Bookishly Ever After(Ever After,#1)

☆☆☆☆☆

bookishly ever after.

Ever After,#1

isabel bandeira.

Publisher  Spencer Hill.          

Publication Date:January 19,2016

Genre:YA Contemporary Romance.

Format|Pages:  Digital| 378

 Source: Recieved Digitial Copy from Netgalley|Publisher.

“Fiction is the best kind of reality”

☂

In a perfect world, sixteen-year-old Phoebe Martins’ life would be a book. Preferably a YA novel with magic and a hot paranormal love interest. Unfortunately, her life probably wouldn’t even qualify for a quiet contemporary.



But when Phoebe finds out that Dev, the hottest guy in the clarinet section, might actually have a crush on her, she turns to her favorite books for advice. Phoebe overhauls her personality to become as awesome as her favorite heroines and win Dev’s heart. But if her plan fails, can she go back to her happy world of fictional boys after falling for the real thing?

(I received digital copy from Netgalley, in exchange of an honest review)

 ☂

From a minute that I came across BOOKISHLY EVER AFTER I had a feeling that it was going to end up being one of my favorite books. I was right; it ended up being so much more than I expected it to be. I loved the fact that Phoebe was a total bookworm when it came to books, which is a lot like me and I felt I could relate to her in that sense. I spend as much time reading books when I have time as Phoebe did. A book about books, how can you not fall in love with a novel like that? To me it felt as it was telling few different stories, Phoebe’s and the books that she was reading. Story wasn’t only what drew me to the book; I was drawn from moment that I came across the cover and the title. You can’t but help wonder about the both. BOOKISHLY EVER AFTER how can that not capture your attention and have you wondering if there is meaning behind the title? Plus the cover is absolutely stunning, and once I started reading the book, it all made sense, especially considering Phoebe’s story. A novel that you will find yourself reading till you reach the end. That’s what I found myself doing last night, and it turned into hours of reading till I finished it, because I wanted to see how Phoebe’s story ended.



BOOKISHLY EVER AFTER is not just a love story but it much more. To me, it felt almost like a fairytale but with a twist. I thought it was an interesting aspect that Phoebe took, turning to her books for help, a romance advice. But in the end it wasn’t because she acted like one of characters in her book, but because she was herself. Dev liked her for who she was, I just wished that she realized it sooner. But I could tell that from moment that she found out that Dev liked here, there was change in her and there were tension between two of them. Even I could see it before she did, he was crazy about her. Way he reacted when she told him about Kris and way he always found a way to be around her, how could she not see it? All it took was for them end up at same camp, for her to realize how he feels for her, but at same time if her campers didn’t push her, it could ended a completely different way. The emotions in these books was everywhere and I found myself feeling all feelings that Phoebe was feeling, sadness, happiness, desire, confusion. The story became a reality to me.




Of course I enjoyed the action within this book, especially when they went to camp, and everything was described with such detail that I could picture it all, it actually looked like so much fun. While I read it, I found myself wishing that I was there at that moment. I can see why this book is so loved, it was astonishing, beautifully written and I couldn’t get enough of the story. I enjoyed reading the passages from the books that Phoebe loved and before I knew it, I fell in love with books in process. Especially since Phoebe’s reading style is a lot like mine is. Do you love books? Do you like love stories with a twist? Then pick up BOOKISHLY EVER AFTER , because once you do, you won’t be able to put it down till you reach the end and even then you will be craving for more. A beautiful, heartfelt debut novel.

South Of Sunshine.

☆☆☆☆

south of sunshine.

dana elmendorf.

Publisher :Albert Whitman

Publication Date:April 1,2016

Genre: YA LGBT Contemporary Romance

Format|Pages: Digitial ARC|256.

 Source: Received digital copy from Netgalley.

“How do you expect anyone to accept you if you can't accept yourself?”

☂

What is Kaycee willing to risk for the sake of love?


And what will she risk for acceptance?



In Sunshine, Tennessee, the main event in town is Friday night football, the biggest party of the year is held in a field filled with pickup trucks, and church attendance is mandatory. For Kaycee Jean McCoy, life in Sunshine means dating guys she has no interest in, saying only “yes, ma’am” when the local bigots gossip at her mom’s cosmetics salon, and avoiding certain girls at all costs. Girls like Bren Dawson.



Unlike Kaycee, Bren doesn’t really conceal who she is. But as the cool, worldly new girl, nobody at school seems to give her any trouble. Maybe there’s no harm if Kaycee gets closer to her too, as long as she can keep that part of her life a secret, especially from her family and her best friend. But the more serious things get with Bren, the harder it is to hide from everyone else. Kaycee knows Sunshine has a darker side for people like her, and she’s risking everything for the chance to truly be herself.

(I received digital ARC from Netgalley, in exchange of review )

 ☂

When I first came across this book while I was on Netgally, what caught my attention were the title and the cover. SOUTH OF SUNSHINE what a beautiful title and as a reader you can’t help but wonder about it. I was. Once I read the description I had a feeling that this would be a book that I was going to love. Once I received the ARC I was excited about the book and I wasn’t disappointed. SOUTH OF SUNSHINE was a beautiful story about love, friendship and acceptance. It featured so much more than love; it had everything from anti-gay, racism and so much more. I have read few books about lesbians but nothing like this. SOUTH OF SUNSHINE is one of the most realistic coming out stories that felt real to me. What Kaycee and Bren went through, and the way that Kaycee struggled with herself, is what I can see happening in real life. I couldn’t get enough of Kaycee & Bren’s story and the emotions in this novel were astonishing.



Bren & Kaycee: I loved the relationship between the two of them, watching them fall for each other was magical. I could tell that from moment that Bren came to town, to Kaycee’s school that there was something there. I could almost feel the emotions that Kaycee was feeling when she first saw Bren, even though she wouldn’t admit it then, but she knew that there was something there. Relationship between the two of them was different but real, even though Kaycee had trouble accepting what two of them had, most of all she had trouble accepting her sexuality herself. Kaycee was trying to hide it. That was the difference between the two of them, Bren was out and open about but to Kaycee, it was new. I imagine that it couldn’t been easy for Bren to have a girlfriend who had hard time accepting herself. That what made their relationship real. From moment that two of them got together, I found myself rooting for Kaycee to accept herself so two of them could be together, without having to hide.




SOUTH OF SUNSHINE is not just a book about love but it’s about acceptance, heartbreak, hate and hope. There were so many subjects covered in this book, and there were times that you couldn’t help but feel bad for Kaycee with everything that she went through. All that she had deal from community, her mother and classmates once the truth about her sexuality came out. I was just glad that she had her friends to help her through it all. That’s true friendship and considering what they helped her with at end, that was astonishing and breathtaking. There were slow parts in book, in the beginning for me, it seemed like it slow paced for me but once it picked up, I couldn’t put it down. An astonishing debut novel by DANA ELMENDORF I can’t wait what story she has in store for us next.

Vampire Academy ( Vampire Academy,#1)

☆☆☆☆☆

vampire academy.

Vampire Academy,#1

richelle mead.

Publisher  Razorbill.              

Publication Date:August 16,2007.

Genre:YA Fantasy|Adventure|Romance

Format|Pages: Paperback|332.

 Source: Goodreads|Bought.

ONLY A TRUE BEST FRIEND CAN PROTECT YOU FROM YOUR IMMORTAL ENEMIES…

Lissa Dragomir is a Moroi princess: a mortal vampire with a rare gift for harnessing the earth's magic. She must be protected at all times from Strigoi; the fiercest vampires—the ones who never die. The powerful blend of human and vampire blood that flows through Rose Hathaway, Lissa's best friend, makes her a dhampir. Rose is dedicated to a dangerous life of protecting Lissa from the Strigoi, who are hell-bent on making Lissa one of them.



After two years of freedom, Rose and Lissa are caught and dragged back to St. Vladimir's Academy, a school for vampire royalty and their guardians-to-be, hidden in the deep forests of Montana. But inside the iron gates, life is even more fraught with danger…and the Strigoi are always close by.



Rose and Lissa must navigate their dangerous world, confront the temptations of forbidden love, and never once let their guard down, lest the evil undead make Lissa one of them forever…

 ☂

Have you ever come across series, that no matter how many times you read it, you love it every single time? VAMPIRE ACADEMY is that series for me, I had read it multiple times and I feel like every time I read it, I love it more. It had been few years since I re-read the first novel, and just like first few times. It was breathtaking. Despite fact that I had re-read it multiple times, I didn’t want to put the book down even if I knew what was going to happen. VAMPIRE ACADEMY has a lot going on, from the start of the novel, to the end and afterwards you will find yourself eager to pick up FROSTBITE . What is there not to love? There are Vampires, a vampire guardian training school and there is quite bit of action. VAMPIRE ACADEMY isn’t a book about love, or in their case, forbidden love but it’s also about the true meaning of friendship, sacrifices. It’s one of my favorite series about vampires.



I love the friendship between Rose & Lissa. What the two of them have is a meaning of true friendship. Fact that the two of them are bonded together, which is what, saved Lissa’s life in the end. I could see that Rose would do anything, in order to protect Lissa from danger, any type of danger. The friendship between the two of them, reminds me a lot of my best friend, there isn’t anything that I wouldn’t do for her. Even if the two of them had their moments, in the end they were still there for one another. I can’t even begin to imagine how it is to feel other people’s emotions like Rose was with Lissa. I was as worried for Lissa as Rose seemed to, there were much more going on with her, then either of them realized. I could tell from start of the novel, that those two are going to stay friends for years to come. Their friendship, it felt real to me.





Dmitri, what is there to say about him? He’s every girls dream guy, or at least that the feeling that I got. I loved his name and fact that he is Russian, considering that’s where I am from originally so it hits close to home. You could see the bond, the attraction between two of them fast, even if Dmitri denied it but I understand why he did. But that scene between the two of them, that was breathtaking and I was smiling it through it all. When Dmitri told Rose that he doesn’t feel like that about her, my heart broke for her even if I know that it wasn’t the truth. You can’t help but wonder what will happen between the two of them now, considering what almost happened between the two of them. They were my favorite couple pretty early in the series, they had an unique sort of relationship. You can’t help but wonder what is in store for two of them next.



RICHELLE MEAD has a way to surprise you, by throwing unexpected twists that even you didn’t see coming. I had met her back in 2012 at a book signing, she’s one of the sweetest people I met, and been one of my favorite authors since I first read the series. Richelle is type of author that will have you craving for her next book. So far, there hasn’t been a book of hers that I didn’t love. I can’t wait to see what story she will come up with next. Do you love vampires? Romance with action and twists? Pick up VAMPIRE ACADEMY , because once you do, you will be hooked.

The Ruby Circle(Bloodlines,#6)

☆☆☆☆☆

the ruby circle.

Bloodlines,#6

richelle mead.

Publisher  Razorbill.              

Publication Date:February 10,2015

Genre:YA Fantasy|Adventure|Romance

Format|Pages: Digital|348.

 Source: Goodreads|Bought.

THEY WILL BE TESTED

Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets - and human lives.



Their forbidden romance exposed, Sydney and Adrian find themselves facing the wrath of both the Alchemists and the Moroi in this electrifying conclusion to Richelle Mead’s bestselling Bloodlines series.



When the life of someone they both love is put on the line, Sydney risks everything to hunt down a deadly former nemesis. Meanwhile, she and Adrian becomes enmeshed in a puzzle that could hold the key to a shocking secret about spirit magic, a secret that could shake the entire Moroi world and alter their lives forever. 

“I told you before, we’re the center,” she said. “And the center will hold.” 

 ☂

I cannot believe that it’s over; it feels like I am saying goodbye to my friends. While I read the series I became fond of so many characters I didn’t think of as much, in Vampire Academy. Jill, Sydney. The more that the series progressed, as I got to know about the characters more, I felt like each other of them became my friends. To me, it felt that I went on the journey along with them. I even teared up towards the end, since I knew that their story came to the end. Every book in Bloodlines took my breath away, craving me for more, wondering what to come next. It didn’t only have romance but friendship, adventure, action, mystery and courage. THE RUBY CIRCLE wasn’t any different for me, actually I felt that THE RUBY CIRCLE had the most action, there was so much going on in this book, and it was the hardest one to put down. It was one of those novels that I was both eager to find out how it ends, and at the same time sad because I knew it would be the end. RICHELLE MEAD didn’t disappoint.



Of course I loved fact that Lissa, Rose and Dimitri was in this book, but then they been my favorites in VAMPIRE ACADEMY . I loved how they were trying to help Sydney and Adrian. Plus that ending… I found a huge smile on my face, I was wondering when it would come to that. I didn’t think I would see a day when Dmitri and Adrian would become friends, considering the history between the two of them. I always love when a spin off series has main characters part of it, and those three appeared on and off through the series. I loved it. Of course I loved the bond that Jill and Adrian have, and it was clear how hard her was trying to find and save her. Even though he didn’t say it, I could tell that it was very hard on him, maybe as hard as it was on Eddie. Adrian became the type of guy that you can’t help but love, the one that wants to help everyone. Adrian is a guy that every girl dreams about.




Sydney and Adrian’s relationship seemed bit off balance in this one, at least in the start. At first it seemed like all they did was argue, but then there were so much going on at that time. But at first it did worry me, but in the end the two of them made it. All through the series, I was rooting for their happily after, but after Alchemist started hunting them down, I wasn’t so sure if it was possible. I was glad that they did. Just like the last book, the cover was beautiful in this one as well and fit well to the storyline. I honestly don’t want to say goodbye to this series, and I have a feeling it is a series I will end up re-reading multiple times as well. An astonishing finale to another amazing series. RICHELLE MEAD did it again, and I can’t wait to see what adventures she will come up with next.

Silver Shadows ( Bloodlines,#5)

☆☆☆☆

silver shadows.

Bloodlines,#5

richelle mead.

Publisher  Razorbill.              

Publication Date:July 29,2014

Genre:YA Fantasy|Adventure|Romance

Format|Pages: Digital|380

 Source: Goodreads|Bought.

Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets—and human lives.



In The Fiery Heart, Sydney risked everything to follow her gut, walking a dangerous line to keep her feelings hidden from the Alchemists.



Now in the aftermath of an event that ripped their world apart, Sydney and Adrian struggle to pick up the pieces and find their way back to each other. But first, they have to survive.



For Sydney, trapped and surrounded by adversaries, life becomes a daily struggle to hold on to her identity and the memories of those she loves. Meanwhile, Adrian clings to hope in the face of those who tell him Sydney is a lost cause, but the battle proves daunting as old demons and new temptations begin to seize hold of him. . . .

“Falling in love with someone can make you do things the love of a relative can’t.”

 ☂

I have no words right now, that was… breathtaking and unexpected. There were so much that even I didn’t see coming, especially the end. The ending was the most surprising twist of all, and the type of ending that you can’t help but wonder what’s going happen next, how all of that is going to come to end. How can you not? RICHELLE MEAD did it again. So far there hasn’t been a single book in BLOODLINES series that I didn’t love. SILVER SHADOWS wasn’t any different. This book had me go through so many emotions, I felt as I was feeling everything that both Sydney and Adrian were feeling through the book. I felt as if I was worrying about my friends and wondering what’s going to happen next. Will they be available to find where Sydney is? Will she find a way to escape? Those were thoughts that were running through me most of the book. I was on the edge of my seat from the start of the book to the end. Even once I reached the end, I couldn’t wait to pick up the next one just so I know what happens next.



Adrian & Sydney: What the two of them have, now that’s true love. Their relationship reminds me a lot of what Dimitri and Rose had in Vampire Academy, expect theirs is even more forbidden. Considering that Sydney is human and Adrian is a vampire, it was the relationship that nobody expected to happen. Plus Sydney changed Adrian, into a completely different person than he was before they got involved, he became Adrian that even I didn’t recognize. Though I liked him before, he soon became one of my favorites. I found myself hoping that they would find Sydney soon because I could see Adrian turning to his old ways. I felt bad for him, I couldn’t even begin imagine what was going through him, when he couldn’t get touch with Sydney. As for Sydney, I was afraid for her and I know that one of reasons she made it through was because of Adrian, because she wanted get back to him, so she pretended. If that is not real life, what is? The two of them belong together.



I think cover for SILVER SHADOWS is my favorite out of the whole series, or at least so far it is. I believe that it most eye capturing cover and the one that will have you pick up the book. Even a book cover itself looks mysterious, if you look at the cover close enough. To me, I feel like it fits the storyline that Adrian and Sydney have in this book. As for the title SILVER SHADOWS it just sounds unique as most of titles for her books are. Capturing. There were couple parts in book that were bit slow for me, when Sydney was in re-education but those picked up pretty fast and afterwards I couldn’t get enough of the book, I did not want put it down till I reached the end. Beautifully written. Another astonishing story by RICHELLE MEAD

Dreaming Of Antigone.

☆☆☆☆☆

dreaming of antigone.

robin bridges.

Publisher : Kenisnghton

Publication Date:March 29.2016

Genre: YA Contemporary Romance

Format|Pages: ARC EBook|304.

 Source: Received digital copy from Netgalley.

 

Every star has its own path…



“I can’t ever be the blazing star that Iris was. I’m still just a cold, dark satellite orbiting a star that went super nova.”

Andria’s twin sister, Iris, had adoring friends, a cool boyfriend, a wicked car, and a shelf full of soccer trophies. She had everything, in fact—including a drug problem. Six months after Iris’s death, Andria is trying to keep her grades, her friends, and her family from falling apart. But stargazing and books aren’t enough to ward off her guilt that she—the freak with the scary illness and all-black wardrobe—is still here when Iris isn’t. And then there’s Alex Hammond. The boy Andria blames for Iris’s death. The boy she’s unwittingly started swapping lines of poetry and secrets with, even as she tries to keep hating him. 

(Source: Received digital copy, in exchange of honest review. Thanks to Kensington Books & Netgalley)

 ☂

This book ended up being much more than I imagined it to be. When I first came across this book when I was on Netgalley, and the moment that I saw the description, I fallen in love with the story already. DREAMING OF ANTIGONE sounded just type of books that I love. I had a feeling that it was going to be a sad story, but I didn’t realize how sad it was going to be, and it got to the point where I couldn’t put the book down. Despite being dark and sad I found myself unable to pull myself away from Andria’s story. As I read the book, I felt like I became part of Andria’s story, as I saw through her eyes, and through her pain. Even if I didn’t lose anyone way that she did, I can imagine the pain of losing a loved one. However I can’t even begin to imagine how it must felt like, to lose a loved one through drugs, only to find out later that there is so much more than that. DREAMING OF ANTIGONE was the type of book that will have you thinking, will have you wonder what others secrets are there, what will happen next? It’s not just a book about romance but family, friendship, secrets.



Andria: I felt sorry for her. I could tell that loss of her twin, Iris was hard on her, even if there were times that she tried to hide that. Plus her mom was overprotective due to her seizures. I do understand where she was coming from, after all she just lost one of her children, and she didn’t want to lose another. I did love the writing style, how we followed Andria by the days she had left till she could take her driver’s test, it was interesting to read. Of course I couldn’t help but wonder if she would actually make it this time. I think that Andria was suffering more than she let on, and it feels like if it wasn’t for her friends and Alex, she might have been worse off than she was. I did notice the sighnfigant change in her from beginning of the book, to the end of book. Now Alex, their relationship was different, mostly because she blamed him for Iris’ s death but at the same time she couldn’t help but feel some sort of connection to him. I couldn’t help but wonder if he felt the same about her, the ways he pushed her away at times did make me wonder. Despite what happened in past, I did find myself rooting for the two of them.



Of course I loved the cover. Just look at it? How can you not fall in love with the cover? It’s stunning and at the same time, mysterious. Actually the cover of the book was one of the first things that caught my attention, it had me curious about the book. The way that couple looking up at the sky, you can’t help but wonder if there are looking for more than stars. Also the title, it’s so unique but at the same time fits the storyline so well. DREAMING OF ANTIGONE is also filled with so many unexpected twists that even you don’t see coming. The type of twists that you find yourself re-reading just make sure that you read it right. I couldn’t get enough of this novel. Beautifully written. It’s a first book I read by this author and won’t be the last. A book that is worth it every page.