{13 Days of Halloween} D10: Review/Giveaway of Charm and Strange by Stephanie Kuehn

This time around I'm going to give review and giveaway!

When you think of Halloween what do you think of?

I've provided ghosts, witches, and suspense so far

But

Don't you also think of vampires and...werewolves?

This book has a little of werewolves and a little of suspense.

It blew me away with how great the twists and turns took on life.

This book is not what I was expecting.

Read below for all my thoughts!

Then

Stick around for a chance to win a copy for yourself!!

__________________________________________________________

Charm and Strange
Series: none
Author: Stephanie Kuehn
Release Date: June 11, 2013
by, St. Martin's Griffen
*An ARC was provided for review purposes*
*giveaway at the end

When you’ve been kept caged in the dark, it’s impossible to see the forest for the trees. It’s impossible to see anything, really. Not without bars . . . 

Andrew Winston Winters is at war with himself. 

He’s part Win, the lonely teenager exiled to a remote Vermont boarding school in the wake of a family tragedy. The guy who shuts all his classmates out, no matter the cost.

He’s part Drew, the angry young boy with violent impulses that control him. The boy who spent a fateful, long-ago summer with his brother and teenage cousins, only to endure a secret so monstrous it led three children to do the unthinkable. 

Over the course of one night, while stuck at a party deep in the New England woods, Andrew battles both the pain of his past and the isolation of his present. 

Before the sun rises, he’ll either surrender his sanity to the wild darkness inside his mind or make peace with the most elemental of truths—that choosing to live can mean so much more than not dying.

Wow. Just...wow. This book was all sorts of different. I went through a whirlwind of emotions, thoughts and debates with this book. That being said, I'm going to break up this review into parts: beginning thoughts, middle, and my conclusion of the end.

The Beginning: My first impression was that of Kuehn's writing. It is absolutely gorgeous and alluring. She automatically sets us up with a tone of mystery--the main character being aloof and a bit of that loner "freak" type, quiet and dangerous--and gloom. This pulled me in right away, being curious as to who he was and what kind of secrets he was hiding. The chapter titles were a subject of intrigue as well--every other switching between "Matter" and "antimatter". After seeing it was a prominent title for each chapter, I got curious and asked myself what the significance of it and then almost immediately after was given an answer. It's at the end of chapter 7 that it essentially is answered and it captivated me. I would go as far as saying it may very well just be one of my favorite book quotes in the history of ever. I might just get it tattooed too...*Spoiler: This didn't end up being a book I would call a favorite of all time but for this poetic notion alone, I fell more interested and will hold on to this beautiful writing piece as a favorite. Curious? Let me help you out.

"Insert quote here"

I don't usually quote in my reviews...maybe I should start? 

Leave opinion in comments!

The Middle: So it turns out, each chapter alternates between Drew/Win’s past and present. Both of these POVS also alternate through each part of Andrew Winston Winters. The past is Drew and the present is Win. Until the middle, I had felt Drew was written a little too immaturely. He was supposed to be 10 I believe and sometimes I just felt like by the way he talked and acted, he seemed more like 5. It was also not until the middle where I got the most confused and thrown off. In the beginning I felt as thought the book was going to be more mental health related...like maybe he was bipolar. Then....Win started bringing up werewolves. What? Yeah, I was a bit confused but then I eased into it. I started to like it. His friend Lex and new girl outcast Jordan were introduced more and I really, really enjoyed them. Because Win was such an outcast of self decision we honestly don’t see them too much until one night at a party...

The End: Once this party goes down, this is when shiz gets real. No joke. Ugh. This end. This ending 3rd of the book is what really hooked me. Past and present start clicking together and gah. Heartbreak. So much heartbreak. So many feels. As the boom progresses, Lex and Jordan really gain a voice and these three and thrown together whether Win likes it or not. They all need each other, three people bonded together because of the pain and past of their own. A friendship that ends up real and tough.

This book is wonderfully told, again Kuehn has such beautiful writing that keeps you peeled to the pages. At the end, the very last sentence reads, “And that makes all the difference,” which isn’t very far off from Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken” which it’s own last line reads, “And that has made all the difference.” After reading that line I knew it sounded familiar and looked it up. A short psychology evaluation of the poem described gave something like, “Confronting and solving problems is a painful process which most of us attempt to avoid. And the very avoidance results in greater pain and an inability to grow both mentally and spiritually...” This books journey is parallel to just that. I love the poetic reference from this last sentence alone. It’s s perfect ending. 

Charm and Strange holds its readers with constant curiosity, a continuous mystery front to finish. An initial whirlwind of emotions and conclusion settled down into a heartbreaking and humble end. Lovely. This is another book in which I'm curious how the hype isn't bigger than what I feel it should be--granted its another that is about 4 years old. Still, I haven't seen too many reviews on it via Goodreads, especially from bloggers I've been following since my start. *shrugs* Bottom line: I highly recommend this book to all. Next time you need something new, run out and grab this one!

~Rating:

~Giveaway

Now, again, what I know you’ve really been waiting for, yes that’s right. The giveaway. I really enjoyed this book and am excited to be able to give a copy away to one of you! Please be sure to review my giveaway policy (can be found in the rafflecopter or on my giveaway page) before entering. This is a US giveaway only. Sorry!! I can only ship so far money wise. Good luck!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

{Review} Goodbye Rebel Blue by Shelley Coriell

Goodbye, Rebel Blue
Series: none
Author: Shelley Coriell
Release Date: 2013
by, Harry N Abrams
*given for review*
Pages: 320

Rebecca Blue is a rebel with an attitude whose life is changed by a chance encounter with a soon-to-be dead girl. Rebel (as she’s known) decides to complete the dead girl’s bucket list to prove that choice, not chance, controls her fate. In doing so, she unexpectedly opens her mind and heart to a world she once dismissed—a world of friendships, family, and faith. With a shaken sense of self, she must reevaluate her loner philosophy—particularly when she falls for Nate, the golden boy do-gooder who never looks out for himself. Perfect for fans of Jay Asher’s blockbuster hit Thirteen Reasons Why, Coriell’s second novel features her sharp, engaging voice along with realistic drama and unforgettable characters. {Goodreads}

I'm one of those gals who prefer more excitement in my books. You know, the horror, mystery, ass kicking sort of excitement. It doesn't have to be a specific genre--vamps, fae, nephilium, dystopia...all and more. That being said, sometimes something soft and sweet can be a nice filler book. One that I can enjoy, smile and gush over helps clean the pallet when their has been a little too much ass kicking back to back.

Rebel Blue is one of those cute "clean your pallet" type of books I couldn't help but love. With its soft love interest, rebel attitude, and journey of adventure and living life more full, Coriell gave a great coming of age book. While this book has its reference to Jay Asher's Thirteen Reasons Why, I didn't find it as heavy (this was read before the Netflix series came out). Again, I found this to be a very refreshing read. I felt like I kept letting go of breaths for Rebel, like she was holding her breath just as tight as she was holding who she thought she needed to be. As the story progresses I found it nice to read from Rebel's POV as she started shedding layers and breathing easier.

Then there's the list. The bucket list that runs this book. The bucket list is definitely where I can understand the comparison to Ash's book. A chance encounter between Rebel (Rebecca) and a more popular girl at school after a day in detention leads Rebel on a chase of life after the girl dies and leaves behind her bucket list. The list becomes Rebel's main priority and through it her character blossoms leaving the reader happy and warm inside by the end. Her character development was lovely. Even better, I was enjoyed in how Coriell decided to slowly release each girl's bucket list they were forced to write in detention--Rebel's by chapter names.

This book didn't having my dying at the fact that it was over nor did it have me adding it to my most coveted book shelf but it did leave me content. I would recommend this book to any one who is looking for a quick, fun read between book releases or just looking for something old that's new to read. Give it a shot!

Rating:

*a copy was provided for review purposes*

{Review} Wild Cards by Simone Elkeles

Wild Cards
Series: Wild Cards #1
Author: Simone Elkeles
Release Date: September 24, 2013
by, Walker Books for Young Readers
Pages: 288

After getting kicked out of boarding school, bad boy Derek Fitzpatrick has no choice but to live with his ditzy stepmother while his military dad is deployed. Things quickly go from bad to worse when he finds out she plans to move them back to her childhood home in Illinois. Derek’s counting the days before he can be on his own, and the last thing he needs is to get involved with someone else’s family drama.

Ashtyn Parker knows one thing for certain--people you care about leave without a backward glance. A football scholarship would finally give her the chance to leave. So she pours everything into winning a state championship, until her boyfriend and star quarterback betrays them all by joining their rival team. Ashtyn needs a new game plan, but it requires trusting Derek—someone she barely knows, someone born to break the rules. Is she willing to put her heart on the line to try and win it all?{Goodreads}

~Review:
 Holy flipping cow!!!! I can't believe I even got this book! Simone Elkeles is a really well known author thanks to her Perfect Chemistry series. So when I found I had this book in my possession post release I about freaked!! I did a happy jog and everything.

  Now, that being said I still haven't read the Perfect Chemistry series yet but it's another one I have been dying to read! I will get to it soon enough I promise! Now to talk about Wild Cards. I really liked it. It was cute and it was funny! Derek is an absolute dream boat and Ashton is snarky and independent. The banter between these two was delightful. I enjoyed the multiple POVs. It's always nice to know what is going on through each characters head as they start to fall. Ashton was probably the most stubborn about it. I loved it. ;) Ashton is the star kicker...on the boys varsity football team. How great is that!? The last book--and only other book--that I read with a girl on a boys football team was Catching Jordan. I liked that one but I think I liked this one more....sorry Miranda Kennealy! Even though they were similar I liked Elkeles version better because of the family she put together. The boys on the team looked out for Ashton but they also respected her. I also liked how the verbal language was considerably higher in decency. There weren't as many cuss words as there were in Catching Jordan. I don't mind it often because hello! We are teens and this day in age swearing is about as normal as breathing. But there is respect in words. Elkeles gives that respect. Ashton is beyond independent and even more stubborn. She has the will of--of I don't know (running short in comparisons) but she has a lot of will and determination. She doesn't like things being handed to her. She likes to work for her earnings. I love that about her. She has her quirky habits. She plays to win and she wins because she plays....hard.

  Derek is a bad boy. Whoopdey Doo! Isn't it always a bad boy!? Yes. Am I complaining? No. ;) Derek is more of a punk than a bad boy. He is witty and charming and likes to grease pigs and set them loose during graduation ceremonies. Haha ok so he is trouble with a capital T but he is harmless. He isn't the roofing bad boy. He is the prancing bad boy. Ultimately he has a great heart. He fixes up sheds and mows lawn with no ulterior motive. The boy just has a serious mouth and prank problem.

  Put the two together and you got one heck of a couple. Goodness these two were making me laugh! They are both incredibly stubborn. It was like watching those goats with the horns ram each other over and over again. Haha lets just say when the first time a couple meets ends with a pitch fork in a shoe...it's bound to be interesting. It was. I read this book pretty fast. The stuff that both Ashton and Derek had Togo through had my full attention. This isn't a light read. It had more depth. Both characters had struggles they had to deal with. This wasn't a heavy read either. It was a light heavy? I don't know don't ask.

  Simone Elkeles righting is nice. It flows easily. Each words slides into the next and before you know it you have read half the book. She has a nice sense of humor being able to commit to the snarky replies Derek and Ashton throw at each other. Ultimately Derek and Ashton were adorable especially at the end. Oh my goodness that end was adorable!! I can't wait to read the next one! There was only one thing that bothered me about the book. There was some round about incest. It wasn't true incest but it was enough to make me not jump on the TeamDerekandAshton boat. Derek's stepmom is Ashton's sister. So basically Ashton is Derek's aunt-in-law. No blood ties but I don't know I like to stay away from that stuff. Ya just weird to me. There are so many different ways you could come about a couple meeting and I prefer to stay away from instances like this. Eventually I kind of just ignored that little fact as best as I could and enjoyed the story for what it was.

  Wild Cards was an enjoyable read. I loved Simone Elkeles writing style and the story she created. The characters were well developed and the love was adorable. I can't say it was a favorite but it was well worth the read! I would recommend it to all contemporary fans! Like I said before, I haven't read anything else's from Simone Elkeles so I can't compare it to her Perfect Chemistry series. Bottom line: Wild Cards was good..great even! It was fun, funny, and really cute. I really liked it! Give it a try when you got the chance. Borrow it, buy it. However you see fit but I do think it is worth the shot. :)

~Rating:

4 of 5 stars!

*a copy was provided for review purposes*

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{Blog Tour} Canary by Rachele Alpine

Canary
Author: Rachele Alpine
Release Date: August 1, 2013
by, Medallion Press
Pages: 288

Staying quiet will destroy her, but speaking up will destroy everyone.
Kate Franklin’s life changes for the better when her dad lands a job at Beacon Prep, an elite private school with one of the best basketball teams in the state. She begins to date a player on the team and quickly gets caught up in a world of idolatry and entitlement, learning that there are perks to being an athlete.

But those perks also come with a price. Another player takes his power too far and Kate is assaulted at a party. Although she knows she should speak out, her dad’s vehemently against it and so, like a canary sent into a mine to test toxicity levels and protect miners, Kate alone breathes the poisonous secrets to protect her dad and the team. The world that Kate was once welcomed into is now her worst enemy, and she must decide whether to stay silent or expose the corruption, destroying her father’s career and bringing down a town’s heroes.

Canary is told in a mix of prose and verse.{Goodreads}

~Review:
  What is this!? Did someone send out a letter saying that depressing, struggling, coming of age stories were in? I've read so many it feels like this year! I sure didn't get the memo. Now, I am not in any way saying that is a bad thing. I like these stories best. I like the broken being fixed. The struggles it takes for someone to find themselves. It's real and  true.

  Rachele Alpine does not disappoint. Like I said before, it seems as if I have read these types of stories back to back, and again, I am not complaining. Mrs. Alpine tackled the story of teenage life and it's ups and downs, high school's hierarchy and the struggle to "be on top", the everyday life struggles that mold us teens into the adults we can become and might I say...she nailed it! Now, high school isn't like the movies. Most of the time you don't get a raging bitch who runs the school. You do get bitches and asses but...well, you get those everywhere. I think when Mrs. Alpine was portraying the high school heirarchy, the elites, the rulers of campus, whatever you want to call them she was just giving a bigger picture of how tough fitting in can be. You want to be recognized, loved, adored. You don't realize just how slippery of a slope that can be.

  We are given the character of Kate to take the dark road for us. Man, my hear actually physically hurt when reading this book. The things she had to go through was rough. She was strong because she feared, be cause she loved and lost, because she lost sight of what was important, because she lost herself. Strong because despite all that, she made it through, she found herself, she found what was important and lost what was not. She was strong because she survived. Not survived as in fought an army with one a pin and needle but survived what might have other's cracking. I loved her. She is a protagonist worthy of the term "heroine". Sometimes society distorts all of what we hold dearly and we are temporarily blinded by it all. We cause our own pain, our own destruction. This is what Rachele shows us. This is why it was so devastating...because whether we want to see it or not...its all true.

  Canary is a powerful read. It takes you on a journey filled with loss, heartache, betrayal, and the road that leads you to finding yourself, voice, and fully accepting who you are. It was not an easy journey. That's what I loved about it so much. These days so many stories (books, movies, etc) show the bad and the outcome being completely unaffected by it. That's not true and that's not real. We have to struggle to get to the top. We have to make mistake after mistake until we finally get it right. Sometimes we have so many problems that your drowning in them and you think you will never catch your breath but when you finally do....its worth it. It doesn't seem like it at the time but its true. As they say: "A smooth sea never made a skillful sailor." This is true in Canary.

  I was hooked from page one. The writing of Rachele Alpine is intoxicating. She pushes the boundaries. She pushes herself. She pushes Kate. The most unique thing about this book is the daily blog entries. Kate's "Daily Truth". Yes, Kate keeps track of everything in a blog. She writes all the happenings of her day, every day. The way she writes them is so beautiful. Some are so heart-wrenching but they are beautiful. They are lyrical, poetic, inspiring. So not only does Rachele write a book but a blog in a book, talk about talent. I haven't read something like that. It was unique and captivating.

  The amount of talent Rachele Alpine is unbelievable. She has truly made a fan out of me. I will read anything and everything by her. I can hardly believe that she was the one coming to me at the beginning of the year asking me if I wanted to read her book. That she was giving me and my blog compliments. That it was an honor of hers if I would read and review her book. All along it should have been me begging her for a chance to read her book. The honor is truly all mine. It was an absolute pleasure to be gifted with an advanced copy of her book. To get a chance to read the greatness that is Canary. My emotions ran wild with this book. I teared up, I got angry, I got depressed. Rachele has your emotions in the palm of your hand and she will own them. You will not be in control of them when reading this book. I wasn't..that is for sure.

  So all in all, when this book comes out, read it. It is a book that will capture you from the beginning leaving you breathless at the end. It's not one with a happy ending waiting at the end. It's not terrible but the road to the end is torture. You will be reading Kate's snowball effect and have no power over it. All you can do is continue reading and anticipate the end. You watch that snowflake touch the ground and start rolling, picking up speed and increasing inside, seeing Kate at the bottom in direct line of impact. You can scream, you can shout warning after warning but you are powerless. The outcome is inevitable. And you want to save yourself the horror but you can't because you are so hooked. Canary's got its claws hooked into your heart, its song singing for you to continue while also voicing a warning. I felt as if I was in one of those sound proof glass boxes with the one way vision except you got the vision and no one can see you...seeing and hearing everything but having no one hear or see you. Its torture and again, I couldn't stop. It was amazing. By the end I was truly breathless. My heart hurt and all I could do was lay down for the night and think it all over.

  Read it, hate it, love it. ;D Those are the three steps to an amazing book. The books associated with the word "great" are the ones that aren't perfect. They don't have the indestructible heroine with the fearlessness and courage to feed an army of thousands, they have the rough and the tough that is all too true. Those are the books I find to steal my heart and Canary is one of them. The one's that are 5 star worthy. It's one I will swear up and down on. Keep with me as a reminder, as a source of inspiration. I will encourage this book to all.


~Rating:

5 of 5 stars!

*This review is a part of the Canary Book Tour hosted by AtomR Tours*

~The Author:

  Rachele Alpine is a lover of sushi, fake mustaches, and Michael Jackson. One of her first jobs was at a library, but it didn’t last long, because all she did was hide in the third-floor stacks and read. Now she’s a little more careful about when and where she indulges her reading habit. By day she’s a high school English teacher, and by night she writes with the companionship of the world’s cutest dog, Radley, a big cup of coffee, and a full bag of gummy peaches. Rachele lives with her husband in Cleveland, Ohio, but dreams of moving back to Boston, the city she fell in love with while attending graduate school there.

Website | Twitter  | Facebook | Goodreads

{Review} Smashed by Lisa Luedeke

Smashed 
Author: Lisa Luedeke
Release Date: August 21, 2012
by, Margaret K. McElderry Books
Source: *a copy was provided by the author for review purposes*
Pages: 336

A field hockey star grapples with addiction in this riveting debut that will appeal to fans of Laurie Halse Anderson’s Speak. 
Stay out of trouble for one more year, and Katie Martin can leave her small town loneliness behind forever. She is a field hockey star on the fast track to a college scholarship, but her relationship with alcohol has always been a little questionable. Then trouble finds her. Alec is the most popular guy in school, and also the biggest bully—with his sights set firmly on Katie. When Alec turns on the charm, Katie thinks she must have been wrong about him.

Except that she wasn’t. On a rain-soaked, alcohol-drenched night, one impulsive decision leaves Katie indebted to Alec in the worst possible way. This debut novel is a fast-paced and compelling story of addiction, heartbreak, and redemption.{Goodreads}

~Review:
  I've read my fair share of contemporary books with the theme being a broken girl thrown into a mix of lies, broken family, etc. It's easy for these kind of books to merge together, each one becoming a replica and nothing outstanding. I have to say that Lisa did a great job at creating Smashed so that it does not blend in with the background but instead, stands out!

  Upon reading some reviews of this book I was wary to start it. I heard things about way too much foul language, explicit sexual description, etc. I even read this one review where it said just this:

"I am now going to tell you what happens and save yourself the embarrassment of having read something so awful.

Guy attracts alcoholic (pretty, successful, and needy) girl, who is dumb enough to coerce herself into his groping hands.

Alcoholic girl parties with guy for half the book.

Alcoholic girl drives drunk with guy and crashes them into a tree, disfiguring said guy. 

Guy takes the blame for the crash so she will owe him sex. 

Guy stalks girl for half the book.

Guy rapes girl.

Girl has PTSD and then beer is found in guy's school locker. 

THE END.

oh yeah, there was supposed to be something about her dad...? Yeah there was, but it was so irrelevant and stereotypical I have forgotten..."

  Ok, I am not even the author by I'm offended. There was so much more to this book than that!! I don't know but I like the broken stories the best. The ones about the girl with so many problems she is practically drowning in them. Where the girl is so strong that she can pull through from all her problems. I think those protagonists are the strongest ones of all. They have more courage, faith, and strength than the ones fighting the government in resistance, trekking through a forest filled with demons and other scary stuff. Why? Because they hold truth. These could be the stories that help a girl or boy out because they are going through the same things.

   "Dumb enough to coerce herself into his groping hands"!!??? Excuse me!!? It is so far beyond that!! Did you not read any of her thoughts? It wasn't a fact of being dumb it was the fact of being a decent human giving someone a benefit of the doubt. She liked him. She thought he was a nice sweet guy. She didn't expect him to attempt rape! Haven't you ever been in love? It can be frighteningly true when they say "love is blind". No girl wants to be raped. No one wants to think someone they know and care about is capable of it. To be honest. I probably might have thought those thoughts before but then I read Knee Deep by Jolene Perry and it kind of opened my eyes a little more to these things that happen. It gave me a different way of thinking about girls that struggle through alchohol addictions, lying, being raped, staying in abusive relationtships, etc. You would think it'd be so easy to just turn away. I mean you'd have to be stupid to stay in an abusive relationship right? Wrong. It is so much more than that and I feel as if whoever is quick to judge is the stupid one. Now, please take note I am not calling the author of the quoted review stupid. I was just deeply offended by it and felt as if I needed to explain something.

  Now, enough with that rant, on to the book. Please, completely disregard any reviews like that. Read it for yourself and see if you agree or disagree. Take head. Don't read it. Read it. You may do as you please. The problem now a days is we see something, hear something and we are too quick to believe it. Instead of finding the facts out ourselves and thinking "Well, based on all the data I have gathered, what do I think?" and do get all sides of the story. Don't read a good review and think "Oh I am going to love it"...you may as well just hate it! Don't read a bad review and think "Oh, well that's not worth it. Might as not read it ever!"....because you very may just have loved it...found a favorite book of yours. Would you know that? No. Why? Because you took someone else's word way too easy and too much to heart. You didn't find out yourself so you lost the chance of falling in love with a book. Heed this warning. Don't. The choice is up to you.

  Ok, I did it again. I ranted and now I am already six paragraphs in and haven't talked about the book like I am supposed to!! And it is a rather boring and high on emotional ranting...Oops! ;D Where'd the fun go!? So Katie has her problems. One problem leads to the other and it all kind of just starts snowballing leaving her run over at the bottom of the hill by the huge snowball that has been falling and collecting for sometime. I felt so sorry for her. But then, I didn't. If she hadn't gone through all that stuff I don't think she would be nearly as strong as she was by the end of the book. It's hard to see but all the bad that happens to us happen for a reason. A reason we may not be able to understand at the time but a reason none the less. Isn't that a horrific thought? But its true. What doesn't kill us really does make us stronger. 

  Katie's friends were the true hope in most of the book. I loved Stan and I loved Matt and I loved Cassie. They were her backbone. Katie didn't realize it while she was being plowed but they were. No matter what she did she still had their support. It'd be nice to have those right? We can if we associate ourselves with the right people. That was one of Katie's flaws...one of the things that lead her to her ultimate downfall. She associated herself with the wrong crowd, pushed away the right crowd, then let herself be alone....think she was alone. Those who truly love us won't ever leave us alone. 

  Mr. Luedeke created a wonderful, heart wrenching, inspiring tale that absolutely touched my heart. Her writing was soulful, ugly in truth but beautiful in outcome. She really explored what it means to find love in others, and especially yourself. Life isn't easy...this is what Lisa shows us. The brutal honesty Lisa portrays is exactly what I loved about this book. It had its flaws. But don't we all? Nothing is perfect and nothing will be. I just wanted to show this one last paragraph from the previously quoted review:

Conclusion.
Let us look at the most penetrating, deep questions Katie poses to herself:

"Why did I ever do half the things I did?" (P.76)

"What did I really want?" (P.179)

Sadly, she never quite finds out. At least she apologizes for being an idiot on page 316, but she does nothing to change it.
This book perpetuates the YA lit lie that things improve without personal change. Absolutely despicable. Just think about it. We teens are getting the message from the protagonist that it's OK to smoke weed. It's OK to get hammered every chance you get. It's good in fact, because your life will improve while you do all these things! Just look at Katie! Just look at her and her stupid life and stupid choices and the utter lack of ability she has to control her own actions!

Indeed, if you take a look at all, take a good long look.
And don't forget this terrifying read."

  No. She doesn't find out exactly what she wants. Or why she did what she did. Do you? Do you know exactly what you want and why you did the things you do? If you do, damn. Color me jealous. No. Katie DOES change. She is able to have the courage to face her fears, step away from her past and start over. You can't go back and change the past. Sometimes you have to move one and completely start over. If you are constantly looking over your shoulder, you might miss that you are walking to your own death. Haha not once did it encourage the smoking of weed or to get hammered. No. SHIT! You have got to be kidding me. The hell!? Katie's life did NOT improve because of those....they let to her utter demise! She was DESTROYED because of it. She lost EVERYTHING! Have you never made a stupid decision in your life? If not, well then color me jealous TWICE. We learn from our mistakes.

  I am sorry but I found that completely insulting. We are entitled to our own opinions but if those opinions are insulting, rude, ignorant and disrespectful don't even bother opening your damn mouth. Sorry my feathers are completely ruffled. I do encourage you to read this book. I liked it. I found it inspiring and lovely. It was true. It was honest. It was done right. I don't encourage you to go and do what Katie did. I don't encourage you to make every damn mistake possible so you can "learn from it". Yes, some of Katies decision's were stupid. So are some of mine. Again, not encouraged. I encourage us to make the best decisions possible. To do what is best for you. Will you make the wrong choice sometimes? Yes. Will that cause you trouble? Most likely. Negative outcomes occur. But life doesn't come with a warning "Do this and this will destroy you". Humanity has blessed with a conscience. A conscience some people refuse to use...A conscience some choose to embrace. There is humanity, morals, goodness! Whether we choose to use them is our choice. There is no perfection in this imperfect world. Katie did some terrible things but it cost her. It molded her. It scarred her. It transformed her.

~Rating:

4 of 5 stars!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a wonderful day!!

~Jaiden

{Review} Hooked by Liz Fichera

Hooked
Series: Hooked #1
Author: Liz Fichera
Release Date, January 29, 2013
by, Harlequin Teem
Source: *a copy was provided for review purposes by Netgalley*
Format: Kindle
Pages: 368

When Native American Fredricka ‘Fred’ Oday is invited to become the only girl on the school’s golf team, she can’t say no. This is an opportunity to shine, win a scholarship and go to university, something no one in her family has done.

But Fred’s presence on the team isn’t exactly welcome — especially not to rich golden boy Ryan Berenger, whose best friend was kicked off the team to make a spot for Fred.

But there’s no denying that things are happening between the girl with the killer swing and the boy with the killer smile...

GET HOOKED ON A GIRL NAMED FRED.{Goodreads}

~Review:
  This is another book where I didn't get what I was expecting. The cover is cute and it portrays a good humored, sexy kind of book and...it's not. Hooked sort of failed me if I may say so. It sort of disappointed me. I don't mean to be harsh--never my intention--it just wasn't what I wanted and hoped.

  The characters weren't developed enough. Ryan was supposed to be somewhat broken. The rich teen that got whatever he wanted but his home life was kind of messed up. Too much pressure and not enough love. He was expected to get the good grades and be perfect. He was probably the only character I really felt pulled through with the authors inventions but even that wasn't a 100% feeling. He was a total ass hat from the beginning and didnt prove he had enough soft side to make me love him. He was just one or the other. It kind of gave a bipolar feel to him. I liked Fred every now and then. I appreciate her for going out and doing what everyone said she couldn't do. She was strong in that way. She didnt let what people say intimidate her into quitting and running away with her tail between her legs.

  I guess now that I think about it I liked both characters...individually....just not together. I didn't feel there love. It was just sudden. One minute they hate each other and all of a sudden they feel love?? No ease into it people!! There is immediate attractions and then there is warming up and of course hatred. Immediate and hatred don't go together. Give us a reason they fell In love. Something true and a bit more deep then "oh well I guess she/he is cute, maybe ill like him then" I don't know I just wasn't feeling it.

  Liz is a great writer I can tell. I think she just needs to work out her few kinks. This could have been great if we were shown more depth. More history more something!! I really wanted to love this book but I couldn't. It was good but not great. It was missing those little details that make a book great. Hooked is a good fluff book. It was worth the short little read. If you need a filler book go ahead and give it a shot but I'm not going to jump up and down egging you to read this. Go on and give it a chance. Ill be giving a chance with book two!

~Rating:

3 of 5 stars!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a great day!! :D

~Jaiden 

{Review} Uses for Boys by Erica Lorraine Scheidt

Uses for Boys
Author: Erica Lorraine Scheidt
Release Date: January 15, 2013
by, St. Martin's Press
Source: *a copy was provided from Netgalley*
Pages: 240

Then comes Sam. When Anna actually meets a boy who is more than just useful, whose family eats dinner together, laughs, and tells stories, the truth about love becomes clear. And she finally learns how it feels to have something to lose—and something to offer. Real, shocking, uplifting, and stunningly lyrical,  Uses for Boys  is a story of breaking down and growing up.

Then comes Sam. When Anna actually meets a boy who is more than just useful, whose family eats dinner together, laughs, and tells stories, the truth about love becomes clear. And she finally learns how it feels to have something to lose—and something to offer. Real, shocking, uplifting, and stunningly lyrical,  Uses for Boys  is a story of breaking down and growing up.{Goodreads}

~Review:
  Short book...short review. ;P I was really looking forward to this one. It had an adorable cover and the premise really reeled me in. I like broken characters that find their place and finally poece by piece fix themselves. When I was approved on Netgalley for it I was so happy! However, this book was nothing I was expecting. Yes it has our broken protagonist. The writing is what really through me off. It wasn't like a normal YA book. It was like a poem. I came to really appreciate the way of writing after adjusting. It didnt really have a point of view at all. you kind of got that it was Anna telling the story but it was...different. that is the main word for this book. Different. and Unique. It also disnt have much dialogue but it worked in a way. i didn't mind it. It was fitting. It was a piece of art really. It was so unique and completely different. I had never read anything like it. Scheidt is what you call an artist, a writer with a magic hand.

  I felt bad for Anna. I truly felt sorry for her. She is probably the most broken character I have ever read. She was troubled and confused. She never truly had any real joy or love in her life so she didn't know there was anything different than being left and used. She didn't know what it was like to have a family or mom. Anna didnt know how she should have been treated. She was completely naive in some ways. Anna didnt know better plane and simple. Her story was one of finding and fitting in. Making mistakes and learning. Some people will take this book on confusion. Some will take it not so well and maybe a bit offensive. Some aren't going to see through the lines. Others will think they have the meaning and it all figured out but won't really. Some will get it truly and fully. Only the author truly know honestly. She knows what she wanted to convey and hope that others will see it and understand.

  All together this book was pretty good. I liked it but in some ways I didn't. Certain things rubbed me the wrong way. The thing I really really liked about Uses for Boys was the writing. It was really good and I loved it for its differences. I liked that it wasn't like anything I had ever read before. I liked the layers you tried to peal and understand. I liked that I may not have truly understand. Again this book may not be for everyone. No. I KNOW it's not for everyone. It's indescribable  It's a hit or miss kind of thing. I suggest you to try it on for size. It wasn't a favorite of mine but I did enjoy it. Not as much as I had wanted to but enough where I will give it a good rating. Just make sure that going into this book you know it's unique. Know that it isn't going to be at all what you think. It's not a fluffy happy go lucky kind of book. It's not a cute I will find my way kind of book. It's not a sweet contemporary. It's less but so much more. It all depends on how you look at it and how you choose to SEE it.

~Rating:

3 of 5 stars!!!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Have a great day!! :D

~Jaiden

{Review} Dizzy by Nyrae Dawn and Jolene Perry

Dizzy
Author: Nyrae Dawn & Jolene Perry
Release Date: November 15, 2012
Source: *a copy was provided by the author for review purposes*
Format: PDF/Kindle
Pages: 287

Dylan doesn’t do relationships. He and his older brother watched their dad go through hell and back, so they made a pact years ago—no girl would come between the Gibson boys. But his brother sells out. He's getting married anyway. To the sister of a chick Dylan met at a party, who's probably the angriest girl he's ever met. Unfortunately, she happens to be hot, too.
Ziah’s life is upside down—her safe boyfriend turns out to be not-so-safe, and now her sister is getting married before college is over to the older brother of a spoiled, party boy who drives her crazy. And also makes her heart beat too fast.
There’s no denying the attraction, but there's also no denying how much they irritate each other. When they’re thrown together as forced wedding planners, they find an ally in each other--neither wants this wedding to happen.
But instead of putting a stop to the crazy nuptials they find themselves at fittings and cake testing. And maybe even…a few dates? Dizzy is a novel about what happens when two people who are determined not to fall in love, maybe do anyway. Maybe.{Goodreads}

~Review:
  Firsts....Jolene and Nyrae are two of my most favoritist indie authors of ALL time!!! I first fell in love with Nyrae when I fell in love with Sebastian! O. My. Word!! Dudes, she is a PRO when it comes to dreamy boys. I LOVE Sebastian and (What a Boy Wants) was absolutely amazing! I got giggly and goosebumpy and laughed my tooshy off!!! Pure. Genius!! And then I fell in love with Jolene when I read the story of Luke and Ronnie. It totally changed me and my thoughts. It (Knee Deep) was cute romantic and humorous and completely inspirational! If there are two Indie authors I will repeatedly recommend it would be these two! They are so talented and need more recognition!! I am so behind with their books because they keep popping them out like there is no tomorrow!! I mean seriously you guys...slow down!! I can't keep up these days!! It seems everyday there is a new one coming!! ;D (no, please don't ever stop writing!!) I need to read them all...so should you! ;)

  Anyways!! Enough with their previous books. This is  a review of Dizzy not the other two. Ok well..let me rant a bit more about these two lovely authors. Nyrae and her perfect boys + Jolene and her awesome, witty female leads= the perfect combo! This book was so good! I loved the play of back and forth with Ziah and Dylan's POV. Dylan was so charismatic and a complete hot head..an adorable, fun, funny, in-denial boy!! O gosh..I loved him. He was fun and witty. He was loving and confused. Ziah was a pain in the ahh...tushy. She was mean and mad and so freaking difficult! She was also loving and funny without knowing it. She had this charm that I just came to love. I love reading through alternating POV but the best is when the characters are so distinguishable but still the same where you don't feel like you are reading completely different books. Ziah and Dylan were one of the same. I loved how Ziah would end her turn thinking one thing and Dylan would pick up thinking the exact same thing. They were on the same page...they were the cutest couple ever.

  Jolene and Nyrae's writing was just as amazing even though they were sharing the pages. I enjoyed getting to know each character and reading from their talented hands. It was a true gift. They created one of the best couples in the contemporary genre. I had no problems...well one. Their relationship status. So they kind of hated each other at first. They believed they were on completely different sides of the world but they were closer than they thought...and once they figured it out it was nothing but sparks. Gosh these two were so cute! They were funny, witty (my!! their banter was awesome!!), close, smexy (uhmm..there were some pretty steamy, blood pumping scenes I was very fond of reading). They tried to deny their attraction but they just...couldn't. They only tried to keep their distance because they had things of their pasts and recent situations which screwed them over to thinking love was impossible. I felt bad but they helped each other out. They worked..they just worked.

  Wait...I thought you said you had a problem with their relationship status?....you may have just thought that question. Yes, you are right...I am getting there. Alas, my problem which semi-ruined my complete heart gushing over their little romance....Their siblings were getting married. That kinda makes them siblings...half...step siblings. Not by blood but by marriage. I just don't know I found it weird. They are siblings after the "I do". What?? Some people may not have a big deal with this...I didn't mind it too much it just kinda rubbed me the wrong way I'm afraid. I would have liked it if something was different but it kinda had to be to make their situation possible and the dislike they had with the wedding. Still...a little awkward for me but it didn't effect the rating so no worries!!

  So besides the sibling relation....Dizzy had its own charisma. It was all sorts of fun and excitement! Nyrae and Jolene truly have a gift and make one hell of a power duo! More please? I enjoyed this book so! I was so excited when Jolene asked me if I wanted a review copy!! I really love these two authors and I can't wait to read more from them..together or standing alone! I totally recommend this book to everyone who loves those romantic comedies with a dash of self-discovery! I kinda really like the cover too..its quirky and cute! I loved the humor, the writing, the love, the drama, the..a lot of the book let's just say ;) Seriously! Once you have the chance check this book out a long with their other books! I can promise you their books will fill ya up on any sappy yet funny romance cravings you have! They have yet to disappoint me!

~Rating:

4 of 5 girly stars!!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Have a good day!! :)

~Jaiden 

{Review} Dante's Girl by Courtney Cole

Dante's Girl
Series: The Paradise Diaries #1
Author: Courtney Cole
Release Date: June 24, 2012
by, Lakehouse Press
Source: Netgalley
Format: ebook
Pages: 356

I have spent every summer since I was ten years old with my father in London. Every summer, since I was ten years old, has been uneventful and boring.
Until this year.
And this year, after a freak volcanic eruption strands me far from home, I have learned these things:
1. I can make do with one outfit for three days before I buy new clothes.
2. If I hear the phrase, “You’re not in Kansas anymore, Toto,” even one more time, I might become a homicidal maniac.
3. I am horribly and embarrassingly allergic to jellyfish.
4. I am in love with Dante Giliberti, who just happens to be the beautiful, sophisticated son of the Prime Minister of a Mediterranean paradise.
5. See number four above. Because it brings with it a whole slew of problems and I’ve learned something from every one of them.
Let’s start with the fact that Dante’s world is five light-years away from mine. He goes to black-tie functions and knows the Prime Minister of England on a first name basis. I was born and raised on a farm in Kansas and wear cut-off jeans paired with cowboy boots. See the difference?
But hearts don’t care about differences. Hearts want what they want. And mine just wants to be Dante’s girl.
My heart just might be crazy. {Goodreads}

~Review:
  I was so excited to read this book and uber excited when I was approved to receive it on Netgalley! Love in a foreign city? Yes please! Those are like my favorite. Cliche? Maybe but...who the hell cares? It's a cliche everyone loves!

  The book starts out in the airport while Reece is traveling to see her father. Not something she is too thrilled about but..its a vacation right? Then she (yes literally) runs into uber hot, adorable Dante! Oops! This guy is a replica of a Greek god...both in my eyes and in Reece's. They say their apologies and part ways *sigh* but wait! They are on the same plane! *chu ching!!* But the great...has a change for the worst and a terrible disaster strikes having Dante dragged off the plane and Dante dragging Reece with him. First, uhmmm creepy! you don't even know the dude! But..he is hot and not giving her much choice so she goes and ends up stuck in a place she knew nothing about with the Prime Minister and his son..aka..Dante Giliberti.

  This book was adorably cute. It was funny and it was sweet. I loved Mia and Gavin they were the best of the book. I liked Reece. She was quirky and innocent and somewhat realistic. I have to say...some of her quirky sayings got annoying. I was kind of done with the "sweet baby monkeys" but at the same time I came to realize it was just her. We all have our dumb sayings and that's what makes us..us. But still, a bit annoying at times. I loved Dante but...he was too perfect. There weren't many flaws to him and the ones that were brought forward made him look only dumb and whiny. Put Reece and Dante together and....I wasn't quite feeling their love. I don't know what it was but something was just lacking which made me not feel the realness. Again too fiction. I felt like there was a pixie dust cloud/haze surrounding them.

  Now don't get me wrong, they were adorable. They had their relationship struggles and that helped them out in the "real" factor. The best books put enough real and enough fiction to where you have your toes curling, your cheeks blushing, and your heart fluttering. I just was sadly not feeling it. I was feeling the end though. That...that was possibly the cutest thing in the entire book!! AHH! I can go fan girl on the last 10 or so pages. A-DOR-A-BLE!!! I also felt bad about it too though. I mean, hello! What about her best friend? Was anyone thinking about her!? But, I still loved it! Cutest thing in the book! ^-^ I loved the setting and the culture. I didn't particularly like the amount of "American" jabs. I get there are going to be lots when you go out of the country but in this book...a bit too many? I just felt they were better left out.

  I am super excited for book 2 in the series (Mia's Heart). I loved her! She was so awesome. Her and Gavin were the two stable things in the book that were realistic. They were real and I loved them plus...Gavin..hot guy with a sense of humor and a dash of cockiness? I don't know why but those are what make me drawn to the guys...Humor...the guy has got to make me laugh. Not always serious you know? But also not able to be serious. Mia has a hard life and she puts up with it by wearing black and covering up but deep down she is true to her heart and self. I am SO excited to see what is brought to the table in her book! Hopefully it will be better than Dante. It will be an even balance of real and fiction. She will get deeper with Gavin and...its gonna be nice getting to know Quinn finally! ;D

  Altogether again...Dante's Girl is an adorable read. It makes you giggle like a little school girl and laugh from all the corny humor. A perfect book to read snuggled up on the coach basking in the sun like a cat (since it is no longer summer...but you can imagine! ;D) If you are looking for a quick, cute read, this book is for you! I don't ever for a second regret reading it. I liked it. I really did. I just merely didn't love it. I hope you enjoy it more than I did when you get the chance.

~Rating:

3 of 5 wonderful stars!

Thanks for stopping by! 

Hope you have a great day!! :D

~Jaiden 

{Review} Knee Deep by Jolene B Perry

Knee Deep
Author: Jolene B Perry
Release Date: May 1, 2012
by, Tribute Books
Source: *a copy was provided by the author for review purposes*
Format: Paperback
Pages: 278

Shawn is the guy Ronnie Bird promised her life to at the age of fourteen. He's her soul mate. He's more uptight every day, but it's not his fault. His family life is stressful, and she's adding to it. She just needs to be more understanding, and he'll start to be the boy she fell in love with. She won’t give up on someone she’s loved for so long.
Luke is her best friend, and the guy she hangs with to watch girlie movies in her large blanketopias. He's the guy she can confide in before she even goes to her girlfriends, and the guy who she's playing opposite in Romeo and Juliet. Now her chest flutters every time he gets too close. This is new. Is Ronnie falling for him? Or is Juliet? The lines are getting blurry, but leaving one guy for another is not something that a girl like Ronnie does.
Shawn’s outbursts are starting to give her bruises, and Luke’s heart breaks as Ronnie remains torn. While her thoughts and feelings swirl around the lines between friendship and forever, she’s about to lose them both. {Goodreads}

~Review:
  Woah! Just woah. I was lucky enough to receive this book from Jolene because we are doing an interview here on the blog pretty soon. And as most authors know, I like to read the author's book beforehand so that I can intertwine questions related to the book and its characters. It makes the interview more personal and lures people in to read the book knowing more about it ya know? Yes so lucky me gets to interview Jolene and she tells me to choose. To choose one book out of a few! How hard was that descision?? HARD! She has so many amazing books and I was having a tough time deciding but in the end (obviously) I chose Knee Deep. My oh my was that a good choice!

  I am going to have to split this review into two parts..one about the writing, characters, and story line and one about its impact on me. First off...the writing, etc. Ok so my copy was a ARC copy so obviously it had a few un edited kinks. No problem. It never once shadowed the amazing talent of Jolene. Her writing is pure and it just captures you. You truly believe it is Ronnie speaking. A normal teenage girl that has normal teenage problems...with a bit of an extreme to it. Ronnie has been in love with Shawn since she was 14. They were fully devoted to each other. Sweet, loving, charming. That is the Shawn Ronnie fell in love with but recently...Angry, irritable, possessive, jealous (and the most scary of them all) abusive...are the words she can associate him with. And slowly....she is falling for Luke, her other childhood friend. They are Romeo and Juliet...literally well, at least play wise. But it begins to be more than just the play.

  I loved following Ronnie's story and seeing her grow from her choices and troubles. She is possible the most true and believable character I have ever read. Teens all around the world can relate to her inner struggle of life, love, and learning to fight and let go. I loved her best friend. I loved the cute book they had kept during the years documenting all the "firsts" they had done over the years. I loved Luke with his charm and wit. His sexiness and his kind heartedness. The ending broke me apart and lifted my heart at the same time. Ronnie's story was heart breaking yet so beautifully wonderful. I loved this book with a passion. Every character was believable. I felt like I was living out Ronnie's life. Knee Deep is a book you will love to hate. It will rip your heart and then make you smile like a fool. 

  Now for the impact it had on me. When I heard stories of girls in abusive relationships, I felt pity and then...to be painfully honest...disgust. How could a girl stay with a guy that only caused them pain? Physically and mentally? It should be so easy to just tell him stop and walk out the door without looking back. So easy. Right? I mean you would have to be completely stupid to stay with someone like that. What does that say about you? What kind of example are you leaving for other girls? But...I never truly understood. There is more to the story. More to the words and the bruises. More to the girl's thoughts. I never understood all of it but this book..it helped opened my eyes. And if you have ever thought the above "before" thoughts...you need to read this too. Knee Deep is more than a story. It is a life lesson. A pamphlet for life that all girls should read. Ronnie saw the bruises. Saw the anger but...he has reasons. His father was a you-know-what-whole. He was just going through a rough time. There was too much stress in his life. He has every right to be made about the heels she wore that made her taller than him. the guys should always be taller right? She didn't need to make him feel lower than her...

   Ronnie gave him ever excuse in the book and they were reasonable. I found myself agreeing with her. Yes, that's how easy it is. And its not because she was stupid. It's not because Ronnie didn't see the signs. It's not because should could handle the bruises. It wasn't  easy! I truly understand how hard it just can be. Her situation was reasonable. I reasoned her abusive relationship!!! Something like that will never be easy. It just can't and won't it is a situation you would need help with. And that is the main point I saw. Ronnie wasn't willing to get help. She thought she could take care of it. But you can't do something like that by yourself. There's no way. I have truly seen the light because of this book. Now, I'm not saying that its fine to stay in abusive relationship. No amount of reason is worth that hurt. You do need to walk away from that relationship. I am just merely saying that I now know that it isn't easy and understand it better. Not completely but better. It is hard but most things in life are and they make you a stronger person. You are a better person than that. You deserve better. It had me thinking about what I would have done if I was Ronnie. Would I be saying what I said in the "before" or would I be doing the same as Ronnie. Would I be able to do the "after"?
  
  This book goes beyond the worth of buying. I would have everyone read it if I could. This book changed me! I loved every bit! <3 I need to go on a Jolene B Perry book marathon because all of them sound so amazing and if they are anything like this one...I will forever be in love with the books and the author ;D Buy, borrow, rent, it doesn't matter just get your hands on a copy will ya! ;)

~Rating:

4.5 wonderful stars!  

Thanks for stopping by!
     Hope you have a great day! :D
          ~Jaiden

{Waiting on Wednesday} #32 ....A Contemporary Take Over

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine.

This week I'm waiting on......

Catherine
Author: April Lindner
Release Date: January 2, 2013

A forbidden romance. A modern mystery. Wuthering Heights as you've never seen it before.
Catherine is tired of struggling musicians befriending her just so they can get a gig at her Dad's famous Manhattan club, The Underground. Then she meets mysterious Hence, an unbelievably passionate and talented musician on the brink of success. As their relationship grows, both are swept away in a fiery romance. But when their love is tested by a cruel whim of fate, will pride keep them apart?Chelsea has always believed that her mom died of a sudden illness, until she finds a letter her dad has kept from her for years -- a letter from her mom, Catherine, who didn't die: She disappeared. Driven by unanswered questions, Chelsea sets out to look for her -- starting with the return address on the letter: The Underground.
Told in two voices, twenty years apart, Catherine interweaves a timeless forbidden romance with a compelling modern mystery. {Goodreads}

 Uses for Boys

Author: Erica Lorraine Scheidr

Release Date: January 15, 2013

Anna remembers a time before boys, when she was little and everything made sense. When she and her mom were a family, just the two of them against the world. But now her mom is gone most of the time, chasing the next marriage, brining home the next stepfather. Anna is left on her own—until she discovers that she can make boys her family. From Desmond to Joey, Todd to Sam, Anna learns that if you give boys what they want, you can get what you need. But the price is high—the other kids make fun of her; the girls call her a slut. Anna's new friend, Toy, seems to have found a way around the loneliness, but Toy has her own secrets that even Anna can't know.
Then comes Sam. When Anna actually meets a boy who is more than just useful, whose family eats dinner together, laughs, and tells stories, the truth about love becomes clear. And she finally learns how it feels to have something to lose—and something to offer. Real, shocking, uplifting, and stunningly lyrical, Uses for Boys is a story of breaking down and growing up. {Goodreads}

First...as I've said before...I love retellings! Like so much! And Catherine seems so super good!! Two different stories. I might just really love it! :) Second....I am a sucker for the story of finding self worth especially when it comes to a guy helping that out! An amazingly sweet guy that has a huge family tie! A-DOR-A-BLE!! *melts* I can tell I am going to really realy love this one! And eep! look at the cute cover! It just makes me sigh and wish ya know?? Haha

So what about you?

  What are you waiting on this week??

     Leave your link below!!

  Hope you had a great Wednesday! <3

~Jaiden

{Review} Easy by Tammara Webber

Easy
Author: Tammara Webber
Release Date: May 25, 2012
Source: bought
Format: ebook
Pages: 304

A girl who believes trust can be misplaced, promises are made to be broken, and loyalty is an illusion. A boy who believes truth is relative, lies can mask unbearable pain, and guilt is eternal. Will what they find in each other validate their conclusions, or disprove them all?
When Jacqueline follows her longtime boyfriend to the college of his choice, the last thing she expects is a breakup two months into sophomore year. After two weeks in shock, she wakes up to her new reality: she's single, attending a state university instead of a music conservatory, ignored by her former circle of friends, and failing a class for the first time in her life.
Leaving a party alone, Jacqueline is assaulted by her ex's frat brother. Rescued by a stranger who seems to be in the right place at the right time, she wants nothing more than to forget the attack and that night--but her savior, Lucas, sits on the back row of her econ class, sketching in a notebook and staring at her. Her friends nominate him to be the perfect rebound.
When her attacker turns stalker, Jacqueline has a choice: crumple in defeat or learn to fight back. Lucas remains protective, but he's hiding secrets of his own. Suddenly appearances are everything, and knowing who to trust is anything but easy.
(Mature Young Adult/ New Adult) {Goodreads}

~Review:
  So I bet you have heard all the corny stuff about this book being so "easy" to fall into its pages and fall in love with every last word. Well truth is....its true. It is SO easy to fall in love with every page, every word, every. single. thing. this book has to offer. It is a little older in the Young-Adult genre making it Young/New Adult. And I loved it! I loved the college atmosphere, the maturity and the plot of it all.

  Now be for-warned when you read this. This might not be something people younger than 15. It depends on your maturity level and what exactly you have been exposed to. Because you know the stories of college. The late nights, the crazy parties, the alcohol, the drugs and yes...that three letter words some of use love to hate...S-E-X. I have heard several things about sex in young adult books. Do you know what? This isn't young adult...its Mature Adult. I know people get uncomfortable with sex in books but it also depends on the author. Its all in the discretion of the reader and writer. Some people think its too much, too little, I don't know but for me this was fine. Yes, it got a bit descriptive at times but nothing uncomfortable. My tolerance level might be different for mine. So, going into this book...be warned. Use discretion.

  Now....that's over. I just wanted people to know. No one likes to be surprised with something and then ruin the book for them. It so didnt for me though. I loved this book with a passion! I liked Jacqueline. She was sweet and down to earth. She was normal and relateable. I like that in my protagonist. Someone who someone else can find something in common with. She was heartbroken and she was in need of love...but then one dark night...she needs a savior and TADA!! Savior and love come in one tidy package! :D Gah!! I loved Lucas! Like soo much!! He is the perfect bad boy with the twisted past (I wanted to cry when that was revealed!!) and the nice, considerate side that we all love our bad boy to have. *swoon!*

  This book was purely perfection! I loved, swooned, teared up, and laughed my butt off! Especially this one scene involving defense class, and the lawnmower! OMG...I died!!!!!! And will forever keep that in mind if I ever need it..hopefully never will but its noted! ;D There was humor, love, heartbreak, and the all important lesson of finding yourself and the one you love. I have so many thoughts and feelings for this book...its too much! What do I suggest? BUY! BUY! BUY!! You will not regret it! This book will forever hold a favorite spot in my Kindle! But I would prefer to own it in physical form...so when Penguin publishes this baby in November?? (yes it got publishing rights!! Congrats!!) buy it! I loved with a love so hard for this book! Did I mention that already?? Haha seriously you guys this is a book you don't want to miss! <3

~Rating:

 

4.5 of 5 wonderful stars

Thanks for stopping by! 

Have a great day! :)

~Jaiden

{Review} What a Boy Needs by Nyrae Dawn

What a Boy Needs
Author: Nyrae Dawn
Release Date: June 2012
Source: Bought
Format: ebook
Pages: 124

A companion novel to WHAT A BOY WANTS.

Jaden Sinclair knows he'll never amount to anything...so why would he deserve a girl like Priscilla Mendoza?

Since last summer, things have been screwed up between Jaden and Pris. He knows it's his fault, but that doesn’t stop him from wanting to go a few rounds with her new boyfriend. He also knows he’s the loser his dad calls him, but it doesn’t stop him from wanting her.

After getting a huge bomb dropped on him, Jaden lashes out and lands himself in jail. Everything in his chaotic life is turned upside down and to make it worse, his mom kicks him out in order to side with his dad. Yeah, he’s totally a prize for a girl like Pris.

Sebastian, Aspen, and Pris are all going places in their lives...and he knows he can't keep tagging along for the ride.

The group has one last chance for The Epic Adventure they've been looking for: a road trip to New York, where Jaden's friends will be going to college. Unfortunately, the more time Jaden hangs around Pris, the harder it is to keep the carefully constructed walls between them so she doesn't find out what a train wreck he really is.

When the trip ends, Jaden has to decide if he's ready to say goodbye to his friends, and the girl he loves. He knows what he needs, but will he be man enough to go for it?

Contains mature themes. Some sexual situations and language. {Goodreads}

~Review:
 Where to begin....I absolutely fell in love with book one to this companion, What a Boy Wants, and I fell just as in love with What a Boy Needs. Man oh man did I miss these bunch! Nyrae Dawn does a perfect job capturing the meaning of friendship, loyalty, love, and the struggles of finding you are and what you will fight for. I don't know how many times I choked up, laughed my freakin face off and smiled! There is so much love between each character. They practically scream family and their loyalty to each other is heart warming! Sebastian and Jaden had to be my favorite part(s) of this book (besides the love! DUH!!) ;D

  I loved getting to know Jaden on a deeper level. It was nice and also very very sad to see behind the scenes in his life. I felt so bad for him ad was costantly ruiting for him throughout the book. Also...I was ready to punch him too ;D Stupid boy wouldn't open up!! Haha but I totally didn't blame him. I love Jaden! Ant not just because we share a name haha I think I like Sebastian more but I tend to be attracted to the funnies and my friends...Sebastian is the definition of funny!

  This book was so cute and it totally had me from page one! If you are looking for a cute, funny, and all around really good quick read, this book is for you! And if you have yet to read What a Boy Wants.....go out and buy it ASAP! Then go and read Nyrae's recently released books! I sure know I will!! :D

~Rating: 

4 wonderful stars!

Thanks for stopping by!

Hope you have a great day!! :)

~Jaiden