Revenge, Ice Cream, And Other Things Best Served Cold (Broken Hearts & Revenge, #2)

☆☆☆☆☆

revenge,ice cream,
and other things
best served cold.

Broken Hearts & Revenge,#2

katie finn.

Publisher  Feiwel & Friends.

Publication Date: May 5,2015

Genre: YA  Contemporary Romance.

Format|Pages:  Hardcover|400.

 Source:  Goodreads|Library.

After the humiliating events on the 4th of July, Gemma's trying to handle the fact that Hallie knew who she was all along, and she was the one who stole Teddy from her. Gemma vows revenge, but things get more complicated than she planned. Ford, Gemma’s long-time crush, has arrived in the Hamptons cuter than ever. Josh is refusing to speak to her after she lied to him, and Teddy is playing champion to his beloved Marsh Warbler (in Gemma's backyard, no less).



Gemma and Hallie find themselves locked in an escalating revenge cycle. Just when Gemma thinks she has the upper hand, the biggest bombshell of all is dropped. And it’s one that threatens to change her life forever. 

 ☂

No, how can she end it like this? With cliffhanger like that, I need to pick up the next book right away. Broken Hearts & Revenge is the most addictive series that I have read for 2017 at least. I thought that BROKEN HEARTS,FENCES AND OTHER THINGS TO MEND was pretty dramatic, but that was nothing compared to the 2nd installment in Broken Hearts & Revenge series. I had a feeling that it was going to be filled with quite bit of drama but even I wasn’t expecting this. I didn’t think that Hallie would go as far, to get Gemma almost arrested and get her fired from her job. It seemed like no matter what Gemma did, Hallie was step ahead of her and hit her harder. I believe that when she sent Gemma’s dad her old notebook that was the last straw. I was sure that would be the end of it, that Gemma would be done with it. I believe that she almost was till she discovered that she been planning this for years. 4 years. I had never heard of someone holding a grudge for that long. I have a big feeling that this might be a never-ending war. Especially after what Gwyn pulled at the end.



So you know how at the last book I was rooting for Josh and Gemma? I was still rooting for them when I just started reading REVENGE, ICE CREAM, AND OTHER THINGS BEST SERVED COLD but then Ford came into the picture. The two of them, I could see that they had a special bond especially since Ford was one person that could tell when Gemma was lying, when something was bothering her. Plus he helped her whatever she needed help with. I had a feeling that there was possibility that he had feelings for her. My first clue was when Sophie mentioned that Gemma might want her ex, Teddy back and the disappointment on his expression and had me wondering, was it possible that he could like her the way that she likes him? There was one time in kitchen when I was sure that he was going to tell her, but then it like he changed his mind. It did have me wondering what would happened if he did tell her. Then once she figured out that he might like her. I wonder if Ford might like her since that kiss the two of them shared three years earlier, that he been keeping it inside of him. Of course as you probably guessed I am Gemma and Ford fan and will be rooting for them. Besides it’s clear that Josh had moved on, despite the little moment that two of them had. I want to see if anything else develops between Ford and Gemma now that she knows.



As I said in beginning, that ending. Even when I found that it was Karen who wrote that Once Bitter novel, I suspected that they might be together but wasn’t sure. But that he married to her, that was unexpected. I believe that if anyone saw my expression, it would be as shocked as Hallie and Gemma were once they figured out. I know that it was the last thing that they wanted or expected. How can you not but wonder what happens now? Will they accept it or will they try to break it up? I know that I am curious, I mean how can I not be? Maybe there is a chance that this would put an end to Hallie and Gemma’s war? Considiring all the things that they did to each other, I don’t believe that it’s possible. Yet when it comes to these too, I don’t think that anything is impossible. How will it all come to an end? Broken Hearts & Revenge was the first series and books that I read by KATIE FINN and once I finish it, I will be checking out her other novels because I am hooked.

Broken Hearts, Fences, and Other Things To Mend (Broken Hearts & Revenge,#1)

☆☆☆☆☆

broken hearts, fences,
and other things
to mend.

Broken Hearts & Revenge,#1

katie finn.

Publisher  Feiwel & Friends.

Publication Date: May 13,2014

Genre: YA  Contemporary Romance.

Format|Pages:  Hardcover|339.

 Source:  Goodreads|Library.

Hot sun. Blue waves. New romances. Old secrets.



Gemma had her summer all planned out, but it takes a sharp turn when she gets dumped and finds herself back in the Hamptons after a five-year absence.



Being there puts her at risk of bumping into Hallie, her former best friends (that is, before Gemma ruined her life). But people don't hold grudges forever. Do they?



Gemma intends on making amends, but a small case of mistaken identity causes the people she knew years ago—including Hallie and her dreamy brother, Josh—to believe she's someone else. As though the summer wasn't complicated enough already. 

 ☂

Were there a time you came across by accident, and ended up falling in love with the story? That’s was the case for me when I came across BROKEN HEARTS,FENCES, AND OTHER THINGS TO MEND while I was at the library looking for what books to read next. The title and the cover is what caught my attention and had me stop and pick up the novel. Now that I have finished the book, I was happy that I decided to check out, give this book a chance. BROKEN HEARTS, FENCES, AND OTHER THINGS TO MEND wasn’t your typical love story, and only some parts of it focused on romance. Most of the novel seemed to focus on friendship or in Gemma’s case, old friendship. I was curious from moment that I read the summary of what would happen, if Hallie and Gemma would be able to reunite, and then there was the question of what did Gemma do to her? Once I found out what happened, what she did, I couldn’t say I blamed Hallie for being angry with her, she ruined her mom’s career. Though I don’t think I would gone as far, to get revenge how Hallie did. I understand that she was angry and hurt, but to hold grudge for five years? Plus Gemma isn’t only one she ended up hurting in end. It was hard not to get hooked onto Gemma’s story.



I liked Josh, he was sweet and he treated Gemma, way that she should been treated. I had a bad feeling from start that he would end up getting hurt. The moment that he mistaken her name being Sophie, she should told him sooner who she was. Maybe if she did, there could possibly be a chance for them. I can’t imagine how he felt, considering it’s a 2nd time that it happened to him. I am not sure if he can bounce back from that. The way he looked and talked to her once he found out, I had a big feeling that he was done. Gemma has nobody but herself to blame for it. Maybe if she corrected him from start. I ‘m eager to find out what happens next, if there is a chance that Josh will forgive her. Just as she found someone who treats her way that she should be treated, it goes down the drain. I do hope that there is a chance that they can somehow work out. Considering that he is Hallie’s brother and that she lied to him, I am not sure it will be a possibility.





The ending, not like I didn’t see that coming. I am glad that Gemma didn’t back off, like Hallie told her to. Which made everything more interesting. Now I am more eager to pick up the next book in series, I need to know what happens next. This is first novel that I read by KATIE FINN and it won’t be the last one. I want to see what other adventures she came up with. A beautiful, funny story about love, friendship, family and revenge. Once you come to the end, you will find yourself reaching for the 2nd book in series. I was blown away and can’t wait what’s in store for Gemma and everyone next.

The Epidemic(The Program,#0.6)

☆☆☆☆☆

the epidemic.

The Program,#0.6

suzanne young.

Publisher  Simon Pulse.

Publication Date: April 19,2016.

Genre: YA  Science Fiction| Romance

Format|Pages:  Hardcover|385.

 Source:  Goodreads|Library.

In a world before The Program…



Quinlan McKee has spent her life acting as other people. She was a closer—a person hired to play the role of the recently deceased in order to give their families closure. Through this process, Quinn learned to read people and situations, even losing a bit of herself to do so. But she couldn’t have guessed how her last case would bring down her entire world.



The only person Quinn trusts is Deacon, her best friend and the love of her life. Except Deacon’s been keeping secrets of his one, so Quinn must set out alone to find Arthur Pritchard, the doctor who’s been trying to control her life. The journey brings Quinn to Arthur’s daughter, Virginia, who tells Quinn the truth about Pritchard’s motives. The former closer will start to see that she is the first step in fighting an epidemic.



But Quinlan doesn’t want to be a cure. And with all the lies surrounding her, she realizes she has no one left to rely on but herself—even if she doesn’t know who that is anymore.

 ☂

It's official, I’m in love with SUZANNE YOUNG ‘s writing. How can you not be? All those emotions that she has you going through while you reading the novel. The story pulls you into it deep, to the point where you don’t want to stop till you reach the end. I know for fact that this is the story that I will find myself talking about with my friends. I am still thinking about it, I am still wondering what will happen to them after. I feel like I am left with more questions at the end then when I had started. I loved all her stories from The Program series so far. I got admit that Quinn’s story had been my favorite so far. There wasn’t a single dull moment, THE EPIDEMIC had my full attention from the beginning to start. I was sad, I got angry, I got happy and I had hope. To me, the story and the characters they were all real. It was if I became part of them and went through this incredible, terrifying journey along with them. Out of all the books that I had read THE EPIDEMIC was the most emotional one to read. I can’t even count how many times I reached for tissues and how many times I was close to tears. It felt like a heartache.



As you can probably guess, I was happy when Deacon and Quinn found their way back to each other, especially after Quinn found out the truth about Deacon. Once she found out, I didn’t think that they could have the relationship that they did before. Neither did I think that Deacon would ever tell her that he loved her. I loved the scenes between the two of them, it put a smile on my face every single time. What Quinn and Deacon had, was true love and the two of them belonged with each other. I was terrified when Deacon went missing and I was afraid of what they were doing to him, that they could erased his memory. I was relieved that Quinn and others could get to him in time. It would been heartbreaking if he forgot her. I was glad that the two of them could finally be with one another. At least somebody had a bit of a happy ending and after everything they went through, they deserved it.



This seems happen to me a lot when it comes to novels. Just when I get a new favorite character, that character gets killed off. It’s not first time and I am sure that it won’t be the last time it happened. In this case Reed, Like Quinn and her friends I couldn’t help but like him. He’s the guy that any girl would be happy to be with. I don’t want dislike Virginia but I do. He was fine till he spent some time with her and he went downhill fast from there. She’s the reason that Epidemic started and it all clicked in place after Reed’s suicide. Everyone that spent some time with her, it was not long after where they would commit suicide. I can see why everyone started to freak out because it got out of control. As much as I liked Reed, I am glad it didn’t get to Quinn, Aaron and Deacon, those three are my favorites. There is part of me that is sad that Quinn’s story is over, but at same time I am curious about the next story, the next adventures. I have a feeling that SUZANNE YOUNG is an author I am going to read years to come.

The Remedy(The Program,#0.5)

☆☆☆☆☆

the remedy.

The Program,#0.5

suzanne young.

Publisher  Simon Pulse.

Publication Date: April 21,2015.

Genre: YA  Science Fiction| Romance

Format|Pages:  Hardcover|320.

 Source:  Goodreads|Library.

In a world before The Program…



Quinlan McKee is a closer. Since the age of seven, Quinn has held the responsibility of providing closure to grieving families with a special skill—she can “become” anyone.



Recommended by grief counselors, Quinn is hired by families to take on the short-term role of a deceased loved one between the ages of fifteen and twenty. She’s not an exact copy, of course, but she wears their clothes and changes her hair, studies them through pictures and videos, and soon, Quinn can act like them, smell like them, and be them for all intents and purposes. But to do her job successfully, she can’t get attached.



Now seventeen, Quinn is deft at recreating herself, sometimes confusing her own past with those of the people she’s portrayed. When she’s given her longest assignment, playing the role of Catalina Barnes, Quinn begins to bond with the deceased girl’s boyfriend. But that’s only the beginning of the complications, especially when Quinn finds out the truth about Catalina’s death. And the epidemic it could start. 

☂

I had picked up this book because I had loved The Program, The Treatment . I was also curious how the Epidemic started to begin with. Nothing prepared for how addictive this novel would be. I was drawn into the story from page one to the last page, and after that breathtaking plot twist at the end, I was craving for more. How could I not? Even I did not see that coming, that unexpected twist and there was part of me wondered if I was reading it right. THE REMEDY was filled with action, drama, with some romance in the mix. I loved Quinn from beginning, and it’s hard not to like a character like her. Not everyone liked her, considering that she was a closer and I can understand why in way. At the same time, I don’t think how others treated her sometimes was fair, she was trying to help grieving families and she was still a human being with feelings. The way that others treated her sometimes, like Catalina’s sister and Isaac’s friend treated her, as if she was some sort of disease. I couldn’t help but feel sorry for her, I am not sure if I would be able to handle it.



Deacon, I was up and down between liking him and not so sure if I like him. I did not like the fact that he kept hurting Quinn. I did wonder if there was reason behind it, if there was reason that he broke up with her all those months ago. It was clear that Deacon was crazy about Quinn, you could tell by way he acted around her. Also no matter what happened, he was always there for her. Like when she had that breakdown when she wasn’t sure if she was Catalina or not. Even if it was hard for him, it physically hurt him, he helped her through it. It was obvious that the two of them were crazy about each other. I was waiting and hoping that the two of them would acknowledge it already. Of course that Epilogue, I was not expecting that, especially not from Deacon. I knew if Quinn found out about it, would not end well for neither of them. I hoped that she never would because their relationship would change if she did.



There were so many emotions that were going through me. I found myself reaching for tissues few times. Once I found out that Catalina committed suicide, that had me curious and wondering if she’s the one who would start the Epidemic. It was a sad book and yet I couldn’t find it in me to put it down. I was so observed into the story. It felt like I became part of the story. I loved the Program, but I have this feeling that I love THE REMEDY even more. Now, I need to pick up THE EPIDEMIC and see what’s in store next for Quinn, Deacon, Aaron. I feel like it’s one of the best science fiction novels that I have read this past year.

The Treatment(The Program,#2)

☆☆☆☆☆

the treatment.

The Program,#2

suzanne young.

Publisher  Simon Pulse.

Publication Date: April 29,2014.

Genre: YA  Science Fiction| Romance

Format|Pages:  Hardcover|344.

 Source:  Goodreads|Library.

How do you stop an epidemic?



Sloane and James are on the run after barely surviving the suicide epidemic and The Program. But they’re not out of danger. Huge pieces of their memories are still missing, and although Sloane and James have found their way back to each other, The Program isn’t ready to let them go.



Escaping with a group of troubled rebels, Sloane and James will have to figure out who they can trust, and how to take down The Program. But for as far as they’ve come, there’s still a lot Sloane and James can’t remember. The key to unlocking their past lies with the Treatment—a pill that can bring back forgotten memories, but at a high cost. And there’s only one dose.



Ultimately when the stakes are at their highest, can Sloane and James survive the many lies and secrets surrounding them, or will The Program claim them in the end? 

☂

Ever since I first read THE PROGRAM back in 2014, I was eager to see what would happen to James, Realm and Sloane after. If they would be able to get away from Program, if they could put an end to it. I loved the first book, but that book was nothing compared to THE TREATMENT . Usually I tend enjoy the first book in series more than the second, but in this case, it was the other way around. It could be just me, however I had this feeling that THE TREATMENT had a lot more going on, more action, more anticipation that kept my devotion till the end. It had this edge to the book, at the end of each chapter that it was impossible to put down, due to cliffhanger that seemed to come towards end of the chapter. One of reasons that I read the novel in one day because I couldn’t get enough of the story. I was hooked and knew that there was no way that I would be able to put it away, not till I reached the end anyways. It reminded me why I loved this series this much to begin with.



James and Sloane, come on how can you not love those two? I loved them since the beginning of series, but in this book, I feel in love with them. Despite them being through the program, having their memories wiped clean and they still found their way to each other in end. James is type of guy that almost every girl dreams about. I loved how he always seemed to want to take care of Sloane, looked out for her. Not once did he give up on her, despite his jealousy over her and Realm’s friendship. I like Realm, at least parts of him but after reading this, I know that it’s James that Sloane belongs with. It had always been James. I loved the scenes between the two of them. Now that The Program had been shut down, I am curious what will happen with everyone after.



THE TREATMENT was a heartfelt, gripping story. Everything that I love about books, the book that will keep you on edge of your seat from the begging, to the end. I am still thinking about the story and the characters. A book that I would give more than five stars if I could. Beautiful. Engaging.