Review: 99 Days

99 Days
Author: Katie Cotugno
Published: April 21st, 2015
Hardcover, 384 pages
5 Gold Stars

(summary from Goodreads)

Day 1: Julia Donnelly eggs my house my first night back in Star Lake, and that's how I know everyone remembers everything - how I destroyed my relationship with Patrick the night everything happened with his brother, Gabe. How I wrecked their whole family. Now I'm serving out my summer like a jail sentence: Just ninety-nine days till I can leave for college, and be done.

Day 4: A nasty note on my windshield makes it clear Julia isn't finished. I'm expecting a fight when someone taps me on the shoulder, but it's just Gabe, home from college and actually happy to see me. "For what it's worth, Molly Barlow," he says, "I'm really glad you're back."

Day 12: Gabe got me to come to this party, and I'm actually having fun. I think he's about to kiss me - and that's when I see Patrick. My Patrick, who's supposed to be clear across the country. My Patrick, who's never going to forgive me.

Katie Cotugno is the queen of mistakes and the consequences that come with them. In her first novel, How to Love, she showed what happened to a girl who got pregnant in high school and how she had to deal with that and losing the father of her baby. In this one, we've got a girl who's done something she shouldn't have. After having a fight and potential break up with her boyfriend Patrick Donnelly, Molly seeks comfort in the arms of his older brother, Gabe, and loses her virginity to him. It sets forth a domino effect and soon she is an outcast, none of the family that she used to spend so much time with wants to be around her. So she leaves, goes off to a new school and tries to put the Donnellys behind her. But when she comes home the summer before college, she's hoping to lay low, hoping she does not have to see the Donnellys, but life has other plans for her. Her ex best friend, Julia Donnelly, has not forgiven her for what she's done to her family and she does not plan on letting Molly have a quiet summer. Then Gabe comes home, happy to see Molly, willing to give her another shot. Just as things with Gabe start to heat up again, Patrick shows up, hate in his eyes and not ready to forgive Molly at all. What she thought would be a low key summer has suddenly turned into what she tried to run from, these two boys who she loves and the feelings they give her. She's got 99 days before she goes to college, can she repair everything that she's broken in such a short amount of time?

Molly has made some terrible decisions. She's certainly not a very good girl, but it didn't stop me from wanting what's best for her. When her and Gabe are together, I can see why she's fallen for him in the past. He's sweet, caring, and fun to be around. Then Patrick show up, someone she has tons of history with and she can't help but want to be with him as well. I understood everything going through her head, and though I don't agree with how she played things out, I can see why she couldn't decide between the two brothers. Teenagers make mistakes and Molly makes a lot of them. She has to deal with the consequences all summer, Cotugno does not let her get away with anything she's done, and watching her realize what she's done wrong and trying to fix it is enough redemption for me. I was worried about how everything would play out, but I'm quite pleased with the ending, thinking it was the best way for all of this to finish.

These characters really stood out to me. Molly, for all her problems, was a great character who actined liked a real teenager and made mistakes like one as well. Young love is hard to refuse, and both Patrick and Gabe were great boys, even I had trouble deciding between the two. I'm usually not one for love triangles, but this one worked really well to tie the story together. In fact, it was pretty much the plot so I was okay with it all happening. Julia as the antagonist was perfectly logical. Of course the sister of the brothers you fooled around with would be mad at you for leaving them both and then coming back into their lives and fooling around with both of them again. Her anger was well executed and her and Molly's relationship was really well written. The whole book was written beautifully. Cotugno has a way with words in the simplest way and her writing continues to blow me away. Two for two from this author and I can't wait for her to write something else.

"I was trying not to lose you. But I lost you anyway."

Review: Finding Audrey

Finding Audrey
Author: Sophie Kinsella
Published: June 9th, 2015
Hardcover, 288 pages
4 Gold Stars

(summary from Goodreads)

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Shopaholic series comes a terrific blend of comedy, romance, and psychological recovery in a contemporary YA novel sure to inspire and entertain.

An anxiety disorder disrupted fourteen-year-old Audrey's daily life. She has been making slow but steady progress with Dr. Sarah, but when Audrey meets Linus, her brother's gaming teammate, she is energized. She connects with him. Audrey can talk through her fears with Linus in a way she's never been able to do with anyone before. As their friendship deepens and her recovery gains momentum, a sweet romantic connection develops, one that helps not just Audrey but also her entire family.

When you hear the name Sophie Kinsella, you automatically think of super-cute stories with interesting heroines and a nice happily ever after. For the the first time, Sophie has written a book for young adults and though it is quite different from her adult series, it still reads in Sophie fashion. Audrey is a great heroine for young girls. After being bullied by girls in her class, she has developed an anxiety disorder, one that makes her shy away from being around people and hiding behind a dark pair of sunglasses. She finds help in the most unexpected form, her brother's friend Linus, who doesn't treat her differently and who she finds easy to talk to. He helps her find herself again, and in turn, she helps her family deal with everything that she's put on them.

This is a light read with a hint of something deeper. It highlights what happens to someone after they are bullied and it doesn't sugar coat it, but it is written in a way that isn't too harsh for a young girl to deal with. Audrey finds it hard to leave the house and even just small interactions with people outside her family are difficult for her. I think a book like this could really ring true with young girls in a way that will hopefully help them if they feel at all like Audrey does. The family dynamic in this was great. I ind that sometimes parents are absent in YA novels, so I was glad to see Audrey's family play a big part in this one. At the beginning of the book, her mom is shown in a way that makes us think she's a little nuts and maybe overreacts to things, but I think any parent who's been going through this particular situation would act strangely and she was actually pretty funny to read about. Audrey's brother Frank was the kind of older brother most girls have. He enjoyed his video games and their relationship was great. He spent most of his time trying to protect Audrey, even from his best friend.

While the family played a big part in helping Audrey through her illness, so did Linus. The romance between these two was the cutest thing ever. Linus is super understanding of Audrey's anxiety, so he takes it slow by texting her instead of talking to her and being quiet when she didn't want any noise. It developed slowly throughout the book, but fast enough for me to be excited for the two of them. He was just what Audrey needed to get over her anxiety and he pushed her just the right amount to make her do something about it. Audrey was strong enough to succeed on her own, but I was glad to have Linus there on her side, cheering her on from the sidelines and getting her out of the house even if just for a little while.

This had the whimsical feel of all other Kinsella books with the innocence of children. It would be a good book for the younger YA crowd, as Audrey is only fourteen, but it was still fun to read as an adult, so it could certainly be recommended to just about anyone. Perfect for anyone who wants to read something with a tough subject that's written in a fun way. It will make you laugh, cry and maybe even want to pick out a new pair of sunglasses. But don't hide behind them ladies, let the world see you, hear you, and live your life.

"To put you out of your misery, here's the full diagnosis. Social Anxiety Disorder, General Anxiety Disorder and Depressive Episodes. Episodes. Like depression is a sitcom with a fun punchline."

Review: Boys Like You

Boys Like You
Author: Juliana Stone
Published: May 6, 2014
Hardcover, 288 pages
5 Gold Stars

(summary from Goodreads)

One mistake. And everything changes.

For Monroe Blackwell, one small mistake has torn her family apart - leaving her empty and broken. There's a hole in her heart that nothing can fill. That no one can fill. And a summer in Louisiana with her Grandma isn't going to change that...

Nathan Everets knows heartache first-hand when a car accident leaves his best friend in a coma. And it's his fault. He should be the one lying in the hospital. The one who will never play guitar again. He doesn't deserve forgiveness, and a court-appointed job at the Blackwell B&B isn't going to change that...

Captivating and hopeful, this achingly poignant novel brings together two lost souls struggling with grief and guilt - looking for acceptance, so they can find forgiveness. 

There are certain things I look for in Contemporary YA: great characters that pull you right in, something that these characters have to strive towards or need to make it through and such A+ romance. This book had everything I love about YA and I devoured it so quickly that I turned the last page and begged for more. This was the perfect summer read and I felt the Louisiana heat in the atmosphere and in the romance. I was given this book by a friend who told me it was fantastic YA and that i would not be disappointed and I wasn't in the least. It's a such small, unknown book, but I'm so glad I was given the chance to discover it.

Monroe and Nathan were two characters that needed each other more than they thought they would. Neither wanted to be where they were that summer. Monroe was sure being in Louisiana with her Grandma would not make her feel any better after the tragedy she experienced. And Nathan knew he didn't deserve to to walking around and having a job while his best friend lay in a coma and it's all his fault. Both were looking for a low key summer, but when Monroe opens the door of her Grandma's house and finds Nathan on the other side, neither could have imagined what a summer it would turn into. At first, neither really liked each other, which is my favourite time of romance. I love the bickering and the nonsense about never liking them until that minute the realize it's all a lie. It didn't take long for Monroe and Nathan to become friends, especially since her Grandma kept forcing them together. The tension between them was palpable and I couldn't wait for the moment where they finally admitted it to themselves and each other. The build was amazing and paced perfectly, with moments that made me swoon and others that made me cry.

The tragedy was rightfully placed and did not over power the emotional need throughout the book. Yes, it was awful what happened to both characters, but the important part was how they survived after the tragedies, not the tragedies themselves. I liked that we knew Nathan's tragedy right away and watched him struggle as he tried to live with it, but Monroe's was a bit a mystery and it helped pace the story as we tried to figure out what happened it her. It was brutal when revealed and Stone did it all perfectly. The greatest part of the whole thing was that they had each other to help them through this tough time and that's important, whether it's a boyfriend, a friend, or family, to have someone help you along. Monroe and her Grandma had a rocky relationship, but I love how supportive her Grandma was of her the entire time, like she knew eventually Monroe would come around.

The dual perspectives worked really well in this book. Each character had a unique voice and we learned a lot by getting into both their heads. It made the romantic tension was fantastic and I'm still thinking about how this book made me feel. Kudos, Juliana, I'm desperate for more.

"It had been so long since I'd let anyone touch me, let alone hold me like this. Like we were already a part of each other. 'Are you done waiting?' 'Yeah,' he said throatily. 'I am.'"

Review: My Life Next Door

My Life Next Door
Author: Huntley Fitzpatrick
Published: June 14, 2012
Paperback, 416 pages
5 Gold Stars

(summary from Goodreads)

"One thing my mother never knew, and would disapprove of most of all, was that I watched the Garretts. All the time."

The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, messy, affectionate. And every day from her rooftop perch, Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them . . . until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs up next to her and changes everything.

As the two fall fiercely for each other, stumbling through the awkwardness and awesomeness of first love, Jase's family embraces Samantha - even as she keeps him a secret from her own. Then something unthinkable happens, and the bottom drops out of Samantha's world. She's suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself?

A transporting debut about family, friendship, first romance, and how to be true to one person you love without betraying another.

This book beat every expectation I had for it. I went into it looking for a light fluffy read and ended up with a book that will stay in my mind forever. This is a Romeo and Juliet story for the new age. Samantha has been told all her life to stay away from the Garretts next door. They are the opposite of her clean house and small family, loud, messy and kids continuously being added to the family. Sam has spent her whole life watching the Garretts from afar, wishing for a life more like theirs. Then one day she finally meets one of them, Jase, and suddenly her life is very different - full of secrets, kids, and stolen kisses. The Garretts quickly welcome her into their family and she gradually moves away from her own. Soon the families come together in the worse possible way and Samantha has to decide where her loyalties really lie - with her politician mother or the family that has taken her in as one of their own and the boy she loves more than anything. 

The romance between Samantha and Jase is adorable. They've lived next door to each other for a long time but have never met and when they finally do, it's like getting hit by a truck. Jase is welcoming and helpful, inviting her into his house and making her feel at home. Their love is refreshing, there are no awful undertones and the only problem they really have is the fact that Sam's mother doesn't approve of the relationship. They fall in love quickly, as most young lovers do, and when they decide to take it further, they are both consenting and the moment is tender and loving. Fitzpatrick wrote a couple who live and act like real people and it was fantastic to read. The antagonist is unlikely, which is also refreshing, and he creeps into the story without notcie. He could easily have been another guy Sam's age, or one of Jase's family members, but instead he is a cunning, evil man who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. The secondary characters really help this book. The whole Garrett family is unique and each one flies off the page. George is a curious child who takes everything you say very seriously. Andy is just starting to date and doesn't know how to handle it. It's nice seeing characters with distinct personalities and each character in this book is very well written, including those we don't like very much.

I won't lie when I say I thought this would be a cute, light story with a very happy ending. This book was so much more than I thought it would be. Things happen that shocked me and I wondered how anything would be okay with Sam and Jase after the incidents. This is the perfect story of young love with the real threats of life taking that away. Definitely a contemporary to remember. I can't wait to see what else this author can do!

“I don't know. I didn't have that choice. But I know what's happening now. And I'm choosing to stay with you.” 

Review: The Distance Between Us

The Distance Between Us
Author: Kasie West
Published: July 2, 2013
Paperback, 320 pages
4 Gold Stars

(summary from Goodreads)

Seventeen-year-old Caymen Meyers studies the rich like her own personal science experiment, and after years of observation she’s pretty sure they’re only good for one thing—spending money on useless stuff, like the porcelain dolls in her mother’s shop.

So when Xander Spence walks into the store to pick up a doll for his grandmother, it only takes one glance for Caymen to figure out he’s oozing rich. Despite his charming ways and that he’s one of the first people who actually gets her, she’s smart enough to know his interest won’t last. Because if there’s one thing she’s learned from her mother’s warnings, it’s that the rich have a short attention span. But Xander keeps coming around, despite her best efforts to scare him off. And much to her dismay, she's beginning to enjoy his company.

She knows her mom can’t find out—she wouldn’t approve. She’d much rather Caymen hang out with the local rocker who hasn’t been raised by money. But just when Xander’s attention and loyalty are about to convince Caymen that being rich isn’t a character flaw, she finds out that money is a much bigger part of their relationship than she’d ever realized. And that Xander’s not the only one she should’ve been worried about.

This is the perfect book to read in one day when you want something sweet to devour. This has everything you'd want from a YA contemporary: two people from different worlds, disapproving families, and just look at that cover! Caymen is a cute character living with her mom above the porcelain doll store they own, serving the rich they both detest. After a rich boy left Caymen's mom high, dry and pregnant, she swore she'd never deal with them again, but they do pay her bills. Caymen keeps the same attitude about them until Xander walks in to pick up a doll for his grandmother. One look at him tells her he's stinking rich, but his charming personality keeps her thinking about him long after he leaves. And when he keeps coming back and keeps walking her to school, she can't seem to stop wanting to be near him. The more time she spends with him, non dates where they practice different career paths, the more she finds herself liking him. She knows she shouldn't be hanging out with him, especially since finding out his dad owns a hotel and that he may be dating an actress, and she certainly can't tell her mom about him.

There is nothing ground breaking about this book. A story of a poor girl and a rich boy is nothing new. But the way their love plays out is so real, so enduring, that it doesn't matter. I didn't pick it up because I thought it was never done before, though there were parts near the end that surprised me an made me love it even more. Xander is your stereotypical rich kid, not wanting to follow in his father's footsteps and just wanting his own life. But he's good to her and his family accepts her and it's refreshing that this wasn't part of the sub plot. It's the opposite of what you'd expect really, it's Caymen's mom that doesn't want her daughter dating a rich boy. She'd rather Caymen go out with the starving artist covered in tattoos. Her mom has her own reasons and Caymen soon discovers why her mom is so stressed and not eating very well. But Caymen and Xander are real to me. They grow together slowly, hanging out on the walk to school, fleeting moments that end up meaning more than they thought they would. Their career dates are a cute touch that I've never read in any other book. They find different careers to explore: gravediggers, photographers, etc. These dates bring them together, draw out a love that wouldn't have happened if he didn't walk into her shop. And that's how love works, it creeps up on you until there's no room in your heart for anyone other than them. It's not planned, it's not instant, but it's real.

Two worlds converge in one in this soft romance that shows the importance of family. You find out who is really there for you when you need them and that some people who you never thought would help can be the best resources. Xander and Caymen are sweet and adorable, their interactions feel real and the small moments between them made me smile. The secondary characters are fun and come alive off the pages and the ending was so unexpected that it gave me a whole other feeling towards this book. West is a strong writer, her words and dialogue play out like a movie and she can certainly write young first love like a champ. If you're looking for a light read with a bit of drama, a bit of tears, and a whole lot of love, this is definitely one to pick up. 

“You two are the most in-love not-dating people I’ve met.” 

Review: The Infinite Moment of Us

The Infinite Moment of Us
Author: Lauren Myracle
Published: August 27, 2013
Hardcover, 316 pages
3 Gold Stars

(summary from Goodreads)

For as long as she can remember, Wren Gray’s goal has been to please her parents. But as high school graduation nears, so does an uncomfortable realization: Pleasing her parents once overlapped with pleasing herself, but now... not so much. Wren needs to honor her own desires, but how can she if she doesn’t even know what they are?

Charlie Parker, on the other hand, is painfully aware of his heart’s desire. A gentle boy with a troubled past, Charlie has loved Wren since the day he first saw her. But a girl like Wren would never fall for a guy like Charlie—at least not the sort of guy Charlie believes himself to be.

And yet certain things are written in the stars. And in the summer after high school, Wren and Charlie’s souls will collide. But souls are complicated, as are the bodies that house them...


I'm not going to lie, I judged this book by its cover. The stars in the night sky, the couple silhouetted kissing, everything about it screams magic! The title is beautiful and the font sprawls across the cover, enticing me in. So I took hold of this book and dived in, but right off the bat I knew it wasn't going to meet the exceptions I had put on it. The writing sounded juvenile and nothing about the plot stuck out in my mind. I don't want to sit here and beat up on this book, it's just not what I expected it to be.

Wren and Charlie are from two different worlds. Wren has a bright future ahead of her: she's been accepted to a good school, she just got a new car, and her parents will do anything for her - that is, as long s it fits into their schedule. So when Wren decides she wants to take a year off and do some community service in another country, she doesn't know how to bring it up to her parents, knowing they will disapprove. Charlie has had a rough life. Moving from foster home to foster home, he never thought he'd belong anywhere until he found his newest family. Scared to get to close though, he keeps his distance. He's noticed Wren forever and one day, she finally notices him back. Over night, suddenly, their lives collide and the summer before either of them have to make any decisions becomes the best summer either has ever had. They fall in love fast and hard, a whirlwind romance just asking for disaster. With both of them set for different paths, how will they find a way to make this love last?

If I've ever read a story of insta-love, this is the biggest one. A fleeting look across a school hallway is the beginning of something that turns into everything in a matter of days. What starts out as sweet observations between them quickly becomes R rated when there is mention of things stirring. Their sweet kisses quickly become making out in the backseat of a car. It was only a matter of time before their relationship went full spin and the author didn't leave anything out. The story itself is reminiscent of The Notebook, a crazy fast love story that seems like it may not have a happy ending. Unfortunately, I was much more drawn towards Allie and Noah than Wren and Charlie, but I still read the whole thing through and the ending was satisfiying. It was an easy read, and there were quiet moments where I smiled. A nice read that I'm sure many will enjoy more than I did. 

“He leaned in and kissed her, because now that he knew he could, he planned on kissing her every chance he got.”