Review of Love, Cajun Style by Diane Les Becquets

Title: Love, Cajun Style

Author: Diane Les Becquets

Description: It’s the summer before Lucy’s senior year in high school, and life in her sleepy Louisiana town is about to be turned upside down. Her mama’s flirting with the dark stranger who runs the art gallery, her best friends Mary Jordan and Evie have boys on the brain, the drama teacher is sparking some powerful (if very, very wrong) feelings in Lucy, and a new boy has moved to town—Dewey, whose gentle ways captivate her. With everyone, including herself, so embroiled in affairs of the heart, it is any wonder the town of Sweetbay is fixin’ to have itself one sweltering summer?

Review: Love, Cajun Style, is the captivating story of Lucy and those close to her as they navigate their way through love and life one particular summer. It is filled with twists and turns the reader would never expect, leaving you with and ending that makes everything feel complete, and right. I was enthralled with this book and found myself longing for the homey atmosphere of Lucy's cajun life. 

Bottom Line: I absolutely love the way everyone's lives enter twine in Love, Cajun Style, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys a sweet story with a touch of southern flair.

Rating(1-5): 5

The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

Title: The Sky is Everywhere

Author: Jandy Nelson

Description: Seventeen-year-old Lennie Walker, bookworm and band geek, plays second clarinet and spends her time tucked safely and happily in the shadow of her fiery older sister, Bailey. But when Bailey dies abruptly, Lennie is catapulted to center stage of her own life—and, despite her nonexistent history with boys, suddenly finds herself struggling to balance two. Toby was Bailey’s boyfriend; his grief mirrors Lennie’s own. Joe is the new boy in town, a transfer from Paris whose nearly magical grin is matched only by his musical talent. For Lennie, they’re the sun and the moon; one boy takes her out of her sorrow, the other comforts her in it. But just like their celestial counterparts, they can’t collide without the whole wide world exploding. This remarkable debut is perfect for fans of Sarah Dessen, Deb Caletti, and Francesca Lia Block. Just as much a celebration of love as it is a portrait of loss, Lennie’s struggle to sort her own melody out of the noise around her is always honest, often hilarious, and ultimately unforgettable.



Review: When Lennie's older sister Bailey dies, she is left feeling lost. She has no identity when she is no longer one of the Walker sisters, no longer Bailey's sidekick.  Bailey was always the passionate, wild, spirited force in Lennie's life and without her Lennie doesn't know what to be. She returns to school to find the new boy in town, Joe, filling in for her in band. Like just about every other girl in school, she is fascinated by his wide smile and stunning musical talent. At the same time, she finds herself looking to Bailey's boyfriend Toby, for comfort. He seems to be the only one who truly realizes her pain and by being with him, she feels Bailey's presence. When Joe reaches out to her, she finds herself caught between loving Joe, and wanting to feel Bailey around her. As she struggles with this emotional tug of war, she realizes who she truly is and was all along, a spirit within her that was simply hiding in Bailey's shadow that has now been set free. From the beginning of this book I was enchanted by the essence that is Bailey and Lennie, as they are both those mysterious girls you just can't get enough of. I was really moved by this book and the pain, but also love that it contains.

Bottom Line: This book is very raw and real and I recommend it to anyone who can tolerate a little grief, as it is not a completely sunny and happy book, but also to anyone who likes the heartwarming feeling of first love and self discovery.

Rating(1-5): 5

Review of Circle the Soul Softly by Davida Wills Hurwin

Title: Circle the Soul Softly

Author: Davida Wills Hurwin

Description: An elite school. Glamorous students who have fancy cars and mansions for homes (and all the haughty attitude to go with it). This is Katie O'Connor's fabulous new life since her family's recent move to Brentwood -- a perfect opportunity for a fresh start, at least in theory.

The only time she can overlook the hostility of her classmates is when they share the stage for plays. Onstage, directed by her awesome drama teacher, Tess, she has the confidence and talent that she cannot seem to muster in her everyday life. And it doesn't hurt that one of Katie's fellow actors is smart and cute and interested in her. But beneath the glossy surface, there are secrets buried deep, even in Katie's own past.

Nightmares and dark memories continue to plague Katie's consciousness, and in order to deal with the present, she needs to come to terms with the past. If only she could remember it.

Review: Circle the Soul Softly is the story of Katie O'Connor's journey to discovering her past. Ever since she can remember, Katie hasn't quite fit in. She feels awkward, and stupid, like something just isn't right with her, if she could only figure out what. As she reinvents herself at a new school in a new town, and people begin to accept her, Katie begins having flashbacks of things she long ago locked away in her memory, buried so deep even she had no idea they existed there. She slowly begins to piece together her past, realizing it is in fact much darker than anyone knew. This book is beautifully written and keeps you absorbed in the story until the very end.

Bottom Line: This book was a lot darker than I originally anticipated it to be, but I think it is a great plot line unlike anything I've read and I highly recommend it.

Rating(1-5): 5

Review of The Duff: Designated Ugly Fat Friend by Kody Keplinger

Title: The Duff: Designated Ugly Fat Friend

Author: Kody Keplinger

Description: Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn’t think she’s the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She’s also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her “the Duff,” she throws her Coke in his face. 

But things aren’t so great at home right now, and Bianca is desperate for a distraction. She ends up kissing Wesley. Worse, she likes it. Eager for escape, Bianca throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with him.

Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out Wesley isn’t such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she’s falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone.

Review: In The Duff, by Kody Keplinger, Bianca Piper is feeling lost. When her home life gets complicated and she doesn't feel like turning to her friends for help, Bianca finds another outlet, Wesley Rush. It starts off with a simple kiss at a party, but then Bianca realizes that kissing Wesley is a great distraction from her everyday problems and suddenly she's hooked. She soon finds her self head over heels for Wesley, and thats when things start getting complicated. Once feelings are involved everything becomes all too real again and Bianca finds herself running away from her problems again. This had me completely hooked from the beginning and I couldn't put it down.

Bottom Line: I love this book and highly recommend it.

Rating(1-5): 5