HIDDEN PIECES by Paula Stokes

Rating: D-
Synopsis:
Embry Woods has secrets. Small ones about her past. Bigger ones about her relationship with town hero Luke and her feelings for someone new. But the biggest secret she carries with her is about what happened that night at the Sea Cliff Inn. The fire. The homeless guy. Everyone thinks Embry is a hero, too, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Embry thinks she’ll have to take the secret to her grave, until she receives an anonymous note—someone else knows the truth. Next comes a series of threatening messages, asking Embry to make impossible choices, forcing her to put her loved ones at risk. Someone is playing a high stakes game where no one in Embry’s life is safe. And their last move...is murder.

My thoughts on the book:
I really wanted to like this book. The synopsis had me hooked, and I couldn't wait to dive into it. However, this is one of the lamest "thrillers" I've ever read. The writing is subpar - all telling and no showing, the characters aren't likable, and the mystery/thriller aspect isn't very mysterious or thrilling. The only reason I gave this book a D- instead of an F is because I was actually able to finish it. 

Embry is not a likable character at all. She whines and insults herself constantly. She thinks she's a terrible person all the time, and she sounds like a broken record about it. Because of this, she makes stupid decisions and is too scared to be up front and honest with anyone in her life. There isn't much to respect about her, really. She's not very strong, even though she had been through a lot before the book started. Holden was a nice enough guy, but he changed mid-book, and it didn't really seem to fit. It seemed like two completely different people, and that was jarring... the change was pretty much for no reason, too. No transformative experiences happened to him. The secondary characters are all clichés, so I'm not even going to waste time talking about them. Even the creepo of the story is boring. 

The writing for this book isn't that good. This author didn't actually show anything. No pictures were painted. It was all Embry telling us stuff. There were very few scenes where she wasn't just going on about whatever her problem was for that minute. It was too much in her head and not enough in the outside world. The pacing is ridiculously slow. The person who is asking her to do absolutely stupid things comes up with even dumber "punishments," and there was no edge of your seat feeling to it because the whole concept felt thrown together at the last minute. It was like Jiminy Cricket had gone rogue or something... the whole "just be honest" message was too strong and ridiculous for anyone to buy into. It just didn't feel like a scary situation. It was just stupid. The supposed climax of the storing was boring and ridiculous. The ending was dull. 

Overall, I'd say skip this book. There are a lot of other thrillers out there that have deeper characters, better writing, and a plot that isn't just ridiculous. 

ONE SMALL THING by Erin Watt

Rating: A
Synopsis:
Beth’s life hasn’t been the same since her sister died. Her parents try to lock her down, believing they can keep her safe by monitoring her every move. When Beth sneaks out to a party one night and meets the new guy in town, Chase, she’s thrilled to make a secret friend. It seems a small thing, just for her.

Only Beth doesn’t know how big her secret really is…

Fresh out of juvie and determined to start his life over, Chase has demons to face and much to atone for, including his part in the night Beth’s sister died. Beth, who has more reason than anyone to despise him, is willing to give him a second chance. A forbidden romance is the last thing either of them planned for senior year, but the more time they spend together, the deeper their feelings get.

Now Beth has a choice to make—follow the rules, or risk tearing everything apart…again.

My thoughts on the book:
This was my first Erin Watt book, and I loved it! I really enjoyed this novel, though at times it was incredibly frustrating. The situations were very real, and sometimes I wanted to smack people for being blind, etc., but it was so much like real life that I related to the characters on a deep level. I lost my father this year, and I understand that pain, and how there's never a right way to grieve. No matter how you grieve, someone is going to tell you that you're doing it wrong. The other social issues in this book were extremely realistic, too, and the writing was beautiful. 

Beth was, in my opinion, a very relatable character. I felt so bad for her because of her parents being way too over-protective, to the point of insanity. No one would listen to her. No one cared what she wanted. Everyone wanted to dictate how she should feel and act because apparently they all thought she was incapable of making her own decisions. Therefore, she acted out. A lot. Which didn't help her cause any, but I can't say that I blame her for her reactions. Chase was a complex love interest, and not just because he's the one who is to blame for her sister's death. He has a lot of baggage in addition to that, but he's a good guy. I liked him quite a bit. Scarlett wasn't my favorite person, but she redeemed herself a bit in the end. 

My favorite thing about this book is that it didn't pull any punches. Not everything was sunshine and roses. Horrible things happened, things that wouldn't be okay, and that was okay. I like messy books with messy endings a lot better than everything in the book being fixed at the end. I mean the ending wasn't depressing or anything, but it wasn't perfect, and I appreciated that. Also, it's always refreshing to see authors take on behaviors such as bullying, grief, parental over-protectiveness that borders on abuse, sexual assault, and relationship abuse. This is a real book. Additionally, but just as important, the book was well written and the plot was engaging. 

Overall, I'd recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a good YA contemporary romance that deals with real and very messy issues. 

THE DISAPPEARANCE OF SLOANE SULLIVAN by GIA CRIBBS

Rating: A+
Synopsis:
No one wants me to tell you about the disappearance of Sloane Sullivan.

Not the lawyers or the cops. Not her friends or family. Not even the boy who loved her more than anyone. And most certainly not the United States Marshals Service. You know, the people who run the witness protection program or, as it’s officially called, the Witness Security Program? Yeah, the WITSEC folks definitely don’t want me talking to you.

But I don’t care. I have to tell someone.

If I don’t, you’ll never know how completely wrong things can go. How a single decision can change everything. How, when it really comes down to it, you can’t trust anyone. Not even yourself. You have to understand, so it won’t happen to you next. Because you never know when the person sitting next to you isn’t who they claim to be...and because there are worse things than disappearing.

My thoughts on the book:
Wow. This book seriously blew my mind. I sat down not really knowing what I was getting into, and from the prologue to the epilogue, I could not put my Kindle down. I even read while I ate lunch. I have never read a book quite like this one. Cribbs has earned a spot on my favorite authors list. The emotional depth in these characters and in their relationships is stunning and realistic and raw and painful and beautiful. The descriptions and Sloane's perceptions and everything just make this book so real. I fell for the lies right along with Sloane. I fell for everything. There was a surprise around every corner, and while I suspected one of the big reveals, I wasn't expecting it to be SUCH a big reveal. This is a novel that will grab you and not let you go until the very last page. Cribbs' beautiful writing style, the flawless weaving together of the past and present, and the constant surprises will captivate any reader. If you only read one book this year, it needs to be this one. 

Sloane is the narrator, and while she's not 100% trustworthy, you can't help but believe her as she draws you into her story. It's clear from the start that she is a strong, logical, and good heroine. She is just one of those people who radiates goodness. She wants to do the right thing, and it's important to her. Her integrity is obvious early on, and that really gives the reader a sense of trust. We need more YA heroines like Sloane, to be honest. She never once complained, and she never acted like some boy crazy teenage girl (I hate when teenage girls are depicted that way). Mark is a really complex character, but I couldn't help but love him and feel sympathy for him as his story unfolded. Jason is wonderful and amazing. Even the crappy people in the novel are so wonderfully developed that you just feel something for them because they feel real. That is so hard for authors to accomplish, and Cribbs did so flawlessly. 

The story itself is so complex and intrinsically woven that you will be immersed in this world full of deceit, murder, and treachery before you realize it. Everyone seems so "normal" on the surface, but as their demons are uncovered, you quickly learn that nothing is what it seems. I am in awe of the emotional depth that Cribbs was able to convey, not just from the characters, but the strong emotional bonds between characters, as well. I laughed and cried and smiled and held my breath in suspense more times than I can count in the 5 or so hours it took me to read this book. The reveals and surprises were believable, though some things seemed ridiculously convenient, it all made sense, and it was certainly plausible that things would work out that way, especially with certain explanations at certain points throughout the novel. Therefore, I was easily able to suspend my disbelief and dive head-first into the story. Not only was the story itself amazing, but the ending was a wonderful surprise. Everything about this book was just beautiful, heartfelt, and real. Words can't express how much I loved it. 

Obviously I'd recommend this book to anyone. If you enjoy any kind of YA novel, especially, you will adore this book. 

THE MEMORY BOOK by Lara Avery

Rating: A+
Synopsis:
They tell me that my memory will never be the same, that I'll start forgetting things. At first just a little, and then a lot. So I'm writing to remember.

Sammie was always a girl with a plan: graduate at the top of her class and get out of her small town as soon as humanly possible. Nothing will stand in her way--not even a rare genetic disorder the doctors say will slowly start to steal her memories and then her health. What she needs is a new plan.

So the Memory Book is born: Sammie's notes to her future self, a document of moments great and small. It's where she'll record every perfect detail of her first date with longtime crush, Stuart--a brilliant young writer who is home for the summer. And where she'll admit how much she's missed her childhood best friend, Cooper, and even take some of the blame for the fight that ended their friendship.

Through a mix of heartfelt journal entries, mementos, and guest posts from friends and family, readers will fall in love with Sammie, a brave and remarkable girl who learns to live and love life fully, even though it's not the life she planned.

My thoughts on the book:
The Memory Book was touching, depressing, and inspiring, all at the same time. Sammie was such a brave character and fantastic narrator. If you want a strong female lead in YA lit, then Sammie is your girl. I can't get over how brave she was. I know I already used that word, but the dictionary should be rewritten to say "Brave (adj): Sammie." If I had been in her position, I'm not sure that I would have been able to keep my sense of humor, go after the guy I had a crush on, or rekindle old friendships. She really made the most of her life, even though it wasn't the life she wanted or had planned to have. She was valedictorian, an amazing debater, and planned to go to NYU and become an attorney. Those dreams were shattered when she found out she had what basically amounted to be super-early-onset Alzheimer's, but did she just lay down and feel sorry for herself in a fit of depression? No, she didn't. It would have been justified had she done that, and I would have completely understood that, but she didn't. She carried on, trying to get as much out of her life as she could before she couldn't remember it any longer. And writing herself a journal to let her future self remember the good and bad times was a beautiful and inspiring way to deal with what had to be a terrifying diagnosis.

Avery's voice is strong,  and I was hooked from the first page. The writing was wonderfully done, and the descriptions were vivid and beautiful. The relationships formed were realistic and touching, and everything that happened fit perfectly and felt natural. The pacing was spot on, and I wasn't bored for one second of this text. I'm not a huge contemporary fan, but I got this ARC at BEA and decided to give this one a try, and it did not disappoint. Avery is a fantastic author. This book broke my heart and gave me hope. I'd recommend it to anyone. 

WE'LL NEVER BE APART by Emiko Jean

Rating: C+
Synopsis:
Murder. 

Fire. 

Revenge. 

That’s all seventeen-year-old Alice Monroe thinks about. Committed to a mental ward at Savage Isle, Alice is haunted by memories of the fire that killed her boyfriend, Jason. A blaze her twin sister Cellie set. But when Chase, a mysterious, charismatic patient, agrees to help her seek vengeance, Alice begins to rethink everything. Writing out the story of her troubled past in a journal, she must confront hidden truths.

Is the one person she trusts only telling her half the story? Nothing is as it seems in this edge-of-your-seat psychological thriller from the debut author Emiko Jean.

My thoughts on the book:
We'll Never Be Apart was a solid debut from Emiko Jean. The novel managed to keep me interested the entire time, and I was able to have sympathy for the main character. The writing was top notch, and the narrator's (Alice) voice was believable. The big reveal didn't shock me, though, and the Epilogue kind of bothered me. However, I did enjoy this book, and I'm going to attempt to write this review without giving anything away.

Alice was a great narrator. While I never trust narrators who are institutionalized, I couldn't help but sympathize with her. She'd had a horrible life, and it broke my heart to see what she went through. Chase was a great leading guy, too. It didn't take me long at all to warm up to him. He was a good guy, even though he was broken, and he just wanted to do what was right. The supporting characters, such as Donny (who had a mullet) the tech and the psychiatrist were also well-rounded and intriguing. 

Jean's writing was top-notch. The author really has a knack for great storytelling. The big reveal wasn't shocking; I had it figured out by the 20% mark, but I kept thinking and hoping that I was wrong. That hope kept me turning the pages. The novel was fast paced, and I flew through the pages. Some of the revelations were shocking, but the main one was not. I'm really glad that there are more books coming out that deal with mental health issues. It's so important for people to understand those with mental health problems, and I'm happy to see that more is being done to foster that understanding. The Epilogue was a big letdown, and I really hope that things don't end up the way the author hinted they would. 

Overall, I'd recommend this book to people who enjoy psychological thrillers. There were some parts of the story that turned my stomach a bit (some graphic violence), but for the most part, this novel was gritty without being too harsh. It dealt with some real life problems, and sometimes those are harder to take than fantastical problems. This wasn't a feel good book, but it was good nonetheless. It'll stick with me for awhile, that's for sure. 

Order We'll Never Be Apart

DAMAGE DONE by Amanda Panitch

Rating: A-
Release Date: 7/21/15
Synopsis:
22 minutes separate Julia Vann’s before and after.

Before: Julia had a twin brother, a boyfriend, and a best friend.

After: She has a new identity, a new hometown, and memories of those twenty-two minutes that refuse to come into focus. At least, that’s what she tells the police.

Now that she’s Lucy Black, she's able to begin again. She's even getting used to the empty bedroom where her brother should be. And her fresh start has attracted the attention of one of the hottest guys in school, a boy who will do anything to protect her. But when someone much more dangerous also takes notice, Lucy's forced to confront the dark secrets she thought were safely left behind.

One thing is clear: The damage done can never be erased. It’s only just beginning. . . 

My thoughts on the book:
I read this entire novel in 4 hours. I could not put it down. That alone shows that Panitch is a brilliant YA author. This book shook me to my core. It messed with my head and freaked me out. It broke my heart and made me mad. Needless to say, I doubt I'll read another book this year that impacts me in such a way. However, novels like this also exhaust me, and I can't read them often. I haven't read a book that messed with me to this extent in over 10 years. This is a must read for anyone who loves psychological thrillers.

Lucy/Julia is an extremely interesting narrator. From the start, you want to trust her and sympathize with her, but you can't decide whether or not that's in your best interest. This kind of unease continues throughout the novel and really carries the story. The secondary characters are equally compelling and complete contrasts to Lucy/Julia. Michael really broke my heart. The MIA parents are a nice touch to illustrate how many kids go astray and stay that way due to lack of parental involvement, and I feel like the villain's need for approval stems from that. This book really brings to light a lot of problems facing our society.

The plot itself is intricately woven and captivating. It will suck you in whether you want it to or not. Panitch's ability to randomly drop clues is astounding, and I spent most of the book hoping I was wrong. The clues she drops are not complete giveaways, either, and they will confuse you and make you think that everything you knew up until that point is wrong. The romance is kind of lacking, but in books like this, I think it should be. That's not the focus. The ending is both satisfying and dissatisfying. It's satisfying in the fact that it tells you what happens to everyone, but it's dissatisfying because you feel like it's not fair. 

Overall, I'd recommend this book to anyone who enjoys psychological thrillers. If you're not one who likes to have your head messed with, then I'd say steer clear of this one. It will stick with you for a long time, and it will burrow in your mind and make you think about a lot of things you may or may not want to think about. I absolutely commend Panitch for this novel and for pointing out some of the many flaws in our society and showing how society and parents can fail children and/or make problems worse. She also raises an important question that isn't at all answered in her novel: is there a cure for sociopathy?

Pre-order Damage Done

NOWHERE BUT HERE by Katie McGarry

Rating: C
Release Date: 5/26/15
Synopsis:
An unforgettable new series from acclaimed author Katie McGarry about taking risks, opening your heart and ending up in a place you never imagined possible.

Seventeen-year-old Emily likes her life the way it is: doting parents, good friends, good school in a safe neighborhood. Sure, she's curious about her biological father—the one who chose life in a motorcycle club, the Reign of Terror, over being a parent—but that doesn't mean she wants to be a part of his world. But when a reluctant visit turns to an extended summer vacation among relatives she never knew she had, one thing becomes clear: nothing is what it seems. Not the club, not her secret-keeping father and not Oz, a guy with suck-me-in blue eyes who can help her understand them both. 

Oz wants one thing: to join the Reign of Terror. They're the good guys. They protect people. They're…family. And while Emily—the gorgeous and sheltered daughter of the club's most respected member—is in town, he's gonna prove it to her. So when her father asks him to keep her safe from a rival club with a score to settle, Oz knows it's his shot at his dream. What he doesn't count on is that Emily just might turn that dream upside down. 

No one wants them to be together. But sometimes the right person is the one you least expect, and the road you fear the most is the one that leads you home.

My thoughts on the book:
As you guys know, I'm not a huge fan of contemporary lit. Reading is my form of escapism, and when I escape, I want to visit worlds that don't really exist. However, Katie McGarry is one of the few contemporary authors I really like. Her characters always have fantastic chemistry, and her stories tug at your heart strings. Nowhere but Here didn't stand out to me like the Pushing the Limits series did, though. The characters aren't quite as likable, and the world they reside in isn't as captivating. That being said, the chemistry and wonderful writing make up for the things this story lacks, and I did enjoy this novel. 

I wasn't a huge fan of Emily, and that was part of why I didn't like this book as much as the others by McGarry. I just felt like Emily was too much of a goody-goody, and Oz was too much of a bad boy. It was just too much of a clash. However, there were tons of sparks between the two, and even though I couldn't stand their personalities that much, the chemistry between them really did make up for their annoying habits/personality traits.

The plot was pretty run of the mill for teen romance. Good girl meets bad boy. They fall in love. No one wants them to be together. They "rebel" against society and do what they want. Happy endings for all. Regardless of that, it's still sweet to read stories like that some times. They do tug at one's heart strings and let's face it, there are a lot worse things out there people could be reading and watching. 

Overall, this book was okay. It wasn't what I'd come to expect from McGarry, but it wasn't a complete disappointment, either. 

Pre-order Nowhere but Here

BREAKING THE RULES by Katie McGarry Media Blitz!

Breaking the Rules (Pushing the Limits #1.5)

by Katie McGarry 

Release Date: 12/08/14

Harlequin Teen

Summary from Goodreads:

A summer road trip changes everything in this unforgettable new tale from acclaimed author Katie McGarry.

For new high school graduate Echo Emerson, a summer road trip out west with her boyfriend means getting away and forgetting what makes her so... different. It means seeing cool sights while selling her art at galleries along the way. And most of all, it means almost three months alone with Noah Hutchins, the hot, smart, soul-battered guy who’s never judged her. Echo and Noah share everything — except the one thing Echo’s just not ready for.

But when the source of Echo’s constant nightmares comes back into her life, she has to make some tough decisions about what she really wants — even as foster kid Noah’s search for his last remaining relatives forces them both to confront some serious truths about life, love, and themselves.

Now, with one week left before college orientation, jobs and real life, Echo must decide if Noah's more than the bad-boy fling everyone warned her he'd be. And the last leg of an amazing road trip will turn... seriously epic.

MADE FOR YOU by Melissa Marr

Rating: A
Release Date: Today!!
Synopsis:
Bestselling author of the Wicked Lovely books Melissa Marr’s first contemporary YA novel is a twisted southern gothic tale of obsession, romance, and murder. A killer is obsessed with Eva Tilling. Can she stop him, or will he claim her?

When Eva Tilling wakes up in the hospital, she’s confused—who in her sleepy little North Carolina town could have hit her with their car? And why? But before she can consider the question, she finds that she’s awoken with a strange new skill: the ability to foresee people’s deaths when they touch her. While she is recovering from the hit-and-run, Nate, an old flame, reappears, and the two must traverse their rocky past as they figure out how to use Eva’s power to keep her friends—and themselves—alive. But while Eva and Nate grow closer, the killer grows increasingly frantic in his attempt to get to Eva.

For the first time, New York Times bestselling author Melissa Marr has applied her extraordinary talent to contemporary realism. Chilling twists, unrequited obsession, and high-stakes romance drive this Gothic, racy thriller—a story of small-town oppression and salvation. Melissa’s fans, and every YA reader, will find its wild ride enthralling.

My thoughts on the book:
Made for You is an intriguing and thrilling mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end. Told from three different points of view, I was kept on the edge of my seat, wondering who would make it and who would not. The main characters are extremely well-developed and unique. The pacing is perfect, and Marr's writing is excellent. While I was able to guess who did it pretty early on, the author still had me second-guessing myself throughout the story. This is an excellent read. 

Eva is the main character, and I really enjoyed reading from her perspective. She's independent and strong, and even though she's popular, she doesn't blindly follow the herd mentality. She makes her own rules as she goes. I didn't like her romanticization of the south and southern customs. As someone who grew up in the south, I found it to be a lot less charming and a lot more close-minded and terrible. Also, the cliches like "she's a strong southern woman" really got on my nerves. There are strong women everywhere, just like there are weak women everywhere. However, that just showed how Eva was raised - with southern pride. Grace is a fantastic character, too. She didn't get a lot of chapters to tell from her POV, but the few she got, she owned. She's from Philadelphia, and she views the small southern town more like I would. She's a unique character, and her loyalty and logic really stand out. "Judge," the killer's perspective is really freaking creepy. As an aspiring writer, I can't imagine (at this point, at least) being able to put myself in a dark enough place to make someone like Judge's POV seem realistic, but Marr did a great job with that. The killer's voice stood out as being his/her own (I don't want to spoil this for anyone), and it was believable. I was blown away by Marr's writing ability in Judge's chapters. As far as secondary characters go, the people closest to Eva are very well-developed. I really loved Nate, and her parents were adorable/great. Her other friends were a bit more cookie-cutter, but they still seem to have their own personalities. 

The plot itself is intricately woven. The reader watches as Judge's obsession escalates with every murder. I was properly horrified for the majority of this novel. The more we learn about Judge, the more horrific things get. The pacing is spot on, and Marr makes sure the reader doesn't feel safe for long. After about the first 1/4 of the book, I could not put it down. I had to see what was going to happen next. While I had Judge's identity figured out pretty early on, I had no idea how things were going to end. The way the POVs were set up, any of the characters, including Eva, could die, and the story could easily continue. Because of this, I was completely hooked. The supernatural gift seems a bit random because it's never explained. However, I think that if someone actually got some weird gift after they received brain damage, it would probably play out a lot like Eva's ability to see people's deaths. In the real world, things like that just aren't explained, and that gives the novel an added bit of authenticity. I assume that a part of her brain was damaged, which caused another part to "activate," and that part of the brain hides dormant abilities. I'm no scientist, but that explanation worked for me and allowed me to achieve a willing suspension of disbelief. Also, I absolutely loved the ending. Eva really shows her strength (and sometimes her stupidity/rashness) in many ways in the final chapters. By the end, I really admired her for her bravery and commitment to herself and her own values. 

Overall, I'd recommend this book to anyone who is looking for something a little bit different than your run-of-the-mill mystery and/or YA paranormal romance. This book is dark and creepy and intriguing. Once you start reading it, you won't be able to put it down. Be prepared to lose some sleep with this one. 

Order Made for You

ANYWHERE BUT HERE by Tanya Lloyd Kyi

Rating: F
Release Date: 10/15/13
Synopsis:
Cole’s small town is a trap he’s determined to escape in this fresh and moving debut novel that balances loss with humor.

Ever since his mom died, Cole just feels stuck. His dad acts like a stranger, and Lauren, his picture-perfect girlfriend of two years, doesn’t understand him anymore. He can’t ditch his dad, so Cole breaks up with Lauren. She doesn’t take the news very well, and Cole’s best friend won’t get off his case about it.

Now more than ever, Cole wants to graduate and leave his small, suffocating town. And everything is going according to plan—until Cole discovers the one secret that could keep him there…forever.

My thoughts on the book:
Anywhere But Here had the capacity to be something great, but instead ended up bordering on misogynism. The main character is an emotionally abusive male who is self-absorbed and immature. His father is even worse. Women are nothing more than sex toys in this book, and that disgusted me. Cole could have grown, left home, and really become something, but instead he decides his hometown isn't so bad (please). I thought I'd be able to relate to this book because I absolutely loathe where I grew up. I got out of there as soon as I was old enough and haven't looked back once, and you know what? I'm a better person because of it. It's okay to hate where you live and to better your situation. Authors need to learn that. Instead of making some big social statement, this book simply states that women are only good for sex and it's okay that men are self-absorbed wrecks because they can't help it. This is not a book that I'd recommend to anyone. 

Cole is obnoxious, self-absorbed, and useless. I really did not like him at all. All he does is run around feeling sorry for himself. When he's not doing that, he's treating the people around him like crap. It's pretty terrible. His new girlfriend reduces herself to a doormat to please him, and still all he can do is feel sorry for himself. It's pathetic. He's pathetic, and he demeans those around him until they are pathetic. His father is even worse. Instead of mourning his wife like an adult would, he starts drinking and screwing a stripper. Great influence for his piece of crap son, huh? None of the characters in this book is likable, which make the novel a chore to get through. 

This novel brings up some important social issues such as teen pregnancy, depression, and alcoholism, but none of the characters become strong through these situations. Nope. They all continue down their pathetic path to misery and don't really seem to grow at all. Of course Cole changes some, but not enough to make him a decent human. His father's alcoholism could have really meant something, too, but Kyi didn't let it. The writing is decent and the pacing is fine, but the characters ruin this story. 

Overall, I'd say avoid this book unless you want to get really, really angry at the characters and spend hours yelling at your novel/e-reader. It's just not worth it. The representation of women alone is enough to turn anyone off. 

DEAD GIRLS DON'T LIE by Jennifer Shaw Wolf

Dead Girls Don't Lie
Jennifer Shaw Wolf

Rating: C-
Release Date: 09/17/13
Synopsis:
Rachel died at two a.m . . . Three hours after Skyler kissed me for the first time. Forty-five minutes after she sent me her last text. 
Jaycee and Rachel were best friends. But that was before. . .before that terrible night at the old house. Before Rachel shut Jaycee out. Before Jaycee chose Skyler over Rachel. Then Rachel is found dead. The police blame a growing gang problem in their small town, but Jaycee is sure it has to do with that night at the old house. Rachel’s text is the first clue—starting Jaycee on a search that leads to a shocking secret. Rachel’s death was no random crime, and Jaycee must figure out who to trust before she can expose the truth. 

In the follow-up to her powerful debut, Jennifer Shaw Wolf keeps readers on their toes in another dark, romantic story of murder and secrets.

My thoughts on the book:
After reading, and loving, Breaking Beautiful, I was super excited to see another book by Jennifer Shaw Wolf. Unfortunately, this novel lacked the heart of the previous one, and I found that I couldn't relate to the characters that much. Also, Wolf's voice is different in this novel and not nearly as captivating. The mystery is solid, and the suspense kept me reading, but this book just didn't grab me like her first novel did. 

The characters were well-developed, but I wasn't really a fan of any of them. I really didn't like Jaycee at all. She wasn't the brightest character around, and more often than not she seemed quite selfish. Rachel, though dead, was still well-developed. I felt like I got to know her pretty well, which I liked. Skyler bored me, but he was still a complete character. 

The plot itself was intriguing, but it was a difficult book to read due to the gibberish that took place more frequently as the book went along. I assumed the publisher did that so that people couldn't sell the e-galleys or whatever, but it was so annoying. Chunks of the story were actually missing. This is no fault of Wolf's obviously, but it really detracted from the story. I think Bloomsbury needs to find a new technique because that was god awful. The writing was engaging, but it wasn't as gritty as the last novel, in my opinion. The mystery kept me guessing, and I didn't see the ending coming. 

Overall, I'd recommend this book (though not in e-ARC form, obviously, haha) to anyone who loves mysteries. While I liked Breaking Beautiful more than this novel, it's still a well-written and suspenseful mystery. Those who love "whodunits" will not want to miss this book. 

Pre-order Dead Girls Don't Lie

WAIT FOR YOU by J. Lynn

Wait For You
J. Lynn

Rating: A
Release Date: 09/03/13
Synopsis:
Some things are worth waiting for...

Traveling thousands of miles from home to enter college is the only way nineteen-year-old Avery Morgansten can escape what happened at the Halloween party five years ago--an event that forever changed her life. All she needs to do is make it to her classes on time, make sure the bracelet on her left wrist stays in place, not draw any attention to herself, and maybe--please God--make a few friends, because surely that would be a nice change of pace. The one thing she didn't need and never planned on was capturing the attention of the one guy who could shatter the precarious future she's building for herself.

Some things are worth experiencing...

Cameron Hamilton is six feet and three inches of swoon-worthy hotness, complete with a pair of striking blue eyes and a remarkable ability to make her want things she believed were irrevocably stolen from her. She knows she needs to stay away from him, but Cam is freaking everywhere, with his charm, his witty banter, and that damn dimple that's just so... so lickable. Getting involved with him is dangerous, but when ignoring the simmering tension that sparks whenever they are around each other becomes impossible, he brings out a side of her she never knew existed.

Some things should never be kept quiet...

But when Avery starts receiving threatening emails and phone calls forcing her to face a past she wants silenced, she's has no other choice but to acknowledge that someone is refusing to allow her to let go of that night when everything changed. When the devastating truth comes out, will she resurface this time with one less scar? And can Cam be there to help her or will he be dragged down with her?

And some things are worth fighting for...

My thoughts on the book:
Wait for You is my first foray into the New Adult world, and I was not disappointed! J. Lynn is one of my favorite authors, so I had super high expectations for this novel, and J. Lynn exceeded them - of course. This novel is chock-full of emotion and inspiration. With well-developed characters and a plot that will tug at your heart strings, this is one novel that should not be missed.  J. Lynn took a chance with this book, and it paid off. I couldn't recommend this story highly enough.

Avery was a character that I could relate to more than I'd like to admit. Her "issues" hit really close to home for me, and because of that, this was an incredibly hard book for me to read. However, I powered through, and I'm glad I did. Her situation is different from mine, but I have a deep understanding of feeling broken. She grew so much throughout the course of this novel, and I felt like maybe there is hope for people who have to overcome such huge obstacles, after all. Maybe we shouldn't resign ourselves to our fates and stay broken forever. Cameron was a great leading guy. Like all of J. Lynn's men, she was swoon-worthy and wonderful. I really loved reading about him and his interactions with Avery.

The plot is both heart-wrenching and heart-warming. J. Lynn always puts a lot of what I like to call "soul" into her novels, and this one is no exception. I could feel what the characters were feeling, and I was rooting for Avery and Cameron the entire time. The pacing is perfect. I laughed and I cried, and the ending fits wonderfully. I was dying to learn what happened to Avery and to find out if Avery and Cam would make it.

Overall, I'd recommend this book to anyone. It's a fantastic addition to a growing genre.

Pre-order Wait For You!

TASTE TEST by Kelly Fiore Review + Giveaway!

Rating: B+

Synopsis:

If you can grill it, smoke it, or fry it, Nora Henderson knows all about it. She’s been basting baby back ribs and pulling pork at her father’s barbeque joint since she was tall enough to reach the counter. When she’s accepted to Taste Test, a reality-television teen cooking competition, Nora can’t wait to leave her humble hometown behind, even if it means saying good-bye to her dad and her best friend, Billy. Once she’s on set, run-ins with her high-society roommate and the maddeningly handsome—not to mention talented—son of a famous chef, Christian Van Lorten, mean Nora must work even harder to prove herself. But as mysterious accidents plague the kitchen arena, protecting her heart from one annoyingly charming fellow contestant in particular becomes the least of her concerns. Someone is conducting real-life eliminations, and if Nora doesn’t figure out who, she could be next to get chopped for good. 

With romance and intrigue as delectable as the winning recipes included in the story, this debut novel will be devoured by all.

My thoughts on the book:

Taste Test is a super cute and light read. I enjoyed this novel, with its sweet romance and intriguing mystery, immensely. While Fiore did over-do the descriptions a bit when it came to the cooking, it added to the atmosphere and understanding of the characters instead of slowing down the pace. Surprisingly, I enjoyed the descriptions, and as most of you know, I normally detest excessive imagery. The characters were well-developed and the plot was solid. It wasn't my normal fare, but it was enjoyable nonetheless. 

Nora, for the most part, was a fairly strong heroine. She came across as bratty sometimes, but overall, I liked her. She was extremely sheltered, and that annoyed me some because I couldn't really relate to that, but I still enjoyed her story. Christian is the typical rich "bad boy" type. He was a bit too angsty for my tastes, but I could see why Nora liked him. The dynamic between the two characters was well done. The secondary characters were the typical bully type characters and most of them didn't stand out. This made it extremely difficult to decide who the guilty party was, though, which was a good thing. 

The mystery wasn't super easy to figure out, but I did figure it out before the very end. The romance was a bit immature at first, but turned out to be sweet. The pacing was pretty much perfect, and the descriptions added to the feel of the novel (as I previously mentioned). I liked the ending, and I felt that it wrapped everything up nicely. When I finished this novel, I was left with a happy, lighthearted feeling. I love when books can give me that. 

Overall, I'd recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a good mystery, a sweet romance, or a light and fun read. You're sure to love it!

Order Taste Test today!

Onto the giveaway!!

Enter in the Rafflecopter below to win a copy of Taste Test and two mini spatulas that match the book cover! This giveaway is US only. Sorry international friends. 


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Spotlight: PLAY ME by Diane Alberts + Giveaway!

Play Me

Take a Chance Book 3
Diane Alberts

Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC

Date of Publication: July 29, 2013

ISBN: 9781622661923

ASIN: B00DTDH8X2

Number of pages: 120

Cover design by L.J.Anderson

Amazon   BN

Book Description:

Even the best-laid plans can go awry.

Single-mom Kiersten Worth knows a bottle of champagne and night of hot, no-strings-attached sex is the perfect solution to her jilted bride blues…and Garrett Kelly, long-time friend and her teenaged son’s sexy basketball coach, is just the stud for the job.

Garrett wants more from the elusive temptress than a casual affair, but he never expects it to come in the form of an unexpected pregnancy. When he proposes an unorthodox solution—move in and raise their baby together—Kiersten has to decide whether to let down her guard and open her heart to the man who secretly loved her for years, or risk losing his tender embrace for good.

Books in the Take a Chance Series:

Try Me: Take a Chance Book 1

Love Me: Take a Chance Book 2

Play Me: Take a Chance Book 3

About the Author:

Diane Alberts has always been a dreamer with a vivid imagination, but it wasn’t until 2011 that she put her pen where her brain was, and became a published author.  Since receiving her first contract offer, she has yet to stop writing. Though she lives in the mountains, she really wishes she was surrounded by a hot, sunny beach with crystal clear water. She lives in Northeast Pennsylvania with her four kids, a husband, a schnauzer mutt, a cat, and a Senegal parrot. In the rare moments when she’s not writing, she can usually be found hunched over one knitting project or another.

She is a multi-published, bestselling author with Entangled Publishing, Swoon Romance, and Decadent Publishing. She has, as of this date, four books with Entangled Publishing, one book with Swoon Romance, and five older books with Decadent Publishing. Her February release with Entangled Publishing, ON ONE CONDITION, hit #18 on the Barnes and Noble Bestseller List, and TRY ME hit #76 on Amazon. Her Swoon Romance novella, CAPTIVATED BY YOU, hit #31 on the Barnes and Noble bestseller list.  Her goal is to write so many fantastic books that even a non-romance book fan will know her name.

She also writes New Adult books under the name Jen McLaughlin. Diane is represented by Louise Fury from the L. Perkins Agency.

Website: www.dianealberts.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DianeAlberts

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/DianeAlberts6

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5081315.Diane_Alberts 

Enter for a chance to win one e-copy of Try Me (Take a Chance #1) or Love Me (Take a Chance #2)!


a Rafflecopter giveaway