Jess N

When I first started reading Karma Bites my first thoughts were as follows.

Do kids in middle school really talk like this?

Wow, who knew they could be so mean?

Pom? What on Earth is a Pom? Beek? Peek?

Obviously I had a very different middle school experience than most, although I didn't realize it until now. Then again I'm sure that growing up in a tiny town will do that to you. Honestly I had no idea that middle schoolers could be so mean to one another! The caste system that was set up in Franny's school was most definitely intense, and I felt the strain that went with it. That being said, Franny was quite a brave soul to be doing as well as she was in that setting!

On to Franny herself. Hers is a character that I really and truly adored! She was cute, spunky and really funny. Her demeanor made her seem like she was so older than her actual 12 years. Although Franny did end up making some poor decisions, I was impressed with the wisdom with which she made them. I don't recall myself ever being as pure of thought as she was at her age! Perhaps it was her crazy and brilliant Grandmother's inspiration, but Franny is currently my favorite middle grade character.

My absolute favorite part about this book had to be the witty humor that was thrown in. I found myself reading over something, then doing a double take and reading it again. A snicker would escape my mouth as I realized how perfect that joke was thrown into that sentence! Stacy and Valerie are masters of hidden and witty humor. I don't want to spoil things for you, but honestly I absolutely loved the Lama! The last half of the book had me laughing more than I thought was possible. What is amazing is that under all the wit there is a lesson to be learned. Karma bites my friends, oh yes it does.

Truly, this one of the sweetest and funniest books that I have read in a long time! It was the perfect follow up to reading Lindsay Faith Rech's It Started With a Dare and I'm smitten! Despite my initial confusion with the whole middle grade caste system, I finished this book with a smile. If you're looking for a light and airy read to get your mind off of things, I suggest picking this up!

To write a really fantastic horror driven book I really believe that you have to love the genre. So of course when I heard that A.J. Whitten was a horror movie buff I was excited to read this book! Who better to regale me with truly terrifying thoughts and gory scenes than someone who loves the genre as much as I do? I'll admit that I was a little skeptical about the addition of the Romeo and Juliet theme. How on earth could they tie that in to a book like this? That just made me all the more eager to dive right in.

From the very beginning The Cellar draws you right in. Setting up the family relationship, pitting the sisters against one another, and then bringing in the mysterious Adrien. Let me tell you, from the moment Adrien showed up in the book I knew he was bad news. A.J. Whitten manages to build this aura around him that, without even knowing quite why, you are wary of him. I love that in a good horror book! Adrien's character drew me further in and I knew that I was in for a ride.

Now, here's where I have to interject a little bit about what prevented this book from in my absolute favorites. I was so smitten with everything that was going on, until the history behind Adrien came into focus. I'll try to explain this without giving anything away, but it might be a bit vague. I liked that Adrien had an emotional side to him that made him more human. However, I think that the middle section of the story was kind of slow because of it. I understand that A.J. Whitten was trying to build that human aspect so that Heather's romance made sense, I really do. However I was hoping for more of the horror driven scenes I was craving. I wasn't aware, I think, of how much romance was truly present in this book.

That being said, I'm still going to stick to my guns and say that this book really impressed me! Anyone that can tie together romance and horror has a spot in my heart. Throw in some references to Romeo and Juliet, and I'm sure that this book is going to be a big hit when it finally hits shelves. For those of you who are expecting a more gory and disturbing book (think The Monstromologist), you'll probably enjoy this book like I did but want to go elsewhere for your horror fix.

The Mermaid's Mirror had a ton of potential in my eyes. This was honestly one of the first books dealing directly with mermaids that caught my eye this year, and that alone captured my imagination! Unfortunately the mental bar that I sent for this book might have been a little too high. Despite the imagination that was definitely present behind the story, the plot just tended to drag and it was a bit of a difficult read to get through.

For me, Lena was not an attractive protagonist. Although her character is rather young in this book, I really felt like she was too stubborn for her own good. Constantly leaning towards selfish behavior, the way she dealt with a lot of situations in the book made me extremely frustrated. This problem has always been apparent for me when I read YA fiction. I tend to find that sometimes young female protagonists bring out the worst characteristics of the teen population. I like to give them more credit than that! In a way, I suppose her behavior lent itself to the overall plot, but it was honestly a difficult read for me because of it.

What really heightened my enjoyment of this book was the setting. The vivid descriptions of the ocean and surfers were wonderful! My favorite scenes in the book were when Lena was learning to surf. I was able to read the words, and feel the sea wind whipping through my hair. I could taste the salt on my lips. In all honesty, L.K. Madigan was spot on with the portrayal of the angry sea versus the calm sea. She captured the surfers and their absolute devotion to the ocean in a perfect manner. As a person who lives by the ocean, and sleeps and breathes salt air, I was extremely attracted to her obvious love for research into what she was writing about.

After a lot of thought, I still would definitely recommend this book as a read. The concept behind it is rather unique, and you may find yourself smitten with it where I was not! Overall it's a very solid story and I applaud L.K. Madigan.

Let me begin by saying that this book was so good that I felt the need to email Lindsay Faith Rech at 2 AM to let her know how much I loved her book. In retrospect, I regret that a bit. Since she hasn't written me back I can only assume that my mad, caffeine fueled fan letter scared her away. Lindsay, I'm sorry and I don't blame you. I think I would have scared myself. A word of advice my friends, no matter how much you love a book wait until you wake up and can write coherently before you choose to write a letter! That being said, there was so much to love about It Started with a Dare. Let's get started.

First off, C.G. (Cynthia Gene) is truly a spunky female protagonist. Lindsay takes us deep into C.G.'s head, and the reader gets an opportunity to relive those confusing and popularity driven teenage years. C.G. is witty, she's bright, she pops off the page and will even make you laugh out loud at times! Yes my friends, this is not a book that you'll want to read in front of other people. That is unless they are okay with you breaking into fits of giggles periodically and having no way to explain what was so funny! Portions of this book will most definitely tickle your funny bone, so to speak.

When C.G. decides to remake herself and suddenly becomes popular, the line between what is right and wrong starts to blur. Her apparent discomfort with this at first was endearing. Thank goodness she had a conscience! I also loved the the chemistry that was present between C.G. and the other girls in her group. Each of them were so different and yet fit together so perfectly. Characters like Alona come up in books quite often, the girl whose parents are too rich to care. However into the mix comes bitter, angst driven Grace and self conscious Sammie. Between the four main characters, any person who happens upon this book will find someone to connect with. It is these vivid characters that really drew me into the book and kept me involved well past my bedtime.

The one thing that was difficult for me about this book was the ending. Without saying too much or spoiling things, I'll simply say that I wish C.G. would have learned more through everything that she went through. In the end it seemed a little too perfect how things worked out. Everything was tied up in a perfect little bow. I'm glad that this book addresses as many issues as it does (cyber-bullying included), however I would have liked to see just a little more remorse in C.G. as to the way things worked out. This is a personal thing I know, and it definitely didn't take away from how much I loved the book overall.

Before I ramble on yet again, I'll end with the simple fact that this is a great book! Whether you fall into the same age category as C.G. and her popular counterparts, or happen to be an older reader like I am, it's certain that you will find something to enjoy in this book! I cannot wait to see what else Lindsay Faith Rech has in store for her readers!

Suzanna, or Zanna as she prefers, was one of the most fun, intelligent and witty young protagonists that I've had the pleasure of reading in a long time. Angie Frazier aims The Midnight Tunnel at the middle grade reader, but what I loved is that she didn't sacrifice anything to do that. This book has tons of crossover appeal, and anyone who loves a good mystery coupled with historical fiction will fall in love. Beware the rambling my friends, so it begins.

First let me tell you why I loved Suzanna so much. Her mother and father want her to be a well behaved young woman. They hope that she will follow in their footsteps and want to run the inn. Unfortunately for them, and fortunately for us, Suzanna has a much different path in mind! She wants to be a world renown detective like her Uncle Bruce. For that, I love her. She's a little bit rebel, and a whole lot of trouble without meaning to be. I instantly fell in love with her wit, her inability to stay away from trouble, and her downright brilliant deductions! Young or old, readers will definitely find something to connect to in her character.

In terms of story, as I mentioned above there is an entire mystery wrapped up in these pages! When a young guest goes missing, Suzanna takes it upon herself to unravel the mystery. Those of you who are older readers might be worried that this book will be too “young” for you. Let me tell you this. I read mystery novels and I generally solve mystery novels about half way through. This one? I was guessing until almost the very end. As I said, Angie Frazier doesn't sacrifice one bit for her audience. I like that she doesn't find it necessary to “dumb things down” for a middle grade reader. Utterly fantastic. I wish I could say more, but I've already had to delete so much to keep this spoiler free.

I ended up having to put The Midnight Tunnel down for a few days last week to take care of other commitments, and I tell you that it killed me to do it! I kept wondering how everything was going to end. What Angie Frazier has written here is a stunning mystery that is wrapped up in a very middle grade friendly package. I enjoyed each and every minute of this book and I can't wait to read the next one! I know Suzanna will keep on doing her detective work, and I'll be there to follow along.

Imagine if you will a city that is completely torn apart. Buildings are crumbled, highways decimated, and the population that is left is holding onto the hope that they'll be okay long enough to rebuild and just live. That is the picture that Jo Treggiari builds for the reader from the instant you open Ashes, Ashes. I was so blown away by the drive that all these characters had, just to survive from day to day. I tell you, books like this remind me why I should be so glad to have everything I do.

As the story begins, we meet “Lucky” Lucy and find out her back story. She has chosen to live alone, and rely on her own survival skills to get buy. I have to say that I fell in love with her instantly. Lucy isn't a character who is tough, strong, and somehow impenetrable despite the odds. She's also very human. The fact that I got to see her falter, see her second guess her choices, was amazing to me. It reminded me that she was just a person who, thrown into a very desperate situation, was doing the best that she could. Add in the fact that she's rather young, and you have a character that I can get behind 100%.

However it wasn't just Lucy who had me smitten with this book. All the characters who come onto the scene are different, interesting and have a depth that I couldn't get enough of. I don't want to ruin a minute of this amazing book for you, but Ashes, Ashes is populated with some of the most believable characters I've met in a long time. Following them in their daily work, watching them band together to protect one another and survive. It was kind of tough, I'll admit, but also amazingly rewarding. Jo Treggiari shows us the deepest depths of the human spirit, and I can't say enough how much I appreciated that.

Lest I gush about characters for days, and I could, I'll move on to the plot. The story line in this book moves quickly, but never too fast that I was left behind. There are portions that might seem a little description heavy, but I understood quickly that these were there to show me the daily monotony that these survivors faced. Jo Treggiari writes so descriptively, in fact, that if I closed my eyes I could almost see myself working right beside them, amongst the rubble and desolate landscape. Even imaging it now sends shivers up my spine. Well-written is a bit of an understatement, but not even I am sure how to aptly describe what you'll find between these pages. There is a deeper plot hidden in here as well, but I won't divulge what it is.You'll have to see for yourself. Suffice it say that Lucy is very important in this book, and it was fascinating watching it all unfold.

It boils down to this. I am a huge fan of dystopian fiction. To me, the two most important things in books like Ashes, Ashes are the setting and the characters. Treggiari not only successfully showed me both of these, but essentially hit them out of the park. I was in love with every minute of this book while I read it, and I'm holding on to my copy so I can read it again. Ashes, Ashes will be a book that is now added to my pile of dog-eared, constantly read, and well-loved books. I cannot recommend this title enough.

Where was a book like this when I was a middle grade reader because, wow, this was an adventure and a half! Natural disasters have always fascinated me. I think it was that if I knew more about them, they were less scary. Or, well, maybe the same amount of scary but I at least felt informed. Either way, I would have loved reading Storm Blown as a young reader. As it stands, I loved it a whole lot as an adult reader as well.

Nick Courage pits a whole cast of characters against the might of Megastorm Valerie. I could only watch in mixed parts horror and awe as the storm raged, and lives were put in the way of it. I loved how Courage doesn't just show how storms of this magnitude affect people and their cities, but also how they affect animals in their wake as well. It was also so refreshing to see people making realistic decisions because, as we all well know, people don't always evacuate when they're told to. Those decisions, and the consequences that came along with them, were half of the draw of this book. It's not hard to love characters when they feel like real people that you'd honestly be worried about.

As for the plot, well it flies by so quickly that there isn't time to blink. Courage manages to ratchet up the tension, without making things too scary for the younger set of readers that might pick up this book. That's not to say that there aren't times were things feel a bit dire. The end of this book had me so tense that I thought I might fall of the bus seat I was sitting on. However there's always a little inkling of hope. Just enough to keep you rooting for the character, person or animal, and hope that they come through everything okay. I teared up at the ending of this book y'all, and I make no apologies for it.

The science of storms is well mapped out in this book, for sure. If you've ever been interested at all in how megastorms develop, or the type of damage that they can cause, this is absolutely a story that you'll love. It's nice to be reminded that the majesty of nature contains things that are infinitely beautiful, and also absolutely terrifying. It's that balance between the two that makes living on our planet such an amazing experience.

Read this! Read it with your young reader and discuss it, read it by yourself, or read it with a book group. Trust me, you won't be sorry. This story is exciting, and also timely I think. As our climate changes, and storms like this become more normal, I think they need this kind of discussion. I honestly hope to see more from Nick Courage very soon.

I read a few reviews for this book before I read it, and I have to say that I think some people were taking the promise of action in this story much too specifically. Action via the Internet is never all that fast paced in my experience. Although I'll be the first to admit that this book wasn't exactly what I expected it to be, I went into it with an open mind and clean slate and ended up liking it quite a lot!

Now lest this come back to bite me in the hindquarters I will say now that, yes, I do indeed adore Adele Griffin. I find her to be a very witty and amazing author! However that doesn't change the fact that I will always review a book fairly. The review below is all from the heart.

From the very first few pages I fell in love with Raye and Natalya. Here were two very intelligent girls, plotting a social networking scheme simply so that they could talk to boys they were attracted to! Isn't it amazing what the Internet can allow us to do? By taking on the persona of Elizabeth, the girls were able to break out of their shells and become the people that they wished they could be in their own lives. I completely sympathized. When I was in high school all I wanted was to be accepted, and if that meant squashing your actual feelings and needs, well that's what you did. Raye and Natalya remind us that today's generation can lead double lives, all complements of the Internet.

Does this mean that I think what the girls did was right? Not by any means. Still I think it their plot was ultimately fairly pure until it was soiled by the evil Ella. Oh Ella. I will say right now, I despised Ella with a passion. Ella is the girl who bats her eyelashes and gets what she wants. The girl who says one thing and means another. The one who gets away with bullying because she will later “apologize” to you. Why? Well that's because she is popular. I was upset with Raye for falling in with Ella, I really was. I thought she would be smarter than that. I had to remind myself that Raye was only human, and sometimes it's hard to ignore the call of the popular crowd.

Julian, oh yes Julian. He was the one character that completely tore my heart in half. I cannot say too much, as I don't want to spoil the plot line for all you readers out there, but I was fuming as I read. I applaud Raye for making such smart decisions regarding him, even if it did take her a while to do it. Smart girl. On the topic of the Internet, I thought The Julian Game touched on cyber bullying in a perfect manner. It puts the concept out there for discussion, but doesn't shove a moral down your throat in capsule form.

Are you intrigued my friends? Good! Go get a copy of the book and give it a try. You know you want to!

Before I ramble on too much further, I'll simply say that I really did enjoy this book. Although it wasn't a perfect ten for me, it did hold my attention quite well and I felt invested in the characters. Whether I was loving them or despising them didn't matter, I knew enough about them to care. I also loved how Facebook and social networking in general were so seamlessly brought into the story. I was impressed with Raye's story. I'm sure this book will resonate strongly with the social networking generation, and I hope it will also speak to them about reconsidering what should take preference in their lives.

As a long time reader of Elizabeth Scott's books (and now a re-reader of them since I'm older), I have to say that the premise of this book both intrigued me and threw me off at the same time. I'm used to the light-hearted romances that I've read in the past. Sure, in those novels bad things may happen, but they are always resolved happily at the end. Suffice it to say, I wasn't sure what I should be expecting when I opened this book and started to read.

We first meet Grace riding on a train to an unknown destination. She is hot, nervous and fussing over her very recently dyed hair. I was immediately drawn to her character because of the innocence that was there beneath her stoic exterior. Although she was trying to be brave you could see the young girl that was hiding inside, terrified of being discovered. We learn that Grace was an angel of death. Her whole life was devoted to planning for the moment that she would die, and take her intended target with her. What her people didn't know was this: Grace would choose to live. Cast out and alone, Grace decides to take a chance on escaping her old life and creating a new one somewhere else.

This entire book is one huge roller coaster ride of emotions. There are portions of the story where I was so deeply in shock over what was going on in the pages, that I'm fairly sure my mouth was literally hanging open. I've studied history. I know the wrongs that people are capable of doing to one another with little or no reason behind them. I know what one person can brainwash and lead the masses. Still, portions of this book brought that all back to me in vivid color. Grace is written so lyrically, that even the gritty parts of the story simply flow off the page. I was in awe.

I really did love reading Grace. Although it wasn't what I'd normally expect from Elizabeth Scott, I shouldn't have worried one bit. Her writing prowess, her style, her vivid characters, they were all still there. The only addition was this new dystopian world, and I was happy to get lost in it. I wish I could more aptly express my love for this book, but unfortunately it's difficult to do without giving too much away. The fact remains that this book is hauntingly beautiful.

I highly recommend this as a read! Go in with an open mind, and get lost in the world of Grace.

Mystic City made my reading list as soon as I saw the beautiful cover. Little did I know that Theo Lawrence was about to blow my mind. I was under the impression I knew where this story would take me, but I was pleasantly surprised to figure out that I actually had no idea.

Aria wakes with a lack of memories. According to everyone around her, Thomas is the love of her life and she fought against all odds to be with him. It makes perfect sense since they are now engaged to be married. However Aria can't shake the feeling that things are just...off.

I can't deny that the characters are what really drew me in. While Aria isn't the type of protagonist I'm usually drawn to, I did find her interesting. The fact that she was willing to question things, even when she was assured on all sides that her memories were fine, made me smile. Of course once Hunter came into the picture you couldn't have stopped me reading if you wanted to. Funny, kind, and absolutely intriguing, Hunter is a character to swoon over. You'll get no spoilers from me, but their story is wonderful.

My one wish for Mystic City was that the world building was a little more solid. Let's be honest, a futuristic New York is just too delicious not to describe! I was teased with a look at a world that is split in two. The rich live above the filth, and the poor in it. New gadgets and technology rule the day, and people are constantly monitored no matter where they go. I really wanted more showing and less telling. When Lawrence was describing, it was gorgeous. All I wanted was more. I'm hoping that the next in the series will help me further dive into this new setting.

Despite any small qualms that I may have had with the world building though, I really enjoyed Mystic City! I blame my Fantasy addled brain for the lack of five stars, because quite honestly the story line and characters together are more than enough to keep you reading this book. Readers of dystopian, fantasy and even romance will all find something to love here. I will happily admit that I am eager for more!

If you're looking at the post before this and thinking, “What? There is no way she could have possibly finished this book so fast!”, I understand. However I assure you, I really did. Read below to find out why!

Charlotte and her sister Annalise help their parents debunk “ghost stories” by proving their scientific origins. The question is: What happens if there is one that you just can't seem to disprove?

As a reader, and I know I say this often, it is extremely important that I feel invested in the characters if I am going to truly love a story. That being said, Charlotte and Annalise are superb protagonists! Their personalities meld beautifully and you can feel the sisterly chemistry between them. I personally loved Charlotte! She was spunky, sweet and driven. What I was most impressed by was that even the secondary characters, like Avery and Noah, had an amazing story line and were well developed. It's hard not to find yourself drawn into their story.

Past Midnight is a very fast paced and slightly spooky read. I warn you, if you are the type who has nightmares based on horror or suspense movies, you may not want to read this before bed. Although I don't think Mara set out with the intention to scare her readers, some parts of the book will definitely raise the hair on the back of your neck! I had to read another book for a few chapters before bed and even then I had ghosts haunt my dreams for the night.

As I'm sure you can tell, I absolutely adored Past Midnight! The story is the perfect blend of ghost story, coming of age story, and sweet romance. If you're shaking your head in amazement, don't despair. That is precisely what I felt the moment I reached the ending of the book. Mara Purnhagen manages to mesh all of these topics into a well paced book that will have you reading as fast as you possibly can.



Beautifully written and deliciously creepy.

If you're looking for a sweet and genuinely funny read, Freshman Year & Other Unnatural Disasters is just the ticket! Seriously, I'm kicking myself for not getting to this sooner. It has stolen my heart! Kelsey Finkelstein wants nothing more than to make a mark in her new high school. You know, stand out. What she doesn't realize, is that she'll stand out alright! Just not in the way she was hoping. I loved traveling with Kelsey as she navigated the horrors of high school, complete with evil older girls and unbelievably hot guys. This book was just too cute for words!

Kelsey, Cassidy, JoJo and Em are just so much fun! They really took me back to my high school days. Here is a group of girls who do literally everything together. Kelsey especially stole my heart, and who can blame her? She's funny, sarcastic, and absolutely hilarious! I loved the way that she always seemed to be able to take everything in stride. Sure, there are points where she overreacts just like any normal teen. Still, she always managed to see the lighter side (and cause me to laugh) and things were off and running again. I adore this girl!

Freshman Year & Other Unnatural Disasters is the prefect mix of light-hearted reading and real teen issues. Zeitlin shows that girls Kelsey's age are faced with a lot of issues, but that they still have the power to make good decisions. Kelsey and her friends do drink and party in this book, although they do it in a mostly responsible way. Once in a while they do make the wrong choice in a situation, but they always learn from it and move on. Honestly, Kelsey reminds readers that high school isn't the easiest place to be. However with the right head on your shoulders, and the help of some great friends, it's totally do-able!

Add in the craziest (and cutest) build up to a relationship that I've ever seen, and you have a book that just blew me away. I absolutely loved Freshman Year & Other Unnatural Disasters and I know that you will too! Go get yourself a copy and dive in. You won't regret it!

Let's get this out right at the beginning. I love Velveteen Monroe. She's strong, borderline inappropriate the majority of the time, and has a mouth on her that made me crack up laughing. Trust me, this is not a girl you want to mess with. Velveteen was my favorite part of this book, hands down. From the very first page I fell in total love with her tough demeanor and her ability to think outside of herself. Velveteen is cool. There's no other way to say it.

Now in case you're going into this book thinking that you'll be hearing about her ultimate revenge against Bonesaw, let me set you straight. The synopsis is definitely misleading. Velveteen does touch on this a little bit (and it's really gory), but mostly focuses on what Purgatory is really like. Honestly? It's a pretty amazing place. Daniel Marks creates a world where the dead go when they aren't ready to move on. A world filled with mismatched clothing and buildings. A world where souls can rest when they're not taking care of important business. It is Purgatory that is really the center of the book.

What I really loved about this book was the interaction between the living at the dead. Watching Velveteen and her “Salvagers” do their work was really interesting, and made for a fun read. Add in a fast moving plot that pits the people in Purgatory against one another, and you have a book that kept me reading. Velveteen may not have been what I was expecting, but it was definitely still a really great read. Best of all (at least in my mind) is that the romance is not over the top mushy. No spoilers, but what exists between Velveteen and Nick is fabulous. That's all you'll get from me.

There are some very graphic scenes in this book, you've been warned. This is not for the faint of heart. However if you are willing to snicker at a few inappropriately morbid jokes, and suspend disbelief in favor of hanging with Velveteen and her crew, this will be a book that you'll enjoy. Go into it with an open mind. I'm certain that you'll find something to love about Daniel Marks' Purgatory.

My Life Undecided was such a fun and quick read that I was honestly sad when it was over! I simply cannot find the words to explain how witty and hilarious this book really is, but I promise to try.

Brooklyn, or Brooks for short, has trouble following close on her heels. She doesn't get in trouble intentionally. Or so she says. It's just that all the ideas she has that sound fantastic at the time end in, well, sirens and video cameras. What's a girl to do? Why poll the Internet of course! If you can't make a good decision yourself, why not let other people make it for you!

Brooklyn's voice was spot on for a high school aged girl, who is just trying to get by. She has all the normal issues that most girls her age do, including coming to terms with who to include in her life. What I loved about most about Brooklyn's character, truly, was that she was so honest with herself all the time. It's not like she didn't know when she'd messed up, or what the consequences would be, or even that her blog readers were right in certain situations. She is spunky, and stubborn, and just a huge ball of a lovable character. Every few pages the reader is treated to a new page in Brooklyn's blog, and I loved how much that let us get to know her. As the book progresses, she learns that life doesn't always work the way we want it to, but that's okay sometimes. Watching her grow into her own was fabulous.

The other characters that revolve around Brooklyn are also vivid and filled with personality. I especially was drawn in by the two guys who are in her life. There's Hunter, the hot and dreamily Southern guy who is the apple of Brooklyn's eye. He may or may not be the best choice, but he sure is delicious! Then there's Brian. I loved Brian, but I generally root for the underdog in most cases. He was the sweet, debate loving boy who clearly adores the girl he is hanging around but is stuck in the friend zone. Poor guy! The focus isn't heavily on the romance aspect, which I liked, but it's there. Never fear my romance loving friends. I fell in love with all these crazy characters, and I'm sure you will too.

I'll stop going on and on now, and just let you know that I really and truly adored My Life Undecided. There are laugh out loud funny moments in here that are too numerous to count. Jessica Brody has written a book that is sweet, funny, and just full of high school drama goodness. You won't find anything tough about finishing this book. It's a quick read that will leave you giggling at the end!

What a fun summer read! I'm always a fan of graphic novels, but I'm always particularly excited when I get asked to review one that is aimed at the Middle Grade audience. It's fun to see how the author and illustrator work together to tell a story that will resonate with a younger audience. Or, you know, with an audience who just loves this stories hahaha. In this case I think that they hit the nail right on the head!

Gayle Briar is in a mood. She lost her star pitcher status to a broken arm, her mother moved her to a new home, and now even their dream plans for moving there have fallen through. It's no wonder that Gayle's character isn't pleased at the beginning of the story. Funnily enough though, I found myself understanding her completely. Change is hard and, as my grandpa used to say, it often comes in waves. How do you hold your head above the water until the wave passes?

Lucky for Gayle, there is a movie being filmed on the island and getting close to that opens an adventure like nothing else. I wish that I could share more, but I dare not spoil anything! What I will say is that this reminded me a lot of all my favorite books as a kid. Filled with mysteries, a little darkness, and the kind of friendship that only blooms in the face of something a little scary.

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this! If you're looking for something fun for a summer pool read, or looking for a good read for your kid's summer list, pick this up! The illustrations are vibrant, and convey the story so well. I highly recommend you give it a shot!

Like a snowflake, each person is different and unique. Or at least, they used to be before the Protectosphere was put into place. Welcome to Neva's world. A world that claims to protect its people, but has dark secrets hidden beneath the surface. Neva and her friend Sanna know something is wrong. They aren't going to let things go. So begins the story of Neva's revolt.

Now what I loved about Dark Parties is that it drew me in from the very first moment I started to read. In fact, this book is so fast paced and filled with twists, deception and action, that there is hardly a moment to breathe! I didn't put this down once while I read it. That's how amazing it really was. The world under the Protectosphere is different enough to feel dystopian, and yet Sara Grant allows it to have just enough of a link to our own that it is unnerving. Deliciously so.

Neva was a superbly written character, and I loved her fire. Despite everything that comes her way (and there is a lot) she always refuses to back down. However what really made me connect with her was her refusal to let her own needs outweigh that of the others she is around. Neva makes tough decisions in this book, but they are almost always completely unselfish. She's amazing! I won't spoil it, but the one thing that eats her up inside most has to do with Sanna's friendship. That alone made me feel like Neva was a real person, and not just a fictional character I was reading about. She has doubts, she is flawed, and I adore her.

The one thing I missed while I was reading, was more about the world that Neva is in. It is explained enough to make you understand why she feels so stifled and bent on rebellion. However the action takes the reins a lot of times, and things are left out. There were times that what I was reading felt a bit jumpy, as if there was a race going on to fit everything important in before the end of the book. It was fleeting, but I was kind of hoping to find out a little more about the government that was so viciously hunting down Neva.

Still, overall I really enjoyed this read! As I mentioned, I devoured Dark Parties from start to finish without a break in between. It's that well written. Despite the small things I felt were missing, I'd rank this as a read that is not to be missed! Neva and Sanna's world has the possibility of coming to fruition, and that is what is most terrifying of all.

Alyssa is a 17-year-old girl who, like most girls her age, is trying to find her place in the world. She seems to be doing well. Getting good grades, having friends, pleasing her parents, it seems like Alyssa has the perfect life. Unfortunately she has a secret, and that secret is about to blow up in her face. She Loves You, She Loves You Not was a truly realistic and beautiful read for me. I'll do my best to explain to you what made it so amazing.

First of all, the characters in this book are utterly fantastic. From Alyssa's homophobic father, to her adorably understanding younger brother, each one of them has a unique personality that sets them apart. I thought it was interesting that the family Julie Anne Peters builds for Alyssa is so real. I've read many a book where characters are out and proud, with no problems. Although I'd love to believe that is true for most children, I know it's not. Alyssa's family is composed of a more realistic combination of parents. Her father simply cannot know she is a lesbian, because that is unacceptable, where her stepmother and brother are much more understanding. The secret relationship between Sarah and Alyssa made perfect sense to me, and even as it neared impending doom, I knew it had to be that way.

However, what struck me most about this book, and kept me reading on well into the evening until I finished it, was the kinship that I felt with Alyssa. It doesn't matter who you are, or what your sexual preferences may be, anyone who has loved and lost can understand what she is going through. For that matter, anyone who has ever been deeply wounded can relate as well. What is really refreshing though is that Alyssa doesn't dwell on the past. Instead, she uses those memories as a cleanser, to try to close that chapter of her life and start over again. Throughout the book Alyssa is coming to terms with the fact that her life isn't what she thought it once was, and she's going to need to build a new one for herself. It is that raw honesty, the broken girl within, that made me fall for She Loves You, She Loves You Not.

In terms of story line, this book is pretty equal to most other coming of age stories. As Alyssa navigates her new life, away from her family and friends, she struggles and learns. There is the new love interest who comes on the scene, that helps her break out of the shell she has built for herself. Then there is Carly, who is Alyssa's biggest hurdle yet. Not knowing your mother, and then being compared to her by people you barely know, isn't easy. She learns to forge a name for herself, learns to be strong, and most of all learns that it is completely okay to be herself. Although this type of story has been done before, I'll definitely say that Peters hit the nail on the head with the people who surround Alyssa. We all have hurdles to jump, why shouldn't she?

Despite the fact that this wasn't a book that had the “wow” factor for me, I did really enjoy reading it. As I mentioned above, the characters are beautifully written and I dare any reader coming in not to see some part of themselves in Alyssa. She's a multi-faceted character who the reader gets to watch grow into her own. It's a lovely experience, and I'm glad I was along for the ride. Overall I'd give this book a strong recommendation! If you are a lover of contemporary fiction, of coming of age stories, or even just appreciate a good solid story line, this is one for you.

What first caught my eye about this book was that Nastasya, the main character, had to make the epic choice between light and darkness. I've always been intrigued by this choice. It's one that all people, both fictional and real of course, end up facing at some point. When it comes right down to it one wrong choice can send you skittering off towards disaster. Since my life seems to be at that point right now, I thought I might find some connection with Nastasya and her journey.

As a character, Nastasya was dynamic and vivid. I loved the multiple facets of her personality. She felt pain, regret, anger, lust, and all the other emotions that so often get ignored in favor of more the more pleasurable ones. I also appreciated how much Cate Tiernan focused on the Nastasya's inner thoughts. It was easy to get to know her as a character, and to become invested in her struggle. Truth be told I ended up rooting for her half way through the story and I wouldn't give up on her. The more she struggled, the more I felt connected to her. It isn't often a long book like this can fly by, but this one did, and all too soon it was over.

To those you haven't yet read this book, you desperately need to pick up a copy! Everything about Nastasya and her fellow characters is real. Everything about them makes you feel as though you're right there, walking among them. Although they're immortal, they tackle very human emotions and problems. I appreciated the tense relationships between some of the characters so much. I think a lot of times relationships in books are too easily forged. In this book Nastasya has to fight her inner self to do what is good for her. She shows a great amount of perseverance and gives the reader a glimpse into the reality of making a life altering decision.

I could go on and on about how passionate I felt about this book, but I won't. I'll leave you with the fact that it was a refreshing change from so many other angst-driven and romance fueled young adult novels that I've read recently. What Nastasya goes through felt real to me, and her journey spoke to me in a way that I haven't felt in a long time. I'm in love with this book friends, and I cannot wait to see what happens next. Thank goodness this is only book one!

I'm still giggling, and slightly swooning over Don't Stop Now. For those of you who are looking for that quintessential summer read, something light, fun and fantastic, pick this one up! I think I had more fun reading this than I have any other book in a long time.

First of all, it's the chemistry between the characters. Lillian and Josh are like night and day, but the two of them mesh together perfectly. There's a “not romance” here that just adds to it all, and I liked how the focus was on their relationship with one another and what is was, or was not, to be. See, the two of them have just finished high school and each has a very different idea of what is to come next. Lillian, the one who has had all the summer jobs to save up, is off to college. Josh, who lives off his father's money, is wanting to start a band. Unfortunately his father wants him to get a “real job” and he's annoyed. Both of them are on a mission to find their missing friend who has staged her own kidnapping. Cue witty banter, debates on the future, and a road trip for the ages.

I can't say enough about the easy banter, and the voice with which this story is written. Don't Stop Now could be a story about any two friends who are confused about their relationship status. I liked that Lillian and Josh didn't have any annoying sexual tension, or fight a lot. They argued, of course, like all friends do. However all Josh would need to do was throw out his signature grin, and it was back to pals for the two of them. I thoroughly enjoyed their visits to random landmarks, and loved the kitchy souvenirs they picked up. Oh! This book was just so much fun!

As far as summer books go, Don't Stop Now just screams a last hurrah at a teen summer. I loved the voice, the characters, the random interjections from Penny, all of it. I wish I could say more, but this is really one that you need to enjoy for yourself. It's delicious.

Ade sees the future. Unfortunately the only way he can see that glimpse is through having a massive concussion. Oh sure, it used to be easier, but as time has passed Ade has had to go to greater and greater lengths to get that peek into the future. Even worse? He's addicted to the high that only that can produce. This is the character that we follow through Future Imperfect and I'm not kidding when I say that his head is a very strange place to be. Ade is like a walking case study for addicts. Although his addiction happens to be to concussions, his habits really show those of any person who is an addict. Ade's brain is addled, and the reader takes a seat in it as the story progresses.

I'll admit that this book really took me a while to fully appreciate. The situations that happen are so messed up (trust me there isn't another way to describe it) that I often couldn't fully wrap my mind around what was going on. Ade's relationship with his mother is an odd one, and then when Vauxhall enters the picture things get even weirder. It isn't that I didn't like Ade. I understood him as an addict, and I saw him as a person who is kind of lost in their own mind. However I had such a hard time actually feeling like I was a part of him, that being in his brain was disconcerting and made the story kind of hard to read.

By far my favorite part of the whole story was when Ade sees a potentially violent end to someone he knows when he glimpses the future. It is at this point that his whole being kind of changes, and I began to see more into the Ade that was trapped under his addiction. As the story nears the ending, things clear up, the reader sees more of the real world that Ade lives in, and honestly I started to feel more a part of him than I did before. However it took so long for me to get to that point that I really had a hard time enjoying the book as a whole.

If I'm rambling, I apologize. The truth is that Future Imperfect was definitely a wild ride, but honestly one that I don't think I was fully prepared for. This book is one of a kind for me this year. It is unlike anything that I've read so far. I was really hoping that would be enough to keep me invested. However there were just some parts of this book that were so out there, I admittedly felt a little lost. I think there is a lot to love, and I'm sure that there are plenty of readers out there who will throughly enjoy this book. Ade and Vauxhall have their quirks, but their story is definitely fascinating. I say give it a try. You might find something you love!

Amelia is a spirit, lost in the mortal world. Destined to relive the night of her death over and over. Not exactly the most pleasant existence. That is, until the night that she happens to rescue Joshua.

I know that there are plenty of paranormal romance stories out there, but I'd be lying if I said that this one doesn't stand out. Amelia's character is so perfect. She's sweet and lost, but downright fierce when she needs to be. I loved watching her wake up from the fog and become more aware of herself as the story progressed. Amelia's story has the perfect balance between being utterly heartbreaking, and yet full of hope at the same time. It will tug at your heartstrings, that's for sure!

Then there is Joshua. Wonderful and persistent Joshua. Want a guy who manages to be adorable without even trying? Here's your man. Dead set on being a part of Amelia's afterlife, apparently whether she wants it or not, he holds his own. The banter between these two and the stolen moments of closeness were too sweet for words. There were times when it was just so honest. Sure, they may be from two different planes of existence, but that doesn't stop them from being a perfect match for one another. Be warned, swoon worthy moments ensue.

Lest you think that Hereafter is just a book filled with romance though, let me sate your need for action! As Amelia remembers more about her past, the book really picks up pace. Ghosts who are “unclaimed” are apparently a no-no in Tara Hudson's ghostly afterlife. This allows her to weave a wonderful romance that pits two very different worlds against one another. Amelia's life becomes a tug of war between the living, and the dead. I cannot say enough how much this added to the overall story! Love is great, but love that is fated to fail? Even more delicious.

Let's be honest, I could go on about Hereafter for hours. However I'll wrap it up with the fact that while this may not be a new concept, Tara Hudson takes a story that has been done before and still manages to put her own gorgeous twist on it. Amelia and Joshua will make your heart soar, and then have you rooting for their continued existence together. Couple that with some all out action, and you have a book that is well worth your time.

In the vein of a Lemony Snicket novel, The Voyage of Lucy P. Simmons opens with tragedy. Lucy's family is taken from her quite suddenly and her evil Uncle Victor comes to live with her as her legal guardian. His plan is to take over her family home. What is a young girl to do to fight back? Although the book opens with a rather sad note, I can tell you without a doubt that once it takes off it's hard to stop reading.

Lucy is quite a protagonist. Brilliant beyond her years, she is an easy character to fall in love with. Full of courage, and willing to take on whatever comes her way. In fact, one of Lucy's biggest draws is her ability to accept the unexplained. It allows magic to flow into her life and makes for an even more enchanting read. I see young readers being drawn in by the magical elements. The message here is clear and simple:

“Courage is not about being unafraid... Courage has to do with moving forward in the face of fear.”

I was simply disappointed by the lack of answers upon ending Lucy's story. The magic in this story is dazzling, but never really explained. We meet some wonderful characters during our romp through Lucy's life, but we never really see into their pasts. I'm hoping that this means this is the first of the a series that will eventually wrap things up. I for one will be happy to follow Lucy to wherever she ends up next!

Eve is back, and finally settling into a comfortable routine. Califia is finally becoming her new home. That is, until she figures out their true motivation for letting her stay. Anna Carey quickly reacquaints her readers who the world that she built in the first book. Eve's world is one that holds both beauty and danger. From the beginning I was able to slide right back in with the story line, and I have to say that I really loved the descriptive writing in this book! Carey shows her prowess at writing vivid scenery that just bleeds off the page. Califia and the City were in my head the entire read, and it was easy for me to see what Eve saw. That, above anything else, is what I really loved about this book.

However, sadly, that's really where my love for this book stayed most of the time. Eve herself drove me crazy. In the first book I was willing to forgive her a lot, especially because of her upbringing. In Once we see a new Eve. One that is more of an individual and actually a lot stronger. When she first came into the story I was impressed. Then, as time wore on, she kept making mistakes that were selfish and frustrating. It drove me mad. I am certain there will be others that disagree with me, and that's okay. It's just that I personally couldn't stand her the majority of the book.

On top of that Caleb, my favorite character, really doesn't get much face time in this installment. The boys that he left behind aren't really mentioned at all either. In fact, Caleb seemed really washed out to me. Story wise, his whole existence revolves around seeing and being with Eve. No matter what the consequences. I know this can be sweet. I know that it works well in a lot of other stories. For me though, this felt forced. I missed Caleb from the first book. A lot.

The twist that Once brings to the table definitely does make this worth a read though. Especially if you were a fan of Eve. Again, I won't go too into detail so that way I don't spoil it for you. Still, it was a great addition to the story! I have to give credit where credit is due. It was this new development that kept me reading on to see what would happen next.

At the end of the day I have to admit that Once wasn't my favorite read, but I do see a lot of potential. Eve can be a strong character when she tries. Caleb is adorable and swoon worthy. Best of all, it is the world itself that will really draw you in. Fans of Eve, as well as fans of dystopian fiction, really need to give this story a shot.

Can I give this 10 stars? I can't believe I didn't read this sooner. Full review coming when I can actually write it down.

Giving up on this audio book. Although the narrator works really hard to put emotion into the story, there's such a lack to begin with that it seems forced. I was bored for over a half hour of listening. Moving on to something new.