Hold Me Like A Breath (ARC Review)

Hold Me Like a Breath (Once Upon a Crime Family #1)
Tiffany Schmidt

Expected publication: May 19th 2015 by Bloomsbury

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

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

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

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



Review:

The idea for this book is amazing. A crime family that sells black market organs AND a princess and the pea retelling?
It is a recipe for amazingness. And it worked, kind of.

The Characters:
Penelope Landlow (from now on known as Penny) is the only daughter to the crime family that sells black market organs. And she happens to have a health problem that makes her very fragile, the slightest touch can make her bruise (making this book apparently a Princess and the Pea retelling, but I feel like making this a Princess and the Pea retelling was a last minute thought because other than the health problems there really weren't all that other similarities.)
I couldn't connect to Penny. Half the time she drove me crazy, and I honestly could not get how she was so naïve. This alone wasn't enough to REALLY bug me though. Slight things here and here made me want to have a talk with her, but it wasn't that annoying. At least for the first half of the book. Her character went WAY downhill in the last half of the book. (Mostly because of something I can't reveal because it would be a spoiler)
I am not going to talk about the romance in this book because it would also spoil things. But there is a sort of love triangle, and a serious case of insta-love. Insta-love is one thing that I cannot stand. And this book has more than one case of it.

The Plot:
The plot felt a bit haphazard to me, like some things were thrown in at the last minute. The first half of the book (or so) was interesting and I was enjoying sort of liking it, but after that, I felt like everything went downhill fast. The book's pace changed, the entire book's plot changed, and it actually felt like the author changed. I am all for plot twists and game changers, but this just felt like the last half of the book came from a different book as the first half! To elaborate, the first half of the book was interesting and I was enjoying it. Then something big happened and suddenly I didn't understand anything and everything was messed up and it felt like one really really long paragraph with no punctuation whatsoever and like plot points were thrown in at the last minute and everything was SO MESSED UP.
There was a great story going here, and having it all fall apart like that was awful.

If I was rating this book on the first half alone, it probably would have ended up being something I would have recommended. Because I know that some of the things that bugged me in the first half were just pet peeves of mine. However, that last half ruined the book for me.  I have no idea why any of that happened and I still can't wrap my head around it.
I think that this is supposed to be a series, I'm not sure, but I probably will not continue.

Lying Out Loud (ARC Review)

Lying Out Loud (Companion to The DUFF)
Kody Keplinger
Expected publication: April 28th 2015 by Scholastic Press


Sonny Ardmore is an excellent liar. She lies about her dad being in prison. She lies about her mom kicking her out. And she lies about sneaking into her best friend's house every night because she has nowhere else to go.

Amy Rush might be the only person Sonny shares everything with -- secrets, clothes, even a nemesis named Ryder Cross.

Ryder's the new kid at Hamilton High and everything Sonny and Amy can't stand -- a prep-school snob. But Ryder has a weakness: Amy. So when Ryder emails Amy asking her out, the friends see it as a prank opportunity not to be missed.

But without meaning to, Sonny ends up talking to Ryder all night online. And to her horror, she realizes that she might actually like him. Only there's one small catch: he thinks he's been talking to Amy. So Sonny comes up with an elaborate scheme to help Ryder realize that she's the girl he's really wanted all along. Can Sonny lie her way to the truth, or will all her lies end up costing her both Ryder and Amy?  


One thing I like about Kody Keplinger is her writing style is so clear. Her books are all so different with different characters and VERY different plots, but through all of that I can tell that it is Kody writing.
Lying Out Loud. Companion novel to The DUFF (which I really liked) (and no I have not seen the movie yet). In case you are like me (which was incredibly silly of me because I had just re-read The DUFF) and could not tell who Sonny and Amy were in The DUFF, Amy is Wesley's younger sister, Sonny is her best friend.

The Characters:
The book is told through Sonny's point of view. Sonny is a very troubled character, what with her Dad in prison and all. And she has mastered the art of lying. UNTIL, her lying starts to get her into trouble. Namely with the time that she was IMing (I didn't even know people still did that!) a guy named Ryder and Ryder thinks that she is Amy, and this causes ALL sorts of problems.
Sonny is somebody that I was shaking me head at for most of the book, I can understand why she was making all of the stupid decisions that she was, but I still couldn't believe that she was making those decisions. SERIOUSLY SONNY STOP!
One of my favorite things about this book was how much emphasis it put on Sonny and Amy's friendship. I love books about friendship, and this one did not fail to disappoint. Especially since it wasn't the kind that made the friendship look like all peaches and cream. Sonny and Amy have some pretty huge problems that they have to work through. Loved every bit of it. Very realistic.

And one of the best parts of the book, is, you get to see Wesley and Bianca for a bit! And not just in a passing 1 page bit, you actually get to READ ABOUT THEM AND WHAT THEY ARE DOING NOW!!!
I loved those parts.

The romance between Sonny and Ryder was also cute, but honestly I wasn't that crazy about Ryder. Maybe because I loved Wesley so much in The DUFF, and Ryder just wasn't as great as a character as him.
Also, I didn't picture Ryder in my head the way I think I was supposed to. Every time he was mentioned, all I could think of was this:


And this:


I blame it on watching Tangled too many times.

Anyways.....

The Plot:
Kody Keplinger delivered a solid character driven plot with this one. There is also a reveal near the end, so if you ever get just a teensy bit bored and thinking that nothing will ever happen in this book, expect a reveal. (And yes, I did get a teensy bit bored around 3/4s of the way through)
Plot was great. Kept me for the most part entertained and rooting for all of the characters to grow.


The DUFF was a great idea, and sometimes companion novels just don't add up to the original novel. This is not one of those times. Lying Out Loud can stand up next to The DUFF.
I loved reading about Sonny, Amy, Ryder, and getting to see Wesley and Bianca again!!! You can read this one as a standalone, but I definitely recommend reading The DUFF first.  AND the covers kind of match.
Reading Lying Out Loud also makes me want to read The DUFF again, even though I just read it a few months ago.
Awesome book, and I will definitely be looking forward to the next book that Kody comes out with.


***Thanks to Scholastic for providing an ARC of this in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.***

I'll Meet You There (Book Review)

I'll Meet You There
Heather Demetrios
Published February 3rd 2015 by Henry Holt and Co.

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

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



Review:

I love realistic fiction. I take any chance I can get to read more and more of it. I'll Meet You There sounded like something that I would love, and I was really excited starting it.
It didn't disappoint. But it also didn't amaze me.

Skylar is a good main character, I can understand why she made a lot of the decisions she did (although I feel like there were some things missing from her background that weren't explained, but nothing that bugged me). She seemed realistic.
I feel like I heard more from Skylar's point of view than Josh's (maybe it is just me?), I wish I had heard more from Josh's point of view (again, I felt like there is a whole backstory that was missing from Josh's life). Great characters, I enjoyed reading about them.

The plot was good, not awesome, but good. It is a 400 page book, but it doesn't feel like it. I'll Meet You There is pretty fast paced, and keeps you turning the pages until the very end (I read this book in one sitting).

This wasn't necessarily a favorite of mine, and it didn't stand out too much for me, but I did really enjoy reading it. I found the characters and plot interesting, and I'll Meet You There is something that I would pick up again if I was in the mood. And if there is ever a novella written with a little more of Skylar an Josh's backstory, I will read it without hesitation! (Oh, and a last thought? That cover is amazing, I love it!)

Thoughts on Pretty Girl - 13

Pretty Girl - 13
Liz Coley
Published March 19th 2013 by Katherine Tegen Books

When thirteen-year-old Angela Gracie Chapman looks in the mirror, someone else looks back--a thin, pale stranger, a sixteen-year-old with haunted eyes. Angie has no memory of the past three years, years in which she was lost to the authorities, lost to her family and friends, lost even to herself. Where has she been, who has been living her life, and what is hiding behind the terrible blankness? There are secrets you can’t even tell yourself.

With a tremendous amount of courage and support from unexpected friends, Angie embarks on a journey into the darkest corners of her mind. As she unearths more and more about her past, she discovers a terrifying secret and must decide: when you remember things you wish you could forget, do you destroy the people responsible, or is there another way to feel whole again?






Pretty Girl - 13 is different than most Young Adult that I have read. There are similar Adult books that I have read, but Young Adult? No way.
As a matter of fact, there are not many thrillers and mystery's in the Young Adult genre in general....So when I heard about a new(ish) one, I jumped at the chance of reading it.

-The writing wasn't that great. It got better as the book went on, but as a whole...The writing could have been better.
-The main character is not very realistic in her journey.
-The last hundred pages or so and what happened? A little weird. But I could see where it tied in.

I can see what the author was trying to accomplish, and if not for the writing quality and the unrealistic plot points....I thought that this one was quite well done.  After I got through the first hundred pages, the writing did get better, and Pretty Girl - 13 kept me interested till the end.

Ignite Me (Book Review)

Ignite Me (Shatter Me #3)

Tahereh Mafi
Published February 4th 2014 by HarperCollins

With Omega Point destroyed, Juliette doesn’t know if the rebels, her friends, or even Adam are alive. But that won’t keep her from trying to take down The Reestablishment once and for all. Now she must rely on Warner, the handsome commander of Sector 45. The one person she never thought she could trust. The same person who saved her life. He promises to help Juliette master her powers and save their dying world . . . but that’s not all he wants with her.






I have a confession to make. I didn't enjoy Shatter Me or Unravel Me.

(Cue shocked gasps/looks)

And I know why. When I read Shatter Me and Unravel Me, I had read a ton of dystopian lately (and when I mean a ton, I mean A TON!)

Shatter Me and Unravel Me just sort of blended in with all of the others.....And I wasn't that impressed. Thankfully, I was gifted Ignite Me recently, which made me actually pick it up to finish the series.

And I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, enjoyed it. No, REALLY!
For one, I actually enjoyed Juliette's character, which was one of my big problems with the first two books.....And I actually LIKED the plot.

Now, I know. The people who read this book are going to be split into two groups....Depending on which guy you liked better (but don't worry! No spoilers here :-)

So, if you have read Shatter Me and Unravel Me, and even if you didn't like them AT ALL.....Give Ignite Me a chance....Just a chance. You might be pleasingly surprised.

And on a side note.....Aren't the covers gorgeous!

The Sound (Book Review)

Things to know before reading the book: The main character is very annoying. Her love interests are cliché. One of them the "rich boy". The other the troubled "bad boy". Every single other character in this book is cliché. The mystery doesn't get introduced until after the half way point of the book. The love triangle in this book is one of the most annoying I have ever read. Ren doesn't make up her mind about anything. She goes from Jesse to Jeremy to Jesse to Jeremy to Jesse to Jeremy (etc). I did...more  The Sound  Sarah Alderson Kindle Edition, 320 pages Published May 13th 2014 by Simon Pulse   Synopsis via Goodreads: British nanny looking for a low-key summer finds buried secrets, murderous attention, and unexpected romance when she visits the Nantucket Sound. The Nantucket Sound is a beachfront playground for the privileged and elite, where the sunny days are filled with scenic bike rides, backyard picnics, and bonfire parties. But all Ren Kingston - a visiting Brit still reeling from heartbreak - really wants is a quiet summer as a nanny for one of Nantucket's wealthy families. Getting acquainted with handsome Jeremy and his young group of trust fund, private school kids was not part of the plan. Neither was befriending the local bad boy whose reputation is more dangerous than charming. After a dead body is found next to The Sound's postcard-perfect view, Ren starts to wonder where the real threat lies. Because it's becoming clear that her newfound 'friends' are much more than they seem. They're hiding secrets. Secrets that Ren wants no part of. But once The Sound has you in its current, it won't want to let you go. Review: Things to know before reading the book: The main character is very annoying. Her love interests are cliché. One of them the "rich boy". The other the troubled "bad boy". Every single other character in this book is cliché. The mystery doesn't get introduced until after the half way point of the book. The love triangle in this book is one of the most annoying I have ever read. Ren doesn't make up her mind about anything. She goes from Jesse to Jeremy to Jesse to Jeremy to Jesse to Jeremy (etc). I did enjoy Jesse's character. His is probably the only one that I actually enjoyed. And he is also the only reason I finished this book. I wanted to know his past. In all fairness. Lots of other books that I have enjoyed have clichés. So that isn't the huge thing about this book. What is a huge thing for me is that I wasn't expecting a typical contemporary summer romance. I was expecting an edge-of-your-seat mystery. And that is something I didn't get at all. So this was a disappointment. Another thing is that this plot is BORING! In the first 1/2 of the book NOTHING happens. And then the mystery is introduced....And then we go back to NOTHING HAPPENING! If I had changed my expectations. The characters would have still been annoying. But I would have at least been prepared for them. I know I rambled a bit in this review.....But overall, if you are looking for a serious mystery/thriller. This is definitely not for you Have you read The Sound? What did you think? Leave me a link to your blog! I would love to visit!

Going Rogue (Book Review)

Going Rogue (Also Known As #2) Robin Benway Hardcover, 320 pages Published January 14th 2014 by Walker Childrens Synopsis via Goodreads: WARNING! This book synopsis contains spoilers for Also Known As..... Being permanently based in a local New York City high school as an undercover operative has its moments, good and bad, for 16-year-old safecracker Maggie Silver. Pros: More quality time with her former mark-turned-boyfriend Jesse Oliver and insanely cool best friend, Roux. Getting to spend quality time with her semi-retired and international spy honorary uncle, Angelo. Cons: High school and the accompanying cliques, bad lunches, and frustratingly simple locker combinations. But when Maggie's parents are falsely accused of stealing priceless gold coins, Maggie uses her safecracking skills to try and clear their names. Too bad it only serves to put her and everyone she loves in danger. Maggie and her "new team" flee to Paris where they must come up with a plan to defeat their former allies   One of my favorite quotes:   "Angelo smiled at me. "It's lovely to have you back" He said. "Oh, I never left. I told him, grinning so wide that I felt it in my cheekbones." Review: This review contains spoilers for Also Known As (AKA #1) But no more than what is already included in this books synopsis. Going Rogue jumps back into Maggie's world. With her best friend Roux and boyfriend Jesse. Along with her awesome spy parents, and Angelo (her lock picking mentor and friend). I love Maggie's character. Somehow amidst all of the spy stuff, lock picking, and people trying to kidnap her....She maintains her realistic quality's. She still has the everyday problems that "normal" t...more This review contains spoilers for Also Known As (AKA #1) But no more than what is already included in this books synopsis. Going Rogue jumps back into Maggie's world. With her best friend Roux and boyfriend Jesse. Along with her awesome spy parents, and Angelo (her lock picking mentor and friend). I love Maggie's character. Somehow amidst all of the spy stuff, lock picking, and people trying to kidnap her....She maintains her realistic quality's. She still has the everyday problems that "normal" teenagers have (even though she is far from being a "normal" teenager) Reading in her point of view is so much fun. And another great thing about the book is the secondary characters. Roux has got to be one of my favorites that I have ever read about. The plot was fun, and moved along quickly. And about 1/2 way through right when I thought that the plot was coming to a stand-still, there turned out to be a ton more action. Another great thing about the plot of Going Rogue, is that it gives you quite a bit of background information on Also Known As. Which means that it is not absolutely necessary to re-read it. Both Going Rogue and Also Known As could probably be read as standalones. As long as you don't mind knowing all the background details about the relationships in Going Rogue. Robin Benway has a really nice way of making everything crystal clear. Reading Going Rogue there was not one moment where I couldn't exactly picture everything. Definite recommendation of Going Rogue. I really enjoyed the quirky fun moments of it....But also loved reading the action bits. If you haven't read Also Known As, do so as soon as possible....And then pick up this great follow up!

The One Book Review

The One (The Selection #3)
Kiera Cass

Published May 6th 2014 by HarperTeen

The Selection changed the lives of thirty-five girls forever. And now, the time has come for one winner to be chosen.

America never dreamed she would find herself anywhere close to the crown—or to Prince Maxon's heart. But as the competition approaches its end and the threats outside the palace walls grow more vicious, America realizes just how much she stands to lose—and how hard she'll have to fight for the future she wants.






Review:

There are going to be spoilers for The Selection and The Elite in this review (although probably no more than what you would get spoiled for you by reading the synopsis).
The much anticipated ending to the Selection series, The One picks up again with America wondering who she should pick....Aspen or Maxon.
I was not a huge fan of America throughout The Elite and throughout The One. She was ok in The Selection, but seemed to go downhill from there. She seems kind of fickle in The One. Sometimes coming across as this strong female character, and sometimes coming across as a (and there is no way to put this nicely) whiny brat.
She wants to be able to have both Maxon and Aspen. She goes around being jealous of the girls giving Maxon attention (and him giving them his attention)....And then goes and gives Aspen her attention.

And as for the love interests. I am team no one. I didn't like Maxon or Aspen. There were times when they both could be super sweet, and then they do something and I go back to not liking them.


SPOILER ALERT!!!

<spoiler>The book doesn't actually spend that much time out of the palace, you get a glimpse when America and Maxon (and of course Aspen) go out to talk with the Rebels....But other than that, it was kind of the same old thing. And then ending was super rushed. I felt like nothing was actually solved, other than America's love interest problem. And although that was the point of the book, I would love have liked to see some other things get taken care of also. I felt like the plot was predictable. (And this was probably because I had read lots of those "what is going to happen in The One"....And most of them were right.
And a trilogy wouldn't be complete without a final bloodbath. Ending with lots of characters getting killed off.....Some of which I didn't really care, and other deaths that made me mad.

END SPOILER


This was just an alright series ending for me. I wasn't a fan of the characters and the ending felt rushed.
If you read the first two books, then I would recommend finishing up the series. The One is easy to get through and fast paced.

Faking Normal (Book Review)

Honestly this book will not be for everyone. If you don't like realistic, emotional fiction....Then you most likely will not like this one. I however, love realistic fiction. And knowing that this was realistic fiction was the only thing I knew going into it (I didn't even read the synopsis).... And it turned out to be the best realistic fiction I have EVER read. Alexi is a complex character. She is amazing. Having a character like her on a page is such a beautiful thing to be able to read. And all...more Faking Normal Courtney C Stevens Hardcover, 321 pages Published February 25th 2014 by HarperCollins Children's Books Alexi Littrell hasn't told anyone what happened to her over the summer. Ashamed and embarrassed, she hides in her closet and compulsively scratches the back of her neck, trying to make the outside hurt more than the inside does. When Bodee Lennox, the quiet and awkward boy next door, comes to live with the Littrells, Alexi discovers an unlikely friend in "the Kool-Aid Kid," who has secrets of his own. As they lean on each other for support, Alexi gives him the strength to deal with his past, and Bodee helps her find the courage to finally face the truth. Review: This book will not be for everyone. If you don't like realistic, emotional fiction....Then you most likely will not like this one. I however, love realistic fiction. And knowing that this was realistic fiction was the only thing I knew going into it (I didn't even read the synopsis).... And it turned out to be the best realistic fiction I have EVER read. Alexi is a complex character. She is amazing. Having a character like her on a page is such a beautiful thing to be able to read. And all I am going to say about Bodee (aka the "Kool Aid Kid") is that he was just like Alexi. Beautifully written. The plot is written so that it is a bit of a mystery who assaulted Alexi. I made the mistake of reading Courtney's letter at the end of the book before reading the book (and it mentions who did it in that letter) so I knew who did it from the start. I have no idea if I would have figured it out or not. The plot was heartbreakingly perfect. I can honestly think of nothing that would have made this book better. I loved this. A definite re-read. And a definite recommendation if you like realistic fiction. Have you read Faking Normal? What did you think?

Double Digit Book Review

First of all, I remember really enjoying A Girl Named Digit. I also remember really liking the chemistry between Digit and John. Other than that, I don't really remember anything else. I should really have picked up A Girl Named Digit again before reading Double Digit. But I didn't, so going into Double Digit I was pretty blind. Digit is such an interesting unique character. Her brilliance is great to read about (although some of her thinking I didn't quite understand). I thought that Annabel Mona...more Double Digit (Digit #2) Annabel Monaghan Published January 7th 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Synopsis via Goodreads: Digit and John are back for a second book and in way over their heads. To say eighteen-year-old Farrah Higgins—or Digit—is good at math is a laughable understatement. She’s been cracking codes since childhood, and is finally at home with “her people” at MIT in Cambridge. Her talents are so off the charts that her laptop is under surveillance by both the CIA and an ecoterrorist named Jonas Furnis. So when she thoughtlessly hacks into the Department of Defense’s database, she lands in serious hot water inside and outside the law Review: First of all, I remember really enjoying A Girl Named Digit. I also remember really liking the chemistry between Digit and John. Other than that, I don't really remember anything else. I should really have picked up A Girl Named Digit again before reading Double Digit. But I didn't, so going into Double Digit I was pretty blind. Digit is such an interesting unique character. Her brilliance is great to read about (although some of her thinking I didn't quite understand). I thought that Annabel Monaghan did a great job making Digit both brilliant and realistic. As I said above, I remember really liking the chemistry between Digit and John in A Girl Named Digit. But it felt like that same chemistry was missing in Double Digit. I never felt as if the two of them belonged together. The mystery has ties to A Girl Named Digit which (again) I really should have reread it before diving into Double Digit. And that is probably the only reason that I was confused in parts of the book. The plot moves very quickly. You are introduced again to Digit, and the entire story line is wrapped up in less than 200 pages. I thought that the fast pace of the story was refreshing after all of the 400+ page books that I had been reading. But there is also the element of making me feel as if I am reading a Middle Grade book. Not Young Adult. (Although some of the topics in the book would be classified as Young Adult). My mistake is not re-reading A Girl Named Digit. If I hadn't made that mistake I probably would have enjoyed Double Digit a lot more. And my only big problem was I wasn't feeling Digit and John's chemistry. So this was a pretty good sequel. Just not one of the best.

Panic (Book Review)

Panic
Lauren Oliver

408 pages

Published March 4th 2014 by HarperCollins

 

Panic began as so many things do in Carp, a dead-end town of 12,000 people in the middle of nowhere: because it was summer, and there was nothing else to do.

Heather never thought she would compete in Panic, a legendary game played by graduating seniors, where the stakes are high and the payoff is even higher. She’d never thought of herself as fearless, the kind of person who would fight to stand out. But when she finds something, and someone, to fight for, she will discover that she is braver than she ever thought.

Dodge has never been afraid of Panic. His secret will fuel him, and get him all the way through the game, he’s sure of it. But what he doesn't know is that he’s not the only one with a secret. Everyone has something to play for.

For Heather and Dodge, the game will bring new alliances, unexpected revelations, and the possibility of first love for each of them—and the knowledge that sometimes the very things we fear are those we need the most.



Review:

I love Lauren Oliver's writing. But I was pretty hesitant to try anything else written by her after being disappointed with Requiem. Panic is split up into two points of view. Hannah and Dodge. Unlike most split point of views, this one is not a romantic split. I didn't like reading Dodge's point of view at all. I found him immature.....And a bit obsessed with certain things. Definitely not my favorite guy point of view I have read. Hannah's point of view was an entire different story. I enjoyed r...more I love Lauren Oliver's writing. But I admit, I was a little hesitant to try anything else written by her after being disappointed with Requiem. Panic is split up into two points of view. Hannah and Dodge. Unlike most split point of views, this one is not a romantic split. I didn't like reading Dodge's point of view at all. I found him immature.....And a bit obsessed with certain things. Definitely not my favorite guy point of view I have read. Hannah's point of view was an entire different story. I enjoyed reading about all of Hannah's reasons for playing Panic....And reading through her point of view as she struggles through different romantic relationships. Hannah's friend Nat was another character that I just could not stand. She was fickle with her friendship with Hannah, and some of the things she did just didn't make any sense. First of all, for the plot. This is not a sci-fi dystopian. Even though there are a lot of goodreads shelves titling it as that. And the synopsis even makes it seem like it might be. This is a CONTEMPORARY. Just not your usual contemporary. Some might compare this to The Hunger Games....Because of the game that the teens are playing, and Hannah protecting her younger sister Lily. But the game Panic is completely different than The Hunger Games. Panic is a game played by High School Seniors after they graduate. The game is completely optional (although giving the money throughout your school year for the pot is not) You can drop out any time you want. Panic is also played while all of the characters continue their normal lives. At any time they could get a text saying that the next challenge is on. I thought that the plot moved a little too slow for my taste, I wished that it would have been more fast paced (especially because of what it was about) I had high/low hopes for this book. It met my expectations right in the middle. I didn't like quite a few things, but there were also things that I enjoyed. I believe that this is a standalone (no series is listed on goodreads). Hopefully it is. 3/5 Stars to Panic.

52 Reasons to Hate my Father (Book Review)

Be prepared to a whole lot of CAPS in this review. I will be completely honest. Someone recommended this book to me and I was unsure. It looked like it was going to be a completely ridiculous, stupid read. And the cover didn't help. And I was so very, very, VERY, wrong. This book is the PERFECT blend of comedy and drama. Characters: ***WARNING*** Lexi is a bit of a snob at the starting of this book, so be prepared. But I know that the author meant for her to be that way. And although she was a litt...more 52 Reasons To Hate My Father Jessica Brody Published July 3rd 2012 by Farrar, Straus & Giroux Being America’s favorite heiress is a dirty job, but someone’s gotta do it. Lexington Larrabee has never to work a day in her life. After all, she’s the heiress to the multi-billion-dollar Larrabee Media empire. And heiresses are not supposed to work. But then again, they’re not supposed to crash brand new Mercedes convertibles into convenience stores on Sunset Blvd either. Which is why, on Lexi’s eighteen birthday, her ever-absent, tycoon father decides to take a more proactive approach to her wayward life. Every week for the next year, she will have to take on a different low-wage job if she ever wants to receive her beloved trust fund. But if there’s anything worse than working as a maid, a dishwasher, and a fast-food restaurant employee, it’s dealing with Luke, the arrogant, albeit moderately attractive, college intern her father has assigned to keep tabs on her. Review: Be prepared to a whole lot of CAPS in this review. I will be completely honest. Someone recommended this book to me and I was unsure. It looked like it was going to be a completely ridiculous  read. And the cover didn't help. And I was so very, very, VERY, wrong. This book is the PERFECT blend of comedy and drama. Characters: ***WARNING*** Lexi is a bit of a snob at the starting of this book, so be prepared. But I know that the author meant for her to be that way. And although she was a little annoying there was so much humor in the things that she did and in the text that her being a snob didn't mean anything at all. As the story went on and you learned why Lexi is the way she is........I started to love her character. She was relatable and she cared. I won't say his name here but the main romantic interest was loveable and sweet. I enjoyed the banter between the Lexi and him. Plot: There is not much I can say about the plot except that it was the PERCET EXAMPLE OF GOOD COMEDY! The different jobs that Lexi had to do were hilarious to read about (some of which I have done myself so I could relate). And the drama and sad parts of this book were touching. I would recommend this to anyone who needs a drama/comedy that will make them both laugh and cry. REALLY LIKED THIS ONE! And I am planning on reading anything else I can get my hands on by Jessica Brody.

Lady Thief (Book Review)

Lady Thief
A.C. Gaughen


Scarlet’s true identity has been revealed, but her future is uncertain. Her forced marriage to Lord Gisbourne threatens Robin and Scarlet’s love, and as the royal court descends upon Nottingham for the appointment of a new Sheriff, the people of Nottingham hope that Prince John will appoint their beloved Robin Hood. But Prince John has different plans for Nottingham that revolve around a fateful secret from Scarlet’s past even she isn’t yet aware of. Forced to participate at court alongside her ruthless husband, Scarlet must bide her time and act the part of a noblewoman—a worthy sacrifice if it means helping Robin’s cause and a chance at a future with the man she loves. With a fresh line of intrigue and as much passion as ever, the next chapter in Scarlet’s tale will have readers talking once again.



Review:

You know when you read a sequel.....and compared to its previous installment it is terrible compared to the first one?
It doesn't happen here by the way.
Lady Thief is the epic sequel to Scarlet. Which in my opinion is one of the best Historical Fiction books I read this year. Which means it's sequel will be under very heavy scrutiny.
If you haven't read Scarlet.....I encourage you to follow these three easy steps.
1. Go find a copy of Scarlet.
2. Read it through to the end.
3. Come back and read me rave about it's amazing sequel.
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Alrighty....
After ending Scarlet on a ridicoulous clif-hangar. I was in urgent need for Lady Thief.
I am going to try to write this review without giving anything from Scarlet away.....Just in case you didn't go through with my steps above.
Scarlet. Scarlet is one of the strongest girl main characters I have ever read. She doesn't just wait for some guy to come along and save her. She goes out and does something about it herself.
The amazingness of her character that I found in the first book absoulutely continues in this next one. She never falters from my admiration.
She also happens to be pretty selfless. Many of her choices are for the greater good.
Robin of course is amazing.....and though (unfortunaltly) he doesn't get as much page time in this book as I would have liked, you do get to know him a little better.
The plot was captivating and brilliant. I couldn't put it down!
The fight scenes, the romance scenes, the arguments. All of them felt real and relatable.
All in all, a ginormous high-five to A.C. Gaughen to get Lady Thief on my best-sequels shelf. She doesn't disappoint at all!
If you LOVE Historical Fiction (like I do) or just want a good romance.....or even just an amazing story with a strong girl main character.....then pick up Scarlet and Lady Thief!
4.5/5
Thank you to the publisher for providing this to review. I was in no way compensated for this review.