May 31, 2014

The Break Up Artist.

The Break Up Artist.
Philip Siegel.

 Publisher : Harlequin Teen.
Publication Date:April 29,2014
Genre:YA Contemporary Romance|Humor
Format|Pages:Hardcover|336
 Source: Goodreads|Library.


☆☆☆☆





SUMMARY
Some sixteen-year-olds babysit for extra cash. Some work at the Gap. Becca Williamson breaks up couples. 

 

After watching her sister get left at the altar, Becca knows the true damage that comes when people utter the dreaded L-word. For just $100 via paypal, she can trick and manipulate any couple into smithereens. With relationship zombies overrunning her school, and treating single girls like second class citizens, business is unfortunately booming. Even her best friend Val has resorted to outright lies to snag a boyfriend. 

One night, she receives a mysterious offer to break up the homecoming king and queen, the one zombie couple to rule them all: Steve and Huxley. They are a JFK and Jackie O in training, masters of sweeping faux-mantic gestures, but if Becca can split them up, then school will be safe again for singletons. To succeed, she'll have to plan her most elaborate scheme to date and wiggle her way back into her former BFF Huxley’s life – not to mention start a few rumors, sabotage some cell phones, break into a car, and fend off the inappropriate feelings she’s having about Val’s new boyfriend. All while avoiding a past victim out to expose her true identity. 

No one said being the Break-Up Artist was easy. 
 
When I saw the title : The Break Up Artist it caught my interest in an instant, I was curious. A girl who breaks up couples for money? That’s original right there, unlike any other love stories out there. No Love Triangles, No best friends falling in love. Instead of couples falling in love, she was breaking them up. How can you not love a story like that? How can that not capture anyone’s attention. That’s what I loved about it. It was different. It was filled with suspense, drama and a quite bit of humor added to it. Not only did I love the title but the cover too, it was different too from usual covers out there, it looked like a drawing, a hand drawing. Cover and title went well with each other, love how colorful it was. I adored this book. An exceptional debut. 

Becca : At beginning I wasn’t sure how to feel about her. I knew that what she was doing is wrong, it’s one thing to break up couples but for money too? I felt like that wasn’t a right thing to do. How could it? At same time I understand that when she was doing, she thought that she was helping others. I guess when book progressed, I felt as she did, at least for some couples. When Becca was exposed as Break Up Artist, those couples knew it was set up, and if they were right for each other, Like Steve and Huxley, they would got back together. In a way she did help some. I knew that it wouldn’t end well for her, especially when others started wondering who break up artist was. Things like those never end well. I got say, she came up with creative and interesting plans. 

Huxley, Val & Ezra : I liked each of these characters in their own way, but my favorite was Huxley. Despite fact that she ditched Becca when she started dating Steve, she changed. I knew that Becca was pretending in start but Huxley wasn’t, she tried to help her. She trusted her. I felt bad for both of them, when Becca was exposed, just when their friendship went back on track. I am curious if Huxley ever figure out, if it was Becca who set everything up, to get Huxley and Steve back together, if she find it in her heart, to forgive her. I knew by end that Becca grew to care for her again. Now Val, to me it felt like she cared about Ezra more than she cared about the friendship, but at least she tried get their friendship back on track. It still no excuse to what her and Ezra did. Ezra was most suprising, he seemed so sweet, but there were hints, he seemed to go from Val to Becca pretty fast. It got me suspicious. Nobody falls in love that fast. I was glad that Becca got for Val to see that at the end, despite how hurt Val was. 

The ending seemed to have a bit cliffhanger, at least that how it seemed to me. It made me curious, is there going be a sequel? I am curious to see what happens after everything got revealed. If you in need of something original, The Break Up Artist is that book. An entertaining ride.

May 29, 2014

Open Road Summer.

Open Road Summer.
Emery Lord.

 Publisher :Walker
Publication Date:April 15,2014
Genre:YA Contemporary|Romance
Format|Pages:Hardcover|342
 Source: Goodreads|Library.


☆☆☆☆





SUMMARY
After breaking up with her bad-news boyfriend, Reagan O’Neill is ready to leave her rebellious ways behind. . . and her best friend, country superstar Lilah Montgomery, is nursing a broken heart of her own. Fortunately, Lilah’s 24-city tour is about to kick off, offering a perfect opportunity for a girls-only summer of break-up ballads and healing hearts. 

But when Matt Finch joins the tour as its opening act, his boy-next-door charm proves difficult for Reagan to resist, despite her vow to live a drama-free existence. This summer, Reagan and Lilah will navigate the ups and downs of fame and friendship as they come to see that giving your heart to the right person is always a risk worth taking. A fresh new voice in contemporary romance, Emery Lord’s gorgeous writing hits all the right notes. 
 
Open Road Summer was a beautiful and realistic novel. I fell in love with it, moment that I read the first page. I knew that I was going to love this book. It will make you laugh, cry and at times you might even get angry. Open Road Summer is a type of book that makes you go through so many emotions, have you wondering what’s going happen with Matt, Reagan and Dee next. A good story. Emery Lord is an author that going go a far way, I’m already eager to see what story she’s going to come up with next? When I came across this book, cover and title is what captured my attention. How can it not? Cover itself is telling you a story. Before reading the summary, didn’t actually though it is about Country Concert Tour, though it be a romance story. It ended up being so much more. 

Reagan & Dee: First of all, I loved both of their names. I loved the friendship between two of these girls, how they were always there for one another. It reminded me a lot of my best friend, Mariah. We have pretty similar friendship though we lives 1000 miles away. In beginning when a naked photo leaked of Dee, Reagan didn’t leave her side, she was there every step of the way. The two of them were different, yet they still had a connection, an unbreakable bond. Dee and Reagan had their fights through the book, but in the end they were there for one another, when they needed. That’s a true bond, a lifetime friendship. I enjoyed that friendship aspect was there as much as romance aspect. Dee, for some reason she reminded me of Taylor Swift, maybe due fact that she was doing a country concert. I love how much she loved her fans. Despite what happened, the rumors, the gossip, she kept on going. I would never be able go through what she gone through. That takes a lot of courage. 

Matt & Reagan: From minute that Matt joined the tour, when him and Reagan met, I could tell that there was some sort of connection between two of them. I could see that Reagan was attracted to him, even if she tried to deny it at first. I loved how dedicated to Dee she was, that she even refused try anything, because he was supposed be Dee’s Fake Boyfriend. I was eager to see if she finally give in and be with him. As for Matt, I loved him from beginning; I loved how he came on the Tour to help out Dee. I saw that he cared for both of them : Reagan & Dee. Why can’t all guys be like Matt? I loved how after what happened between him and Corinne, he didn’t give up on Reagan. He drove all way, to see her. Though he didn’t say it. That’s love right there. The ending scene between them caused a big smile of my face. Great Conclusion to amazing debut. 

Loved Country aspect to the novel. I read novels about road trip before. None of them were about a Country Concert Tour and that’s what made this book different. It was unlike other books I read. If you love books about Music, Friendship and Romance , Open Road Summer is a book for you. You won’t regret it.

May 26, 2014

My Not So Super Sweet Life(My Super Sweet Sixteen Century,#3)

My Not So Super Sweet Life.
My Super Sweet Sixteen Century,#3
Rachel Harris.

                        Publisher : Entangled Teen
Publication Date:April 21,2014
Genre:YA Contemporary Romance| Science Fiction.
Format|Pages:E Book| 190
                              Source: Goodreads|Owned.


☆☆☆☆



SUMMARY

Cat Crawford just wants to be normal—or at least as normal as a daughter of Hollywood royalty can be. And it looks like fate is granting her wish: she’s got an amazing boyfriend, Lucas; her fabulous cousin, Alessandra, living with her; and her dad planning his second marriage to a great future stepmom. That is, until her prodigal mother reveals on national television that she has something important to tell her daughter…causing a media frenzy. 

Lucas Capelli knows his fate is to be with Cat, and he’s worked hard to win her over once and for all. Unfortunately, Lucas has his own issues to deal with, including a scandal that could take him away from the first place he’s truly belonged. 

As secrets are revealed, rumors explode, and the world watches, Cat and Lucas discover it’s not fate they have to fight if they want to stay together…this time, it’s their own insecurities.
Well, and the stalkerazzi. 
 
Rachel Harris did it again. I feel in love with this series since I read My Super Sweet Sixteen Century which had become one of my favorite series. Rachel took my breath away with this addicting storyline, now this is author that is going go long way. I have been excited to read My Not Super Sweet Life since before the cover reveal, which is stunning by the way. I was sad to see the series come to an end, but the third book was a great conclusion, to Cat’s & Lucas story. It was heartbreaking but also filled with much more romance, then the first two books have been. It made me cry, smile, frown, frustrated. There were so many emotions that went through me. It was thrilling, and hard to put down. That’s what a good story is. 

Lucas & Cat: Having the third novel written from both Cat & Lucas’s point of view, fit the storyline even better. While reading it, I got to know him better, got to see how he was feeling about everything. I could tell that he loved her, even if he didn’t say it for while just by his actions. Lucas was so protective over her, especially when her mother came into picture again, he even convinced his dad to let him stay in states, so that he could be with her. Cat pushed him away but he was still there. I loved the scenes between the two of them, most of them got me to smile. If only every relationship was like theirs was. Cat was lucky to have found someone like him. 


I was happy to see a happy ending for Cat. Especially after what happened with her mother? I knew that something was up with her mother when she made shocking announcement on TV, I had a feeling that nothing good come out of it, that she would only get hurt. Jenna was more of mother to Cat that her own mother ever be. When Cat got hurt, it made me sad too. Through all the books, I never had seen her look so broken. She deserved a happy ending. A great ending to an amazing series. Only what I missed in this book, is the time travel aspects of it, that was one of my favorite things, I was actually hoping at first she brought back Ciprano. 

My Super Sweet Sixteen Century series filled with adventure, romance, a bit of history. It’s a series that I will never forget.

May 22, 2014

Love Letters To The Dead.

Love Letters To The Dead.
Ava Delliara.

 Publisher :Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Publication Date:April 1,2014
Genre:YA Contemporary Drama.
Format|Pages:Hardcover|327.
 Source: Goodreads|Library.


☆☆☆☆





SUMMARY
It begins as an assignment for English class: Write a letter to a dead person. Laurel chooses Kurt Cobain because her sister, May, loved him. And he died young, just like May did. Soon, Laurel has a notebook full of letters to people like Janis Joplin, Amy Winehouse, Amelia Earhart, Heath Ledger, and more; though she never gives a single one of them to her teacher. 

She writes about starting high school, navigating new friendships, falling in love for the first time, learning to live with her splintering family. And, finally, about the abuse she suffered while May was supposed to be looking out for her. Only then, once Laurel has written down the truth about what happened to herself, can she truly begin to accept what happened to May. And only when Laurel has begun to see her sister as the person she was; lovely and amazing and deeply flawed; can she begin to discover her own path. 

 
Love Letters To The Dead was a heartbreaking but also most anticipated novel, of 2014. I was drawn to it right away. Not just by the title and the cover but the story, it was unlike any story I read before. The title itself had my attention. Love Letter To The Death how can that not make your curious? It’s what got my attention and made me want to pick up the book. Once I did, I ended up loving it more than I thought that I would. From the first page I had a feeling that it was going be a novel that I love. I was right. Love Letters To The Dead was filled with so many emotions, when Laurel spilled them out through her letters. I cried several times through the novel, the character felt so real to me. There were times I wished I could reach out, hug Laurel. Her letters were heartbreaking. 


I loved the idea of this novel; it was unlike other novel I read. Letters to the deceased celebrities, now that’s something new and that’s what I loved about it. I even learned a bit of their early life, all through Laurel’s letters. I felt like I got to know them more than I did before. Even all of those were deceased, the way that Laurel wrote to them, spoke to them, gave me a feeling like they were still alive. Though I never lost a sibling, I did lose my grandparents who I was close to, so in a way I could relate to how Laurel was feeling, how lost she must felt when she lost May. Most of the book I knew she was hiding something, I just had that feeling and I was curious how May actually died. Some of letters were so emotional, I felt myself tearing up right away. It felt real. The characters, the story. 

Her friends, Sky was the people who I think helped her, in a way. Helped her heal. Right from the start I saw the connection between Sky and Laurel, of course I wasn’t too happy how he broke up with her first time. I wondered if he truly loved her, but then I saw that he did. Romance between the two of them was touching, even if it wasn’t main focus of the book. As for Natalie & Hannah, I was glad that she found them, that she made some friends. They were true friend, because even after the truth came out, they stood by her side till the end. 


It’s hard for me to believe this was her first novel, it was so well written. One of the best debut novels of 2014. I got a feeling that this author going go a long way. I can’t wait to see what story she comes up with next. Love Letters To Dead is one of most touching, and a story that will stay with me.

May 19, 2014

The Last Forever.

The Last Forever.
Deb Caletti.

 Publisher :Simon Pulse.
Publication Date:April 1,2014
Genre:YA Contemporary.
Format|Pages:Hardcover|320
 Source: Goodreads|Library.


☆☆☆☆






SUMMARY

Endings and beginnings sit so close to each other that it’s sometimes impossible to tell which is which. 

Nothing lasts forever, and no one gets that more than Tessa. After her mother died, it’s all she can do to keep her friends, her boyfriend, her happiness from slipping away. And then there’s her dad. He’s stuck in his own daze, and it’s so hard to feel like a family when their house no longer seems like a home. 

Her father’s solution? An impromptu road trip that lands them in a small coastal town at Tessa’s grandmother’s. Despite all the warmth and beauty there, Tessa can’t help but feel even more lost.

Enter Henry Lark. He understands the relationships that matter. And more importantly, he understands her. A secret stands between them, but Tessa’s willing to do anything to bring them together—because Henry may just be her one chance at forever. 
 
I knew that there was a reason that Deb Caletti became one of my favorite authors. It has been a while since I read a novel by Caletti, and once I read The Last Forever I was blown away. The book was magical. One of best books that deals with loss and grief. The novel was filled with so many emotions and I found myself being able to relate to Tess, since my grandmother died in February. I’m aware that not the same, but I felt the grief that she felt. Both cover and the title are what captured my attention when I came across it at library. The Last Forever, how can you not wonder what that could be about? I know that I did. Out of all her books that I read, this was my most favorite one. It was most captivating one, filled with so many different emotions. The most realistic novel I read this year. I wasn’t disappointed. 


Tess & Henry : Moment that two of them met at library, I knew that a bond between them formed right away. They had the most unique friendship and how the two of them became friends, trying to save plant. I loved how both of them stood by each other through it all. I know that Henry cared, loved Tess despite what she might thought after the secret came out. That was unexpected. Him and Elijah is last what I expected it, took me by surprise. Kind of like Tess. I believe that being around Henry, trying to save her plant, is what healed her, helped her move on. Henry helped her with that. I was sure two of them end up together, they had a special connection. I was sad they weren’t, but glad that they still remained close friends. It’s what made this book so realistic, it had and ending between two of them that was real. 


The Last Forever was unlike her other books and took me by surprise. I loved the fact about plants in beginning of each chapter, I learned about so many plants that I wasn’t aware. Enjoyed that this book was more about family, recover that love. It’s a type story that I can believe that could happen. I wasn’t too fond of her father at first, how he kept leaving her. I understand that he lost his wife, but it’s not an excuse to leave his daughter. The novel got me to tear up quite bit. Once I finished it, I found myself thinking about it afterwards. It’s a story that I will never forget. Worth every page.

May 17, 2014

The Here & Now.

The Here And Now.
Ann Brashares.

 Publisher : Delacorte Press
Publication Date:April 8,2014
Genre:YA Fantasy| Romantic Thriller.
Format|Pages:Hardcover|288
 Source: Goodreads|Library.


☆☆☆☆





SUMMARY
An unforgettable epic romantic thriller about a girl from the future who might be able to save the world . . . if she lets go of the one thing she’s found to hold on to. 

Follow the rules. Remember what happened. Never fall in love. 

This is the story of seventeen-year-old Prenna James, who immigrated to New York when she was twelve. Except Prenna didn’t come from a different country. She came from a different time—a future where a mosquito-borne illness has mutated into a pandemic, killing millions and leaving the world in ruins. 

Prenna and the others who escaped to the present day must follow a strict set of rules: never reveal where they’re from, never interfere with history, and never, ever be intimate with anyone outside their community. Prenna does as she’s told, believing she can help prevent the plague that will one day ravage the earth. 

But everything changes when Prenna falls for Ethan Jarves. 
 
I loved Ann Brashares since reading Sisterhood Of Traveling Pants years earlier. I found myself wondering if she is going write a new book, and when I saw The Here And Now I was excited. I wasn’t disappointed. The Here And Now is completely different from what she wrote before but it’s as gripping. It’s unforgettable; I couldn’t get enough of it. Brashares done it again, captured my attention and got me to fall in love with her story. It’s heartbreaking, thrilling and filled with suspense, and reader can’t help but get engaged with the story, the characters. She’s one author that you can’t help but love, she has an unique talent of storytelling. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next. 

The Here & Now is unlike any book that I have read. Through years I read quite few time travel books but it’s was unlike all the others. It felt more realistic as far as time travel goes, at least to me it was. This novel had a lot of suspense, right from the start of the novel. When Prenna first appeared, when Ethan first seen her. Right from there I was hooked, I wondered what would happen if they met again, if she would remember. There wasn’t a single page that didn’t have something going on. Each page, each chapter I wondered if Ethan would mention to Prenna how they first met, and if she would remember. I was curious if he suspected the truth, about who she was. The Here & Now had me on edge of my seat. 

Prenna & Ethan: The minute that Ethan saw her when he was a young boy, I saw a connection between the two of them right away. Though she didn’t remember there, way that two of them looked at one another, it gave me that feeling. Sometimes I wondered if that’s why she became attracted to him years later, when they met again. Through book I wondered if she finally give in, to all those rules and be with Ethan, I knew that she wanted to. I was glad that Ethan confessed the truth, I was glad to see someone else on her side. Honestly, I don’t think that she could done everything she did by herself. Also if it wasn’t for her, Ethan might be dead too. After the talk with Dr. Robert I though her and Ethan could have a normal relationship. It was a sad ending when both of them realized that they could never have a normal relationship, I hoped that they could finally be together. In a way, it also made the book, the ending more realistic. 

The Here & Now is a thrilling ride. A must read.

May 13, 2014

The Second Summer Of Sisterhood(Sisterhood,#2)

The Second Summer Of Sisterhood.
Sisterhood,#2
Ann Brashares.

                        Publisher : Delacorte Press
Publication Date:April 22,2003.
Genre:YA Contemporary
Format|Pages:Paperback|373
Source: Goodreads|Library.


☆☆☆☆


SUMMARY
With a bit of last summer's sand in the pockets, the Traveling Pants and the Sisterhood that wears them embark on their 16th summer. 

"Bridget: " Impulsively sets off for Alabama, wanting to both confront her demons about her family and avoid them all at once. 

"Lena: "Spends a blissful week with Kostos, making the unexplainable silence that follows his visit even more painful. 

"Carmen: " Is concerned that her mother is making a fool of herself over a man. When she discovers that her mother borrowed the Pants to wear on a date, she's certain of it. 

"Tibby: " Not about to spend another summer working at Wallman's, she takes a film course only to find it's what happens off-camera that teaches her the most. 
 
I’m glad that I decided pick books up, re-read them. I’m in love with series all over again. I knew that there was a reason that I love Ann Brashares. She has a way to pull a reader into a story. I know that I was. Though I enjoyed the first book a bit more, I still enjoyed this book as well. Second Summer Of Sisterhood just didn’t seem as much going on like the first one but I still got through it pretty fast. It kept my attention from start till the very end. I feel like I know all four of characters by now and I want to know what happens with them next, what adventures awaits them next. Its type of books that I believe every teen girl will enjoy. I’m not teen anymore but I love it. I love reading about the friendship between the 4 girls. It’s type of friendship that everyone should have. A Loyal one. Friends that won’t turn back on you. 

The one character I wasn’t happy with this book, was Carmen. I’m sorry to say this but she acted like a spoiled child. Couldn’t she see that her mother was happy? I understand that maybe she was unhappy because her mother started to date again, but it gave her no right to act how she did. I would never treat my mother like that. I don’t know how Cristina put up with her attitude. I was glad that she realized towards end how she acted, wasn’t right and fixed it, or at least tried to. I could see that her and her mother are close and that maybe she was jealous of David, of him spending most of time with her. Glad that it got worked out in the end. 

Now Bridget. I didn’t expect her to give her a fake name, when she went to see her grandmother and I kept wondering why she did it. Was it because she wanted to get to know her first? Or learn more about her mother, before telling her truth. At same time I wondered if she figured out that it’s her own granddaughter who helped her, or how long it would take her to figure out. I was glad to see that two of them created a bond, though they haven’t seen each other in years. Bridget needs someone like that. A family that she can come to. 

Not many things went right for Lena in this book seems like. I felt bad for her. First her feelings for Kostos and then what happened afterwards. Plus her drama with her mother. It didn’t seem like she could catch a break. When Kostos and her re-connected, I was happy for her, smiling when they were together. I could see them happy together in the future. When Kostos got another girl pregnant and married her that I did not see coming at all. When he went back home, I thought it was because of family emergency. My heart broke for Lena when she found out, I wanted to pull her into hug right away. I’m glad she has Carmen, Tibby, Bridget to help her through it. i also got feeling that something might happen, between her and Paul. 

I think Tibby is only one who doesn’t seem to see, how Brian feels about her. He came all that way to see her, he spent time with her in the room. If that’s not a sign, then what is? All she did is ditch him for her new friends. To me, it felt that she was embarrassed to have him around her new friends. That shouldn’t matter, if she is a real friend. I am glad that she came to her senses at the end. Her movie about Bailey got me to tear up a bit, because I liked Bailey too. It’s was inspirational, the movie. 

Loved Letters and Quotes in the book. Second Summer Of Sisterhood filled with love, friendship. A meaning of true friendship. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for Bridget, Tibby, Carmen and Lena next.

May 12, 2014

Breakfast Served Anytime.

Breakfast Served Anytime..
Sarah Combs..

                        Publisher : Candlewick Press
Publication Date:April 8,2014
Genre:YA Contemporary Drama
Format|Pages:Hardcover|272
Source: Goodreads|Library.


☆☆☆☆






SUMMARY
A coming-of-age debut evokes the bittersweet joys and pangs of finding independence in one unforgettable summer away at "geek camp." 

When Gloria sets out to spend the summer before her senior year at a camp for gifted and talented students, she doesn’t know quite what to expect. Fresh from the heartache of losing her grandmother and missing her best friend, Gloria resolves to make the best of her new circumstances.
But some things are proving to be more challenging than she expected. Like the series of mysterious clues left by a certain Professor X before he even shows up to teach his class, Secrets of the Written Word. Or the very sweet, but very conservative, roommate whose coal-industry family champions mountaintop removal. Not to mention the obnoxious Mason, who dresses like the Mad Hatter and immediately gets on Gloria’s nerves — but somehow won’t escape her thoughts. 
 
Breakfast Served Anytime is unlike any novels I read before, and that’s one of things that I loved about this book. New stories, new ideas always fascinated me. When I first started reading this book, I wasn’t sure how much I would enjoy this book, especially since it took a bit for me to pick up. It took me by surprise when I ended up loving it. The start was bit slow to me at beginning, too many descriptions that I found myself wanting to skip over. Soon I found myself unable to pull myself from the story, I wanted to see what would happen, how it all would end. Though to me ending didn’t seem complete, a bit rushed. It’s why it only received 4 stars. It’s a good debut and I can’t wait see what she comes up with next. 


Gloria & Mason : The two of them had an interesting friendship, if you can call it that. It seemed to me more like Love/ Hate relationship. One minute Gloria liked him and the next she couldn’t stand him, it was like that through most of book. I couldn’t blame her for mixed feelings since Mason could get frustrating at times, he seemed liked getting under her skin. It made me curious, was there a possibility that maybe he liked her, but didn’t want to admit it, so he acted like that. But towards halfway to the book, they started to get more friendly towards one another. I got a feeling that there were more there, more that friendship. The two of them had a bond and attraction, or at least it felt like it to me. An attraction that neither of them accepted. The two of them were so different, them becoming friends came as surprise to me. I am curious if it ever go beyond that. The ending wasn’t clear on that. 


Breakfast Served Anytime was more based on friendship, acceptance then romance. It’s one of first Young adult novels I read that had more friendship, acceptance, self-esteem than romance. I think that’s why I liked it, it was easy to feel what Gloria felt, what she gone through. I could tell that Gloria made friends, for years to come. What she had, was a true friendship. I loved how different her friends were, yet they stood by each other side till the end. Now their teacher, X was unlike any teacher I had, if only I had teachers like that in past. It would make classes so much more fun. Weird but fun. I believe he taught them a lot, even if they didn’t believe it. 

Breakfast Served Anytime is most realistic book I read this year. It’s beautifully written. It’s one story that you will find yourself thinking about it once you finish. It’s filled with something that everyone deals with: Friendship, acceptance. It’s a great debut. I’m eager to see what journey Combs will take us on next.

May 11, 2014

The Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants (Sisterhood,#1)

The Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants.
Sisterhood,#1
Ann Brashares.

                        Publisher : Delacorte Press
Publication Date:September 11,2001
Genre:YA Contemporary
Format|Pages:Paperback|294
Source: Goodreads|Library.


☆☆☆☆


SUMMARY

Carmen got the jeans at a thrift shop. They didn’t look all that great: they were worn, dirty, and speckled with bleach. On the night before she and her friends part for the summer, Carmen decides to toss them. But Tibby says they’re great. She'd love to have them. Lena and Bridget also think they’re fabulous. Lena decides that they should all try them on. Whoever they fit best will get them. 

Nobody knows why, but the pants fit everyone perfectly. Even Carmen (who never thinks she looks good in anything) thinks she looks good in the pants. Over a few bags of cheese puffs, they decide to form a sisterhood and take the vow of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants . . . the next morning, they say good-bye. And then the journey of the pants — and the most memorable summer of their lives — begins. 

 
I first read this book in 10th grade and I remembered loving it. A lot time has passed since then so I decided to re- read it. Now I remember why I loved this book so much: It’s captivating, touching and breathtaking. It’s probably one of best books about friendship. It’s also unlike any young adult books out there. It will captivate you from the first sentence till the last; afterwards you will crave for more. Moment that I reached last page, I picked up Second Summer Of Sisterhood right away. I felt like I needed to know what would happen with Bridget, Tibby, Lena & Carmen next. I fell in love with the series all over again. Their friendship reminded me of a friendship I have with few of my friends, a true friendship. 

Bridget : Out of four of them, she was one of my favorite ones. I loved the fact that she wouldn’t give up for what she was going for. Like she went for Eric, and she wouldn’t give up till she had him. Yet I still worried about her, out of all of the friends, she seems the most fragile one. Way she fell apart after she gone too far with Eric, it worried me. It made me wonder if she would end up like her mother. When she got down, I wanted to hug her and tell her how everything would be okay. I do hope she makes it throught this, goes back to old Bridget, the outgoing one. 

Carmen : In beginning I wasn’t sure how I felt about her. Through the novel, I was between liking her, feeling sorry for her and not liking her that much. I felt bad that she went to see her dad, to spend time with him only to find a brand new family there. If I were in her situation I would felt the same, angry, hurt. I do think her father should mentioned it ahead of time, so she would been prepared and maybe it would turned out differently, maybe she try get to know them, to get along with them. Despite that, think how she acted towards Lydia, Krista and Paul was unfair, she should at least tried give them a chance, but she didn’t even try that. I was glad to see that she finally tried to accept them, though took till almost the end. I hoped she be there for her father’s wedding. 

Tibby : Seems like she’s the troublemaker out of the group, at least to me it seemed like she was. It feeling I got because of way that she acted around others. Bailey and Tibby, that was the friendship that I did not see coming and not just because of age difference. Mostly it was due to fact how two of them treated each other when they met. Of course maybe that’s why they became friends, because the two of them had the same attitude. I loved the bond between the two of them. I felt sad when Bailey got sick again and when she died. I felt bad for Tibby, just when she made a friend, got to know her. I actually had tears in my eyes. Hope that she makes it through this. With friends like hers, I am sure that she will. 

Lena : She’s my other favorite, maybe because she’s lot like me. Mostly her attitude is. I can’t draw to save my life. She’s the quiet one from the group. Loved that her character ended up all way in Greece, the descriptions made me wish that I was her. Moment that Lena met Kostos I felt an attraction, Lena just tried to decline or accept that a guy like Kostos could like her. She’s like me in a way, trying to hide her feelings. I am glad she finally had the courage to tell him how she felt. It made me smile when two of them kissed. 

Sisterhood Of Traveling Pants is an thrilling, emotional ride. It’s unlike any book that I read. Traveling Pants? It something that haven’t done and it was interesting to see, what each girl do while wearing the pants, to see all their adventures. I’m eager to see what’s in store for them next. It’s a story about a true meaning of friendship.

Crash Into You(Pushing The Limits,#3)

Crash Into You.
Pushing The Limits,#3
Katie McGarry.

 Publisher : Harlequin Teen
Publication Date:November 26,2013
Genre:YA Contemporary Drama| Romance
Format|Pages:Hardcover|474
Source: Goodreads|Library.


☆☆☆☆




SUMMARY

From acclaimed author Katie McGarry comes an explosive new tale of a good girl with a reckless streak, a street-smart guy with nothing to lose, and a romance forged in the fast lane. 


The girl with straight As, designer clothes and the perfect life—that's who people expect Rachel Young to be. So the private-school junior keeps secrets from her wealthy parents and overbearing brothers...and she's just added two more to the list. One involves racing strangers down dark country roads in her Mustang GT. The other? Seventeen-year-old Isaiah Walker-a guy she has no business even talking to. But when the foster kid with the tattoos and intense gray eyes comes to her rescue, she can't get him out of her mind. 


Isaiah has secrets, too. About where he lives, and how he really feels about Rachel. The last thing he needs is to get tangled up with a rich girl who wants to slum it on the south side for kicks-no matter how angelic she might look. 


But when their shared love of street racing puts both their lives in jeopardy, they have six weeks to come up with a way out. Six weeks to discover just how far they'll go to save each other.
 


 
Breathtaking. There are almost no words to describe how much I loved the story. I have been curious about Isaiah since book 1, after reading Dare You To I found myself even more curious. I was curious about his life, what would happen between Beth and him? If he will find his one true love. I loved Noah but once I read Crash Into You , I think that Isaiah is my favorite character, he seems to have something that Noah doesn’t, and to me his story was more interesting. Is it me but does each book that Katie writes, gets better and more intense? Though I loved first two, loved this one even more. It kept me on edge of my seat. 


Rachel & Isaiah : From start, their relationship was unique, interesting and unlike the other couples in Pushing The Limits stories. The way that the two of them met, and how they seemed to connect with each other. I could tell right away that Isaiah cared for Rachel, though he was too stubborn to admit it in beginning, that he cared about her. I believe that maybe why they connect from moment that they met, was because of their shared interest: cars, racing. At first I wondered if he did care about her, or he stood by her side because he owned her debt. I know that Rachel cared about him, even before the two of them kissed. Once he came to her rescue when he found out that Rachel was in trouble, it showed that he cared for her, maybe more than he wanted to. He stood by her side till the end. If it wasn’t for him, she would die in that crash. I was glad that Isaiah found somebody to love. I’m bit curious what’s in store for two of them next. 


I adored Rachel’s brothers, well most of them anyways. My favorite must been Ethan, I could tell that he did care for her. Worried about her but then I couldn’t blame him. I did feel like they were bit overprotective over her at times. But bond that she had with Ethan and some of her other brothers is not a bond that any sister and brother had. Somebody that Rachel could go to and talk to. I know that next book is West story and I am curious, what his real story is. If there reason that he acts way he does, and if there possibility of change. 


Crash Into You was filled with much more suspense than first two books were. I loved fact that it dealt with cars, something different. It has romance, suspense, drama and a quite bit of thriller. It’s a thrilling ride! 

May 7, 2014

Dare You To(Pushing The Limits,#2)

Dare You To.
Pushing The Limits,#2
Katie McGarry.

Publisher : Harlequin Teen
Publication Date:May 28,2013
Genre:YA Contemporary Drama| Romance
Format|Pages:Paperback|456
Source: Goodreads|Library.


☆☆☆☆



SUMMARY
  Ryan lowers his lips to my ear. "Dance with me, Beth." 

"No." I whisper the reply. I hate him and I hate myself for wanting him to touch me again....

"I dare you..." 

If anyone knew the truth about Beth Risk's home life, they'd send her mother to jail and seventeen-year-old Beth who knows where. So she protects her mom at all costs. Until the day her uncle swoops in and forces Beth to choose between her mom's freedom and her own happiness. That's how Beth finds herself living with an aunt who doesn't want her and going to a school that doesn't understand her. At all. Except for the one guy who shouldn't get her, but does.... 

Ryan Stone is the town golden boy, a popular baseball star jock-with secrets he can't tell anyone. Not even the friends he shares everything with, including the constant dares to do crazy things. The craziest? Asking out the Skater girl who couldn't be less interested in him. 

But what begins as a dare becomes an intense attraction neither Ryan nor Beth expected. Suddenly, the boy with the flawless image risks his dreams-and his life-for the girl he loves, and the girl who won't let anyone get too close is daring herself to want it all. 
 
Did you ever read a book that took your breath away? That you found yourself thinking about afterwards? Dare You To was that book. I am aware that book was fictional but it felt so real, I got engaged with the story, the characters and there were few times, I had force myself to put it down. I loved Pushing The Limits, but I loved Dare You To even more. It was pretty intense, and there were so many emotions that went through me while reading it. To me, Dare you To was even more intense then Noah & Echo’s story was. Every page, every chapter had me on the edge of my seat. After reading Dare You too, Katie Mcgarry became an author that I’m going to love. Just read two of her books and hooked on her writing already. Her stories are unforgettable. 

Beth : When she appeared in Pushing The Limits I wasn’t her biggest fan, actually I didn’t like her at all. I hated her attitude and how she treated Echo, before she actually got to know her. I was aware that she had a troubled life but I didn’t realize how troubled, till I read Dare You To. Finding out that 2nd book would be Beth’s story, I was excited. Despite how I felt about her, I was curious to see her whole story, if there is a reason that she acts that way. Reading Dare You To my feelings for her changed, I actually started to like her even if there are choices that she made, that I didn’t agree with. I wasn’t happy how she treated Ryan, how she treated Isaiah when he told her he loved her, right away she dismissed it and lost him. I hoped that she would see that her mother was trouble, and that it wasn’t her job to take care of her, and that it just get her killed one day. It almost did. I did see change in her through book, especially when she was around Ryan. 


Ryan: Him, I loved right from a start. He’s type of a guy that every girl wants for boyfriend. I know that I would. He’s caring. Of course I wasn’t too happy with him at first, knowing that in beginning he was just using Beth to win a dare. I could tell that he didn’t like her, at least the start he didn’t. I actually though after dare he wouldn’t speak to her and go his own way, maybe even get back to Gwen. I was surprised to find out that he actually started care for her, fell for her. I loved how he wouldn’t give up on them, on her even when Beth insulted him half of time, and pushed him away. I could tell that he really loved her. Most of times they were fighting but when they weren’t, the scenes made me smile. I think it was only time that Beth was actually smiling. It got me to smile when on rare occasions he made her smile. Why can’t all guys be like him? I was actually surprised that he ended falling for girl like Beth, because both of them are so different. I never imagine that two of them would end up together. I’m glad they did though. It was good, for both of them. 

Dare You To was an emotional ride, from the first sentence to the last. It was filled with suspense, romance and even bit of mystery. How can you not love a book like this? Now I’m eager to see what Katie has in store next. Already I got feeling that I won’t be disappointed.

May 4, 2014

Secrets From The Past.

Secrets From The Past.
Barbara Taylor Bradford.

Publisher :St Martin's Press
Publication Date:April 9,2013
Genre:Suspense|Romance.
Format|Pages:Hardcover|368
Source: Goodreads|Library



☆☆☆




SUMMARY

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author comes a powerful and emotional novel about one woman’s quest to uncover long-buried secrets about her family--secrets she will stop at nothing to uncover, no matter the consequences. 

At thirty, American photojournalist Serena Stone has already made a name for herself with her unique and dramatic coverage of wars in the Middle East, following in her famous father’s footsteps. But after his unexpected death in France, she ends her job at the renowned photo news agency, weary of years of danger. Leaving the front lines behind, Serena returns to New York where she starts work on a biography of her celebrated father. 

When Serena discovers that her former lover Zachary North is in trouble overseas, she's forced to leave the safety of her new life, and head back to a place she was trying to escape...and her life will never be the same again. As she brings Zac back to health in Venice, she discovers a shocking secret in the archives of her late father’s work. It is a secret that will propel her back to war-torn Libya, risking her life looking for clues that she hopes will piece together the mystery surrounding her parents’ marriage and the part of their life together that she never knew. 
 
Secrets From The Past was the first novel I read by Barbara Taylor Bradford and it won’t be last. From minute that I read the summary of the book I knew that it would be a novel that I was going to love. Though I didn’t enjoy at as much as I thought I would, most of it kept my attention, there was just few parts that were bit slow for me. I thought that maybe some parts of book had bit too much description, causing me to lost bit of interest. However it picked up pretty fast. Once I did, I couldn’t wait to see what’s going to happen next. It had quite bit of suspense In the book, a suspense that I was eager to figure out.  

Zac & Serena: I adored their relationship from start. I had a feeling that Serena still loved Zac, though she tried to deny it. Otherwise why would she come out all way to Venice, to help him out in his time in need? I was curious to see how long it would take her, to figure it out. It made me happy when she did, for both Zac and her. Honestly I believe because Serena was there, is what made everything on Zac easier, his recovery. Serena helped him just by being there. I felt so sad for Zac in beginning, I can’t even begin imagine what he must be going through. But anytime he cried, I wished that I could pull him into my arms, hug him. Those scenes were filled with so much emotions. I was glad that Serena was there, helping through it. I don’t think he would made it without her by his side. What Zac and Serena had was true love. 

Jessica & Cara: I loved the relationship between the sisters, what the three of them had was special. It’s a bond that doesn’t happen with siblings often. Especially the bond that Jessica and Serena had, it felt that they were best friends than sisters. They had been through so much through years. Loss of their mom, father but in end they were still there for one another. It’s always great to have a family by your side. 

Secrets From The Past takes places in different parts and that’s another part that I loved about it. It’s filled with romance, suspense and adventure. Worth picking it up.

May 3, 2014

Keeping The Moon.

Keeping The Moon.
Sarah Dessen.

Publisher : Speak
Publication Date:May 11,2004
Genre:YA Contemporary Drama.
Format|Pages:Paperback|228
Source: Goodreads|Library



☆☆☆☆





SUMMARY
Colie expects the worst when she's sent to spend the summer with her eccentric aunt Mira while her mother, queen of the television infomercial, tours Europe. Always an outcast -- first for being fat and then for being "easy" -- Colie has no friends at home and doesn't expect to find any in Colby, North Carolina. 

But then she lands a job at the Last Chance Cafe and meets fellow waitresses Morgan and Isabel, best friends with a loving yet volatile relationship. Wacky yet wise, Morgan and Isabel help Colie see herself in a new way and realize the potential that has been there all along. 

 
Did you ever have an author that any of books you read, you ended up loving them? Sarah Dessen is that author for me. I have read few of her books through the years, and I haven’t been disappointed. Dessen has a way to capture the reader’s attention right from beginning. Once again Dessen found a way to captive me with the story, relate with the characters in a way. Every time that I read the books; I am inspired to write myself. Her novels are so realistic. Keeping The Moon wasn’t any different. 

Isabel, Morgan, Colie : Their friendship was different, and realistic. At least to me it seemed realistic. I found it interesting how different the three of them were, especially Isabel yet they made pretty tight group. Despite Isabel‘s attitude I liked her. Mostly I liked the way she was, how honest she was, instead of protecting the person’s feelings. I believe it’s because of Isabel, Colie finally started to accept herself, for who she was. Now Morgan and Colie seemed more better friends, at least in beginning, but Morgan didn’t seem type of person who would hurt your feelings, mostly due to how she acted. I felt bad for her when she found out about her fiancĂ©e. Both Isabel and Morgan taught her about friendship and acceptance. 


  Norman : Honestly I wasn’t sure what to think of him at first. At start, when he came to pick up Colie he seemed a bit weird to me. Colie is last person that I thought end up with him, especially how she treated him when he picked her up. But as it progressed, I saw what a nice guy he was and that he did care for her, though Colie didn’t see it. Not till Isabel and Morgan pointed out to her. That’s what else I enjoyed about book, that their relationship didn’t develop, till towards the end of the book. It made it more realistic. Once book ended I did find myself wondering what’s going to happen with them next. 


Keeping The Moon was more about friendship, acceptance then romance and I liked that. I love books about friendship. This was one of the best books about the meaning of true friendship, and accepting yourself for who you are. I think that Keeping The Moon is a book that every teen should read.
 

Story For Dessert Published @ 2014 by Ipietoon