HOLDING COURT By K.C. Held

July 11, 2016 by Leave a Comment

I received this book for free from Reviewer Purchase in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

HOLDING COURT By K.C. HeldHolding Court by K.C. Held
Published by Entangled: Teen on 3/1/16
Genres: Contemporary, Mystery & Detective, Romance, Young Adult
Pages: 352
Format: Paperback
Source: Reviewer Purchase
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ReviewedbyDani

Sixteen-year-old Jules Verity knows exactly what's in store at her new job at castle-turned-dinner-theater Tudor Times. Some extra cash, wearing a fancy-pants dress, and plenty of time to secretly drool over the ever-so-tasty--and completely unavailable--Grayson Chandler. Except that it's not quite what she imagined.
For one, the costume Jules has to wear is awful. Then there's the dead body she finds that just kind of...well, disappears. Oh, and there's the small issue of Jules and her episodes of what her best friend calls "Psychic Tourette's Syndrome"--spontaneous and uncontrollable outbursts of seemingly absurd prophecies.
The only bright side? This whole dead body thing seems to have gotten Grayson's attention. Except that the more Jules investigates, the more she discovers that Grayson's interest might not be as courtly as she thought. In fact, it's starting to look suspicious...

Short and Sweet

Jules has the gift of being a psychic, but she considers it a curse mainly because she blurts things out at inopportune times. Her “curse” works out in her favor when Tudor Times is looking to hire a psychic. Jules gets the job and things are going well until she finds a dead body.

My Thoughts

~ I thought that Jules’ psychic abilities were pretty cool! I know in the book Jules felt like a freak because she blurts things out, but I liked seeing how the things she blurted out would happen.

~ I loved how supportive Jules’ mother, grandmother, and best friend were! They would always try to make her feel better when she was feeling down.

~ Did I mention that Jules’ crush Grayson works at Tudor Times? He was so cute, I really liked them together. My favorite thing about this duo was when they teamed up to try to solve the mystery and when things got dangerous he was always trying to make sure Jules was safe.

~ I absolutely loved the setting! Jules was working in an actual castle! (Oh the many places to explore… and hide a body.)

Overall

I love my mysteries! I thought I would be able to figure out who did it but in the end I was wrong… (-_-) This was a quick, fun, and entertaining read. It was cute and I think it would be a great read for the summer!!!

30 rock nice thumbs up alec baldwin good job

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PAPER PRINCESS By Erin Watt

July 6, 2016 by Leave a Comment

I received this book for free from Reviewer Purchase in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

PAPER PRINCESS By Erin WattPaper Princess by Erin Watt
Series: The Royals #1
Published by EverAfter Romance on 4/4/16
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance
Pages: 370
Format: Ebook
Source: Reviewer Purchase
Buy on Amazon

ReviewedbyDani

Ella Harper is a survivor―a pragmatic optimist. She’s spent her whole life moving from town to town with her flighty mother, struggling to make ends meet and believing that someday she’ll climb out of the gutter. After her mother’s death, Ella is truly alone.

Until Callum Royal appears, plucking Ella out of poverty and tossing her into his posh mansion among his five sons who all hate her. Each Royal boy is more magnetic than the last, but none as captivating as Reed Royal, the boy who is determined to send her back to the slums she came from.

Reed doesn’t want her. He says she doesn’t belong with the Royals.

He might be right.

Wealth. Excess. Deception. It’s like nothing Ella has ever experienced, and if she’s going to survive her time in the Royal palace, she’ll need to learn to issue her own Royal decrees.

Short and Sweet

Ella is a teenage girl who has been living alone after her mother’s death, and is working multiple jobs to survive. Ella’s main goal is to graduate from high school and go to college. Everything changes when Callum Royal a friend of her deceased father (who Ella has never met) tells her that he is her legal guardian. Ella moves in with Callum and his five sons who all seem to hate her and now Ella has to learn to survive in this new environment.

My Thoughts

~ Ella has had a hard life, she’s never met her father and after her mother’s death she resorts to stripping to pay the bills.

~ Ella is funny, intelligent, and strong. She dealt with different situations that came her way the best way she could, from rumors, mean girls, and the boys ignoring her and trying to make her life hell.

~ In the beginning the Royal brothers were hard to like because they were stand offish and weren’t even giving Ella a chance. As the book went on and the boys relationship with Ella progressed I found myself liking them and wanting to see more of them.

~ The romance was hot and I think that was because of their love hate relationship. Ella and Reed had a good dynamic.

Overall

This was such a good book, once I got into it I couldn’t put it down it was so addicting! I’m ready for Broken Prince to release to see how different events will play out especially after the ending of this book. I would DEFINITELY recommend this book, but if you plan on reading this book I would suggest waiting until Broken Prince is out because it feels like the wait is so long.

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WANDERLOST By Jen Malone

June 22, 2016 by Leave a Comment

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

WANDERLOST By Jen MaloneWanderlost by Jen Malone
Published by HarperTeen on 5/31/16
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult
Pages: 352
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
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ReviewedbyDani

Aubree can’t think of a better place to be than in perfectly boring Ohio, and she’s ready for a relaxing summer. But when her older sister, Elizabeth, gets into real trouble, Aubree is talked into taking over Elizabeth’s summer job, leading a group of senior citizens on a bus tour through Europe.

Aubree doesn’t even make it to the first stop in Amsterdam before their perfect plan unravels, leaving her with no phone, no carefully prepared binder full of helpful facts, and an unexpected guest: the tour company owner’s son, Sam. Considering she’s pretending to be Elizabeth, she absolutely shouldn’t fall for him, but she can’t help it, especially with the most romantic European cities as the backdrop for their love story.

But her relationship with Sam is threatening to ruin her relationship with her sister, and she feels like she’s letting both of them down. Aubree knows this trip may show her who she really is—she just hopes she likes where she ends up.

Short and Sweet

When Aubree’s older sister Elizabeth gets in trouble, Aubree has to go to Europe impersonating her sister and take over her job as a tour guide. Right from the start things don’t go as planned when Aubree leaves her phone and a binder full of information on tour stops on the plane, and when the tour company owner’s son joins the tour unexpectedly.

My Thoughts

~ I felt a little bad for Aubree, she was put in a difficult position. She had to drop everything and leave the country to help her sister when she’s never even left the state of Ohio.

~ I loved the senior citizens they were all nice and had different personalities and we learn more about them over the course of the book. They were also nice and understanding and helped Aubree out a lot, I think they also helped her grow over the course of the book.

~ The locations that the tour group visits were portrayed vividly it feels like you could be with them going around Europe.

~ Sam, Aubree’s love interest in the book was nice, funny, and charming. I loved him from the moment they had their first phone conversation.

Overall

Wanderlost is a contemporary that’s funny and a great read for the summer. It also has a strong message which the senior citizens helped Aubree learn. I would love to see another book or novella maybe about Aubree and Sam’s relationship and how it progresses when they’re back in the states. I would recommend this book and its a perfect time to read it now because its summer!

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I WAS HERE By Gayle Forman

June 20, 2016 by Leave a Comment

I received this book for free from Reviewer Purchase in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I WAS HERE By Gayle FormanI Was Here by Gayle Forman
Published by Speak on 1/26/16
Genres: Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, Romance, Young Adult
Pages: 304
Format: Paperback
Source: Reviewer Purchase
Buy on Amazon

ReviewedbyDani

When her best friend Meg drinks a bottle of industrial-strength cleaner alone in a motel room, Cody is understandably shocked and devastated. She and Meg shared everything—so how was there no warning? But when Cody travels to Meg’s college town to pack up the belongings left behind, she discovers that there’s a lot that Meg never told her. About her old roommates, the sort of people Cody never would have met in her dead-end small town in Washington. About Ben McAllister, the boy with a guitar and a sneer, and some secrets of his own. And about an encrypted computer file that Cody can’t open—until she does, and suddenly everything Cody thought she knew about her best friend’s death gets thrown into question.

Short and Sweet

After Cody’s best friend, Meg commits suicide, Cody decides to discover what led Meg to do what she did. Cody goes to Meg’s college to pack up her belongings and realizes she didn’t know much about Meg’s life in Seattle.

My Thoughts

~ The main plot was Cody coming to terms with Meg’s death. Cody feels a lot of grief because she didn’t know Meg was suicidal.

~ When Cody gets to Seattle for Meg’s stuff she finds an online forum and some emails on Meg’s computer. These things start Cody’s exploration of the truth behind Meg’s suicide.

~ I don’t know how to feel about the romance because Ben was in a relationship with Meg first and I don’t know it was just weird. I mean is it okay to date your best friend’s old flame?

~Towards the end Cody started to put her life in danger, and I was trying to figure out what she thought she had to gain by doing this.

Overall

The ending to me was a bit anti-climactic, and I still didn’t know where the relationship was going. The message in the book is clear and I would recommend it, it addresses the topic of suicide well and how it affects those close to you.

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THICKER THAN WATER By Kelly Fiore

May 24, 2016 by Leave a Comment

I received this book for free from Reviewer Purchase in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

THICKER THAN WATER By Kelly FioreThicker Than Water by Kelly Fiore
Published by HarperTeen on 1/5/16
Genres: Contemporary, Mystery & Detective, Thrillers, Young Adult
Pages: 320
Source: Reviewer Purchase
Buy on Amazon

ReviewedbyDani

Cecelia Price killed her brother. At least, that's what the police and the district attorney are saying. Although CeCe is now locked up and forced into treatment, she knows the story is much more complicated. Cyrus wasn't always a drug-addled monster. He used to be a successful athlete, but when an injury forced Cyrus off the soccer field and onto pain medication, his life became a blur of anger, addiction, and violence.

All CeCe could do was stand by and watch, until she realized an effective way to take away her brother's drugs while earning the money she needed for college: selling the pills. Only she never expected what happened next.

Short and Sweet

Cecelia “CeCe” Price used to be a honor roll student at school. After watching her brother Cyrus get hooked on pain medication, CeCe decides to take some of her brothers pills and sell them. When Cyrus dies, the district attorney is convinced CeCe murdered him. Now, CeCe is in a juvenile treatment facility awaiting the court case that will determine the rest of her life as she struggles to accept her roles, both active and inactive, in the events that led to her brother’s death.

My Thoughts

~ Thicker Than Water is told in alternating time periods and in this book it worked. Seeing all the events that led CeCe to where she is now, was pretty intriguing especially, because we don’t actually know how Cyrus died until we get towards the end of the book. It just added to the suspense and my interest.

~ I felt pretty bad for CeCe, she felt extremely guilty about Cyrus’ death and his drug use even though she didn’t have control over that.

~ There was some romance in the book, but not a lot. I thought that Tucker was a good love interest for CeCe, mainly because he was more like a friend, and was willing to listen to her problems even if she wasn’t ready to share them.

Overall

The message in this book is deep, Fiore does a great job portraying how drug addiction not only affects the user but the people around them. I really liked CeCe and I could understand why she felt the way she did. I really love this book and I finished it in a few days, I would definitely recommend it!

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THE HATERS By Jesse Andrews

May 23, 2016 by Leave a Comment

I received this book for free from Reviewer Purchase in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

THE HATERS By Jesse AndrewsThe Haters by Jesse Andrews
Published by Harry N. Abrams on 4/5/16
Genres: Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, Young Adult
Pages: 336
Source: Reviewer Purchase
Buy on Amazon

ReviewedbyDani

For Wes and his best friend, Corey, jazz camp turns out to be lame. It’s pretty much all dudes talking in Jazz Voice. But then they jam with Ash, a charismatic girl with an unusual sound, and the three just click. It’s three and a half hours of pure musical magic, and Ash makes a decision: They need to hit the road. Because the road, not summer camp, is where bands get good. Before Wes and Corey know it, they’re in Ash’s SUV heading south, and The Haters Summer of Hate Tour has begun.

Short and Sweet

Wes and his best friend Corey are at jazz camp which is where they meet Ash. After a jam session with Ash they decide to hit the road and find venues to play at along the way because that’s how bands get good.

My Thoughts

~ I liked the road trip aspect. Getting to see where the band would play and the different people they would meet was interesting. Also getting to see how they would tackle different situations that would arise was quite entertaining. It was almost like being on an adventure with the band.

~ I didn’t really connect to any of the characters, I mean I liked them at some points of the book and at others I would just get really annoyed with them.

~… So the word d*ck was mentioned a lot! And by a lot I mean a lot!!! (I didn’t count but someone else did) Anyway it was mentioned 77 times. I mean how many d*ck jokes can one person take? Me personally 5, after that I was over it.

Overall

I didn’t end up liking this book as much as I thought I would. I just didn’t think the jokes were funny. I found myself having to push through at some points of the book and that’s the only reason I’m sure I finished this book. And after writing this review I kind of feel like a Hater myself.

selena gomez whatever shrug nbd

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WHERE SHE WENT By Gayle Forman

May 17, 2016 by Leave a Comment

I received this book for free from Reviewer Purchase in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

WHERE SHE WENT By Gayle FormanWhere She Went by Gayle Forman
Series: If I Stay #2
Published by Speak on 4/7/12
Genres: Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, Romance, Young Adult
Pages: 304
Format: Paperback
Source: Reviewer Purchase
Buy on Amazon

ReviewedbyDani

Ever since Mia's decision to stay - but not with him - Adam's career has been on a wonderful trajectory. His album, borne from the anguish and pain of their breakup, has made him a bona fide star. And Mia herself has become a top-rate cellist, playing in some of the finest venues in the world. When their respective paths put them both in New York City at the same time, the result is a single night in which the two reunite - with wholly satisfying results.

Short and Sweet

Adam, an infamous bad boy rocker, has been in an emotional and mental state since his girlfriend, Mia Hall left him. Three years later chance brings Adam and Mia together for one more night and we follow these two around New York for 24 hours. During their time together Mia and Adam get to talk about what’s really important.

Quotes

~ “I needed to hate someone and you’re the one I love the most, so it fell on you.”

Overall

Adam’s journey in this book is the main focus. Adam definitely needed the time with Mia to finally understand his feelings and deal with the pain she caused him three years ago. I enjoyed Where She Went more than If I Stay. I was on Adam’s side every single page and almost resented Mia at times for hurting him so much.  I liked the way that the story came kind of full circle, and Adam did get his closure, even though it came through finding out things that certainly hurt. I would definitely read more books by Gayle Forman in the future.

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IF I STAY By Gayle Forman

May 13, 2016 by Leave a Comment

I received this book for free from Reviewer Purchase in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

IF I STAY By Gayle FormanIf I Stay by Gayle Forman
Series: If I Stay #1
Published by Speak on 4/6/10
Genres: Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, Romance, Young Adult
Pages: 320
Format: Paperback
Source: Reviewer Purchase
Buy on Amazon

ReviewedbyDani

In the blink of an eye everything changes. Seventeen ­year-old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall what happened afterwards, watching her own damaged body being taken from the wreck. Little by little she struggles to put together the pieces- to figure out what she has lost, what she has left, and the very difficult choice she must make. Heartwrenchingly beautiful, this will change the way you look at life, love, and family

Short and Sweet

After a devastating car accident, Mia wakes up only to find herself out of her body. Mia is caught between a choice of staying alive without her family or passing on. Mia witnesses how her remaining loved ones deal with the loss of her family, and weighs the decision of leaving versus the decision of staying behind. Ultimately, the choice is up to Mia and this choice is a matter of life or death.

What I Liked

~ The flashbacks, it gave the book an interesting tone.

~ The Music, I love that there was so many different kinds introduced in this book. I loved how it brought people together and drove people apart as well.

~ I also loved Mia she was easy to connect to.

What I Didn’t Like

~ At some points I found myself getting disinterested.

Quotes

~ “I realize now that dying is easy. Living is hard.”

~ “But the you who you are tonight is the same you I was in love with yesterday, the same you I’ll be in love with tomorrow.”

Overall

If I Stay was such a moving and captivating read. This book is incredible. It’s a short read and wonderfully written. But I did have to push through sometimes, because I did get a little bored. Otherwise everything was great and it had me guessing up until the very end what Mia would choose to do.

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WILD SWANS By Jessica Spotswood

April 19, 2016 by Leave a Comment

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

WILD SWANS By Jessica SpotswoodWild Swans by Jessica Spotswood
Published by Sourcebooks Fire on 5/3/16
Genres: Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, Romance, Young Adult
Pages: 304
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher
Buy on Amazon

ReviewedbyDani

The summer before Ivy's senior year is going to be golden-all bonfires, barbeques, and spending time with her best friends. For once, she will just get to be. No summer classes, none of Granddad's intense expectations to live up to the family name. For generations, the Milbourn women have lead extraordinary lives-and died young and tragically. Granddad calls it a legacy, but Ivy considers it a curse. Why else would her mother have run off and abandoned her as a child?

But when her mother unexpectedly returns home with two young daughters in tow, all of the stories Ivy wove to protect her heart start to unravel. The very people she once trusted now speak in lies. And all of Ivy's ambition and determination cannot defend her against the secrets of the Milbourn past...

Short and Sweet

Ivy plans on having the time of her life before her senior year starts. But things don’t always go as planned. Ivy is struggling trying to find her calling in life and feeling the pressure of the Milbourn legacy in her family. Ivy’s mother left when she was young, so she was raised by her Grandad. When her mother returns, with two young children or Ivy’s half sisters, her life is turned upside down.

What I liked

~Ivy, she wasn’t perfect (who is?) but she was a strong character and stood her ground.

~Connor, he’s Ivy’s love interest and he was honestly so sweet and supportive.

~I liked how most of the issues in the story were resolved.

~Ivy’s best friend Claire she’s funny and a feminist who isn’t afraid to speak her mind. (Look at the quote below)

~Also liked getting to know the background on some of the characters like Ivy’s mom and some of the other Milbourn women.

~ It touches on gender identity and feminism and body image.

What I didn’t like

~The ending I mean it was good I just wish we got to know more. An epilogue would have been nice.

Quotes

“When it comes to the family legacy – that it’s a gift, not a curse; that the Milbourn women were extraordinary, not doomed.”

“And that better be the only wiener you put in your mouth. We do not give blow jobs so that boys will like us!” Claire roars, and Connor nearly chokes on his beer.

Overall

Wild Swans is a  feel-good book with realistic friendships, romance, and family. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys YA coming of age stories and contemporaries.

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THIS IS WHERE IT ENDS By Marieke Nijkamp

December 30, 2015 by Leave a Comment

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

THIS IS WHERE IT ENDS By Marieke NijkampThis Is Where It Ends by Marieke Nijkamp
Published by Sourcebooks Fire on 1/5/16
Genres: Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, Young Adult
Pages: 288
Source: Publisher
Buy on Amazon

ReviewedbyDani

10:00 a.m.
The principal of Opportunity, Alabama's high school finishes her speech, welcoming the entire student body to a new semester and encouraging them to excel and achieve.

10:02 a.m.
The students get up to leave the auditorium for their next class.

10:03
The auditorium doors won't open.

10:05
Someone starts shooting.

Told from four perspectives over the span of 54 harrowing minutes, terror reigns as one student's calculated revenge turns into the ultimate game of survival.

This Is Where It Ends follows four characters; Sylv, Autumn, Claire, and Tomas. It’s the new semester of school at Opportunity high school and when the principal finishes her speech everyone is expecting it to be a regular day but they realize they’re locked in the auditorium and the terror begins. What I really liked about this book is getting to see the four POVs because Sylv and Autumn were in the auditorium but Claire and Tomas were outside of the school and getting to see how each character is going to deal with the situation was interesting to me. We also get to see text, tweets, and blog post from kids who were either in the auditorium or at home. I didn’t like the shooter I thought there would be more of a motive there but there wasn’t.

In the beginning I had a hard time keeping track of the characters in this book mainly because their were four of them. After I got into the book I figured out the connection between the characters. The book is short and easy to read. The ending was okay but not what I was expecting, so I was caught off guard.
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