Book Review: Free To Fall by Lauren Miller

This is the same author that wrote Parallel. I didn't like this one as much, but still really enjoyed it. I didn't like it as much because it messed me up. Not like the other one where I just didn't fully grasp how the science behind it worked until the end. No, this was a whole "wtf why are they doing that, why am I reading this, why". When you read it you'll understand. It was very 1984 in the concept. Scary about how the things that are supposed to protect/entertain us can be turned against us very quickly. (Everyone panic! The world is ending because of cell phones and social media!!!!!)

Since it did mess with my brain and made me question any app I ever get again, that means it was written very well. Only books that are written well can make you believe the things they are telling you and mess with your brain like that. 

It's a little predictable however. If you've read enough young adult novels (not saying they're all the same, but there is a trend) to figure out what will most likely happen once you read the blurb. I did read it for those exact reasons, though. The execution wasn't as polished as I was hoping for. It was just too fast for me. Girl meets boy, boy challenges girl's thinking, girl realizes that maybe things aren't always what they seem, happily ever after, etc, etc. Yeah. I'm totally okay with that. There was just one part that ruined it. Love interest does something wrong and the narrator is so quick to forgive him. No! Make him work for it and prove that he'll never do it again. Preferably when one of you is dying- that means more angst and I enjoy angst a lot. Sigh. Girls, make your love interest prove to you that they won't mess up again, don't just believe them right away because you "love" them after three days. Maybe that's just me. I don't know.

The ending was pretty good- a little cheesy, but good. It could've laid off the whole "phones and social media will kill you" morale, but it had some good points in there. If she writes another book, I'll probably read it because I like her style of writing. I hope she continues with the sci-fi genre. Who knows.

Read: August 2015
My Rating: 4.5 stars / 5 stars

Book Review: The Summer of Chasing Mermaids by Sarah Ockler

The youngest of six talented sisters, Elyse d’Abreau was destined for stardom—until a boating accident took everything from her. Now, the most beautiful singer in Tobago can’t sing. She can’t even speak.
Seeking quiet solitude, Elyse accepts a friend’s invitation to Atargatis Cove. Named for the mythical first mermaid, the Oregon seaside town is everything Elyse’s home in the Caribbean isn’t: An ocean too cold for swimming, parties too tame for singing, and people too polite to pry—except for one.
Christian Kane is a notorious playboy—insolent, arrogant, and completely charming. He’s also the only person in Atargatis Cove who doesn’t treat Elyse like a glass statue. He challenges her to express herself, and he admires the way she treats his younger brother Sebastian, who believes Elyse is the legendary mermaid come to life. 
When Christian needs a first mate for the Cove’s high-stakes Pirate Regatta, Elyse reluctantly stows her fear of the sea and climbs aboard. The ocean isn’t the only thing making waves, though—swept up in Christian’s seductive tide and entranced by the Cove’s charms, Elyse begins to wonder if a life of solitude isn’t what she needs. But changing course again means facing her past. It means finding her inner voice. And scariest of all, it means opening her heart to a boy who’s best known for breaking them . . .

The Summer of Chasing Mermaids has been on my radar for awhile now for multiple reasons. Namely because of; diversity, interracial couple and the Pacific Northwest. 

Oh, and mermaids. Sort of. 

If you're looking for a story about actual mermaids, this isn't that. I think it was sort of like a modern re-telling of The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen. Either that or just an homage to it. The narrator can't speak, can't sing and her voice was stolen by the sea. She also meets a handsome sailor. So in those details, yes, it's similar to the Disney movie we all know and love.

But that's about where the similarities end. First off, we have a WOC (woman of color) as the narrator. Yay! The book is constantly bringing up parts of her culture without making it stereotypical, like it's "cool" or trying really hard to say that she's different. There was no "I'm [insert culture] so I do [insert thing] because I'm [insert culture]". None of that. It was just the character being herself and it was wonderful. 

The author did a great job with her culture as well as her disability. It was interesting to read from her perspective because while I'm used to constantly hearing the narrator's thoughts, I wasn't used to them not being able to share them easily. It was also interesting to see how others react to her disability. There was a wide range of them and it represented the characters well. It was also a great character development for her to lose her voice only to find it again. You'll see when you read it.

Being a PNW native myself, I was curious to see how the author would represent this rainy wasteland I call home. She did a great job. While the setting was mainly just a backdrop for the story, she captured the essence of it remarkably well. It was nice to see the narrator view it as cold and rainy until she came to realize the ancient power and wisdom it has. If you've been to the PNW, especially the Oregon coast, you'd understand.

Also, I loved the incorporation of the mermaid myth. Atargatis being the first mermaid and the town she lives in being named after her. Unfortunately, the town doesn't actually exist. (Another fictional let down. Why couldn't have Forks not existed instead?) Anyways, mermaids. It was so cool. I don't know what else to say besides read it. Seriously. It's worth it. Also it has a pretty cover. 

Read: August 2015
My Rating: 5 stars / 5 stars

Book Review: Things We Know By Heart by Jessi Kirby

When Quinn Sullivan meets the recipient of her boyfriend’s donated heart, the two form an unexpected connection.
After Quinn loses her boyfriend, Trent, in an accident their junior year, she reaches out to the recipients of his donated organs in hopes of picking up the pieces of her now-unrecognizable life. She hears back from some of them, but the person who received Trent’s heart has remained silent. The essence of a person, she has always believed, is in the heart. If she finds Trent’s, then maybe she can have peace once and for all. 
Risking everything in order to finally lay her memories to rest, Quinn goes outside the system to track down nineteen-year-old Colton Thomas—a guy whose life has been forever changed by this priceless gift. But what starts as an accidental run-in quickly develops into more, sparking an undeniable attraction. She doesn't want to give in to it—especially since he has no idea how they're connected—but their time together has made Quinn feel alive again. No matter how hard she’s falling for Colton, each beat of his heart reminds her of all she’s lost…and all that remains at stake.

I read this because I loved the premise. A girls falls in love with her late boyfriend's heart  recipient. A little corny and sounds more like a Hallmark movie than a young adult novel. Okay, it was basically what you would expect, but still really good. It's just so cool to think about how love can transcend death and pieces of you can actually be connected to others after you're gone. 

This book was good, quick and nicely written. I wish the main characters had better personalities though. That sounds a little mean, but they were so... plain. Like their personalities weren't ever really brought out for me. I know they both had issues that held them back from being 100% comfortable, but we should get glimpses of what they are truly like. I think some quick-wit humor could've put this book into a whole other level. This could be mainly just a personal preference and I am the type of person who allows a heavy situation to remain that way for a while, but then I need a reprieve. Usually in the form of humor. Just think of all the puns they could've made. Yes, I know I'm a terrible human.

It just felt too heavy throughout the entire book. I know it's a sad topic, but that's not what it was about. It was about finding love after a loss, and all the problems that go along with it. It only felt light or not as heavy at the end. Having a few lighthearted moments (ehhhh see what I did there?) would've been nice. I don't think it should have been. I wanted a roller coaster of emotions. Maybe it's just me. 

Despite all this, I did enjoy it and would recommend to anyone who doesn't mind the topic for a good quick read. The cover is also pretty as well. 

Read: July 2015

My Rating: 3.5 stars / 5 stars

The Quintessential Summer Reads

I'm well aware that it's not really summer anymore, but you can see feel the sand between your toes by reading these books! Escape to summer romance and the constant smell of sun screen with these reads (in no particular order):

      

        

1. Dream Factory by Brad Barkley and Heather Helper
2. Start of Me and You by Emery Lord
3. Open Road Summer by Emery Lord
4. The Wrong Side of Right by Jenn Marie Thorne
5. The Summer Chasing Mermaids by Sarah Ockler
6. The Fill-In Boyfriend by Kasie West
7. I'll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios
8. Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson
9. Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson
10. Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson
11. The Distance Between Us by Kasie West
12.  Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen

Book Review: Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen

Peyton, Sydney's charismatic older brother, has always been the star of the family, receiving the lion's share of their parents' attention and—lately—concern. When Peyton's increasingly reckless behavior culminates in an accident, a drunk driving conviction, and a jail sentence, Sydney is cast adrift, searching for her place in the family and the world. When everyone else is so worried about Peyton, is she the only one concerned about the victim of the accident?
Enter the Chathams, a warm, chaotic family who run a pizza parlor, play bluegrass on weekends, and pitch in to care for their mother, who has multiple sclerosis. Here Sydney experiences unquestioning acceptance. And here she meets Mac, gentle, watchful, and protective, who makes Sydney feel seen, really seen, for the first time.
The uber-popular Sarah Dessen explores her signature themes of family, self-discovery, and change in her twelfth novel, sure to delight her legions of fans.

It's been a long time since I read Sarah Dessen's books. Last time I tried and ended up not liking it. I didn't actually finish it either. Oops.

The last one I ended up loving was probably Along for the Ride. So it's been a while.

This wasn't bad. Not terribly great, but not bad. 

I liked Sydney (the narrator), I could relate to her and could understand how she felt about all the stuff in her life. I liked Layla (narrator's best friend) and her huge french fry obsession. Fries are serious business. Their friendship felt real and was good for both of them. I felt like their friendship should've had a better focus than Sydney's love life.

Her love life was a slow, slow burn. I'm all for that because I hate the whole "I just met you, and this is crazy but I love you" thing. But, damn, it was like they got together because they each smiled at each other. There was no other basis for a romantic relationship than continuing doing what they always had done but with the occasional kiss. There was no chemistry between them. It was like the were put together for the sake of a romantic plot.

Ugh. There were no swoons; hell, there were no purely romantic moments between them. I don't understand. I digress.

Now, there was the whole Creeper McCreep. You know from the moment he's introduced and Sydney's reaction to him that something bad will happen. I kept waiting for her to say something or for him to do something but it doesn't. It doesn't happen until like the last few pages. (Spoiler?) What the heck? Why hint at something that big only to have a quick thing happen as like a sidenote? I'm not trying to diminish the severity of situations like that, but it felt like it was being pushed to the side as a plot point. That kind of stuff is not a plot point and should be treating carefully and with respect to the victims of those situations. 

I don't know. This book just didn't do it for me. There was no pulse in the story. It was flat. Like it was a really long checklist of everything that could possibly happen to a teenage girl. 

Maybe it was just me but it just kind of fell flat for me. Which is sad because I like Sarah Dessen. She's not a bad writer. But this was a bit of a snoozer.

Whether I read her next book is undecided. I might just wait until the library has it. Maybe. 

Read: May 2015

My Rating: 3 stars / 5 stars

Book Review: The Fill-In Boyfriend by Kasie West

When Gia Montgomery's boyfriend, Bradley, dumps her in the parking lot of her high school prom, she has to think fast. After all, she'd been telling her friends about him for months now. This was supposed to be the night she proved he existed. So when she sees a cute guy waiting to pick up his sister, she enlists his help. The task is simple: be her fill-in boyfriend—two hours, zero commitment, a few white lies. After that, she can win back the real Bradley.
The problem is that days after prom, it's not the real Bradley she's thinking about, but the stand-in. The one whose name she doesn't even know. But tracking him down doesn't mean they're done faking a relationship. Gia owes him a favor and his sister intends to see that he collects: his ex-girlfriend's graduation party—three hours, zero commitment, a few white lies.
Just when Gia begins to wonder if she could turn her fake boyfriend into a real one, Bradley comes waltzing back into her life, exposing her lie, and threatening to destroy her friendships and her new-found relationship.

Kasie West is easily one of my favorite authors. She's written wonderful novels like Pivot Point Series, On the Fence and The Distance Between Us. 
This is definitely a new favorite of hers. Probably 3rd favorite- with Pivot Point and The Distance Between Us first and second. 
Her writing is so brilliant and thought-out that I end up finishing the entire book within a 24-hour period because everything just flows. The Fill-In Boyfriend was no exception to this. In fact, I liked it a lot better than her previous contemporary novel, On the Fence. 
The characters are so well-written and they are fun to read as well as see them (usually) fall in love. The book is a contemporary romance, so if "chick-lit" isn't your thing, this might not be for you. Plus it has one of my favorite tropes/cliches: the pretend romantic lover that turns into real love. I'm a sucker for romance and cliches.

You get to see the characters evolve through out the book and actually see the chemistry between them. It didn't feel forced or written purely for a romantic plot; these characters are compatible, bring out the best in each other and very comfortable with just being near each other. 
It's just a wonderful read and great quick read for a trip to the beach. 
I also highly recommend the rest of Kasie West's books. They're awesome.

Read: May 2015
My Rating: 5 stars / 5 stars

Book Review: Tether (Many-Worlds #2) by Anna Jarzab

Tether, the sequel to Tandem, continues the captivating tale of rebellion and romance that spans parallel worlds.
Everything repeats.
Sasha expected things to go back to normal once she got back on Earth. But now that she knows parallel worlds are real, and that an alternate version of herself exists in a world called Aurora, her old life no longer seems to make sense . . . and her heart breaks daily for Thomas, the boy she left behind. Troubled by mysterious, often terrifying visions and the echoes of a self she was just beginning to discover, Sasha makes the difficult decision to journey once more through the tandem.
Thomas is waiting for her on the other side, and so is strange, otherworldly Selene, Sasha’s analog from a third universe. Sasha, Selene, and their other analog, Juliana, have a joint destiny, and a new remarkable power, one that could mean salvation for Selene’s dying planet. With Thomas’s help, Sasha and Selene search for the missing Juliana. But even if they can locate her, is Sasha willing to turn her back on love to pursue a fate she’s not sure she believes in?

I've been counting down the days until I had this book in my hands.
It was kind of worth the wait.
This is the sequel to Tandem, which I read in December of 2013. So I've been waiting a good while.
Would've helped had I re-read the first one but it was too bad to catch on and remember all that had happened. Plus, any book dealing with parallel universes requires some kind of knowledge to fully understand or it will be hard to follow.
The thing I didn't like was that it was really fast-paced. It went from "I wish I was there (the parallel universe)" to actually being there. Like, calm down, let her longing show, so that the reader is more excited to go. Then there was they whole "does he love me anymore???" to a heavy makeout session. Calm. Down. Give me more of that angst. Let her actually believe it before you bring out the truth.

Maybe that was just me, but it was really quick. Also, each book is supposed to be longer than the previous one, have you not seen the Harry Potter series?
I'm still really excited for the next - and last- one. 
Not sure what it'll be like but it will be good. Don't know how, since there hasn't been a set "bad guy" throughout the books. No linking villain set to destroy every universe.
Hopefully I won't have to wait another two years to find out. I want all the books right now.

Read: May 2015
My Rating: 4.5 stars / 5 stars

Book Review: The Start of Me and You by Emery Lord

Brimming with heartfelt relationships and authentic high-school dynamicsThe Start of Me and You proves that it’s never too late for second chances.
It’s been a year since it happened—when Paige Hancock’s first boyfriend died in an accident. After shutting out the world for two years, Paige is finally ready for a second chance at high school . . . and she has a plan. First: Get her old crush, Ryan Chase, to date her—the perfect way to convince everyone she’s back to normal. Next: Join a club—simple, it’s high school after all. But when Ryan’s sweet, nerdy cousin, Max, moves to town and recruits Paige for the Quiz Bowl team (of all things!) her perfect plan is thrown for a serious loop. Will Paige be able to face her fears and finally open herself up to the life she was meant to live?

This is Emery Lord's second book. 
It's wonderful. Even better than her first, which is saying a lot.
The Start of Me and You is the perfect fluffy romance read, great for the beach or chilling out in the sun. 
I enjoyed this novel greatly because the protagonist was really easy to understand and collect for a introverted nerd like myself. You get to see, literally, these to characters fall in love.
Very, very slowly.

If that's not your jam, then maybe brace yourself or not read it. 
However, it's great to read her journey in falling in love and see her be in love before she even realizes it. And her love interest is a huge nerd, so they are pretty adorable.
She also has some issues to get over herself. This is not a "love fixes all". Love doesn't come into play until the end, but she begins to accept her problems and conquer them. 
This leads to a lot of angst- which I love. 

The ending was great but after reading the entire thing, I just wanted a tiny bit more romance. There aren't a lot of swoons, so a little epilogue would've satisfied me. 
I'm such a hopeless romantic. These romance novels are going to be the death of me.
10/10 would recommend if you want a cute little romance novel.
Also check out Emery Lord's Open Road Summer.

Read: May 2015
My Rating: 5 stars / 5 stars

Book Review: Chaos (Guards of the Shadowlands #3) by Sarah Fine

WARNING: SPOILERS FOR THE SERIES IN THE SUMMARY
With Juri in control and everything in absolute chaos, Lela plunges into the depths of hell to free Malachi from creatures that have waited decades to exact their revenge. But the Judge has her own way of doing things, and Lela must work with Ana, the new Captain, who has a very personal mission of her own. Together, they infiltrate the most horrifying realm either has yet encountered in the Shadowlands—the bitter landscape ruled by the Mazikin.
The stakes could not be higher, and Lela must accept the help—and love—of people she barely knows or trusts. As alliances and loyalties shift and she realizes the soul she came to save isn’t the only one in need of rescue, can Lela summon the strength to see the fight through to the very end? 

Oh dear, I've finished another series. 
I loved this series, so it's even sadder to see it end. Hopefully more people will read it and it will cause just as much pain to them as it did for me. That's what marks a great book- emotional turmoil.

Ah, sweet, sweet pain.
While this book did the rest of the series justice and gave me an ending that was very, very generous; it felt a little too fast-paced for me. I would've enjoyed a break between each monkey wrench thrown into each plan. It would have been nice to calm down and think everything is going fine only to realize you have about a hundred pages left. 
But maybe I'm just a cruel sadist. 
This series is one of my favorite for many reasons.
1. It has a POC (person of color) as the protagonist and it's not catered to or ignored. She's just not white, nothing crazy.
2. The story was wonderful and highly imaginative. 
3. Character development from book to book was extraordinary. Even development in each book was amazing. You have to keep reminding yourself that these aren't real people. 
4. It displays what it's like to have PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) without the protagonist being magically cured when she falls in love or conquers her fear. It's a constant battle that is shown throughout the books.
It's just a great book, a great series and a great story.
Highly recommended for those who want a captivating adventure story. 

Read: May 2015
My Rating: 5 stars / 5 stars

Book Review: Dare You To by Katie McGarry

Ryan lowers his lips to my ear. "Dance with me, Beth."
"No." I whisper the reply. I hate him and I hate myself for wanting him to touch me again....
"I dare you..."
If anyone knew the truth about Beth Risk's home life, they'd send her mother to jail and seventeen-year-old Beth who knows where. So she protects her mom at all costs. Until the day her uncle swoops in and forces Beth to choose between her mom's freedom and her own happiness. That's how Beth finds herself living with an aunt who doesn't want her and going to a school that doesn't understand her. At all. Except for the one guy who shouldn't get her, but does....
Ryan Stone is the town golden boy, a popular baseball star jock-with secrets he can't tell anyone. Not even the friends he shares everything with, including the constant dares to do crazy things. The craziest? Asking out the Skater girl who couldn't be less interested in him.
But what begins as a dare becomes an intense attraction neither Ryan nor Beth expected. Suddenly, the boy with the flawless image risks his dreams-and his life-for the girl he loves, and the girl who won't let anyone get too close is daring herself to want it all....

I love me some romance. I've read the third and fourth in this series before reading this one (the second in the series). It doesn't require you to read them in order but you would recognize the characters and it would follow the timeline. 
This has been my favorite of the three I've read so far. I'm a sucker for the cliches/tropes in romance novels/movies. This one was the "Dating this girl for a bet and oh no, I actually love her". I loved it. I really loved it. 
I could really relate to Beth, surprisingly. I was trying to figure out why I liked this so much and really liked reading from Beth's POV- then it hit me. She is constantly running away from her emotions and any person who wants to show love/affection for her. I'm constantly thinking in other novels that I'd run away if I was put in an emotionally charged situation, but they never do. Except this time. I liked it. Others might not. 
Beth is also a badass. I was scared of her but also wanted to be her friend most of the time. A goal I hope to achieve later in life. 
Then there's all that angst. I love angst. Angst means a cute and wonderful make-up or at least some kind of comfort that's all fluffy. Of course dating someone on a dare is a sure-fire way of getting a lot of angst and I wasn't disappointed. So this also serves as a warning if you don't like angst. (Which I enjoy. For some reason.)
I should add a warning for a possible trigger to anyone who does not want to read about physical abuse or drug abuse. This book deals with it, but it's not the entire time. But just letting you know.
This book is on my "to-buy" list for sure. I want to be able to re-read all the swoons and angst over and over again.


Read: April 2015
My Rating: 5 stars / 5 stars

Book Review: Slammed by Colleen Hoover

Following the unexpected death of her father, 18-year-old Layken is forced to be the rock for both her mother and younger brother. Outwardly, she appears resilient and tenacious, but inwardly, she's losing hope.
Enter Will Cooper: The attractive, 21-year-old new neighbor with an intriguing passion for slam poetry and a unique sense of humor. Within days of their introduction, Will and Layken form an intense emotional connection, leaving Layken with a renewed sense of hope.
Not long after an intense, heart-stopping first date, they are slammed to the core when a shocking revelation forces their new relationship to a sudden halt. Daily interactions become impossibly painful as they struggle to find a balance between the feelings that pull them together, and the secret that keeps them apart

Colleen Hoover has been in my periphery for a while now. I've heard nothing but great things from her books but hadn't had the time or the books to actually read any of her work. 
Then I found this at the library.
It was pretty good. I know this is one of her older ones but it wasn't gush-worthy. Still good.
While I liked the writing and how the story flowed, I did not enjoy the insta-love (instant love). I like my characters to gradually fall in love and only admit they love each other when one of them is about to die. That's how you do this stuff. (I know that's weird. I read a lot of sci-fi adventure stuff.) These guys met THREE days ago and they're already in love? No, that is not okay. I don't care how many cute moments you guys have, you are not in love.
The whole conflict on why they couldn't be together wasn't the best of plot twists. I mean, it's definitely conflicting, but come on. (SPOILER!! Do not read if you want it to be a surprise!!) If you find out that you really like your teacher, romantically, don't do anything. Ever. It's over until you guys leave or graduate. DO. NOT. DO. ANYTHING. (END OF SPOILER. You're safe now.)
But, alas, this is a fictional universe, so they can't hear me. I know I probably sound like a heartless person for saying not to do anything when it's "love" but come on. I would never do anything if it meant the person I "love" would suffer for it. Whatever. 
Despite disagreeing on every decision the characters made, I did actually enjoy it. I might read more of her stuff and probably not the sequel to this; but definitely more of her stuff. Eventually. I really liked all the romance and swoons in this. Just not why/how/whatever they were happening.

Read: April 2015
My Rating: 3.5 stars / 5 stars

Book Review: I'll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios

If seventeen-year-old Skylar Evans were a typical Creek View girl, her future would involve a double-wide trailer, a baby on her hip, and the graveyard shift at Taco Bell. But after graduation, the only thing standing between straightedge Skylar and art school are three minimum-wage months of summer. Skylar can taste the freedom—that is, until her mother loses her job and everything starts coming apart. Torn between her dreams and the people she loves, Skylar realizes everything she’s ever worked for is on the line.
Nineteen-year-old Josh Mitchell had a different ticket out of Creek View: the Marines. But after his leg is blown off in Afghanistan, he returns home, a shell of the cocksure boy he used to be. What brings Skylar and Josh together is working at the Paradise—a quirky motel off California’s dusty Highway 99. Despite their differences, their shared isolation turns into an unexpected friendship and soon, something deeper.

Let's take a moment to appreciate the pretty cover.
I've read Heather Demetrios' other novel, Something Real sometime last year and really enjoyed it.
This one blew that out of the water. 
I loved this book. So. Much. It was written beautifully, the characters were real and compelling, the story was great and the heart-breaking moments were heart-shattering. I went around the house for days as I read this saying "Ugh, it's sooo sad" "Whyyyy" and a lot of groaning. 
When I first read that this was most likely going to end up as a romance novel with a girl falling in love with a boy who had just come back from war without a leg- I was hesitant. I was afraid this was going to be some weird romanticizing of amputees and war veterans. It wasn't, to my delight. She also didn't ignore it. It wasn't a quick mention in the beginning and then you forget about it until it's mentioned later. It was just... there. I never pictured Josh (the love interest & sometimes narrator) without his prosthetic, unless specified that he didn't have it on. The author wrote it as a normal thing that happens, which it is. I really loved how she did that. Thank you.
God, this was heartbreaking. It wasn't because of what you're probably thinking. It was the normal things that happen to everyone when they start dating or doing that thing in books and movies where they're basically dating but not officially. And then one of them goes off and messes everything up. That's what happened. So much angst and sorrow and FEELINGS. Prepare yourself, if you decide to read this.
I would so recommend it and I can't wait until I have enough money so I can buy this.

Read: April 2015
My Rating: 5 stars / 5 stars

Book Review: Wild Cards by Simone Elkeles

A fresh and fun repackage of Wild Cards, Better Than Perfect launches a romantic new series from NY Times bestselling author Simone Elkeles. 
After getting kicked out of boarding school, bad boy Derek Fitzpatrick has no choice but to live with his ditzy stepmother while his military dad is deployed. Things quickly go from bad to worse when he finds out she plans to move them back to her childhood home in Illinois. Derek’s counting the days before he can be on his own, and the last thing he needs is to get involved with someone else’s family drama. 
Ashtyn Parker knows one thing for certain--people you care about leave without a backward glance. So when her older sister comes home after abandoning her ten years earlier, with her hot new stepson in tow, Ashtyn wants nothing to do with either of them. Then she comes up with a plan that would finally give her the chance to leave, but it requires trusting Derek—someone she barely knows, someone born to break the rules. Is she willing to put her heart on the line to try and get the future she wants?

I'm a sucker for romance. It's really bad. 
I really enjoy Simone Elkeles books. Especially the Perfect Chemistry series. I also read Leaving Paradise, but I didn't like that very much.
I liked this one. It had my favorite trope/cliche: they hate each other but grow to love each other. I love that one. 
The beginning was kind of frustrating to read. The female protagonist, Ashtyn, had a douche for a boyfriend and I had to read through her being all lovey-dovey. 
Then the actual romance began. It was nice, not exactly swoony, but more bonding and angst. A lot of angst. A lot of "Oh no, I shouldn't... but I want to" kind of stuff. The reasoning was slightly understandable but still frustrating for a hopeless romantic like myself that just wants them to get together. 
Derek, the male protagonist, was an interesting character to read and read from his POV. He was also sweet and a nice book hottie. (What do you call guys in books?)
It wasn't great or as good as Perfect Chemistry but it was cute and a quick read. Simone Elkeles is a great writer. I'd recommend it for those who are looking for a nice quick little romance. 

Read: February 2015
My Rating: 4 stars / 5 stars