Review of Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland

Title: Nantucket Blue

Author: Leila Howland

Description:  For Cricket Thompson, a summer like this one will change everything. A summer spent on Nantucket with her best friend, Jules Clayton, and the indomitable Clayton family. A summer when she'll make the almost unattainable Jay Logan hers. A summer to surpass all dreams. 

Some of this turns out to be true. Some of it doesn't. When Jules and her family suffer a devastating tragedy that forces the girls apart, Jules becomes a stranger whom Cricket wonders whether she ever really knew. And instead of lying on the beach working on her caramel-colored tan, Cricket is making beds and cleaning bathrooms to support herself in paradise for the summer. But it's the things Cricket hadn't counted on--most of all, falling hard for someone who should be completely off-limits--that turn her dreams into an exhilarating, bittersweet reality. A beautiful future is within her grasp, and Cricket must find the grace to embrace it. If she does, her life could be the perfect shade of Nantucket blue.

Review: Nantucket Blue is your classic summer romance and coming of age story, with a twist. Cricket's plans for an unforgettable summer with her best friend on the beautiful island of Nantucket change abruptly once her best friend Jules loses a family member. Suddenly Cricket is left somewhat stranded without a best friend and a place to stay on Nantucket. Still holding out hope for an unforgettable summer, Cricket finds a job at an Inn and takes fate into her own hands. Along her summer journey of finding herself, she also finds love from someone you never would expect and also discovered that she and her mother may be more similar than she originally expected.

Bottom Line: A good summer read that I couldn't put down.

Rating(1-5): 4

Review of One Lonely Degree by C. K. Kelly Martin

Title: One Lonely Degree

Author: C. K. Kelly Martin

Description: Finn has always felt out of place, but suddenly her world is unraveling. It started with The Party. And Adam Porter. And the night in September that changed everything. The only person who knows about that night is Audrey—Finn’s best friend, her witness to everything, and the one person Finn trusts implicitly. So when Finn’s childhood friend Jersy moves back to town—reckless, beautiful Jersy, all lips and eyes and hair so soft you’d want to dip your fingers into it if you weren’t careful—Finn gives her blessing for Audrey to date him. How could she possibly say no to Audrey? With Audrey gone for the summer, though, Finn finds herself spending more and more time with Jersy, and for the first time in her life, something feels right. But Finn can’t be the girl who does this to her best friend . . . can she?

Review: In One Lonely Degree, Finn is a seemingly average high school girl, but under the surface, she is deeply affected by a scarring event that happened one night at a party. She has pushed it back in her mind for almost a year, denying to herself it ever even happened. But then her childhood friend Jersey moves back to town, and Finn develops feelings for him. However, these feelings are interrupted when her best friend Audrey dates him. She plays the supportive friend role until Audrey is shipped away for the summer and she finds herself running to Jersey with her problems. They grow closer and with Audrey gone the gap between friends and more than friends starts to fade. This brings memories of that terrible night flooding back, and Finn is forced to deal with these memories in order to move on with her life. I really enjoyed the plot line of this book, however the ending was a bit disappointing for me.

Bottom Line: I was pleasantly surprised by this book because I was a bit skeptical as to whether I would like it but I was pleasantly surprised until the ending which i feel is a bit of a let down.

Rating(1-5): 3

Review of The Six Rules of Maybe by Deb Caletti

Title: The Six Rules of Maybe

Author: Deb Caletti

Description: When Scarlett Hughes's sister returns home from school pregnant and surprisingly married to a sweet man she has no interest in, Scarlett is forced to take a look inward for the first time. She discovers the necessity of dreams as well as the necessity of facing reality and speaking the truth.

Review: The Six Rules of Maybe is the wonderfully written story of Scarlett, a caring, incredibly kind girl who feels the need to help everything and everyone even when it's not her place. When her older sister Juliet returns home for the summer revealing she is pregnant and married to a man her family has never met before, as always Scarlett feels it is her duty to take care of and help Juliet. Soon, things get complicated as Juliet seeks out one of her former boyfriends and loses interest in her seemingly perfect husband, Hayden. Meanwhile Scarlett finds herself falling head over heels for him. Eager to help everyone and fix everything as usual, Scarlett stumbles her way through summer, realizing you can't control everything no matter how hard you try. I really love the kind character that Scarlett is and she inspired me to do more random acts of kindness in my life. I was also in awe of the mysterious character that is Juliet, wondering what it is about her that makes her so irresistible. 

Bottom Line: I am in love with the wonderful characters in this book and I had a hard time putting it down!

Rating(1-5): 4

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

Review of The Karma Club by Jessica Brody

Title: The Karma Club

Author: Jessica Brody

Description: Madison Kasparkova always thought she understood how Karma works. Do good things and you'll be rewarded, do something bad and Karma will make sure you get what you deserve. 

But when Maddy’s boyfriend cheats on her, nothing bad comes his way. That’s why Maddy starts the Karma Club, to clean up the messes that the universe has left behind. Sometimes, though, it isn’t wise to meddle with the universe. 

It turns out Karma often has plans of its own.

Review: The Karma Club tells the story of high school student Madison and her experience with karma. When Madison's boyfriend cheats on her, her life goes into a downward spiral, leaving her hurt and confused. Everyone tells her he'll get what he deserves but Madison doesn't want to wait, and she and her friends decide to take matters into their own hands. Soon, she learns that for every action, there are repercussions and one should never mess with karma. I found this plot line to be a bit predictable, however, it was still fairly enjoyable.

Bottom Line: This book is a good, fun read that I would recommend to anyone that wants an easy and entertaining novel.

Rating(1-5): 3

Review of Peace, Love, and Baby Ducks by Lauren Myracle

Title: Peace, Love, and Baby Ducks

Author: Lauren Myracle

Description: Wealth, privilege, and way too many pastel-tinted opinions...that's Carly's life. And guess what? It's. Getting. On. Her. Nerves.

Carly wants to be real, and she's always counted on her little sister, Anna, to lover her and support her—and tell her how right she is. But when Anna turns "hot" over the course of a single summer, everything goes weird. Suddenly Anna's swimming in the deep end with the big girls—while Carly watches, hurt, from the kiddie pool. And of course there are boys involved, complicating things as boys always do.

With warmth, insight, and an unparalleled gift for finding humor even in stormy situations, beloved author Lauren Myracle dives into the tumultuous waters of sisterhood and shows that even very different sisters can learn to help each other stay afloat.


Review: Peace, Love, and Baby Ducks is the wonderful story of two sisters Carly and Anna, and the pressures that come along with growing up. Carly goes away to camp for a couple of weeks and when she comes back her sweet little sister Anna looks more grown up than she does. This doesn't bother Carly at first but when they go back to school and Anna is known as her "hot" sister, Carly starts to get jelous. As the story progresses the two girls find themselves in typical teenage dilemmas involving boys, parties, and responsibility. Lauren Myracle has a very accurate way of portraying teenage girls and their emotions and I was hooked immediately.


Bottom Line: I love the way this book chronicles the complicated relationship between sisters and I definitely recommend it.


Rating(1-5): 5

Review of Inside the Mind of Gideon Rayburn by Sarah Miller

Title: Inside the Mind of Gideon Rayburn


Author: Sarah Miller


Description: What if you could see inside the head of the guy you love?  Know his every thought?  Feel his every dream and fantasy?  The mystery girl who'sInside the Mind of Gideon Rayburn can. She tells us the intoxicating story of her beloved Gideon, an adorably clueless boy who flukes his way into New England's fanciest prep school. 
 
Gideon's naïve compared to the wolves at Midvale Academy, especially Cullen and Nicholas, his charming, morally ambiguous roommates.  They welcome Gid by trashing his music and betting big on when he'll lose his virginity. Will he lose it with the cute and feisty Molly McGarry? Or Pilar Benitez-Jones, the most beautiful girl Gid's ever seen? Gid actually likes Molly and hooking up with her might be possible. But winning Pilar would be legendary. Gid is torn--he wants to prove himself to his roommates, but he also wants love.
 
Through it all there is one hysterically funny girl sharing every thought in Gid's conflicted little mind. But who is she?

Review: When an unknown girl from Midvale Academy finds her way into Gideon Rayburn's mind, she is shocked by what she finds. Through her, the reader experiences Gideon's first year at Midvale Academy. Sarah Miller is totally open in detailing all the drugs and sex are part of Gideon's life. I was sort of put off by this book, and I think the author may have exaggerated the male mind slightly, at least I hope so! Nevertheless, Gideon's thoughts and actions do make for an interesting plot line, although it is a bit predictable.

Bottom Line: I would not recommend this book to others because although the idea of being inside a teenage boy's mind is good, the author exaggerates private school life too much. I found many things too hard to believe and I was often disgusted by Gideon's behavior. 

Rating(1-5): 2

Review of The Summer of Firsts and Lasts by Terra Elan McVoy

Title: The Summer of Firsts and Lasts

Author: Terra Elan McVoy

Description: Three sisters. One life-changing summer.

Calla loves summer because summer means Duncan. They’ve been best friends for years, but Calla has never worked up the nerve to tell him how she really feels. This summer, the summer before college, is Calla's last chance.

Violet isn't much of a rule breaker in real life. But this isn't real life, this is summer, and Violet is determined to make the most of it. Besides, a little sneaking out never hurt anyone. And sneaking out with James is 100% worth the risk...even though James is completely off-limits.

Daisy has never been the sister that boys notice, but when sparks fly with Joel at the first bonfire of summer, it seems so easy and right. So why is being his girlfriend so complicated?

Review: The Summer of Firsts and Lasts is the story of three sisters, Calla, Violet, and Daisy, and their adventures at summer camp. This is not quite what I predicted. From the description, I thought it would be the story of three friends, and I did not know that the setting would be summer camp. Honestly, I was a little disappointed that it wasn't written like I thought. Other than that, the storyline is pretty good. Each sister has her own summer romance and they all end in surprising ways. I found some parts a little predictable but overall not that bad. I must confess I did find myself skimming at some times.

Bottom Line: I would recommend this if you want a fun summer read with sweet characters and traditional romances, as long as you don't mind a little skimming.

Review(1-5): 3.5

Review of Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma

Title: Imaginary Girls

Author: Nova Ren Suma

Description:  Chloe's older sister, Ruby, is the girl everyone looks to and longs for, who can't be captured or caged. When a night with Ruby's friends goes horribly wrong and Chloe discovers the dead body of her classmate London Hayes left floating in the reservoir, Chloe is sent away from town and away from Ruby.
But Ruby will do anything to get her sister back, and when Chloe returns to town two years later, deadly surprises await. 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.
With palpable drama and delicious craft, Nova Ren Suma bursts onto the YA scene with the story that everyone will be talking about.

Review: Imaginary Girls tells the story of two sisters who have a complex relationship. Chloe and her older sister Ruby have an intense bond and because of their absentee mother, Ruby feels it is her job to protect Chloe, at whatever cost. As the story goes on, Chloe becomes more aware of how Ruby seems to have a lot of power over their town and all its people. Chloe learns more about the reservoir and what may lurk beneath the surface. The book is written through Chloe's perspective, but is greatly focused on Ruby's life, which can make it confusing at times. For a lot of the book, I was very confused about what was real and what Ruby was making up. I continued reading because I was hoping it would all make sense but the ending still wasn't very convincing.

Bottom Line: I really wanted to like this book, but overall it was just a let down. I continued reading in the hope that it would get better but that didn't happen for me. I think the problem was that everything was too realistic to have the element of fantasy thrown in. The setting and characters seemed like they could be real and from the description I thought it was just going to be a realistic fiction/mystery type book. Instead it was a realistic fiction book with a twist of fantasy thrown in and that didn't work for me. I think it would be better if it were written like the hunger games where the entire story is just fictional. All in all, I would not recommend this book.

Rating(1-5): 2.5

Review of Something Like Fate by Susane Colasanti

Title: Something Like Fate

Author: Susane Colasanti

Description: Lani and Erin are lifelong best friends — and total opposites. Lani’s a down-to-earth Taurus; Erin’s a fiery Leo. Lani likes to do her own thing; Erin prefers an entourage. They’ve always had wildly different tastes, from pizza toppings to guys.
That is, until Erin starts dating Jason.
From the minute Lani meets Jason, she can’t deny the amazing connection she feels with him. It’s like they’ve known each other their whole lives. She’s not sure if he feels it, too — but even if he does, he’s off-limits. Lani’s determined to ignore her feelings for Jason, no matter how powerful they are, rather than hurt her best friend.
Then Erin goes away for the summer — and Jason seems to appear everywhere Lani turns. How long can she keep running from the guy who just might be the love of her life?

Review: In Something Like Fate, Susane Colasanti tells the classic story of a girl falling in love with her best friend's boyfriend. When Lani meets Jason, she emidiately notices that they have a connection. As she gets to know Jason better, Lani realizes what they have is something special. A strong believer in fate, Lani is left wondering what to do when you meet someone who seems to be your soul mate, but he just happens to be dating your best friend. When Lani's best friend Erin goes off to summer camp, she gives Lani and Jason the perfect opportunity to get to know eachother better. And the more time they spend together, the more they realize that they are meant to be together. This further complicates life and leaves Lani with an important decision-Should she choose her best friend, or the love of her life?

Bottom Line: This is a really good book about making decisions and realizing sometimes you can't have everything you want. Susane Colasanti is good at making you want to read on and I can happily say I did not have to skim any pages.

Rating(1-5): 3.5

Review of The Decoding of Lana Morris

Title: The Decoding of Lana Morris

Author: Laura and Tom McNeal

Description:  Sixteen-year-old Lana Morris wishes her life were different, that she were somewhere else, someone else. Her foster mother wants her gone, she's stuck taking care of the other kids in the house, she longs to become closer to her foster father, and the only cool people around refuse to acknowledge her. Then Lana stumbles into Miss Hekkity's mysterious shop, and she begins to realize that she might actually have the power to change things—to make some of her wishes come true. But wishing isn't always as harmless as it seems. . . .

Review: The Decoding of Lana Morris is a great book about a girl named Lana, learning life lessons and growing up. She lives in a foster home that is full of kids with mental problems, a cruel foster mother, and an alluring foster father. When she first gets there, she begs her caseworker to send her anywhere else. Finally, she realizes that's not going to happen and she must deal with what life has given her. After and unplanned trip to Miss Hekkity's unusual shop, Lana realizes she now possesses the power to change things and make her wishes come true. As she stays longer in the foster home, she bonds with her fellow foster children and realizes they need her and she needs them. Life gets complicated and Lana must use her wishes wisely, after all, what she wishes for will determine the fate of many people.

Bottom Line: This book keeps you interested and you feel as though you have to keep reading to see what happens to Lana and the rest of the foster children. By then end of the book I felt like I knew Lana and all of the foster children and I loved their unique traits.The ending leaves you satisfied and it is an overall good book.

Rating(1-5): 4.5

Review of Moonglass by Jessi Kirby

 

Title: Moonglass

Author: Jessi Kirby

Description: When Anna was little, she and her mother used to search for sea glass, but since they looked at night, they called it moonglass. Now, ten years after her mother's mysterious death, her father is working as head lifeguard on the same beach where her mother grew up and her parents first met and fell in love.
Reluctant to get close to anyone (including her father) and not pleased about having to start at a new school, Anna begins to spend more time alone, running the length of the beach and wondering about who her mother really was. After meeting a lifeguard named Tyler, she slowly lets her guard down and together they start exploring the abandoned houses that dot the beach.
But when learning more about her mother's past leads to a painful discovery, Anna must reconcile her desire for solitude with ultimately accepting the love of her family and friends.

Review: Moonglass tells the captivating story of Anna, a girl whose mother commited suicide when she was very young. Anna has developed this hatered for her mother over the years, because she believes her mother abandoned Anna and her dad. When her father suddenly decides to take a promotion and move to the place where he and Anna's mother met and fell in love, Anna is not happy. But when they arrive, she soon notices what a special place it is. Many people in the beach community were close to Anna's mom and the longer she stays, the more she learns about the woman her mother really was. In the end, Anna decides to remember her mother as she would want her to, and accept the fact that she cannot change the past. She finally accepts what life has delt her, and has a better life because of that. I was really moved my this book and I had a very hard time putting it down.

Bottom Line: This is a book about love, loss, and growing up. I absolutely loved this book and it entertained me the entire way through. Jessi Kirby has written a wonderful story line and I cannot believe this is her first novel!

Rating(1-5): 5

Review of What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen

                                                                      Title: What Happened to Goodbye



Author: Sarah Dessen


Description: Since her parents' bitter divorce, Mclean and her dad, a restaurant consultant, have been on the move - four towns in two years. Estranged from her mother and her mother's new family, Mclean has followed her dad in leaving the unhappy past behind. And each new place gives her a chance to try out a new persona: from cheerleader to drama diva. But now, for the first time, Mclean discovers a desire to stay in one place and just be herself - whoever that is. Perhaps her neighbor Dave, an academic superstar trying to be just a regular guy, can help her find out. Combining Sarah Dessen's trademark graceful writing, great characters, and compelling storytelling, What Happened to Goodbye is irresistible reading.


Review: What Happened to Goodbye is a story about growing up and learning who you are. Sarah Dessen builds the characters well and you really feel like you know and love them. However, I do not think this is Sarah Dessen's best books. It did not really wrap me up or pull me in as much as I would have liked and I had to do some skimming. If you are willing to skim a little, What Happened to Goodbye has a good plot and satisfying ending.


Bottom Line: At times it gets boring and you have to skim a bit, but overall the plot is well-written and the end is satisfying.


Rating(1-5): 3.5

Review of Something, Maybe by Elizabeth Scott

                                                                     
                                                                       Title: Something, Maybe

Author: Elizabeth Scott

Description: Everyone thinks their parents are embarrassing, but Hannah knows she’s got them all beat. Her dad made a fortune showcasing photos of pretty girls and his party lifestyle all over the Internet, and her mom was once one of her dad’s girlfriends and is now the star of her own website. After getting the wrong kind of attention for way too long, Hannah has mastered the art of staying under the radar . . . and that’s just how she likes it.
Of course, that doesn’t help her get noticed by her crush. Hannah’s sure that gorgeous, sensitive Josh is her soul mate. But trying to get him to notice her; wondering why she suddenly can’t stop thinking about another guy, Finn; and dealing with her parents make Hannah feel like she’s going crazy. Yet she’s determined to make things work out the way she wants-only what she wants may not be what she needs. . . .
Once again, Elizabeth Scott has created a world so painfully funny and a cast of characters so heartbreakingly real that you’ll love being a part of it from unexpected start to triumphant finish.

Review: I really enjoyed this book because its easy to relate to. Not necessarily the part about having a dad with a party lifestyle who pretends you don't exist, but the part about trying so hard to be someone you're not just to get noticed. Often it doesn't work and when you just start being yourself, life is so much easier. I thought this book was good, not extremely thought provoking, but I would still recommend it.

Bottom Line: Something, Maybe is a good book about growing up, and living life.

Rating(1-5): 4

Review of Waves by Sharon Dogar

Title: Waves


Author: Sharon Dogar


Description: “Where is she? And what was she doing out on the waves that night?”

For Hal, now, this summer is different. Sure he’s spending it, as always, with his family at their cottage on the wild west coast of England. But this summer he meets Jackie, beautiful, impetuous Jackie. Lying with her on the beach while she sculpts mermaids from wet sand–it’s paradise. Or would be, if only he didn’t keep hearing the desperate pleas of his lost sister Charley in his head . . .
For Charley, then, last summer was different. Pete, the impossibly gorgeous surf god, wanted her, she couldn’t believe it! To lick the sand off his lips, to let the sun tan the outline of her hand over his heart–she’d do anything to be with him. Even if it meant sneaking out and leaving her tagalong brother Hal behind. Just for one night. How could she have known what would happen by dawn?
Set at a beach where growing up goes wrong, Waves is a coming-of-age mystery about first love and tragic loss. About a family drowning in sorrow, and the courageous son struggling against the tide to save them.


Review: I read this book two years ago so I can only give a very vague description, but I do remember this as a great book, so great that I thought wow I have to do a review on this! Waves, by Sharon Dogar, tells the story of Hal and his mission to discover what happened one tragic night that landed her in the hospital in a coma. This book is really moving and it pulls on your heartstrings. It pulls you in and you feel like you are with Hal trying to find out what happened to Charley. I was wrapped up from start to finish and I read this book in only a couple of days because I couldn't put it down. 

Bottom Line: If you like to connect on a deep emotional level with a book, then read this!


Rating(1-5): 5

Review of We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han

Title: We'll Always Have Summer

Author: Jenny Han

Description: Belly has only ever been in love with two boys, both with the last name Fisher. And after being with Jeremiah for the last two years, she's almost positive he is her soul mate. Almost. Conrad has not gotten over the mistake he made when he let Belly go even as Jeremiah has always known that Belly is the girl for him. So when Belly and Jeremiah decide to make things forever, Conrad realizes that it's now or never—tell Belly he loves her, or lose her for good.
Belly will have to confront her feelings for Jeremiah and Conrad and face a truth she has possibly always known: she will have to break one of their hearts

Review: This book was the perfect ending to the series! It leaves you with closure and you feel very satisfied with the outcome. We'll Always Have Summer is about Belly and her decision to marry one of the Fisher boys...the question is, which one? After much confusion and heartache, a decision is made, and everything turns out as it seems it was meant to all along.

Bottom Line: I love this book so much! If you have read The Summer I Pretty and Its Not Summer Without You, you NEED to read this as soon as possible. Also if you have not read the The Summer I turned Pretty series yet, I highly recommend it, they are all great books.

Rating(1-5): 5

Review of Life As It Comes by Anne-Laure Bondoux

Title: Life As It Comes

Author: Anne-Laure Bondoux

Description: Sisters with nothing in common? That's Mado and Patty.
Studious and responsible, 15-year-old Mado is the family brain. Patty, on the other hand, is a carefree 20-year-old party girl who lives on her own and has plenty of boyfriends. The two are following divergent paths . . . until their parents die in a car accident and a family court judge reluctantly appoints Patty as her sister's guardian.
Now these two improbable siblings face the challenges of growing up together—but it's Mado who quickly assumes the big sister's role. And it's not a role she particularly wants—especially after Patty announces that she's several months pregnant. . . .
Anne-Laure Bondoux writes with insight, humor, and poignancy about the bonds between sisters—and the challenges of everyday life.

Review: This is a great book that tells the story of two very different sisters who have to bond and bring their family back together...after all they're all each other has. It's about love, loss, and growing up but most of all, its about dealing with life as it comes.

Bottom Line: This is one of those books you think about long after you have reached the final page. I highly recomend it to anyone and everyone.

Rating (1-5): 5