Dec 30, 2019

Sea Of Memories.

☆☆☆
sea of memories.
fiona valpy.

Publisher  Lake Union Publishing.
Publication Date:March 1,2018.
Genre: Historical Fiction|Romance.
Format|Pages: EBook|273.
 Source:  Goodreads|Owned.
















 CONTAINS SPOILERS



When Kendra first visits her ailing grandmother, Ella has only one request: that Kendra write her story down, before she forgets…



In 1937, seventeen-year-old Ella’s life changes forever when she is sent to spend the summer on the beautiful ÃŽle de Ré and meets the charismatic, creative Christophe. They spend the summer together, exploring the island’s sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters, and, for the first time in her life, Ella feels truly free.



But the outbreak of war casts everything in a new light. Ella is forced to return to Scotland, where she volunteers for the war effort alongside the dashing Angus. In this new world, Ella feels herself drifting further and further from who she was on the Île de Ré. Can she ever find her way back? And does she want to?



From the windswept ÃŽle de Ré to the rugged hills of Scotland, Sea of Memories is a spellbinding journey about the power of memory, love and second chances 


 






Captivating. Realistic. Heart -wrenching.



Once again, I came across a novel that I am having hard time putting into the words. The way it was written and everything that happened to Ella, you cannot help but fall in love with the characters, the story. Once I reached the end of the story, I found myself thinking about the story for some time, I could not get the story out of my mind. SEA OF MEMORIES is one of those stories that will stay with you and that you will end up going back to. I know that I plan to go and re-read it in the future. I have been to France but as little kid so do not remember much, and reading SEA OF MEMORIES I want to go back. All the descriptions in the book, they were breathtaking and I could imagine them all, they were so vivid. The types of images that want to go over to France for a chance to explore it. There was not anything that I did not love about SEA OF MEMORIES because it had a big effect on me, an inspiration. SEA OF MEMORIES has been on mine to read list for a while and I wished that I read it sooner than I did.



I liked how it was going between present time and 1937. I loved reading Ella’s story and how she came to where she was. I loved reading the story of how she met Christophe and Caroline and the bond that the three of them created. It reminds me of few of my friends and just like them; we had an instant bond with each other. It is clear that Christophe and Ella have an instant connection right away, the way that two of them were looking at each other when they met. From beginning, I was hoping that the two of them would get together. Like Ella, I was sad that the two of them were separated because of war. All through the rest of the book, I was hoping that the two of them would find a way to each other. The way that the two found the way to each other was not the way that I hoped would happen. I did feel bad for Angus though. I could tell how much he loved Ella, and I understand why he acted the way he did, especially once it was discovered that Christophe was alive. I knew that Ella was not the same after that discovery, even if she did not want to admit it. I had this feeling that she did not feel same about Angus like she did when she first met him. Even though I like Christophe, I hoped that Angus and Ella would find the love that they had for each other before.




SEA OF MEMORIES was the second book that I read by FIONA VALPY and it will not be the last. Like the last book, I fell in love with this one right from the beginning. Do you love historical fiction romance? Then this is a book that you should pick up now. SEA OF MEMORIES is a beautifully written story about love, friendship and hope.




Dec 25, 2019

Killing November(Killing November,#1)

☆☆☆
killing November.
Killing November, #1
 adriana mather.

Publisher  Knopf Books.
Publication Date: March 26,2019.
Genre: YA Mystery.
 Format|Pages: Hardcover|404.
 Source: Goodreads| Library.














CONTAINS SPOILERS




It’s a school completely off the grid, hidden by dense forest and surrounded by traps. There’s no electricity, no internet, and an eye-for-an-eye punishment system. Classes include everything from Knife-Throwing and Poisons to the Art of Deception and Historical Analysis. And all of the students are children of the world’s most elite strategists—training to become assassins, counselors, spies, and master impersonators.

Into this world walks November Adley, who quickly discovers that friends are few in a school where personal revelations are discouraged and competition is everything. When another student is murdered, all eyes turn to November, who must figure out exactly how she fits into the school’s bizarre strategy games before she is found guilty of the crime…or becomes the killer’s next victim 


 






Mysterious. Thrilling. Engaging.


I love mystery books and I love books about boarding schools. I always loved mysteries that took place in boarding schools, for me it was exciting. KILLING NOVEMBER was everything that I love about mysteries and the way that it is written, you will be hooked from the first page. The title, KILLING NOVEMBER was what caught my attention when I came the across while surfing Goodreads. The title itself had me curious and I read the summary and not long after I went to library and checked it out. KILLING NOVEMBER is one of those books that starts out of the mystery, getting more intense in each chapter and making it impossible to put it down. I found myself spending most of the morning reading the book while I was drinking coffee. I even stayed up late most of the nights because I wanted to see what happened next. I had force myself to put the book down few times. When I picked up the book, I did not know if I like it or not since I never read book by ADRIANA MATHER before but I have heard of her. Once I started to read it, did not take me long to realize that I was going to fall in love with this book.



There was some romance in this book, and I loved fact that the book surrounded around mystery of student’s death more than romance. I love romance but when it comes to mystery books, I prefer more of mystery and KILLING NOVEMBER was that book. I was very curious who the murderer was, and like November, I wondered the reason behind why they wanted to frame her for the murder. There was not a single dull moment in this book. If I could give these book more than five stars, I would. It is the book that I wished I read sooner than I had. I have a strong feeling that KILLING NOVEMBER will end up being a book that I will end up re-reading in the future. Everything about the book, the characters and of course the story, it was breathtaking.




I had a feeling that something might be between Ash and November. From the moment that the two of them met, I felt an attraction between the two of them. I was curious how long it would take for them to figure out. I loved the friendship between November and Layla. When Layla was first introduced, I never imagined that two of them would become friends just by the way that she acted with November. I am glad that they did. I think that the two of them needed one another. I have this feeling that November would not make it through the academy if she did not have Layla and Ash by her side. I am curious to see what happens with all of them next. I cannot help but wonder if November will be able to find her missing father. As you can tell, I am already excited for next book in series to come out.



If you love mysteries with a twist, be sure to check out KILLING NOVEMBER . It will keep you on edge. Be ready for a electrifying ride.



Dec 23, 2019

With The Fire On High.

☆☆☆
with the fire on high.
elizabeth acevedo.

Publisher  HarperTeen.
Publication Date:May 7,2019.
Genre: YA Contemporary.
Format|Pages: Hardcover|400.
 Source:  Goodreads|Library.

















 CONTAINS SPOILERS


With her daughter to care for and her abuela to help support, high school senior Emoni Santiago has to make the tough decisions, and do what must be done. The one place she can let her responsibilities go is in the kitchen, where she adds a little something magical to everything she cooks, turning her food into straight-up goodness.



Still, she knows she doesn’t have enough time for her school’s new culinary arts class, doesn’t have the money for the class’s trip to Spain — and shouldn’t still be dreaming of someday working in a real kitchen. But even with all the rules she has for her life — and all the rules everyone expects her to play by — once Emoni starts cooking, her only real choice is to let her talent break free. 



 
 




Heartwarming. Magical. Beautifully written story.



I feel as if I have no words about this story. WITH THE FIRE ON HIGH had me going through so many emotions as I read it, that I am not sure if I could even put it in words. WITH THE FIRE ON HIGH is a story that will have you thinking from time to time, at least that is what it did with me. One of the things that I loved about this story is how real it was. WITH THE FIRE ON HIGH is the story that could happen and I am sure that few people might relate to Emoni. From the moment that I started reading the story, I could not stop, and even if I never experienced anything like Emoni, I felt as I could connect to her. Emoni is the character that you cannot help but fall in love with and the way that she was with her daughter, you could tell how much she loved her, how she wanted what was the best for her daughter. I loved the scenes between Emoni and her daughter, the type of scenes that will melt your heart.



I love reading any books that involve some type of cooking. I have read a couple through the years, and so far, WITH THE FIRE ON HIGH is my favorite. Title was one of the things that capture my attention when I was a library. I was curious about the title. Now when I have read the book, it makes sense and it fits the story perfectly, along with the stunning cover. I even want to try the recipes that were posted in the book and mentioned in the story. Besides her daughter, I could tell how much cooking made her happy. It reminds me a lot of me with my writing. I love that she added her own twists to the food, which is what both my dad and my brother do when they are cooking. I am glad that she decided to take the culinary class at her school. There was not a single page that did not keep my attention. The more I read, the more I seemed to fall in love with the story.



WITH THE FIRE ON HIGH was the first story that I read by ELIZABETH ACEVEDO and now that I have read this breathtaking book, I cannot wait to discover her other ones. I loved everything about this book, the story, the characters, and the voice. I could go on and on. Once you pick this book up, you will not put it down until you reach the ending. A story won’t be able to forget. One of the best, inspiring books that I read this year. I highly recommend this book to everyone.



Dec 20, 2019

Stepsister.

☆☆☆
stepsister.
Jennifer donnelly.

Publisher  Scholastic Press.
Publication Date:May 14,2019.
Genre: YA Fantasy.
Format|Pages: Hardcover|352.
 Source:  Goodreads|Library.















3.5 STARS 

CONTAINS SPOILERS



Isabelle should be blissfully happy – she’s about to win the handsome prince. Except Isabelle isn’t the beautiful girl who lost the glass slipper and captured the prince’s heart. She’s the ugly stepsister who’s cut off her toes to fit into Cinderella’s shoe ... which is now filling with blood.



When the prince discovers Isabelle’s deception, she is turned away in shame. It’s no more than she deserves: she is a plain girl in a world that values beauty; a feisty girl in a world that wants her to be pliant.



Isabelle has tried to fit in. To live up to her mother’s expectations. To be like her stepsister. To be sweet. To be pretty. One by one, she has cut away pieces of herself in order to survive a world that doesn’t appreciate a girl like her. And that has made her mean, jealous, and hollow.



Until she gets a chance to alter her destiny and prove what ugly stepsisters have always known: it takes more than heartache to break a girl 



 








Dark, captivating retelling.



It is no surprise to you that I am big fairy tale fan. I love any type of fairy tale retelling and I have read few through the years. Cinderella is one of my favorite fairy tales. For as long as I remember, whenever I read the story to the kids when I used be a preschool teacher, I wondered about the stepsisters, I wonder what they were thinking, feeling. When I found out about STEPSISTER, I was curious and excited to finally reading about the stepsister story. I enjoyed the story and liked the way that it was written, which was different from any other retelling that I have read in the past. I liked Isabelle, she was my favorite character in the story and I felt bad for her, how she was treated after Ella left. I understand why she was treated that way, but felt that nobody deserved to be treated the way that she was. As the story progressed, I saw the change in Isabelle and I hoped that everyone else would see that she was not a bad person.



I liked the fact that this was retelling of darker version of Cinderella and told from the stepsister point of view instead. It starts dark, and it will keep on reader on reading, to see what is going to happen next. Isabelle is one of characters that you cannot help but fall in love with as you keep on reading. However, this book did not capture my attention the way that I thought it would. I enjoyed the book and there were lot parts of my books that kept my attention. On the other hand, there were parts in the book that felt rushed and kind of dragged on. The parts that made me want to skim past them. I felt, as this book was a bit too long as well, the ending seemed a bit too long for me. It was the reason that I only gave the book 3.5 stars. STEPSISTER was not what I was expecting to be.



I did enjoy the adventures aspects of the story, and Isabelle’s point of view captured my attention more than Fate and Chance, which did not capture my attention as much. However, if you enjoy fairy tale retelling STEPSISTER is worth giving a chance to. There quite few things in story that will have you on edge of your seat, and will keep you on reading.




Dec 19, 2019

The Princess And The Fangirl(Once Upon A Con, #2)

☆☆☆
the princess and the fangirl
Once Upon A Con, #2
 ashley poston.

Publisher  Quirk Books.
Publication Date: April 2,2019.
Genre: YA Romance|Retelling.
 Format|Pages: Hardcover|320
 Source: Goodreads| Library.
















 CONTAINS SPOILERS



Imogen Lovelace is an ordinary fangirl on an impossible mission: save her favorite character, Princess Amara, from being killed off from her favorite franchise, Starfield. The problem is, Jessica Stone—the actress who plays Princess Amara—wants nothing more than to leave the intense scrutiny of the fandom behind. If this year's ExcelsiCon isn't her last, she'll consider her career derailed.



When a case of mistaken identity throws look-a-likes Imogen and Jess together, they quickly become enemies. But when the script for the Starfield sequel leaks, and all signs point to Jess, she and Imogen must trade places to find the person responsible. That's easier said than done when the girls step into each other's shoes and discover new romantic possibilities, as well as the other side of intense fandom. As these "princesses" race to find the script-leaker, they must rescue themselves from their own expectations, and redefine what it means to live happily ever after. 



 






Its official, I am in love with this series. I could not get enough of Jess and Imogen’s story. I loved the first book GEEKRELLA , and yet I seemed to love THE PRINCESS AND THE FANGIRL even more than I enjoyed the first one. Jess and Imogen are the type of characters that you cannot help but love. If I were asked to pick a favorite one, I do not think that I would be able to choose because I love them both. Imogen and Jess are unique in their own way. Having the book being told from Jess and Imogen’s point of view worked great, giving the readers to get to know each of the characters better. From the moment that Jess and Imogen decided to switch places, I did wonder that someone would eventually figure out, and the minute that they did, it would not end well. I did enjoy reading from their point of view when the two of them switched places. I did wonder if Imogen would find out the real reason that Jess wanted to switch places. I thought that it was an exciting twist on The Prince and Pauper fairytale. I have read another retelling on the fairytale, however THE PRINCESS AND THE FANGIRL has been my favorite one so far.



I did wonder if something would happen between Imogen and Ethan. I was hoping that it would. Even though the two of them did not act like it at the beginning, I had a feeling that they like each other. I was rooting for the two of them, hoping that they would come to their senses soon. I think even Jess noticed how much they cared about each other before they did. As for Jess and Harper, I was not sure about how Harper felt at first, but it was clear how much Jess cared about Harper. I do wonder what would happen if she told Harper sooner who she was. I do understand why she did not. I did find myself hoping that the two would be able to work things out. I had never seen Jess as happy as she was when she was spending all this time with Harper. Those two belonged to one another. I found myself for them to find their happily after ending.



Of course, the mystery for who leaked the script was most enjoyable. From the moment that it leaked online, I could not help but wonder who did, and why they tried to blame it on Jess. I hoped that Jess would be able to figure out. The person who turned out to have leaked the script was the lease suspected person. Like Jess, Imogen, I was sure that it was Vance. That was one of the things that I loved about THE PRINCESS AND THE FANGIRL is the mystery behind it. Like Jess, I wanted to find the person who stole the script. I was rooting for Jess to find the person and expose him or her. Of course, like Jess and everyone, I was in shock when the real person was exposed. Then I love twists like that. I am already curious about the next book in the series.





Nov 29, 2019

Switchback.

☆☆☆
switchback.
danika stone.

Publisher  SwoonReads.
Publication Date:May 28,2019.
Genre: YA | Contemporary|Adventure.
Format|Pages: EBook|320.
 Source:  Goodreads|Owned.
















 CONTAINS SPOILERS




Ashton Hamid knows everything about gaming. His D&D battles are epic; the video game tournaments he organizes, multi-day tests of endurance with players around the world. Real life, however, is a different matter. So when he and his best friend—outspoken "A" student (and social outcast) Vale Shumway—head out on a camping trip to Waterton Lakes National Park with their Phys. Ed. class, Ash figures it’ll be two days of bug bites, bad food, and inside jokes.



Instead, the two friends find themselves in a fight for survival.



An unexpected October snowstorm separates Ash and Vale from the rest of their class. By the time the teens realize they’ve missed the trail, they have wandered deep into the Canadian Rockies. Lost in the wilderness and hunted by deadly predators, their only hope is to work together. But with Vale’s limited supplies and Ash’s inexperience, can the best friends stay alive long enough to find their way back to civilization? 



 






Tragic. Suspenseful. Extraordinary.



There has always been something about survival stories that drew me in. When I came across SWITCHBACK I had a good feeling about the book, and it seemed the type of the story that I would enjoy. I was right. There wasn’t a single page where I was not hooked into the story. I know that if I did not have classes, homework or work, I would finished it sooner than I did. SWITCHBACK was the book that I could not wait to pick back up, to find out what was going to happen next. I was rooting for Vale and Ash from the moment that the two of them got separated from the group. I was rooting for them to make out of there alive. I cannot even begin imagine to have to go through what the two of them had to go through. I don’t think I made it as the long as the two of them did, especially with the way that Ash was injured. Now that is takes courage, to go through all of that and especially through the harsh weather conditions that they were having.



The friendship between Vale and Ash, now that is true friendship. How the two of them took care of each other. How they kept on going, even if it was hard or they did not want to. They did not give up; they did not let each other give up. I have a feeling that their friendship is for years to come. The descriptions of everything in SWITCHBACK were astonishing, which made the book much more real to me. Reading the book, I felt as I was there along with Vale and Ash, going through everything that the two of them were facing. It was very vivid. DANIKA STONE always finds a way to pull you into the story, the one that you will not be able to pull yourself away from, until the end. I could relate to Vale, like her, I loved nature and I was also bullied for a while when I was younger, and I felt as she was the type of character that I could see myself in. I am glad that at least she had Ash by her side.



I feel as if SWITCHBACK is a book that everyone should read. Especially if you enjoy adventure/ survival stories. I have read few survival books through the years, but nothing like that. It is a type of book that you can actually imagine happening in real life. Plus the way everything is described and all the emotions in the story. It is real. At least to me it was. The more I read by DANIKA STONE the more I fall in love with her writing. I cannot wait to see what adventure she has in store for us next.


Nov 17, 2019

Geekerella(Once Upon A Con, #1)

☆☆☆

geekerella.
Once Upon A Con, #1
 ashley poston.

Publisher  Quirk Books.
Publication Date: April 4,2017.
Genre: YA Romance|Retelling.
 Format|Pages: Hardcover|320
 Source: Goodreads| Library.















CONTAINS SPOILERS

Part romance, part love letter to nerd culture, and all totally adorbs, Geekerella is a fairy tale for anyone who believes in the magic of fandom. Geek girl Elle Wittimer lives and breathes Starfield, the classic sci-fi series she grew up watching with her late father. So when she sees a cosplay contest for a new Starfield movie, she has to enter. The prize? An invitation to the ExcelsiCon Cosplay Ball, and a meet-and-greet with the actor slated to play Federation Prince Carmindor in the reboot. With savings from her gig at the Magic Pumpkin food truck (and her dad’s old costume), Elle’s determined to win…unless her stepsisters get there first.

Teen actor Darien Freeman used to live for cons—before he was famous. Now they’re nothing but autographs and awkward meet-and-greets. Playing Carmindor is all he’s ever wanted, but the Starfield fandom has written him off as just another dumb heartthrob. As ExcelsiCon draws near, Darien feels more and more like a fake—until he meets a girl who shows him otherwise. 


 



I love fairytale retellings. I have read few through the years. When I came across GEEKERELLA I had a feeling that I was going to enjoy the story. I never read ASHLEY POSTON books before but I did hear about this series, through Goodreads. I did not have high expectations when I came across the book, and of course it ended with me falling in love with the story. I have read few Cinderella retellings through the years, and so far GEEKERELLA was the unique one, the twist on it. Actually, the twist is one of the things that will keep you on reading. It was impossible to put this book down, every page, every chapter had you craving for more, have you wondering what is going come next for Elle and for Darien. I ended up reading late few nights.




Elle and Darien. I loved that story was told from both of point of views, it is a great way to get to know both characters better. It gives a reader a chance to know what they were feeling. I loved both of them. Besides Sage, they were my two favorite characters. I loved the text messages that the two of them exchanged, and it did not take me long to see how long they cared for each other. I did wonder if Darien planned on telling who he was, I understand why he didn’t. I also wondered if Elle would still feel the same once she found who he was, considering how she felt about Darien. I was rooting for the two of them. So of course I loved the ending, I was smiling when I read it. Their story did feel like a story from Cinderella, just with cell phones , cons and science fiction in the mix.


GEEKERELLA is a book that you won’t forget. Once you reach the end, you will be thinking about the story and wondering what is going happen next. I was and even recommended the book to couple of my friends. I liked the friendship that Sage and Elle developed. Sage is a type of friend that Elle needed. Of course I disliked Elle’s stepmother and stepsisters, expect for Cal. I had mixed feelings about her, she went along with Chloe ideas most of time, but then she seemed feel bad how badly Elle was treated. I did not know what to think about her at times. Do you enjoy fairytale retelling? Then you should check out GEEKERELLA .



Nov 15, 2019

You Must Not Miss.

☆☆☆
you must not miss.
katrina leno.

Publisher  Little Brown Books.
Publication Date:April 23,2019.
Genre: YA Contemporary|Fantasy.
Format|Pages: Hardcover|304
 Source:  Goodreads|Library.
















CONTAINS SPOILERS



Magpie Lewis started writing in her yellow notebook the day her family self-destructed. That was the night Eryn, Magpie's sister, skipped town and left her to fend for herself. That was the night of Brandon Phipp's party.



Now, Magpie is called a slut whenever she walks down the hallways of her high school, her former best friend won't speak to her, and she spends her lunch period with a group of misfits who've all been socially exiled like she has. And so, feeling trapped and forgotten, Magpie retreats to her notebook, dreaming up a place called Near.



Near is perfect--somewhere where her father never cheated, her mother never drank, and Magpie's own life never derailed so suddenly. She imagines Near so completely, so fully, that she writes it into existence, right in her own backyard. It's a place where she can have anything she wants...even revenge. 



 

 




Wow, I am not even sure if there are words to describe this book. It was unlike any book that I read before, which was one of my favorites about this book. I could not get enough of the story, unable to put the book down even if I knew that I should because it was getting late. YOU MUST NOT MISS is the third book that I read by KATRINA LENO whose writing style I am already in love with. I love that YOU MUST NOT MISS went back and forth between the real world and the magical world, near. After some time, I felt as if Near became real to me, the way that it was described, I could picture it. It gave me feeling being there along with Magpie. This story is unlike any other young adult book that I read, at least not this year. YOU MUST MISS is a story that you will always remember, but then with everything that happens there, how can you?


There are some disturbing scenes there; even I did not see it coming. Those were the only scenes that were hard for me to read, but then they were pretty graphic in a way. I did not agree with what Magpie did, even if I did understand why she felt that she had to do it. I did like the idea of Near, a place where Magpie could escape, and after what happened with her, I could not blame her for wanting to escape. The descriptions, the emotions in this book were breathtaking. As a reader, I felt as I could feel all the feelings that she was feeling, fear, sadness, anger. All of them were so vivid. You cannot help but wonder what is going happen next and that is what keeping you turning the pages, until the very last page.


I loved that this book was different, it made it unique. I know that if I did not have a hectic schedule I could read it in one day. I did not want to stop and there were few times that I couldn’t. I loved the title, how can you not help but with the title like YOU MUST NOT MISS . I know that the title itself will make you pick up the book, that what drew me to the book, besides the author. If you love contemporary with a mix of fantasy then you should check this book out now. I cannot wait to see what KATRINA LENO has in store for us next. An author that is worth checking out. Her books will take your breath away.



 

Story For Dessert Published @ 2014 by Ipietoon