May 31, 2018

Airports, Exes, And Other Things I'm Over.

☆☆☆
airports, exes, and other things i'm over.
 shani petroff.

Publisher  SwoonReads.
Publication Date: May15,2018
Genre:YA  Contemporary Romance.
Format|Pages: Hardcover|224. 
 Source:  Goodreads|Library.










 CONTAINS SPOILERS

A bad storm, two canceled flights, stuck in an airport with a hot stranger and the guy who broke her heart... what could go wrong?



After Sari caught her boyfriend Zev cheating on her, their romantic Florida vacation was ruined. She can't get back to NYC soon enough. Unfortunately, mother nature may have different plans. A huge storm is brewing in the Northeast, and flights all over the country are getting canceled—including Sari's. She winds up stuck at the airport for hours. With Zev!



When another stranded passenger (a hot NYU guy) suggests a connecting flight to Boston, Sari jumps at the chance. But when her mom freaks out about her traveling alone, she has no choice—she has to include Zev, and somehow survive being trapped with the guy who broke her heart! 








This was such cute story. I’m not that surprised of how much I loved this story, by now I have read multiple books that were published by Swoon Reads . AIRPORTS, EXES, AND OTHER THINGS I ‘M OVER Isn’t any different, I was hooked within first few sentences in the first chapters. It’s not long until you wonder what will happen next and before you know it, you have been reading for few hours. I was on plane, on my way to see my family in Arizona, and I got so into Sari’s story and before I knew it, we were landing and I was halfway done with book. Don’t you love stories like these, where you don’t even realize how much time passed. From the moment that Sari caught her boyfriend, Zev cheating on here, I wondered what would come for them next, if she let him explain, if she will forgive him or if she let him go. I have been cheated on in the past, so I actually can imagine what she is feeling, and it’s not the greatest feeling. Zev also didn’t make it easy for her, considering that he kept showing up. I do feel if that kiss did mean something to him, he wouldn’t showed up, he wouldn’t tried to explain to her what happened. I could tell how much he cared for her, and fact that he didn’t give up, showed that he loved her and he knew that he made a big mistake. The one he tried so hard to fix. I hoped that Sari would see that.



Fitz. First of all, don’t you just love that name? That’s one of the things that I loved about this book, the names. Most of them were unique and not ones that you hear about often. I felt there was some sort of connection between Fitz and Sari and for moment I did wonder if there is possibility that something could spark between the two of them. It didn’t take long to see that Sari wasn’t interested, at least in anything that went beyond friendship. I could tell that she wasn’t over Zev. I am glad that she made a new friend though. I am not sure what it was about airports but I always loves stories that took places in airports or around them. AIRPORTS, EXES, AND OTHER THINGS I’M OVER Is not first book that I read that took place in airport, and like the other books that I read, I fell in love with it. In way it fell with my travel plans since I started reading it around same time as I was flying to Arizona to visit my family. I did wonder if Sari would actually make it to her audition, since the storm seemed to mess up all the flights. I think if it wasn’t for Fitz, there is a chance that she might not have.



The ending, it had me smiling. I was wondering how long it would take her, to realize that she belonged with Zev. I know that he cheated but way he acted, I know that he still cared for her.
He wanted for her to know the truth. Of course when he almost gave up, and that’s when she realized it. Even though they got their happily after, I couldn’t help but wonder what happened to them after. AIRPORTS, EXES, AND OTHER THINGS I’M OVER is the first book that I read by SHANI PETROFF and after reading this book, I am eager to find out her others.


The Great Alone.

☆☆☆
the great alone.
 kristin hannah.

Publisher  St. Martin's Press.
Publication Date: February 6,2018.
Genre:Historical Fiction.
Format|Pages: EBook|435
 Source:  Goodreads|Owned.














 CONTAINS SPOILERS



Alaska, 1974.
Unpredictable. Unforgiving. Untamed.
For a family in crisis, the ultimate test of survival.



Ernt Allbright, a former POW, comes home from the Vietnam war a changed and volatile man. When he loses yet another job, he makes an impulsive decision: he will move his family north, to Alaska, where they will live off the grid in America’s last true frontier.



Thirteen-year-old Leni, a girl coming of age in a tumultuous time, caught in the riptide of her parents’ passionate, stormy relationship, dares to hope that a new land will lead to a better future for her family. She is desperate for a place to belong. Her mother, Cora, will do anything and go anywhere for the man she loves, even if it means following him into the unknown



At first, Alaska seems to be the answer to their prayers. In a wild, remote corner of the state, they find a fiercely independent community of strong men and even stronger women. The long, sunlit days and the generosity of the locals make up for the Allbrights’ lack of preparation and dwindling resources.



But as winter approaches and darkness descends on Alaska, Ernt’s fragile mental state deteriorates and the family begins to fracture. Soon the perils outside pale in comparison to threats from within. In their small cabin, covered in snow, blanketed in eighteen hours of night, Leni and her mother learn the terrible truth: they are on their own. In the wild, there is no one to save them but themselves.




 






Unforgettable, heart aching, beautiful novel about love, family and survival. THE GREAT ALONE is a story that will stay with you, and one that you will find yourself thinking about. It deals with hard subject and yet you will find yourself unable to put it down, each page will capture your attention more. I have read few of KRISTIN HANNAH books through the years and there wasn’t a single book of hers that I didn’t love. THE GREAT ALONE had became of my favorite books of hers. It seems more I read her books and more I fall in love with her stories. I am always looking forward to her books. THE GREAT ALONE was a bit different then her others books that she written, but I fell in love within the first few pages. To me, it doesn’t matter that the characters are fictional, to me they were real. I felt as I was there along with Allbrights. I might recently finished the book and I am already looking forward to her next one.



Alaska, had always been one of places that I wanted to visit in the future. I know that it’s not a place that I can live, but I always wanted to visit. I never thought or imagined how much it might take to survive out there. Of course it might be different now, and the book takes place in 1974. I can’t even begin to imagine how it must felt to make such big change. I think neither of them realized how much it would take to survive in Alaska, especially in Winter. I know that if it was me, I would survived as long as they hand, I would given up and went back. I know that even Cora didn’t know what she was getting into, she seemed to agree with anything that Ernt wanted to do. They barely talked about his sudden decision, it was as he expected for her to do what he told her to, and she did. I had a feeling that there were something off about Ernt from start, and there was part of that wondered that a change, something different is what he needed. It wasn’t long before I realized that he never change. I believe that moving to Alaska made him worse, his anger became worse. I wish that Cora could seen that, and that she could see that he didn’t love her, not way she loved him. I wish she seen him for man he was, sooner that she did. I was afraid for her and for Leni and that one day he would go too far and kill Cora or both of them. I don’t know how Cora didn’t see that Ernt wasn’t a man that she fell in love with, not anymore.



I feel as if there was connection between Leni and Matthew from the moment that two of them met. My heart broke for him, because of what happened, but he saved Leni. If that’s not true love than I don’t know what it is. THE GREAT ALONE will break your heart, there were few times in the book that I couldn’t help but tear up. There were also times when I found myself afraid for Cora, for Leni. Most of that happened, involved Ernt. Survival. Both of them were fighting so hard to survive and not just to survive Alaska. There were times where I wondered how far they would make it, if they would actually be able to escape it. THE GREAT ALONE is a story that will have you on the edge of your seat until you reach the end. KRISTIN HANNAH did it again, created another masterpiece. One of best historical fiction I have read. I am still thinking about it. THE GREAT ALONE is a book that is worth every page, and a story that everyone should read.



Beautifully written.

May 19, 2018

Royals(Royals,#1)

☆☆☆
royals.
Royals #1
 rachel hawkins.

Publisher  G.P Putnman's Sons Books.
Publication Date: May1,2018.
Genre:YA Contemporary Romance.
Format|Pages: Hardcover|296.
 Source:  Goodreads|Library.












CONTAINS SPOILERS



Meet Daisy Winters. She’s an offbeat sixteen-year-old Floridian with mermaid-red hair; a part time job at a bootleg Walmart, and a perfect older sister who’s nearly engaged to the Crown Prince of Scotland. Daisy has no desire to live in the spotlight, but relentless tabloid attention forces her to join Ellie at the relative seclusion of the castle across the pond.



While the dashing young Miles has been appointed to teach Daisy the ropes of being regal, the prince’s roguish younger brother kicks up scandal wherever he goes, and tries his best to take Daisy along for the ride. The crown–and the intriguing Miles–might be trying to make Daisy into a lady . . . but Daisy may just rewrite the royal rulebook to suit herself. 



 






I love books that deal with royalty. These types of books had always captivated me. When I found out that RACHEL HAWKINS wrote a book that deals with royalty, I was excited, I love her writing, I loved her Hex Hall series. ROYALS is different from the books I read and in a good way. It was amazing. This book, the story was the type of book that I love. I enjoyed that ROYALS had a humor added to it, and it made it much more interesting to read. There were some parts where I couldn’t help but smile and laugh. Once I started the book, I kept on reading it until I realized that hours have passed since I started. I wasn’t that surprised because I know what amazing writer RACHEL HAWKINS is and it reminded me why I love her. It been few years since I read book by her and not I feel as if I need to read more of her books. I know that ROYALS just came out, and yet I want the 2nd book already, I want to see what is coming next.



I wasn’t sure if I liked Miles, not at first. I think he’s one of those characters that’s not likable at first due to how he acted, how he treated Daisy. It wasn’t long until you learn to love him. That’s how it was for me, kind of like Daisy. I don’t think she planned on it, I don’t think she wanted to like him, maybe because of how they met, how he treated her at first. I could tell when she started to get attracted to him, and I saw that for the longest time she tried to deny it. I don’t think it helped when Queen ordered her to pretend to date him. I have a feeling that Miles might liked her before than, and one of reasons that he agreed. All through the book, I kept rooting for them, I wanted for them to realize that they should be together. It’s too bad that they didn’t up until Daisy were headed back to Florida. My heart broke along with Daisy’s. The ending, of course that had me smiling. I didn’t expect it and that was one of the best surprises. Despite fact that I know there are together, I am kind of curious what happens with them next, if they will last together.



I didn’t like how Ellie treated her when she first arrived. I understand that she was under a lot pressure, being engaged to prince. I was glad to see that she eventually realized too, and I was smiling at the sister bonding moment that two of them eventually had. I feel like some of tension that both of them might had, drained away. There is part of me, that hopes that 2nd book is about Alex and Ellie, I kind of like to learn more about Alex, he seems like the type of boyfriend that any girl dreams of. I would love learn more about their relationships as well. In general, I think I am just curious about the two of them. There wasn’t anything that I didn’t enjoy in ROYALS and I am excited to see what happens next. RACHEL HAWKINS did it again, created another beautiful, magical story. You will fall in love.

Our Song.

☆☆☆
our song.
 jordanna fraiberg.

Publisher  Razorbill.
Publication Date: May2,2013.
Genre:YA  Contemporary Romance.
Format|Pages: Hardcover|352.
 Source:  Goodreads|Library.













 CONTAINS SPOILERS


Olive Bell has spent her entire life in the beautiful suburb of Vista Valley, with a picture-perfect home, a loving family, and a seemingly perfect boyfriend. But after a near-fatal car accident, she’s haunted by a broken heart and a melody that she cannot place.



Then Olive meets Nick. He’s dark, handsome, mysterious . . . and Olive feels connected to him in a way she can’t explain. Is there such a thing as fate? The two embark on a whirlwind romance—until Nick makes a troubling confession.



Heartbroken, Olive pieces together what really happened the night of her accident and arrives at a startling revelation. Only by facing the truth can she uncover the mystery behind the song and the power of what it means to love someone. 


 






A beautiful, heartbreaking, captivating love story. You will fall in love.



Have you ever had a book on your to read list, one that you wished you read sooner? That’s how I feel about OUR SONG and isn’t title captivating? You can’t help and be curious about it. I had OUR SONG on my to read list for a while. Now that I read the book, I wish that I picked it up sooner than I have. I think that I might fallen in love with story only within few pages in. The first chapter sucks you in story. From first page, I couldn’t help but wonder, How did it happen? Why does she keep hearing that song? In a way that makes story more mysterious because like Olive you keep wondering why she keeps hearing the song. I didn’t want to pull away from the book, and I believe that if it wasn’t for work, I might not have. There were couple nights on weekend where I stayed up later, so I could see what happens. Once I finished OUR SONG I couldn’t stop thinking about it. OUR SONG is a story that you won’t be able to forget.



I tried to like him, I truly did but I couldn’t. Derek, I agree with Olive’s best friend, Annie that he is not good enough for her. By way he treated her after accident, pretending that she didn’t exist. Which had me wondering what their fight was about that night, I knew that it must been a big fight if she ended up taking his car. Once the truth came out and she remembered, I disliked Derek even more. I am glad that she ended it. I felt like he became more controlling once they got back together. Now, Nick is just what Olive needed, to move away from her ex-boyfriend, Derek. I could tell that two of them shared a bond not long after meeting. For first time since the accident, Olive seemed happy. My heart broke for Olive when Nick confessed the truth, and there was part of me that wish he didn’t. I do understand why he did. I hoped that Olive would find it in her heart to forgive him. I loved the ending, it was like a fairytale. I was glad that both of them got their happily after.



This was first book I read by JORDANNA FRAIBERG and now that I have read her book, I am curious what other books she holds in store for us. I can’t wait to check them out. OUR SONG was a touching story that I still find myself about. I have feeling that this will be a story that I will be re-reading in the future. A must read.

May 13, 2018

Simon Vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda(CreekWood,#1)

☆☆☆
simon vs the homo sapiens agenda.
Creekwood, #1
 becky albertalli.

Publisher  Balzer+Bray.
Publication Date: April 7,2015.
Genre:YA Contemporary Romance.
Format|Pages: Hardcover|303.
 Source:  Goodreads|Library.










Sixteen-year-old and not-so-openly gay Simon Spier prefers to save his drama for the school musical. But when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight. Now Simon is actually being blackmailed: if he doesn’t play wingman for class clown Martin, his sexual identity will become everyone’s business. Worse, the privacy of Blue, the pen name of the boy he’s been emailing, will be compromised.



With some messy dynamics emerging in his once tight-knit group of friends, and his email correspondence with Blue growing more flirtatious every day, Simon’s junior year has suddenly gotten all kinds of complicated. Now, change-averse Simon has to find a way to step out of his comfort zone before he’s pushed out—without alienating his friends, compromising himself, or fumbling a shot at happiness with the most confusing, adorable guy he’s never met. 



 





Why haven’t I read this book sooner? It was so adorable, and I couldn’t help but fall in love with story and the characters, especially Simon and Blue. The two of them were so adorable whenever they were talking to each other. I also happen to think that Blue is a cool name, even if it was a fake one. I heard about SIMON VS THE HOMO SAPIENS AGENDA for a while, and even more after the move Love, Simon came out. There were a lot of good reviews about this book and I couldn’t help but be curious about the book and finally got a copy from library. Now that I read it, I wished that I picked up sooner, there wasn’t a single thing that I didn’t enjoy about this novel. One of reasons that I read it in such short time, I couldn’t put it down, I didn’t want to. I can tell that SIMON VS THE HOMO SAPIENS AGENDA is going be one of those novels that I won’t forget, and I am sure I will end up re-reading it in the future.



Simon & Blue: I loved the two of them. I could just by their emails that they exchanged how much they cared for one another. Like Simon, I did wonder who Blue was and why he didn’t want meet, or at least exchange phone numbers. I feel like Simon told Blue more things that he told his friends, but I understand why he did. The two of them connected in a way, and they could talk about it without being judged. I have read few LGTB books throught the years and I think that SIMON VS THE HOMO SAPIENS AGENDA is my favorite. Maybe it’s the way that it was written, the storyline in general. I couldn’t get enough of it, I couldn’t get enough of Blue and Simon, and there was a part of me that didn’t want for book the end, I didn’t want to say goodbye. All this time that I read the emails that Blue and Simon exchanged I never imagined that Bram could been Blue. I should guessed it, by way that Bram would look at Simon at times, watching him. I guess like Simon I didn’t put it together. I was glad that Simon finally found someone that made him happy and that he could be himself around. It was clear how in love with each other they were. I was glad he got his happy ending.



I try to not dislike characters, but there was one I had mixed feeling about, Martin. I didn’t like how he tried to blackmail Simon, just because he liked Abby. I had mixed feelings about him because once I got to know him, he seemed like a decent guy, funny. I think that even Simon started to like him. Until he posted that post, just because he was angry and jealous. That doesn’t make it okay. Despite that, he seemed to realize his mistake. I wasn’t sure he did until that email. It made me wonder if Simon would ever forgive him. I think they were on way on becoming friends until he messed it up. Now that I read the book, I am eager to see the movie, I am curious if movie is as good as the book. I think that this book deserves more than five stars. A story that is worth checking out.



A beautiful, inspiring story.

May 8, 2018

Love And Other Train Wrecks.

☆☆☆
love and other train wrecks.
 leah konen.

Publisher  Katherine Tegen.
Publication Date: January 2,2018.
Genre:YA  Contemporary Romance.
Format|Pages: Hardcover|368.. 
 Source:  Goodreads|Library.










CONTAINS SPOILERS



A twenty-four-hour romance about two teens who meet—and perhaps change their minds about love—on a train ride to Upstate New York in the middle of a snowstorm



One train ride. Two strangers.



Noah is a hopeless romantic. He’s heading back home for one last chance with his first love, whom he broke up with when he went off to college.



Ammy doesn’t believe in true love—her parents being prime examples. She’s escaping from a mom who can’t take care of her to a dad who may not even want her. That is, until one winter night when Noah and Ammy find themselves in the same Amtrak car heading to Upstate New York.



After a train-wreck first encounter between the two of them, the Amtrak train suddenly breaks down due to a snowstorm. Desperate to make it to their destinations, Noah and Ammy have no other option but to travel together. What starts off as a minor detour turns into the whirlwind journey of a lifetime, and over the course of the night they fall in love. But come morning their adventure takes an unexpected turn for the worst. Can one night can really change how they feel about love...and the course of their lives forever? 

 


 It didn’t take me long to fall in love with this story. I believe that it only took me few pages and I was hooked, to the story, the characters. I love that LOVE AND OTHER TRAIN WRECKS took time within 24 hours. It makes you realize as a reader how much can happen, how much can change in 24 hours. I think because of everything that happened and what Noah and Ammy had to face to get where they needed to be. Just when I didn’t think that anything could go wrong, get worse. I was proven wrong. Every page had me craving for more story, had me wondering what they would face next. Few times during their adventure, I wondered if Noah and Ammy would actually make it to their destinations. And once they did, what would happen to them? LOVE AND OTHER TRAIN WRECKS is a type of story that had you wondering what will happen, how will the end until you find yourself at the end of the novel.



Noah and Ammy’s realthionship was a bit different that a realthionship you read about. First of all, they started out as strangers that met on train. Strangers who the only reason they ended up going on their adventure together was because train breaks down, and who needed make it to their destination. I was surprised that she even agreed to go with him, a stranger. I know that if I were in her position, I would been more hestitant that she had been. I believe that had do with fact that she was in hurry, and had to get to her destination by a certain time. I am sure if she knew what was to come after, she would stayed on that train instead. I think that Ammy wasn’t too fond of him at first, especially after he took in wrong direction. I am actually surprised she decided to stick with him after that, but I guess she didn’t have any other choice. I didn’t think that two of them would actually develop feelings for one another, considering how Noah went to get his ex girlfriend back. It didn’t take long for me to see how they felt for one another. Just the way they started to act around each other. I hoped that the two of them could find a way to be with each other, even after that sudden twist that even I didn’t see coming.



Rina, I never put two and two together. That is one twist that even I did not see coming. I think that what made this book even more interesting. Fact that Kat is the ex girlfriend, who is related to Ammy. I feel as if I was in shock just like Ammy was once she found out. Once that was out, the feelings that they had for each other went out window, because neither of them wanted to hurt Kat. It put both of them in awkward situation. I am sure that Kat wouldn’t be happy about, considering how Noah broke her heart and I feel that what it stopped both of them. There was part of me that also hoped that Kat would understand, and that Ammy would actually tell her. Out of all people that Ammy had to run into, of course it had to be Kat’s ex. Of course it wasn’t her fault, Kat refused to talk about him, so she didn’t even know it was her ex. I think everything would turned out differently if she did. I loved everything about this book. I did not want to put it down and once I reached the end, I wanted to pick it up again. LOVE AND OTHER TRAIN WRECKS is a first book that I read by LEAH KONEN and now that I have read one, I need to read more.



A beautiful, heart aching, spectacular love story.

May 5, 2018

The Chaos Of Standing Still.

☆☆☆
the chaos of standing still.
 jessica brody.

Publisher  Simon Pulse.
Publication Date: November 28,2017.
Genre:YA  Contemporary Romance.
Format|Pages: Hardcover|406. 
 Source:  Goodreads|Library.










CONTAINS SPOILERS




Ryn has one unread text message on her phone. And it’s been there for almost a year.



She hasn’t tried to read it. She can’t. She won’t. Because that one message is the last thing her best friend ever said to her before she died.



But as Ryn finds herself trapped in the Denver International Airport on New Year’s Eve thanks to a never-ending blizzard on the one-year anniversary of her best friend’s death, fate literally runs into her.



And his name is Xander.



When the two accidentally swap phones, Ryn and Xander are thrust into the chaos of an unforgettable all-night adventure, filled with charming and mysterious strangers, a secret New Year’s Eve bash, and a possible Illuminati conspiracy hidden within the Denver airport. But as the bizarre night continues, all Ryn can think about is that one unread text message. It follows her wherever she goes, because Ryn can’t get her brialliantly wild and free-spirited best friend out of her head.



Ryn can’t move on.



But tonight, for the first time ever, she’s trying. And maybe that’s a start. 


 







This book… so many emotions. A heart aching story about grief, learning to let go and friendship. I couldn’t get enough of Ryn’s story. I have read stories about grief before, but for some reason to me it felt THE CHAOS OF STANDING STILL is the most emotional, heartbreaking one that I have read in a while. I couldn’t pull away, I wanted to see what would happen, I wanted to see if Ryn would be able to start moving on after her best friend’s death. I wanted to know if anything would happen between her and Xander, if Ryn would finally let other in. Most of all, I needed to know if she would read that one unread message that Lottie sent her, the last text message. I can’t even imagine losing my best friend, the way that Ryn lost Lottie, I think I would handle it worse than Ryn did. Considiring what she saw when she found out that Lottie has been in accidient. My heart broke for her. That was one of scenes in the book that had me tearing up. Poor Ryn. Poor Lottie, for her life to end so early. I felt as if I could actually feel Ryn’s grief, her anger and her anxiety over it. I felt as I got to know a lot about her, just through her emotions which were so beautifully written, with a lot emotion. An emotion that you can’t help but feel while you are reading the book.



I love name Ryn, it’s unlike any name that I came across before, same goes with Lottie. At first I was wondering why Ryn was hearing her best friend voice after her death, talking to her. As I read THE CHAOS OF STANDING STILL it started to make sense, it’s because Ryn wasn’t ready, to let go, to move on past it. Honestly I don’t think that she move complexly past it, but at least she can learn to expect it and let it go. I feel I could relate to Ryn in a way. 2 years ago, I lost one of my best friends, he was 27. Not same way that Ryn did, but I remember how hard it was, and sometimes it still is. I remember feeling similar emotions that she was feeling. So in a way, I know how it feels to lose someone close to you. If Ryn wasn’t a fictional character, I would give her a big hug. Lottie was a great friend to her and I know it take a long time where the pain gets a bit easier.




Xander, I was happy that Ryn came across him. I think she needed someone like him in her life. For while I wondered if she would tell him about Lottie. I loved how supportive he was, and no matter how many times she pushed him away, in the end he was always there for her. I think there were times that he made her forget, for little while about what was going on in her life. I know she would deny it, at least at first but he made her happy, made her laugh which I feel she haven’t done since Lottie’s death. He made her time being stranded in airport during a snowstorm, more bearable. Xander is the type of guy that I would love to meet. The ending both made me happy and sad. Happy because Ryn finally accepted her feelings for him, sad because they were saying goodbye. I couldn’t help and wonder if maybe they would reunite again one day. I hope they do. But then I know that Xander is type of guy that is hard to forget.



THE CHAOS OF STANDING STILL is a 2nd book that I read by JESSICA BRODY and I am aleready in love with her character, her writing. Brody has a way to suck you into story from the first story. A story that you will find yourself thinking about, I still am. I am eager to see what other stories she has in store for us, I can’t wait to explore them. THE CHAOS OF STANDING STILL is magical that you will fall in love with instantly.


 

Story For Dessert Published @ 2014 by Ipietoon