enjoy the entertaining plot, be able to relate to having overly worrying (and sometimes embarrassing) parents, enjoy Sari's passion for music, and like the cute romance.

The Author

Shani Petroff is a writer living in New York City. She’s the author of the “Bedeviled” series, which includes Daddy’s Little Angel, The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Dress, Careful What You Wish For, and Love Struck, and is the co-author of the “Destined” series which includes Ash and Ultraviolet. She also writes for television news programs and several other venues. When she’s not locked in her apartment typing away, she spends a whole lot of time on books, boys, TV, daydreaming, and shopping online.

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | GOODREADS

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Tour Review & Giveaway: Deadly Sweet by Lola Dodge

Deadly Sweet (#1) by Lola Dodge (Jan. 16, 2018)
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal
Publisher: Ink Monster LLC
Source: I received a copy of this book as part of a tour for Xpresso Book Tours. Thank you!
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo
My Rating:

Synopsis: For fans of Hex Hall, The Magicians, Practical Magic, and Food Wars! Anise Wise loves three things: baking, potion making, and reading her spellbooks in blissful silence. She might not be the most powerful witch, but enchantment is a rare skill, and her ability to bake with magic is even rarer. Too bad one wants witchcraft on their campus. Anise’s dream of attending pastry school crumbles with rejection letter after rejection letter. Desperate to escape her dead-end future, Anise contacts the long-lost relative she’s not supposed to know about. Great Aunt Agatha owns the only magic bakery in the US, and she suddenly needs a new apprentice. Anise is so excited she books it to New Mexico without thinking to ask what happened to the last girl. The Spellwork Syndicate rules the local witches in Taos, but as “accidents” turn into full-out attacks on Anise’s life, their promises to keep her safe are less and less reassuring. Her cranky bodyguard is doing his best, but it’s hard to fight back when she has no idea who’s the enemy. Or why she became their target. If Anise can’t find and stop whoever wants her dead, she’ll be more toasted than a crème brûlée. Who knew baking cakes could be so life or death?

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My Review

Deadly Sweet in Three Words: Magical. Fun. Food.

Deadly Sweet is full of food and magic. My two favorite things.

Anise is a baker and a witch. She can bake feelings into her cakes and cookies. How cool is that? Witches are looked down upon in every day life so she must hide who she is, thus making it harder and harder to live the life she wants. Then one day she discovers that she has an aunt who owns her own magical bakery in a magic town. When she gets accepted as her apprentice things only get crazier.

The author does a nice job with the world building, although a couple of questions go left unanswered I think they will be revealed in later books. My favorite parts of this story were the baking and the magic. I was always hungry for a cupcake or cookie while reading this book. So be prepared. The descriptions were that good. I also really like that the main character isn't some chosen one off to save the world or anything. When Anise meets her aunt she has to go back to learning the basics of cooking to become better. She not only must attend magic baking classes and try to make new friends, but due to a threat on her life, she has to try to stay alive in the process. I loved her interesting friends with different magical abilities.

There were a couple nit picky things that bothered me while reading, but nothing big. I wasn't a big fan of the romance and was hoping for something else entirely. I was also very confused about why her shield bodyguard slept all the time and that was all he did. Boring and weird. Perhaps there is a reason behind it that will be brought up in book two. Although I adored Anise and she felt very realistic, I could use with a little less discussion of her clothing choices every time she did something. These were just tiny personal things that bothered me. Overall, this book was a lot of fun to read!

The Bottom Line: Magic, a crazy cat, and delicious sounding baked goods makes this book worth reading. Give it a try!

The Author

Lola Dodge is a compulsive traveler, baker, and procrastinator. She earned her BA in English from Stonehill College and MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University–and hasn’t stopped moving since. When she’s not on the road, Lola spends her time indoors where the sunlight can’t melt her, writing or bingeing on anime and cherry soda. She can be summoned in a ritual involving curry, Hello Kitty idols, and a solid chocolate pentagram.

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Blog Tour Review & Giveaway: You Won't Know I'm Gone by Kristen Orlando

You Won’t Know I’m Gone (#2) by Kristen Orlando (Jan. 16, 2018)
Length: 320 pages
Genres: Contemporary, Thriller, Young Adult
Publisher: Swoon Reads
Source: I received a free eARC of this book as part of the Xpresso Book Tours. Thank you! This did NOT affect my honest review.
Purchase: Barnes & Noble | Amazon | iBooks | Kobo
My Rating:

Synopsis: Reagan has to prove herself to an elite group of special agents—and avenge her mother’s death—in the second book in the Black Angel Chronicles from the author of You Don’t Know My Name. Going rogue in an effort to rescue her kidnapped parents has cost Reagan Hillis her automatic ticket to the Training Academy. But becoming a Black Angel is the only way Reagan will be able to exact revenge on her mother’s merciless killer, Santino Torres. When Reagan is given a chance to prove that she’s worthy of training to be a Black Angel, she also gets the first chance she’s ever had to be her true self. No aliases. No disguises. But when her friend Luke joins her at the Black Angels training compound, Reagan finds herself once again torn between the person she was and the person she wants to be. Reagan has to prove that she’s as good as her parents trained her to be, because she’ll never find Torres without the Black Angels’ help.

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My Review

Warning: My review does contain spoilers for the first book. My advice, go read the first book now!

You Won't Know I'm Gone in Three Words: Exciting. Tragic. Cool.

You Won't Know I'm Gone is a well written young adult novel about a young spy in training who must try to deal with her grief and not loose herself to revenge in the process. You Won't Know I'm Gone is a strong sequel to You Don't Know My Name. Fans of the first book will not need to worry about second book syndrome with this one.

Reagan will do anything to get into the Black Angel Training Academy, but first she must pass the qualifiers. She is weak after grieving her mother and has no choice but to get her butt in gear if she wants to get one of the coveted seats to the academy. Reagan is a strong young woman trying to find her way while making a wonderfully strong group of allies. The supporting characters in this novel are just as interesting as Reagan and I almost wish they would have had more page time.

Although some may find the beginning of this novel a little slow, I couldn't put the book down from the very beginning. This book throws all the emotions at you. You will love it. My favorite scenes are the training sequences the recruits have to go through. I don't think I would have passed a single one! 

The Bottom Line: Read this series. You will not be disappointed. 

About the Author

Writing is one of the great loves of Kristen Orlando’s life and she has been lucky enough to make it her living, first as a television producer, then as a marketer and now as a novelist. Kristen graduated with a B.A. in English literature from Kenyon College. She lives in Columbus, Ohio with the other great love of her life, Michael. You Don’t Know My Name is her debut novel.

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Review: The Chaos of Standing Still by Jessica Brody

The Chaos of Standing Still by Jessica Brody (Nov. 28, 2017)
Length: 320 pages
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Source: I received an eARC from the publisher through Edelweiss. Thank you! This did NOT affect my honest review.
Purchase: Barnes & Noble | Amazon | The Book Depository
My Rating:

Goodreads Summary: Over the course of one chaotic night stranded at the Denver airport, Ryn confronts her shattered past thanks to the charm of romance, the uniqueness of strangers, and the magic of ordinary places in this stunning novel from the author of Boys of Summer. Ryn has one unread text message on her phone. And it’s been there for almost a year. She hasn’t tried to read it. She can’t. She won’t. Because that one message is the last thing her best friend ever said to her before she died. But as Ryn finds herself trapped in the Denver International Airport on New Year’s Eve thanks to a never-ending blizzard on the one-year anniversary of her best friend’s death, fate literally runs into her. And his name is Xander. When the two accidentally swap phones, Ryn and Xander are thrust into the chaos of an unforgettable all-night adventure, filled with charming and mysterious strangers, a secret New Year’s Eve bash, and a possible Illuminati conspiracy hidden within the Denver airport. But as the bizarre night continues, all Ryn can think about is that one unread text message. It follows her wherever she goes, because Ryn can’t get her brialliantly wild and free-spirited best friend out of her head. Ryn can’t move on. But tonight, for the first time ever, she’s trying. And maybe that’s a start.

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My Review

The Chaos of Standing Still in Three Words: Mournful. Meaningful. Humorful.

A must read for all. This heartbreaking story of the loss of a best friend will pull at your heart strings from start to finish.

The Chaos of Standing Still features Ryn, a teenage girl trying to come to terms with her best friend's death, and Xander, a unique and charming guy who is working through his own stuff. While a blizzard brews outside, both are stranded at the Denver International Airport for the night. With the help of Xander's outgoing, fun, kind, and unique personality, Ryn starts to figure out life after a horrible loss.

Every character is complex and interesting. The setting is rich with description and I was easily transported into the airport with the horde of frustrated stranded travelers. Jessica Brody knows how to tell a story that will grip you from page one.

The Bottom Line: Worth a purchase but to save money you can always get a free copy from the library. Either way, you don't want to miss out on this one!

Review: Bad Romance by Heather Demetrios

Bad Romance by Heather Demetrios
Length: 368 pages
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Henry Holt & Company
Source: The library.
Purchase: Barnes & Noble | Amazon | The Book Depository
My Rating:

Goodreads Summary: Grace wants out. Out of her house, where her stepfather wields fear like a weapon and her mother makes her scrub imaginary dirt off the floors. Out of her California town, too small to contain her big city dreams. Out of her life, and into the role of Parisian artist, New York director—anything but scared and alone. Enter Gavin: charming, talented, adored. Controlling. Dangerous. When Grace and Gavin fall in love, Grace is sure it's too good to be true. She has no idea their relationship will become a prison she's unable to escape. Deeply affecting and unflinchingly honest, this is a story about spiraling into darkness—and emerging into the light again.

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My Review

Bad Romance in Three Words: Heartbreaking. Scary. Brave.

Bad Romance is a novel I won't soon forget. I think the author handeled the tough subject matter of relationship abuse in a realstic and thought provoking manner. It is an intense read that I would not consider enjoyable, but important and fierce.

Grace has had a crush on Gavin for a long time, but he never paid any attention to her, until he did. Grace and Gavin are a complex pair whose romance starts out strong, and turns rotten. At first glance Gavin is the sweetest boyfriend Grace could ask for, and she clings on to these happy moments while everything else goes up in flames. From what I know, I think Grace and Gavin's relationships truly shows the highs and incredible lows both partners go through in such a "bad romance."

Bad Romance is a well written novel with strong and powerful language and intense characters. The story may have lagged in a few places, but I never lost interest. Although the book focuses on Grace and Gavin's relationship, readers also get to see Grace when she is happy with her friends and when she is trying to break free from her parents.

The Bottom Line: Although incredibly sad and sometimes painful to read, I recommend that you give this one a try. The cover is beautiful in its own way and deserves a spot on your shelf.

Mini Review: Plague Land by Alex Scarrow

Plague Land by Alex Scarrow (Dec. 5, 2017)
Length: 384 pages
Genre: Young Adult Horror/Survival
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Purchase: Barnes & Noble | Amazon
Source: I received a free eARC from the publisher through Edelweiss. This did NOT affect my honest review. Thanks Sourcebooks!
My Rating:

Goodreads Summary: Leon and his younger sister Grace have just moved to London from New York when news of an unidentified plague begins to fill the news. Within a week the virus hits London. People in the streets turn to liquid before their eyes, and what follows is a frantic hunt for a safety which may no longer exist. A new gripping series from Alex Scarrow.

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My Review

Plague Land in Three Words: Gore. Survival. Family.

Leon notices a plauge mentioned on tv, yet no one except him is giving it second thought. Leon finds this odd, if not a little unsettling. When shortly after the world comes crashing down around him and his family, he can't say he is that surprised. Leon must step up and help his family survive the plague. This horror novel is unique, gruesome, unexpected, and a little frightening.

The Bottom Line: An interesting read worth checking out at your local library, or perhaps even purcahsing if gory/horror/survivor books are your thing.