Review: Hold Me Like a Breath

Hold Me Like a Breath
Author: Tiffany Schmidt
Published: May 19th, 2015
Hardcover, 400 pages
4 Gold Stars

(summary from Goodread)

Penelope Landlow has grown up with the knowledge that almost anything can be bought or sold—including body parts. She’s the daughter of one of the three crime families that control the black market for organ transplants.

Penelope’s surrounded by all the suffocating privilege and protection her family can provide, but they can't protect her from the autoimmune disorder that causes her to bruise so easily.

And in her family's line of work no one can be safe forever.

All Penelope has ever wanted is freedom and independence. But when she’s caught in the crossfire as rival families scramble for prominence, she learns that her wishes come with casualties, that betrayal hurts worse than bruises, that love is a risk worth taking . . . and maybe she’s not as fragile as everyone thinks.

Tiffany Schmidt has blown me away with each of her books before this one. The plot for this one is so different from her other books that I was a bit nervous going in and not sure what to expect, but I enjoyed every minute of this. Penelope Landlow is the daughter of one of the three crime families that buys and sells human organs. She has always been the weak one, born with a severe autoimmune disorder that causes her to bruise easily. They treat her like she will break and she wants so badly to be a part of the family in a real way. But when everything suddenly changes and her family is no longer there to support her, she is thrust into a world she knows nothing about and is running from those who harmed her family. 

I didn't know going into this that it was a retelling of The Princess and the Pea, the princess being the one who bruises because of the pea hidden beneath a ton of mattresses. This gave me a whole other thing to enjoy about this book. Penelope's disease is unique to YA and it was very interesting to see how her family treated her differently because of her bruises. They thought her fragile, which perhaps she is physically, but I knew she would do great things even if her body would fail her. Once she had to start living on her own, she had no one to take care of her and I was hoping she would have taken better care of herself, especially because of her condition and it surprised me that nothing bad happened to her whilst out there.

There is some crazy intsa-love happening for anyone who isn't into that sort of thing. Penelope has loved her brother's friend, Garrett, for a very long time and they've finally begun to do something about it. The moments they share are sweet, he's careful with her but she eagerly just wants him to touch her. They have decided to run off together when suddenly everything changes and as she waits for him to come find her in the city, she ends up meeting someone else, Char, and quickly becomes infatuated with him. Before long the two of them have a relationship she's been dreaming of, one where she can be with a guy who doesn't treat her like a fragile butterfly. Once she meets Char, he becomes the most important thing in her life, which I don't really mind in a book but I know a lot of people want more than that. The two of them together was a sweet story and the twists and turns that came with it were well done and made for some good drama.

Even though this was unlike any of her other books, I still loved it. The concept was great and unique and the retelling stood on its own without needing to be The Princess and the Pea, but knowing it was made it that much better. I'm excited to see where Tiffany will take this story and what other twists she has up her sleeves. Definitely recommend for anyone looking for something different with a bit macabre, drama and some great romance.

“I know I’m going to fall in love a million times in my life. Maybe more than a million . . . but it will always be with you.”

Review: Dumplin'

Dumplin'
Author: Julie Murphy
Published: September 15th, 2015
Hardcover, 375 pages
5 Gold Stars

(summary from Goodreads)

Self-proclaimed fat girl Willowdean Dickson (dubbed “Dumplin’” by her former beauty queen mom) has always been at home in her own skin. Her thoughts on having the ultimate bikini body? Put a bikini on your body. With her all-American beauty best friend, Ellen, by her side, things have always worked…until Will takes a job at Harpy’s, the local fast-food joint. There she meets Private School Bo, a hot former jock. Will isn’t surprised to find herself attracted to Bo. But she is surprised when he seems to like her back.

Instead of finding new heights of self-assurance in her relationship with Bo, Will starts to doubt herself. So she sets out to take back her confidence by doing the most horrifying thing she can imagine: entering the Miss Clover City beauty pageant—along with several other unlikely candidates—to show the world that she deserves to be up there as much as any twiggy girl does. Along the way, she’ll shock the hell out of Clover City—and maybe herself most of all.

With starry Texas nights, red candy suckers, Dolly Parton songs, and a wildly unforgettable heroine—Dumplin’ is guaranteed to steal your heart.

This is the kind of gem you want to find. I wasn't sure about it until my friends started raving about it, so I knew I had to pick it up. One of my friends dubs Bo as the best boyfriend and saying something like that tells me this is a must read. From the first page, I was sold. Willowdean Dickson isn't ashamed of her body. She knows she's fat and she owns it. She has some insecurities, but for the most part she's fine with how she looks. So when she takes a job at the fast-food restaurant, Harpy's, she expects some snickers behind her but she doesn't expect to find Bo, the gorgeous private school attendee who works in the kitchen. She's even more shocked when he seems to like her back and she can't understand why. Being with him makes her feel more ashamed of her body than she ever has before and she can't figure out why. So she does the one thing she thinks will help her gain her confidence back - she enters the Miss Clover City beauty pageant, a life she's always grown up with thanks to her mom but never fit into. It's hard but hopefully it'll be worth it.

I'm not plus-size. I've always been the skinniest person in the group, but over the years I've gained some weight and some days I feel gross. I think every girl can relate to Willowdean's body insecurities, especially if they're with a guy they really like for the first time and are afraid he'll discover all the things we try to hide. I related to her so much that I wish she were real and my friend. She makes real mistakes and deals with real things and I fell in love with her right away. Her friendship with Ellen is tested throughout the book, and the fact that Ellen is skinny and beautiful, something that never bugged Willow before, becomes a divide in their friendship. And spending time with Bo has changed Willow as well, as it would any girl who is suddenly being treated nicely by a guy and kissing for the first time in their lives. It's a scary time for any girl, and Julie has captured the worries and emotions of any teen girl.

The beauty pageant is a great addition to the book. It has always lived with Willow as her mom is in charge of running it every year, but it was never really hers. Suddenly she has thrust herself into the world head first, along with some of her unconventional friends to fight the system that only beautiful girls can compete and that someone who may not fit the look that is expected could still walk away with the crown. This is a such a great message for any young girl reading the book, showing them that they can be themselves, shouldn't be ashamed of how they look, and to go after the things they want in life. Sometimes it's hard to look in a mirror and love everything we see. We all thing we'd like to change, but if we can find a way to be happy with ourselves, then we'll be set. The characters all stood out to me, even Willow's aunt who is dead before the book begins plays just as big a part as her mom or friends do. Bo is certainly worthy of being one of the best book boyfriends (not my number one though!) and Willow is the perfect main character. Her voice is so real and her reactions and emotions to events happening throughout the book. She isn't perfect, none of us are, but her journey through having her first boyfriend, having a fight with her best friend, losing her favourite aunt, and joining and succeeding in a beauty pageant, is one that I won't forget anytime soon and will continue to recommend this to my friends.

“All my life I’ve had a body worth commenting on and if living in my skin has taught me anything, it’s that if it’s not your body, it’s not yours to comment on. Fat. Skinny. Short. Tall. It doesn’t matter.”

Review: Carry On

Carry On
Author: Rainbow Rowell
Published: October 6th, 2015
522 pages
5 Gold Stars

(summary from Goodreads)

Simon Snow is the worst chosen one who’s ever been chosen.

That’s what his roommate, Baz, says. And Baz might be evil and a vampire and a complete git, but he’s probably right.

Half the time, Simon can’t even make his wand work, and the other half, he sets something on fire. His mentor’s avoiding him, his girlfriend broke up with him, and there’s a magic-eating monster running around wearing Simon’s face. Baz would be having a field day with all this, if he were here—it’s their last year at the Watford School of Magicks, and Simon’s infuriating nemesis didn’t even bother to show up.

Carry On is a ghost story, a love story, a mystery and a melodrama. It has just as much kissing and talking as you’d expect from a Rainbow Rowell story—but far, far more monsters.

Carry On started out as a fan fiction Cath is writing in Rainbow's book, Fangirl, We all figured it would be just that - fan fiction - until the glorious day Rainbow announced she was writing it and publishing it. We met Simon Snow and his vampire roommate Baz as they migrated the wizarding world and passing classes. It was pretty much Harry Potter but with some guy on guy action and the snippets we got were wonderfully written and intriguing so I was really excited to pick this one up when it hit shelves. I can't say I wasn't flabbergasted since this book is pretty much Harry Potter. But this one stands on its own to me and I enjoyed every minute of it, though I'd still love a Fangirl sequel too.

Simon Snow has just started his final year at the Watford School of Magicks and it's already off to a rough start. His roommate, Baz, hasn't shown up yet and he's being visited by a couple of ghosts. Not to mention he still hasn't perfected his magic and is pretty sure he isn't the real chosen one. Most wizards have life figured out before they graduate. but Simon has no idea what will happen next, he mostly just really wants Baz back.

This story intrigued me from start to finish. There was a lot of action, some spooky moments, and the love between Simon and Baz was magnificent. I love a good story where two people who supposedly hate each other realize just the opposite and fall in love. These two have such a fun relationship. They bicker all the time, Simon is scared to go near Baz's bed yet can't get enough of him. There were scenes that I remembered from Fangirl that made me smile. I love that Rainbow incorporated what we already knew about this series and this fan fiction and turned it into something real. The characters leaped off the pages and even though they bore similarities to real characters from the Harry Potter series, they still held up as their own people.

I love a good magic slash ghost slash love story and Simon and Baz delivered on all fronts. I love that Simon was able to find out who he really could be and that him and Baz were able to realixe their love for each other. They certainly had some swoon worthy moments and Rainbow knows how to write a good kissing scene for sure. I had a lot of fun reading this and it made me want to reread Fangirl so badly but I haven't really found the time to do that yet. Hopefully soon because I miss Cath and Levi as much as I'm sure I'll miss Simon and Baz soon. I'm not going to lie, I've been fangirling over this since it was announced and even though I'm finished it and have many books since it, I'm still all fluttery about these two, just like I still am with Cath and Levi.

“You have to pretend you get an endgame. You have to carry on like you will; otherwise, you can't carry on at all.”

Review: P.S. I Still Love You

P.S. I Still Love You
Author: Jenny Han
Published: May 26th, 2015
Hardcover, 337 pages
4 Gold Stars

(summary from Goodreads)

Lara Jean didn't expect to really fall for Peter.

She and Peter were just pretending. Except suddenly they weren't. Now Lara Jean is more confused than ever.

When another boy from her past returns to her life, Lara Jean's feelings for him return too. Can a girl be in love with two boys at once?

In this charming and heartfelt sequel to To All The Boys I've Loved Before, we see first love through the eyes of the unforgettable Lara Jean. Love is never easy, but maybe that's part of what makes it amazing.

Lara Jean is your typical teenager. She loves her fashion, loves throwing parties and loves boys. When we first met her in  To All the Boys I've Loved Before, we met a young naive girl who hadn't really kissed a boy and who was experiencing her first real love. Now a little older, a little wiser and somewhat in love, Lara Jean will discover what it's like to be in her firs real relationship and how maybe it's not as easy as it looks from the outside.

Lara Jean and Peter are officially official. I loved seeing Lara Jean in a relationship. The cute romantic moments that they share are great and it was nice to see this new part of Lara Jean's life. She is very different around Peter, somewhat nervous about where the relationship is going and happy to be finally be his girlfriend. I certainly remember being in my first relationship and being nervous about how far it might go and whether I was ready for it. I'm glad Jenny Han had a focus on this and how LJ was feeling about sex. I'm also happy with how she handled everything thrown her way and never let Peter pressure her into anything. But the more LJ said no, the more distant Peter became. It's unfortunate that relationships can be difficult over things like that as a teen, but it's certainly realistic. And when John comes back into LJ's life (one of the boys she'd sent a letter to), things get a little more complicated. John is sweet and has a lot in common with LJ and he wants to make her happy. The more time they spend together, the more LJ isn't sure if her relationship with Peter is what she wants. Not many of us had to choose between two boys in high school, let alone other parts of life, and normally I hate a love triangle, but Jenny Han does them right. In her Summer series, I was always torn between the brothers, but in this one I gravitated right to John. He's my kind of guy and I was really rooting for him and LJ.

My favourite part had to be the party that LJ threw at the old folks home. I love a party, especially a themed party, and the 1940s USO party sounded like such a fun theme! The whole scene was adorable and wonderful and just made me want my own John to dance with me. He just seemed like a much better choice for Lara Jean, and I wish we had more of him in the book. What I loved most what how much Lara Jean grew as a character in this one. She was less naive and handled what came her way with dignity. She wasn't as annoying as I found her to be in the first book and she has taken over the older sister role now that Margo is in Ireland. Kittie is still a scene stealer, the cutest little sister ever. I'd love for a book about her as a teen, once she's grown into her craziness and will start breaking hearts.

This was a really cute two parter. I love how much the characters evolved and how the relationships were tested and fixed. I may not be a hundred per cent happy with how everything ended, but the tree house was the perfect place for it all to come together. This was a nice, light read that should be on everyone's YA shelf.

"People come in and out of your life. For a time they are in your world; they are everything. And then one day they're not. There's no telling how long you will have them near."

Review: Saint Anything

xSaint Anything
Author: Sarah Dessen
Published: May 5th, 2015
Hardcover, 417 pages
5 Gold Stars

(summary from Goodreads)

Peyton, Sydney's charismatic older brother, has always been the star of the family, receiving the lion's share of their parents' attention and - lately - concern. When Peyton's increasingly reckless behavior culminates in an accident, a drunk driving conviction, and a jail sentence, Sydney is cast adrift, searching for her place in the family and the world. When everyone else is so worried about Peyton, is she the only one concerned about the victim of the accident?

Enter the Chathams, a warm, chaotic family who run a pizza parlor, play bluegrass on weekends, and pitch in to care for their mother, who has multiple sclerosis. Here Sydney experiences unquestioning acceptance. And here she meets Mac, gentle, watchful, and protective, who makes Sydney feel seen, really seen, for the firs time.

The uber-popular Sarah Dessen explores her signature themes of family, self-discovery, and change in her twelfth novel, sure to delight her legions of fans.

Sarah Dessen has the gift. Her novels resonate with both teens and adults alike. She knows exactly ho to tell a girl's story as she navigates through life as a teen. I have yet to be disappointed with one of her books and Saint Anything was a great addition to my collection. Sydney has always been out shined by her older brother Peyton, but when he hurts someone while driving drunk and is sentences to jail, suddenly the golden boy isn't so golden. But her parents still think he's perfect and Sydney can't stand that he can do no wrong. As she tries to continue living as her parents stand still, she finds a new hang out at a pizza shop and becomes quick friends with the family that runs it. Mac, the quiet older brother who always seems to be there for Sydney, catches her attention right off the bat and listens to her rant about her family. She falls in quickly with the Chathams, loving the way they live and care for their sick mother. And for the first time, Sydney feels like she's found a place where she belongs.

Sydney starts out as a character who lets others dictate her life. She will pretty much do anything her mother asks her to, constantly gets into situation revolving around Peyton's friends wo makes her super uncomfortable but she's too afraid to tell anyone about it. Her story ARC is great as we see her come out of her shell, thanks to Layla and Mac mostly, and becomes the kind of girl that can speak up for herself and tell people when she's not happy. Her and her mother have an interesting relationship and it was great to see how it evolved throughout the novel, especially when her mother finally accepts that Peyton is in jail. It was strange how she failed to realize the severity of Peyton putting a kid in a wheelchair, but I guess when your child is your prize possession it's hard to see the bad in him. Peyton and Sydney had some things to work on as well. It takes her a long time to finally talk to him while he's in jail and it's a great moment when they finally break that barrier and become siblings.

I think what got me the most about this one was Sydney's relationship with Ames, her brother's friend, was something that I think too many girls find themselves a part of. Because he's her brother's friend and her parents trust him, she is constantly put in situations where she is alone with him and she does not like it. He gave me the creeps(as I'm sure was the point) and I wish Sydney had been able to tell someone about him sooner. I hope that this can give girls the courage to speak up about someone who may be making them uncomfortable, because I know I would have found that hard to do when I was younger.

There were great moments that still stand out to me, like the abandoned carousel in the park and how loving and caring Mac was (a nice change from the bad boy image that seems to float around in YA books). Layla was a great friend to Sydney and I loved that they hung out at the pizza parlor, doing homework and just being around her family. A great friendship is important to me in books because I like it not just be about the guy, although Mac has quickly become one of my new favourite book boyfriends. I loved how this book started. It was so different than her other books that I knew right away it wouldn't be the same story she's written before (as some of them can seen a bit recycled). Peyton has just been sentenced and Sydney is witnessing the whole thing. She grew so brave throughout this book and her character development was very well written. I always get super pumped for more Sarah Dessen after reading one so I'm glad I still have some old ones to read to quench my book thirst as I wait for her to write a new one. Pick this one up if you're a fan of hers or just a fan of great contemporary reads. You won't regret it.

"The future was one thing that could never be broken, because it had not yet had the chance to be anything."

Review: The Fill-In Boyfriend

The Fill-In Boyfriend
Author: Kasie West
Published: May 5th, 2015
Paperback, 352 pages
5 Gold Stars

(summary from Goodreads)

When Gia Montgomery's boyfriend, Bradley, dumps her in the parking lot of her high school prom, she has to think fast. After all, she's been telling her friends about him for months now. This was supposed to be the night she proved he existed. So when she sees a cute guy waiting to pick up his sister, she enlists his help. The task is simple: be her fill-in boyfriend - two hours, zero commitment, a few white lies. After that, she can win back the real Bradley.

The problem is that days after prom, it's not the real Bradley she's thinking about, but the stand-in. The one whose name she doesn't even know. But tracking him down doesn't mean they're done faking a relationship. Gia owes him a favor and his sister intends to see that he collects: his ex-girlfriend's graduation party - three hours, zero commitment, a few white lies.

Just when Gia begins to wonder if she could turn her fake boyfriend into a real one, Bradley comes waltzing back into her life, exposing her lie, and threatening to destroy her friendships and her new-found relationship.

I was so excited the minute I picked this book up. Kasie West has not disappointed me and this book was no exception. She finds a way to devise a plot that's unique and fun  with tons of drama along the way. The Fill-In Boyfriend is the perfect contemporary book with just the fun plot I was looking for. Gia has been dying to prove to her friends that her boyfriend, Bradley, really exists, and prom night is the perfect time for it. But when he breaks up with her in the parking lot of the school, she doesn't know what to do. So she grabs the first guy she can find, a brother waiting for his sister, and convinces him to be her fill-in boyfriend for the evening. He reluctantly agrees and they have a great night together. And who wouldn't fall for the fill-in, a charming guy who follows along with the plan and woos her friends at the same time. Which is why, days later, Gia is still thinking about him instead of Bradley and badly wants to see him again.

This book is full of little white lies, trying to win back exes and moments where those lies mean nothing and the two people involved find truth in their schemes. The more time Gia and fill-in Bradley spend together, the more they realize they like each other. Exes get in the way, Gia's frienemy tries so hard to prove that she's lying, and Gia's afraid to fall after having her heart broken by Bradley. It was a quick read with lots of fun, swoon worthy moments and the kind of ending I'd expect from Kasie West. This was the perfect summer read, a book about the end of the school, the beginning of new things, and finding what you wanted when you least expected it. It's about jumping in and not looking back, falling in love and the problems that come with it. Gia and fill-in Bradley were so cute together. He was perfect for her even though it took awhile for them both to realize it. Gia makes some mistakes along the way and she risks friendships for them, but that's what life is all about, taking risks and dealing with the consequences later. One of my favourite parts was when fill-in Bradley revealed his name. The whole conversation was adorable and yes the anticipation killed me. I devour Kasie's books in one day and this one was just the kind of book to spend an afternoon reading. Seriously, so cute.

"You know what we've succeeded in doing with this game?"
"What's that?"
"Increasing the anticipation."
He laughed. "I know right? Can I just be fill-in Bradley forever?"

Review: The Start of Me and You

The Start of Me and You
Author: Emery Lord
Published: March 31st, 2015
Hardcover, 384 pages
5 Gold Stars

(summary from Goodreads)

Brimming with heartfelt relationships and authentic high-school dynamics, The Start of Me and You proves that it's never too late for second chances.

It's been a year since it happened - when Paige Hancock's first boyfriend died in an accident. After shutting out the world for two years, Paige is finally ready for a second chance at high school... and she has a plan.  First: Get her old crush, Ryan Chases, to date her - the perfect way to convince everyone she's back to normal. Next: Join a club - simple, it's high school after all. But when Ryan's sweet, nerdy cousin, Max, moves to town and recruits Paige for the Quiz Bowl team (of all things!) her perfect plan is thrown for a serious loop. Will Paige be able to face her fears and finally open herself up to the life she was meant to live?

Emery Lord quickly became an auto buy author after I read her first novel, Open Road Summer, this follow up novel of hers lives up to everything I expected from her. Her characters are real and these girls go through real problems and have real friendships and everything about them falls off the pages and I could only wish to know them in real life. I'm a sucker for stories about a girl who's trying to figure out who she really is after something happens in her life. Paige's first boyfriend, a guy she only dated for a couple of months, died in a accident a year ago, but she feels like she is still known as his girlfriend and she's not sure how to get past that. Paige's journey is so fun to read. Her list is perfection and I love how she goes through it and how nothing ends up being the way she'd hoped it'd be. Paige's infatuation with Ryan Chase is exactly what you'd expect from a teenage girl, I mean I think I had crushes on ten boys at a time at that age. But Max Watson stole the show for me. He's Ryan's nerdy cousin who's into trivia and recruits Paige into the Quiz Bowl, a trivia competition that scares the crap out of her. But Quiz Bowl gives her time to spend with Max and I'll just say that I'd fall for him in a heartbeat.

Paige is your typical high school girl and that makes her totally relatable. She's a bit nerdy, loves her lists, and is a little shy. She doesn't like being known as the "girlfriend". As she pinned away from Ryan Chase, she was oblivious to the fact that Max was into her. She was clearly into Max too, but it took her awhile to see this. I loved the dynamic between them. Their conversations were adorable and even though there were fewer moments where they might have kissed, the moments were fantastic. Another great part of this book were the friendships. Paige had such a great group of girlfriends who have helped her through all the hard times. I had a great group of friends in high school, still do actually, and I love when books focus on the friends as much as the boyfriends. My friends are who got me through high school, not the silly boys I had endless crushes on. Friends are the most important thing for a young girl and I'm glad Paige had a great group of them and they were actually involved in the book.

This is the kind of book we need more of. There isn't any backstabbing, people support each other, and the boys are sweet and adorable.  Every girl deserves a boy who will share his Girl Scout cookie stash with her. And every girl certainly deserves a group of friends who will always be there for her, and a chance to live a life after something awful has happened. This is a book about finding out who you are without someone beside you, and if you happen to meet the guy of your dreams along the way, well there's no problem with that at all, right?

"Ryan Chase was my eight-grade collage, aspirational and wide-eyed. But Max was the first bite of grilled cheese on a snowy day, the easy fit of my favorite jeans, that one old song that made it onto every playlist. Peanut-butter Girl Scout cookies instead of an ornate cake. Not glamorous or idealized or complicated. Just me."

Review: Unleashed

Unleashed
Author: Sophie Jordan
Published: February 24th, 2015
Hardcover, 368 pages
3 Gold Stars

(summary from Goodreads)

Davy has spent the last few months trying to come to terms with the fact that she tested positive for the kill gene HTS (also known as Homicidal Tendency Syndrome). She swore she would not let it change, and that her DNA did not define her... but then she killed a man.

Now on the run, Davy must decide whether she'll be ruled by the kill gene or if she'll follow her heart and fight for her right to live free. But with her own potential for violence lying right beneath the surface, Davy doesn't even know if she can trust herself.

The first book in this series, Uninvited, blew me away. Sophie Jordan's books have always had a mix of romance and adventure, so I had high hopes going into this one, the second book in a two book series. We left Davy on the run with her gorgeous boyfriend Sean and two friends as they try to escape the white coats that want to use them as weapons. But Davy is haunted by the memory of the man she killed to protect Sean and that feeling just won't go away.

I must mention a huge spoiler here because it's such a big part of the book and I know those who have read this one will understand. Davy gets separated from her friends and ends up in the middle of a rebellion camp, where she meets Caden, a guy she quickly gets attached to. This pissed a lot of us off. It's a two part series and Sophie changes the love interest? I loved Sean and I wanted them to be together so badly, but I will be honest, I loved the new guy. He was a great hero and love interest and his feelings for Davy seemed genuine. The moments they had together were swoon-worthy (as Sophie is a fabulous romance writer) The way she wrote this romance made perfect sense to the story and I was happy with the outcome to everything. I mean it was strange and it took me off guard and I really wanted Sean to be happy, but in the end, I understood why Sophie played it out that way.

The new romance wasn't my pet-peeve with this book. Davy's days spent in the camp were written wonderfully and I loved all the new people she met. Her bravery and power were harnessed and even though she realized having the kill gene inside of her really does make her react differently, she`took that power and used it to gain respect. I wish there had been more focus on the rebellion or anything having to do with HTS. It seemed almost like the hoopla over all of it happened quietly in the background and was all nicely solved into a nice little package without Davy even having to lift a finger. I guess this could be seen as realistic, a young girl may not actually be able to help stop the government, but I wish there had been more to this story than Davy falling in love again and the world suddenly being an okay place for her to live in. It seemed forced and unfinished and I wish, oh man do I wish, that I had loved every last bit of this book. There is no explanation for why the HTS exists or how to actually fix it. Everyone just goes on knowing that they are carriers but trying to live normal lives.

I'm glad I got a happily ever after though. Davy and Caden's short but sweet story ended nicely and as did everyone else's. The writing was great and Sophie is a pro at love scenes. She'll always be one of my favourites in the kissing department. Here's hoping I like her next book better!

Review: I'll Meet You There

I'll Meet You There
Author: Heather Demetrios
Published: February 3rd, 2015
Hardcover, 400 pages
5 Gold Stars

(summary from Goodreads)

If seventeen-year-old Skylar Evans were a typical Creek View girl, her future would involve a double-wide trailer, a baby on her hip, and the graveyard shift at Taco Bell. But after graduation, the only thing standing between straightedge Skylar and art school are three minimum-wage months of summer. Skylar can taste the freedom - that is, until her mother loses her job and everything starts coming apart. Torn between her dreams and the people she loves, Skylar realizes everything she's ever worked for is on the line.

Nineteen-year-old Josh Mitchell has a different ticket out of Creek View: the Marines. But after his leg is blown off in Afghanistan, he returns home, a shell of the cocksure boy he used to be. What brings Skylar and Josh together is working at the Paradise - a quirky motel off California's dusty Highway 99. Despite their differences, their shared isolation turns into an unexpected friendship and soon, something deeper.

Small town America always has the best stories to tell. Those who are bound to be stuck in them forever with babies and a crappy job, and those who actually found a way out and will do anything to make it happen. Skylar and Josh both found their outs, but fate had other plans for them. Skylar has a full scholarship to an art school in San Francisco, her collages one of the few things she loves, but her mom losing her job and spending time with a creep makes Sky rethink her plans. Josh joined the Marines to get out, but a bomb in Afghanistan sent him home long before he wanted to and without a leg. Now the two of them must survive the summer before they can even think of what will come next. Their days are spent at the Paradise, Skylar collaging and Josh cleaning and fixing things up. The more time they spend together, the closer they get to each other. Sky learns that not everyone in Creek View is the same and Josh is a different guy than she once thought. Josh learns to live the regrets he's made and the people he's lost and trying to find a way to keep going.

This book sent me through the emotions. Skylar was sweet and sarcastic, but was also going through crazy emotional drama that would make me want to cry. Josh was in even deeper. His mind was messed up from the war and his segments worth of chapters brought me to tears each time while hoping that he'd turn out okay. I loved how Heather played up his short chapters. They were mostly letters, usually about a page long, where he would talk about Skylar to an unknown person. They were about him coming to terms with his new life without a leg, without the Marines, and the chance that he may have to stay in Creek View forever. Heather captured Marine life nicely (from what I can gather). The brotherhood and feeling of family in an unknown country with your lives at stake. There were perfect moments in the story that crushed my soul, knowing that men and women are putting their lives on the line every day.

The romance flowed smoothly through the book. There was no insta-love, in fact Skylar tried to stay away from Josh because she knew love would get her stuck there. Their connection spoke to me, two lost souls finding light in the darkness. The closer they got together, the happier I was and when everything I could ever hope for happened, I was ecstatic. This book wove a story of two people needing an escape and instead finding each other between the walls of a rundown motel. Whenever Josh asked how the sky was, I'd smile, and when Sky finally broke the barrier he kept around himself, I wanted to read it over and over again. This book was spectacular and I'd read it again in a heartbeat and recommend it to everyone I know.

"'If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you be?' I opened my mouth to say San Francisco or maybe Madrid - somewhere exotic. But what came out was, 'Here. Right here.'"

Review: The Chapel Wars

The Chapel Wars
Author: Lindsey Leavitt
Published: May 6th, 2014
Hardcover, 304 pages
4 Gold Stars

(summary from Goodreads)

Sixteen-year-old Holly wants to remember her Grandpa forever, but she'd rather forget what he left her in his will: his wedding chapel on the Las Vegas strip. Whatever happened to gold watches, savings bonds, or some normal inheritance?

And then there's Grandpa's letter. Not only is Holly running the business with her recently divorced parents, but she needs to make some serious money - fast. Grandpa also insists Holly reach out to Dax, the grandson of her family's mortal enemy and owner of the cheesy chapel next door. No matter how cute Dax is, Holly needs to stay focused: on her group of guy friends, her disjointed family, work, school and... Dax. No wait, not Dax.

Holly's chapel represents everything she's ever loved in her past. Dax might be everything she could ever love in the future. But as for right now, there's a wedding chapel to save. 

The concept of this book really did it for me. It sounded fun and kitschy, and it was all that and more. This book had heart, laughter and the kind of family love we all hope for. When Holly's grandfather leaves her his wedding chapel, she's not sure what to do. She's too young to be managing a chapel, a whole life ahead of her that is suddenly changed. She soon finds out that the chapel is losing money and if they can't make it soon, they will have to shut down. The other part that doesn't make sense to her is that her grandfather wants her to give a letter to the grandson of his notorious enemy, the owner of the chapel next door. It's everything Holly's grandpa hated and yet when she walks in, knowing she will hate it in there, she finds Dax, the grandson, and can't help her attraction to him. Sounds like a typical Romeo and Juliet story, but this is more of a family story, a story about grief, acceptance, and learning to love what you've got. Plus, yes, some really cute romance.

Leavitt sold me after reading her first novel, Going Vintage. I knew she had a unique style, funny characters and great story lines. This one is just as unique, giving me a glimpse into a world I know nothing about. Wedding chapels in Vegas to me scream cheese (kind of like Dax's grandpa's) but Holly's grandpa knew how to make getting married in Vegas romantic and even I would get married at his chapel. Holly's love for her grandpa is wonderful and flew off the pages with every word. Even though her grandpa is already dead at the beginning of the book, he is just as much a character as Holly or Dax or her parents or brother. I fell in love with this world and struggled along with Holly as she tried to raise money to keep the chapel open. Holly makes some mistakes and she learns the hard way for a lot of things, and she certainly isn't perfect and her relationship with Dax takes many turns for the worse, but to me that made her real and I loved every one of her imperfections.

Her and Dax were adorable. Though they had their issues, the two of them went together perfectly. Their moments together were sweet, like hanging out in Dax's chapel in the Twilight room. And Dax is with her every step of the way as she raises money to save the chapel. The drama is just dramatic enough and the resolution put a smile on my face and left me loving the book. The chapel became something so much more to Holly and through her grieving process, she learned more about herself and her grandpa that she ever could have thought. This was a great story about loss and love, of forgiving and moving on. A very good coming-of-age story for anyone who likes the glittering lights of Las Vegas.

"I guess its hard to be the villain without a hero."

Review: Just One Year

Just One Year
Author: Gayle Forman
Published: October 13, 2013
Hardcover, 336 pages
4 Gold Stars

(summary from Goodreads)

When he opens his eyes, Willem doesn't know where in the world he is - Prague or Dubrovnik or back in Amsterdam. All he knows is that he is once again alone, and that he needs to find a girl named Lulu. They shared one magical day in Paris, and something about that day - that girl - makes Willem wonder if they aren't fated to be together. He travels all over the world, from Mexico to India, hoping to reconnect with her. But as months go by and Lulu remains elusive, Willem starts to question if the hand of fate is as strong as he'd thought...

The romantic, emotional companion to Just One Day, this is a story of the  choices we make and the accidents that happen - and the happiness we can find when the two intersect.

I had really high hopes for this book. Just One Day was sweet and romantic. A girl who never diverts from the path goes out on a limb and travels to Paris, meeting a gorgeous guy on a train and falling into a trip that remains with her for a long time. They spend one night together, a night neither will forget, but when she wakes in the morning he is nowhere to be found. Devastated, she tries to find him, going all over Paris and even to Amsterdam. With no luck and no time left, she leaves, feeling bent and broken. While Allyson is looking for Willem, he too is looking for her and this is his story. He travels all over the world looking for her. We know they do not see each other for a year. We know there will be no connections made throughout the novel. But even though I knew this, I kept hoping they'd see each other, or that at least at the end, when they do find each other, we'd have more time to bask in the glory of their love. I was left hanging, still hoping for more, after going through 300 pages of anticipation for them to be together.

Forman is a beautiful writer. Willem's adventures were fun, although I was bored sometimes during the story. I think it's because it's a companion piece and you know when the important parts will happen. I wasn't as invested with Willem as I was with Allyson and I kept wanting more but didn't get it. I'm reminded of Where She Went, Adam's point of view after the events from If I Stay. I think I would have enjoyed a story like that more, something that doesn't coincide with the first novel. I understand why it was a companion piece, I understand wanting to show his side of the story so that we know he didn't just leave her, but I also really wanted to know what happened after they found each other. I think that's my biggest  complaint.

The adventure was fun. I loved exploring the world with Willem. We see Amsterdam, where he reunites with old family members. We see Mexico and India, where he reconnects with his estranged mother who he doesn't get along with. He spends a lot of time there repairing the relationship. There were some really good moments and the thoughts Willem feels about Allyson were sweet and I wanted them to be together so badly. It's worth a read for those who enjoyed the first book and those who like a good travel read.

"There's a different between losing something you knew you had and losing something you discovered you had. One is a disappointment. The other eels like losing a piece of yourself."