Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

A quick overview from Laurie Halse Andersen's website:

“Dead girl walking,” the boys say in the halls.
“Tell us your secrets,” the girls whisper, one toilet to another.
I am that girl.
I am the space between my thighs, daylight shining through.
I am the bones they want, wired on a porcelain frame.

Lia and Cassie were best friends, wintergirls frozen in matchstick bodies. But now Cassie is dead. Lia’s mother is busy saving other people’s lives. Her father is away on business. Her stepmother is clueless. And the voice inside Lia’s head keeps telling her to remain in control, stay strong, lose more, weigh less. If she keeps on going this way – thin, thinner, thinnest – maybe she’ll disappear altogether.

In her most emotionally wrenching, lyrically written book since the National Book Award finalist Speak, bestselling author Laurie Halse Anderson explores one girl’s chilling descent into the all-consuming vortex of anorexia.

Wow! Talk about the most realistic story about anorexia I have ever read. It is brutally honest and opens your eyes to the struggle and difficulty that is anorexia. Laurie Halse Anderson doesn't just open your eyes to it she puts you in the mind of a girl who is losing the battle with the disease. Every time Lia ate a single thing she calculated the calorie intake in her head. If it was too many calories she calculated how she could shed those calories. She was lost in the disease, lying and deceiving the ones around her to continue down this path to get thinner.

The only one that had any type of impact on her was her stepsister. That's what made Lia real to me. The relationship she had with her stepsister proved that while she was consumed by the disease she still cared about something other than the disease. She was ridden with guilt when she disappointed her stepsister and there was one scene particularly (I don't want to spoil it for anyone) that brought me to tears.

This is the second book I've read by Laurie Halse Anderson (The first was Twisted) and I can guarantee I will be reading more. Her books seem more like a biography than a story. She delves into her characters minds and pulls you in with her. You don't just read her books you experience them. I would highly recommend Wintergirls.

Fixing Delilah by Sarah Ockler

Why did this book sit on my bookshelf for as long as it did? I am seriously mad at myself for not reading it the minute I bought it months ago. Okay a quick overview from Sarah Ockler's website:

Things in Delilah Hannaford’s life have a tendency to fall apart. She used to be a good student, but she can’t seem to keep it together anymore. Her “boyfriend” isn’t much of a boyfriend. And her mother refuses to discuss the fight that divided their family eight years ago. Falling apart, it seems, is a Hannaford tradition.

Over a summer of new friendships, unexpected romance, and moments that test the complex bonds between mothers and daughters, Delilah must face her family’s painful past. Can even her most shattered relationships be pieced together again?

Rich with emotion, FIXING DELILAH is a powerful story of family, love, and self-discovery.

From the minute I started to read this book I knew I would love it. The writing style reminded me of Sarah Dessen who is one of my favorite YA writers. It has a strong voice and I instantly sympathized with Delilah. The issues were heavy, but they didn't leave me drained like other books. This was a more uplifting book and I was routing for Delilah as she tried to figure it all out.

The supporting cast was great. I'm in love with Patrick. He was sweet and fun, but more than anything he was realistic. Her mom was a big part of the book and I loved how their strained relationship slowly started to mend.

My favorite part was learning about the aunt who died before she was born. Everything that had happened with her family, all the issues they were dealing with were related to this aunt she had never met. Slowly she started to put the pieces together and Wow! I won't spoil it for those that have not read it, but I didn't see that one coming.

If you love a book with a good romance, a good dose of drama and a bit of mystery, or if you just love a good contemporary YA book this is the book for you.

I also LOVE the cover. It's so different from the other covers that are out right now and I feel like it really encompasses what the book is about.

Have you read Fixing Delilah? Have you read any of Sarah Ockler's books? I can't wait to read more from her.

Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma

It's time to write reviews for the books I read during my Ten Books in Ten Days Challenge. The first book up is: Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma. A quick overview from Nova Ren Suma's website:

Chloe’s older sister, Ruby, is the girl everyone looks to and longs for, who can’t be captured or caged. After a night with Ruby’s friends goes horribly wrong and Chloe discovers a dead body floating in the reservoir, Chloe is sent away—away from home, away from Ruby.

But Ruby will do anything to get her sister back, and when Chloe returns home at last, she finds a precarious and deadly balance waiting for her. As Chloe flirts with the truth that Ruby has hidden deeply away, the fragile line between life and death is redrawn by the complex bonds of sisterhood.


Imaginary Girls is a masterfully distorted vision of family with twists that beg for their secrets to be kept.

You can't deny how beautifully written this book is. The words are almost poetic and the visuals she creates become tangible in your mind. I could picture every detail and feel every emotion. However, I didn't love the book. I know I am probably in the minority, but every person has different tastes, it's what makes the world go round. Honestly I finished reading it and had no idea what to make of it. Was it contemporary? Maybe. Yes. No. I have no idea. Was it paranormal? I don't thinnnnk so. I was completely confused.


The other problem I had with this book is Chloe's obsession with her sister. I understand a young girl idolizes her older sister but this was to the point that it distorted her view of reality. It was unhealthy and I wanted to reach into the book and shake her and try to make her see her sister as the self centered, mean spirited person she was. The whole book is Chloe speaking about her sister and I hated her sister. Despised her. And maybe I was supposed to hate her and I guess she redeems herself at one point in the book, but that doesn't make up for everything else. I kept waiting for Chloe to see her sister for who she really was, to grow from the naive little girl she started as, but that never happened.

Again it is personal opinion and I know so many people who have loved this book. In the end it just wasn't for me. Though since the writing was divine and I did get sucked in at one point I give it 3.5 stars. Not to mention, how gorgeous is that cover!

I do look forward to reading more from Nova Ren Suma. Have you read Imaginary Girls? Thoughts?

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

I used to write reviews on Goodreads.com but after a while I just decided to post the reviews to my blog and only use Goodreads to rate and keep track of the books I've read. As I rated Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher I felt like that wasn't enough. This book needed more than my five star rating. I had to write something. So I did. It was short and to the point.

If I could give this book more stars I would. Heartbreaking and powerful. A story that will stay with you long after you put the book down.

For those of you that are not familiar with Thirteen Reasons Why, a quick overview from Jay Asher's website:

Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers several cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker--his classmate and crush--who committed suicide two weeks earlier. On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out how he made the list. Through Hannah and Clay's dual narratives, debut author Jay Asher weaves an intricate and heartrending story of confusion and desperation that will deeply affect teen readers.

I heard the hype. Read the praise. Still I was hesitant to pick this book up. Why? Because I knew it was going to be difficult to read. The entire book revolves around suicide.  A heartbreaking topic that makes me cry even if it is just a newspaper headline. I pushed my reservations aside and began to read. And I am so happy that I did. From that first page I was sucked in. I read as Clay discovered the tapes and then began to listen to them. And then it was as if I became Clay. I felt what he felt, pondered the same questions, tried to piece the puzzle together as the tapes revealed more and even had my own comments for Hannah as I read through her tapes.

I know it's a book, but as the pieces put themselves together Clay became real and my heart broke for him. There was pity, sympathy and even admiration because he continued to listen. I don't think I would have had the strength to do so. Curiosity can only get you so far.

In the beginning the stories that she tells seem just like any other drama a teenage girl goes through but it all came together in what Hannah called the snowball effect. Each story leads to another and they only get painstakingly worse. What Jay Asher shows is how one little incident, that can be taken lightly for the most part, can trigger a chain of incidents that are not little and in no way can be taken lightly. The way he weaved the events together and how each person had a bigger role than what you originally perceived had my mouth falling open more times than I can count.

This book had me up till 1AM. I couldn't go to sleep until I knew how it ended, to know who was the last person on the tape. I needed to know how Hannah's story ended and why. Then as I read the very last word I couldn't go to sleep. How can you sleep after reading a book like that? My eyes weren't as wet and swollen as you would think. I shed a few tears during Clay's tape but other than that the tears managed to keep themselves at bay. However, my mind was heavy, so heavy I couldn't just lay down and go to sleep. I felt as if I had just lost a friend and I was the one who had to deal with the repercussions of my actions or lack of. Thankfully, the back of the book had the first three pages of Jay Asher's new book, The Future of Us. I read the three sample pages. Four times! I needed something to clear my mind. Anything. In the end I was finally able to fall asleep. Still when I woke up Clay was on my mind. Hannah was on my mind.

There are great books and then there are GREAT books and this was a GREAT book. I can not recommend it enough. I just advise you not to read it close to your bedtime.

Have you read Thirteen Reasons Why? I'd loved to hear your thoughts. If you haven't, do you think you will?

Ten Books In Ten Days Update (As of 10PM on 1/16):
2.5 books down 7.5 to go
7 days and 2 hours left on the countdown (I think? I keep second guessing myself. I'm obviously having a moment.)

Sean Griswolds's Head by Lindsey Leavitt

Why did this book sit on my bookshelf for months? Why? I'm almost mad at myself for not picking it up sooner. Sean Griswold's Head is my new Anna and The French Kiss. Before I get into it, a quick overview from Lindsey Leavitt's website:

Payton Gritas needs a focus object—something to focus her emotions on after discovering that her father’s been hiding his multiple sclerosis. Her guidance counselor suggested something inanimate but Payton chooses the thing she stares at during class: Sean Griswold’s head. They’ve been linked since third grade (Griswold-Gritas, it’s an alphabetical order thing), but she’s never really noticed him before. Payton starts stalking—er, focusing on—Sean’s big blond head, and her research quickly grows into something a little less scientific and a lot more crush-like. As Payton gets inside Sean’s head, Sean finds a way into her guarded heart. But obsessing over Sean won’t fix Payton’s fear of her dad’s illness. For that, she’ll have to focus on herself.

Have you ever read a book and when you finish think- Now that is the type of book I want to write. Sean Griswold's Head is that book for me. It took me so long to pick it up because instead of reading what the book was about I assumed it was told from a boy, Sean's, POV and every time I saw it sitting on the shelf I thought, yeah I don't really want to know what's in his head today. WRONG! I should have read the book flap. If anyone else has been hesitant about this book, stop hesitating and pick it up.

Lindsey Leavitt brings you on Payton's journey as she tries to cope with the hardships life has handed her. It is an emotional ride with laugh out loud moments and a great insight into the disease of MS. I learned so much while reading this and it really opened up my eyes to a disease that I was not all that familiar with.

This book is another perfect example of a strong voice. I felt like I was not in Sean Griswold's head but in Payton's. She was witty to the point where I was thinking- how did the writer come up with this, and on top of that she was emotionally raw. It was the perfect combination. I felt everything that she felt. I laughed. I cried and I understood why she chose to deal with her issues the way that she did.

I'm terrible at writing reviews. So I'm going to stop trying to explain why you should read this book and just say read it.I bet you will love it.

Have you read it? Or like me, it has been sitting on your TBR list forever?

Chain Reaction by Simone Elkeles

Chain Reaction is the third and final book in Simone Elkeles' Perfect Chemistry Series. In the first book, Perfect Chemistry we are introduced to the Fuentes family as the book focuses on the oldest brother, Alex. The second book Rules of Attraction focuses on the middle brother Carlos and this book follows the youngest of the Fuentes brothers, Luis.

A quick overview from the Barnes and Noble website:

Luis Fuentes has always been sheltered from the gang violence that nearly destroyed his brothers’ lives. But that hasn’t stopped him from other thrill-seeking behavior—like scaling a mountain in the Rockies or dreaming of a future as an astronaut. Nikki Cruz lives her life by three rules—boys lie to get their way, don’t trust a boy who says "I love you," and never date a boy from the south side of Fairfield. Then she meets Luis at his brother Alex’s wedding, and suddenly she’s tempted to break all her rules.

Getting Nikki to take a chance on a south sider is Luis’s biggest challenge, until he finds himself targeted by Chuy Soto, the new head of the Latino Blood. When Chuy reveals a disturbing secret about Luis’s family, the youngest Fuentes finds himself questioning everything he’s ever believed to be true. Will his feelings for Nikki be enough to stop Luis from entering a dark and violent world?

I absolutely love the Fuentes brothers. Alex is still my favorite and I love how his story continues through to this book.

While I didn't love this book as much as I did Perfect Chemistry I still really liked it. I loved how Luis and Nikki first met, their first interactions and how she wouldn't fall for his charm. I liked how Luis wasn't the typical Fuentes brother. He participated in sports, cared about his grades and had dreams and aspirations.

The last hundred pages were amazing, but the pages before that, weren't as amazing. I felt like the amazing parts were rushed and could have been drawn out a little more. Mainly because I wanted more of the action of the story lines that I came to love in this series. There was a lot of buildup to the action, but with Perfect Chemistry the buildup added to the action, in this book I felt like it slowed me down in getting to the action. If that makes sense. I don't want to give specifics for those that have not read it yet, so sorry if what I'm saying sounds vague.

Still Simone Elkeles created characters that are easy to fall in love. Characters you root for from the very beginning and she brings you into their world. I could visualize the story unfolding as if I was watching a movie. Hollywood seems to be lacking for movie ideas lately and I think this series could be a hit on the big screen.

If you have yet to enter the Fuentes' world don't wait another minute. You will love these boys and their stories.

Currently Reading:

Holly Lane by Toni Blake

 I was lucky enough to win an ARC E-book of Holly Lane by Toni Blake through one of her contests on Twitter. Toni Blake is one of my favorite authors and definitely my favorite romance author. I was ecstatic. I have been waiting for the release of this book, the fourth in her Destiny Series, since I finished the last installment of the series, Whisper Falls. And considering the book comes out TODAY I figured it was the best time to post my review.

A quick overview from Toni Blake's website:

The weather outside is frightful, but kisses by the fire are so delightful …

Sue Ann Simpkins is working hard to rebuild her life and find some holiday spirit. A weekend away from Destiny in a cabin on nearby Bear Lake seems like the perfect Christmas gift to herself—until her ex's best friend, Adam Becker, shows up at the door, claiming the cabin is his! And if that's not trouble enough, how had she never noticed how gorgeous he was?


Alone for the holidays and forced to play a reindeer at the local department store, Adam's been feeling rather Scrooge-ish himself. But finding the smart, sexy woman he's admired since elementary school waiting in the house he rented is helping to brighten his humbug mood. And when a sudden snowstorm strands them together in very close quarters, leading to one very hot night together, Adam soon realizes that what he really wants for Christmas is a second chance at love. Now all he has to do is convince Sue Ann…

Toni Blake, Christmas and a hot romance, three of my favorite things rolled into one, make for a perfect read. Toni Blake is a master when it comes to creating interesting characters and developing relationships. I loved the chemistry between Adam and Sue Ann. The fact that she is the ex-wife of his best friend made for an interesting story line. What I loved most was that they never noticed each other in that way, but when you take away the barriers that were preventing them from doing so the chemistry is so obvious. 

I fell in love with Adam. Granted he was cranky through a majority of the book, but when you take into account what he was cranky about, it only made me love him more. And hey nobody can be perfect all the time so give the man a break. The relationship he has with Sue Ann's daughter, Sophie, also his god daughter, really shows his tender side. And I loved reading their interactions and everything he did for her in order to make what could have been her worst Christmas after her parent's divorce, the best Christmas possible.

If you have read the series from the beginning like me, you would know that each book focuses on a specific character that lives in Destiny. In the first book One Reckless Summer we are introduced to Jenny and Mick and I was thrilled to see that not only were they back but they also had their own subplot.

I'll admit that Tessa and Lucky from the third installment, Whisper Falls, are still my favorite couple, but I still loved Sue Ann and Adam. Then again I love all the characters of Destiny. They are all perfectly flawed and as crazy as it sounds I feel like I know them.

Holly Lane is a great holiday read and just a great read in general. It really put me into the holiday spirit and I can't wait to see what happens with all of the characters I have grown to love in the next installment of the Destiny Series, Willow Springs out July 2012- not soon enough.

If you are a fan of romance and have never read a Toni Blake book, what are you waiting for? The Destiny Series is the perfect series to be introduced to her flawless writing and swoon worthy characters.

Tomorrow's Review:

Flapper: A Madcap Story of Sex, Style, Celebrity, And the Women Who Made America Modern by Joshua Zeitz

When reading this book I was shocked at the amount of people that asked me, "What is a Flapper?" It wasn't just people in their twenties that had no idea what a Flapper was but people in their late forties as well.

The Flapper defined a generation and helped steer women away from uncomfortable and more times than not hazardous corsets. They also paved the way for women's rights, doing away with the Victorian mindset and pulling America towards a more modern time where women acted just like their male counterparts.

The book focuses on many of the individuals that helped define the flapper. The most popular being Zelda Fitzgerald, wife to F. Scott Fitzgerald, the writer most known for his novel The Great Gatsby. He is even credited for inventing the flapper, as his stories included rebellious woman who he based solely on one person, his wife, the ultimate flapper. It was interesting to read about the beginning of their relationship and how their love for the careless freedom of the era was ultimately the thing that ended them. It's in a way a tragic love story, but a love story nonetheless. And I really enjoyed reading about their rise, fall and their undeniable love for each other.

Lois Long is another person that this book focuses on. She was a young twenty something journalist who worked for the New Yorker and became famous with her column about New York nightlife. She partied at the speakeasies, drinking through the night, sometimes even showing up to work drunk, in the same clothes she wore out the previous night. Girls all over read about her exploitations and wanted to be her or at least be part of the scene that she glorified in her writing.

Hollywood helped put the Flapper on screen, first with Colleen Moore than with Clara Bow. With their dark bobs and shorter hemlines they brought to life the women that until that point were only imagined from magazine articles and advertisements. Both stories are interesting especially the time in which they were stars and the time after.

If you are interested in the time period and the people that defined it, I would highly recommend this book. While it took me some time to read, every time I picked it up I was captivated by the stories of these remarkable people.

The Hunger Games

It took long enough but I finally finished reading The Hunger Games. I felt like I was the only one left on the planet who hadn't read it yet but after a quick poll on Twitter I realized I was not alone.

For the few of you that don't know what The Hunger Games is about, a quick overview from Suzanne Collins website:
Katniss is a 16-year-old girl living with her mother and younger sister in the poorest district of Panem, the remains of what used to be the United States. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, "The Hunger Games." The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed. When her sister is chosen by lottery, Katniss steps up to go in her place.


As I mentioned in previous posts it took me a while to get into the story. The beginning was slow but I understand the story had to be set up before you could fully understand the games. Once I got to page 102 and Katniss shot the apple out of the pigs mouth I was hooked.

I loved Katniss. She is independent, strong and intelligent which is so unlike many female characters in YA books today. The fact that she took her sisters place in the games shows a great deal about her character.

Peeta I fell in love with the minute he burnt the bread so Katniss would have something to eat. Because I am a sucker for a good romance I was rooting for Peeta and Katniss from the beginning. However, Suzanne Collins had me guessing every step of the way as to Peeta's true feelings. Was he really just putting an act on for the cameras or did he genuinely love this girl from the first minute he laid eyes on her. The anticpation to finding out the truth was what had me clinging to every single page.  

The other characters came to life on the page. I was able to picture all of the contestants in the game and even though they were in an arena to fight to the death where only one could survive I wanted the rules to change.

(Sorry if the review is vague. I don't want to give too much away for people who have yet to read the book.) 

I wasn't going to read the second book in the series right away but after getting to the end and knowing there is more to the story I couldn't resist.

I also can't wait to see the book come to life on the big screen. They have great material to work with and I hope they are able to do the book justice. I actually think they casted it really well I just hope that Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson have good chemistry. No scratch that. I hope they have amazing chemistry.


And to go completely off topic here. Are there any Vampire Diaries fans out there? If so how good was last night's episode?

Currently Reading:

Sizzling by Susan Mallery

The books in Susan Mallery's Buchanan series just get better and better. Sizzling is the third book in the series and follows the story of Reid Buchanan and Lori Johnson.

A quick overview from Susan Mallery's website: Reid Buchanan was always a fan favorite on the baseball diamond. A spiteful article about the former pitcher and current playboy questions his talent in the bedroom. And the newspaper's just the first bad news. Reid's grandmother Gloria's broken hip means she needs constant care--but Reid hired Nurses 1 and 2 for their bedside manner with him. So for Number 3 he chooses Lori Johnson, the first candidate who seems immune to his brand of charm.
Lori's never wasted her time with amoebas like Reid Buchanan. So why are her well-fortified defenses starting to crumble under the force of his sexy smile--and the kindness he shows her at every turn? There's only one explanation for the feelings flaring between them--chemistry. Chemistry so hot, it's sizzling!

When Reid was introduced in the first book of the series, Delicious, I couldn't wait to get to this book. I liked Reid from the very beginning. Granted he is a ladies man but through the first and second book you were able to see the way he interacted with his family as well as his brother's wife and his best friend Penny. You could see that there was more to him than just the label he had acquired.

After moving into his grandmother's house to avoid the paparazzi he is reunited with the nurse he chose for his grandmother, Lori Johnson. From the minute these two are on a page together the tension is thick. Lori might fall for Reid's charm but unlike the rest of the population she doesn't show it. On the outside Lori is tough with great one-liners that really help put Reid in his place. On the inside she is completely self conscious and constantly compares herself to others especially her "perfect" sister.

At first I thought it was a little annoying how Lori constantly questioned her ability to attract a man like Reid and how she compared herself to other woman. But then I realized that is what goes on in some girls heads. The constant criticism of themselves and the feeling that they just aren't good enough.

Reid and Lori are a perfect match because they balance each other out. He takes her up a notch while she takes him down a few. 

Gloria, The Buchanan's matriarch, is back in this installment but this time around Lori helps her see the light and she slowly starts to shed her harsh personality. I loved reading as she made amends with all the characters that she trashed in previous books. I also loved that she had a soft spot where Lori was concerned.

This book made me laugh and cry. The ending is harsh, but it was the perfect combination for a great book. I just ordered the fourth in the series, Tempting, and can't wait to see how it wraps up.

Currently Reading:

Irresistible by Susan Mallery

Irresistible by Susan Mallery is the second installment in The Buchanans series and even better than the first.

A quick overview from Susan Mallery's website:
When ex-Marine Walker Buchanan stops to help Elissa Towers change a tire, he tells himself it's just the neighborly thing to do. And when Elissa finds herself baking him a thank-you pie, she's just returning the favor…right?
Both of them have sworn off dating—Elissa's determined to protect her little girl, and that means ditching her taste for dangerous men…especially former Marines with dark secrets. Walker knows that he's not cut out for hearth and home…his own crazy family made sure of that. But the sparks won't stop flying between them.
Now the two are struggling to keep their relationship "just friends," but with every kiss, their rules fly out the window…

Walker is Cal's younger brother and was first introduced in Delicious, when he returns home from the Marines after years of being away. I fell in love with Walker. Being a former Marine he struggles with what he had seen and done while he was fighting for his country. I felt for him as the visions haunted his dreams and even his conscious mind. It is something he keeps to himself and what I loved is when he meets Elissa he slowly starts opening up.

Elissa is struggling with her own past. All she has is her daughter and her ninety year old neighbor Mrs. Ford who has more spunk than a teenager. I really liked Elissa. Her back story goes back to when she was a teenager and maybe it's because I'm a fan of YA books but I loved learning about her younger years and where it all went wrong.

I read this book in less than a day. I couldn't put it down. I highly recommend it but don't you dare read it without reading Delicious first. Starting from the beginning gives you a better perspective and understanding of all of the characters.

Happy Reading.

Currently Reading

Delicious by Susan Mallery

As I'm sure you already know I love YA books. I love to read them and I also write them. What you might not know is I am a sucker for Romance novels as well. One of my new favorite romance writers is Susan Mallery. After reading her Lone Star Sister Series I knew I had to read more of her work. I continued with Delicious the first book in The Buchanans Series and just like the other series it starts off with a bang.

Quick overview from Susan Mallery's Website:

Menu

Appetizer

Cal Buchanan needs a top-flight chef to take over his failing Seattle restaurant, The Waterfront. He can afford to hire the best in town--the only problem is that the best happens to be his ex-wife, Penny Jackson.
Entree
Penny really needs this opportunity, but she doesn't need the distraction of working with her ex. She's sworn off romance--she's even having a baby on her own. But before she knows it, the heat is on...and the attraction between her and Cal moves from a low simmer to a full boil!
Dessert
The rest should be easy as pie, but a secret from Dessert Cal's past could spoil everything. Maybe it's true that too many cooks spoil the broth--or maybe two is enough to make it irresistible.

Right off the bat you know there is going to be tension and sexual chemistry since the two main characters were once married. I loved how she took that direction. It was different because it wasn't the initial love story that brought them together but a love story about bringing them back together. What made it interesting was the fact that Penny is pregnant and the whole concept of pregnancy was the factor in their relationships demise in the first place.

I like how Penny is a take no BS from anyone type of character yet she still has a soft edge to her. I loved how she remained best friends with Reid a notorious playboy and Cal's younger brother, through the years.

I like Cal. Not as much as I wanted to but he is a good match for Penny. The secret that he was holding on to for so long was what ultimately allowed him to let Penny walk away but it was something I thought he should have been able to share with her from the beginning. They were married after all. Then again without it there would be no story to tell.

I hated Cal's grandmother Gloria. The things that she said had my mouth dropping to the floor and my eyes bulging, though Penny can hold her own and I loved when she finally did.

Susan Mallery focuses the book on Penny and Cal but at the same time gives you insight to the other characters that will eventually have their own time in the spotlight. So of course I couldn't wait to pick up the next book in the series. I'll be posting the review for Irresistible tomorrow and the review for Sizzling on Monday.

Are there any other romance fans out there? If so who are your favorite romance writers? Leave your comments below and if Blogger allows me I'll comment back.

Currently Reading

Betrayal by Lee Nichols.

I finished Betrayal by Lee Nichols last week and haven't had a chance to post my review. Betrayal is the second installment in the Haunting Emma series. I'll start off by saying that I liked this book much better than the first book. I had a really hard time getting past the fact that Emma so willingly went with Bennett in the first book and didn't have a million questions and reservations. It annoyed me so much I couldn't get past it. I pushed those thoughts away before jumping into this book and I actually liked Emma this time around.

A quick overview from Lee Nichols website:

Emma Vaile is the most powerful ghostkeeper in centuries. Which is great for battling the wraith-master Neos and horrible for her social life. Emma knows fellow ghostkeeper Bennett Stern is her soul mate, but when ghostkeepers fall in love, the weaker one loses all power. And until Neos is defeated, Bennett and Emma can't risk it.
When the temptation of being with Emma gets to be too much, Bennett disappears, pursuing a dangerous path to increase his powers. Heartbroken and alone, Emma tries to lose herself in school. But when the Knell, a secret ghostkeeping society, sends two new ghostkeepers to Echo Point—one a snarky teen guy, the other a British scholar—Emma throws herself into training to battle Neos. But as the team grows stronger, so do the ghosts. And worse, one of their own will betray them. One Emma never suspected. . . .

I really liked the new characters that were brought into the story. Lukas and Simon mix things up. Lukas is your typical teenage boy while Simon is older and the one who watches over the group. They add to the story rather than distract and I especially liked the relationship between Lukas and Natalie. I hope there is more of them to come in the next installment.

Now I don't know if it's me but this book reminded me of two other books. Emma and Bennett cannot be together because if they are the weaker ghostkeeper will lose their power. Reminiscent of Alyson Noel's Immortal series where Ever and Damen cannot be together or it will kill him. In Betrayal Bennett's answer to this problem is leaving. He leaves her just like Edward did in New Moon. Now again it might be me but it had so many similarities to other books and I was just hoping for something fresh.

However, with that said the ending had a nice twist. A twist I was not expecting. Someone was leaking information to Neos about Emma and her friends and Nichols has you guessing right up to the dramatic reveal. She is definitely good with keeping the reader guessing and this is only one example of many.

If you read the first book Deception and liked it you will most likely love Betrayal. If you read Deception and didn't like it so much then Betrayal will surprise you.

Have you read either of the books in the Haunting Emma Series? What are your thoughts?

Currently Reading:

Heist Society by Ally Carter

A quick overview from Ally Carter's website:

When Katarina Bishop was three, her parents took her on a trip to the Louvre…to case it. For her seventh birthday, Katarina and her Uncle Eddie traveled to Austria…to steal the crown jewels. When Kat turned fifteen, she planned a con of her own—scamming her way into the best boarding school in the country, determined to leave the family business behind. Unfortunately, leaving “the life” for a normal life proves harder than she’d expected.

Soon, Kat's friend and former co-conspirator, Hale, appears out of nowhere to bring Kat back into the world she tried so hard to escape. But he has a good reason: a powerful mobster has been robbed of his priceless art collection and wants to retrieve it. Only a master thief could have pulled this job, and Kat's father isn't just on the suspect list, he is the list. Caught between Interpol and a far more deadly enemy, Kat’s dad needs her help.

For Kat, there is only one solution: track down the paintings and steal them back. So what if it's a spectacularly impossible job? She's got two weeks, a teenage crew, and hopefully just enough talent to pull off the biggest heist in her family's history--and, with any luck, steal her life back along the way.

I actually loved this book. I didn't know what to expect never having read an Ally Carter book before and now that I have I want to read all of her books. I loved all of the characters. They weren't cardboard cutouts, they were realistic and all had traits that gave them depth. I fell in love with Hale the minute he shows up. Other than the handsome factor you can tell he genuinely cares a great deal for Kat as she does for him and their chemistry is amazing. They don't always agree with each other but no matter what they are always there for each other.

Usually when I read a book that involves a fifteen year old girl who doesn't have parents around and just so happens to have the means to be in America one minute and Paris the next I find it too hard to believe. However, in this book it didn't bother me. It seemed to fit the story perfectly. Ally Carter created the lifestyle that would make the constant jet hoping believable instead of farfetched.

I was so happy that the book didn't take place at boarding school. How many YA books that are out now take place in boarding school? If you're a reader or YA you will know the answer is a lot. Possibly too many. Especially considering the fact that in my 26 years I have never met a single person that attended boarding school. Boarding school is just a temporary stop in the beginning before departing for the bigger destination or should I say destinations.

I'll admit that there were many times when I was confused to the point where I was flipping back to see if I missed something. I never did. It's just the way Ally Carter writes. Everything happens before you, the reader, have a chance to register what is going on. I learned after flipping back a few times that if I just read a few sentences forward everything would be explained or at least explained enough to understand. This book was like a puzzle. She gave you pieces to the story and as the ending neared all the pieces started to fit together. 
As I read the book I was able to visualize everything and kept thinking how great of a movie it would be. Fingers crossed that that becomes a reality because I would love to see Kat, Hale and the rest of the characters on the big screen.

If you read my blog you know that I'm a sucker for a good love story and how it plays out in a book can be a huge factor for my feelings towards the book. In this book *SPOILER ALERT* while Kat and Hale don't wind up getting together in the end it didn't change my feelings about the book. If anything it made me like the book more. Because you know it's coming. You know that they will have their moment. Maybe it will be in Uncommon Criminals or maybe it won't but it's coming and sometimes I like the buildup more than the actual moment. With that said I can't wait to get my hands on Uncommon Criminals and see what Ally Carter has in store for these characters next.

Heist Society was a fun, fast paced adventure and I would definitely recommend it.

Currently Reading:

Love Story by Jennifer Echols.

I'm going to start off by saying I absolutely loved this book, that is, until the last page. Before I get into it here is a quick overview of Love Story from Jennifer Echols website:


SHE'S WRITING ABOUT HIM. HE'S WRITING ABOUT HER. AND EVERYBODY IS READING BETWEEN THE LINES. For Erin Blackwell, majoring in creative writing at the New York City college of her dreams is more than a chance to fulfill her ambitions--it's her ticket away from the tragic memories that shadow her family's racehorse farm in Kentucky. But when she refuses to major in business and take over the farm herself someday, her grandmother gives Erin's college tuition and promised inheritance to their maddeningly handsome stable boy, Hunter Allen. Now Erin has to win an internship and work late nights at a coffee shop to make her own dreams a reality. She should despise Hunter . . . so why does he sneak into her thoughts as the hero of her latest writing assignment?
Then, on the day she's sharing that assignment with her class, Hunter walks in. He's joining her class. And after he reads about himself in her story, her private fantasies about him must be painfully clear. She only hopes to persuade him not to reveal her secret to everyone else. But Hunter devises his own creative revenge, writing sexy stories that drive the whole class wild with curiosity and fill Erin's heart with longing. Now she's not just imagining what might have been. She's writing a whole new ending for her romance with Hunter . . . except this story could come true. 


The first few pages start with the story Erin has written about Hunter and while it takes place in another time and the names are different it is evident who the characters are based on. I didn't think I would like reading short stories within a book, but the way Jennifer Echols did it I actually enjoyed reading these stories and wished there might have been one or two more. 

The chemistry between Erin and Hunter is tangible on the page every time they are in a scene together you can't deny the connection. I was rooting for them from the very beginning even when Erin despised him. Though, there were moments when you question Hunter's intentions and wonder if he really is a good guy or if he may be using Erin and her family to benefit himself. The last few pages had me glued to the words. Talk about full on blow up that had me wanting to be in the classroom with them just so I could see their faces and the reactions of everyone else. However, once I got to the last page, I flipped to continue reading and there was nothing left to read. I flipped the last page back and forth wondering if the copy I had failed to print the last chapter, but after reading other reviews I realized there were no pages missing, that was it. The ending was so abrupt that I was left lost. Granted I could make up in my mind what was going to happen next but why should I have to? I like stories that have a clean ending and figure it all out for me. I want to walk away going that was perfect not !#$%?! 

*SPOILER ALERT* It was obvious at least in my mind that Erin was going to forgive Hunter and vice versa but I wanted the chemistry to show again. I wanted to be a part of the makeup. Also she never did confront her grandmother and never did get to talk with her. By the way it ended we can assume that was what she was going to do after arriving in Kentucky, but after hearing so much about the grandmother and their relationship or lack thereof I wanted to witness the interaction. Though, if Jennifer Echols wanted to write a sequel she left herself wide open to do so and I actually really hope that she does. Because Love Story was an amazing book and I just want to know what happens next.Even though I know Jennifer Echols is against writing sequels and you can read why on her website, but to argue I would say that Erin and Hunter *SPOILER ALERT* never kissed and made up and she still has all those unresolved issues with her grandmother. For now, though, I will pretend I know what happens next.
 
Currently Reading:
 

Queen of the Dead by Stacey Kade

A description of the book from Stacey Kade's website:

After being sent back from the light, Alona Dare–former homecoming queen, current Queen of the Dead–finds herself doing something she never expected: working. Instead of spending days perfecting her tan by the pool (her typical summer routine when she was, you know, alive), Alona must now cater to the needs of other lost spirits. By her side for all of this, ugh, “helping of others” is Will Killian: social outcast, seer of the dead, and someone Alona cares about more than she’d like.

Before Alona can make a final ruling on Will’s “friend” or “more” status, though, she discovers trouble at home. Her mom is tossing out Alona’s most valuable possessions, and her dad is expecting a new daughter with his wicked wife. Is it possible her family is already moving on? Hello?! She’s only been dead for two months! Thankfully, Alona knows just the guy who can put a stop to this mess.
Unfortunately for Alona, Will has other stuff on his mind, and Mina, a young (and beautiful) seer, is at the top of the list. She’s the first ghost-talker Will’s ever met—aside from his father—and she may hold answers to Will’s troubled past. But can she be trusted? Alona immediately signs her name in the “clearly not” column. But Will is, ahem, willing to find out, even if it means leaving a hurt and angry Alona to her own devices, which is never a good idea.

It did not take me long to finish this book. From the minute I finished reading The Ghost and The Goth I couldn't wait for the next installment. Will and Alona are two of my favorite characters and I couldn't wait to see what was in store for them next. Queen of the Dead did not disappoint. The only thing I did not like is that it ended. I'm so used to reading YA books that are well over 300 pages and this one didn't even break 300 and it left me wanting more. So much more. The thing that I loved about the first book was the interactions with Will and Alona and in this book while they were still my favorite parts there was less.

Though, as much as I wanted the interactions, this book was more about them as individuals then it was their relationship. Both Will and Alona go through a self-discovery in this book. Will finally learns tidbits of information about his father and begins to piece the puzzle together. Alona has to come to terms with the fact that her family is moving on which with Alona you know that is not going to be easy and because of that she gets herself stuck in a situation, literally.

*SPOILER ALERT* Don't read any further if you have not read the book yet. I warned you. I was iffy about the ending as it neared. I didn't like the fact that Alona was in another body. I didn't know if Will would be able to look at her the same and still feel the way he did about her when she didn't appear to be the same person. But it ended and what Stacey Kade did made it perfect. Will didn't care about what she looked like. All he cared about was the fact that even if she was Ally she was Alona on the inside. Everything he observed of her physically were the things that made her Alona. It's going to be interesting to see how Alona/Ally handles having a body that is nothing like the perfect tanned and toned body she was used to.

*SPOILER ALERT END*

Considering I read the Ghost and The Goth a year ago I did get confused from time to time when the story referenced back. It took me a minute for it all to come back to me. With that said, this book starts basically where the last one left off and while Stacey Kade did explain the backstory at times, I would still recommend if you don't remember much from the first book to either go back and read it before picking this book up or at least skim through it and refresh your memory.

Overall a great follow up and I look forward to the next installment. I'll be impatiently waiting.

Currently Reading:

On Writing by Stephen King

The back of the book calls Stephen Kings On Writing part memoir and part master class and that about sums it up. I've been putting this review off because honestly I didn't know what to write. I'm going to try and put my thoughts into words.

First off I loved it. At times I enjoyed his stories more than the actual lessons on writing. I found myself laughing out loud and marking pages to read to my mom and boyfriend. My favorite story of all is when he talks about Carrie and how he had originally thrown the WIP in the garbage. And it would have stayed there if his wife didn't happen to see it, uncrumple it, read it and then insist that "You've got something here".

I actually teared up at the part where he found out the paperback rights were sold and then laughed out loud when he was determined to get his wife the best mother's day gift possible at the local drugstore. And when he finally told his wife about the sale I shed a few tears. I read that part over a few times to myself, once to my mom and another time to my boyfriend and every time I teared up. Pathetic? Maybe. But what it comes down to is he explained every moment leading up to that one single moment and it made the moment that much bigger. There were times he couldn't afford to get his kids medicine and then there he was being told he just made two hundred thousand dollars on a book he almost gave up on. There is a bigger message than the money. It's never give up and when something proves to be difficult stick to it because the outcome will be more rewarding than anything you thought possible even if it is just the knowledge that you were able to finish it.

His main advice is read a lot and write a lot. Basic. Simple. So important. Probably the best advice any new writer can receive. Stephen King can't teach you how to be a good writer that is something that grows with time, practice and determination and even still as he notes might not help. He basically says you either got it or you don't and it can come off as harsh, but I don't think you can argue the point. He's right because it is more than just getting words on a page. It's getting them on the page and having them make sense and lead into the bigger picture and having your characters come to life in the readers mind. If you can't do that it doesn't matter how many words you can get on paper. Without the life, the story and the flow you have nothing but words.

If you are a writer or even if you are just a reader I would highly recommend this book. It had my attention from the minute I picked it up.

Currently Reading:

What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen

I still remember the first Sarah Dessen book I read. It was Just Listen and from the moment I picked it up I was in love. She was a writer who understood the world of a teenager and at the same time created a story that had me hanging on to every word. Since then I have read a majority of her books and come to the conclusion that she will never disappoint me.

I couldn't wait to get my hands on, What Happened to Goodbye, but in my typical fashion I bought it and didn't get around to reading it until a few weeks later. However, I had it and it was there waiting for me. Finally a couple of days ago I picked it up just wanting to read the first page to see how it started and in turn found myself on my couch a hundred pages deep. The story immediately pulled me in. The one thing I noticed or at least in my opinion is her books start off slow and it takes me a little bit to get through the first few pages and into the heart of the story. That was not the case this time around. The connection I felt with Mclean was instant.

Okay before I get into it a quick overview of the story:

After her parent's divorce, Mclean Sweet chose to live with her dad since she blamed her mother for destroying their family. Her dad's job as a consultant for an eatery chain has them moving around an awful lot, four different places in two years. In every new place Mclean Sweet transforms into someone else. Eliza Sweet, Beth Sweet, Lizbeth Sweet leaving Mclean Sweet behind her. However, when she moves to Lakeview she returns to Mclean Sweet, makes friends, meets a guy and discovers who she really is.

First off Sarah Dessen has a knack for creating an amazing supporting cast of characters. Everyone has their own quirk and makes you want to jump into the pages and become their friends. There are so many times when I am reading a book and as soon as it diverts the attention from the main characters I get bored. Usually resulting in me reading faster to get through it and back to the main characters conflict. Riley, Ellis, Deb, Heather, Opal, Leo, Tracy, Jason, every time they came into a scene I read slower. Each one was unique in their own way and I actually wanted to know more about them.

I loved that both Mclean's parents were in her life, but it wasn't all peachy. They had problems and because of that I loved them more. I understood where Mclean was coming from in blaming her mom for the divorce, but as I read I paid extra attention to her dad and the tidbits of past information she would give and started to slowly understand where her mom was coming from. Which is another thing I love about Sarah Dessen's books, everything has purpose. They are not just words strung together on a page. No. Every word is a piece to a puzzle and it is your job to piece it all together.

Another thing I loved was the relationship between Mclean and Dave and how the attraction wasn't necessarily front and center but more of a steady build up.  My favorite part of the book was when he talked about having a 2am, the one person you can call at any time of the day/night. It was a short conversation, but for Mclean it was an eye opener.

What Happened to Goodbye is right up there with my two favorite Sarah Dessen Books, Just Listen and The Truth about Forever. If you are a Sarah Dessen fan you will not be disappointed and may even find a new favorite. If you aren't, what is wrong with you? Kidding. If you aren't or have yet to read one of her books this is definitely one to consider.

Currently Reading: