Review: Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover

Title: Maybe Someday
Author: Colleen Hoover
Published March 18th 2014 by Atria Books
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary
Goodreads | Amazon |
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 I didn't know what to expect when I started Maybe Someday. It's because I've heard some much and yet so little about it, for the various reviews I knew it was great but I also didn't really know anything about the story that went on. It was a leap of faith.

I'm glad I took it because it paid off. The whole aspect of the book is that it combines musicality with prose. A new way of enjoying a story. I made sure I could listen to the songs at the same time I read the book so I could have the whole experience. And it added so much! It felt even more intense even though I tell you, the book was intense enough without the heartbreak of the songs.

I am a fan of contemporary lit and I have pretty much reading anything and everything yet I didn't expect that particular thing with the male protagonist, not in a book where music plays such an important part. But it made the whole thing seem deeper and more beautiful that I could have hoped.

I adored the story and the plot. I liked the characters well enough to invest my emotions in their lives, however I was a bit uncomfortable with the, I don't want to say cheating but it kind of is, that goes on. Sydney and Ridge made so much sense as a couple that I didn't really think there was a need to be put in a situation like that, but I guess that's real life for you. But it really bothered me and made me lose a little faith on these characters.

Some scenes were so completely perfect and beautiful, and the writing was fabulous, my only concern was that I didn't really buy the romance. Because the whole thing wasn't fair to Ridge's girlfriend and because Sydney knew how that felt and still kept on going, despite her conflicted feelings. That's the only thing that ruins the book for me.

I have to say I enjoyed it anyway. Specially the songs. And the emotions they evoked in me and how perfectly the fit in the story.

 

 

 

Waiting On Wednesday: On The Edge by Allison Van Diepen

WoW is weekly meme created by Jill at Breaking The Spine in which bloggers can share books they're excited to get soon :)



ON THE EDGE
by Allison Van Diepen

From Allison van Diepen, author of Snitch and Street Pharm, comes a sexy, dangerous novel about a teen who witnesses a murder and gets caught up in the seedy world of Miami’s gangs.

Maddie Diaz never should have taken that shortcut through the park. If she hadn't, she wouldn't have seen two members of the Reyes gang attacking a homeless man. Now, as the only witness, she knows there’s a target on her back.

But when the Reyes jump her on the street, Maddie is protected by a second gang and their secretive leader, Lobo, who is determined to take down the Reyes himself. Lobo is mysterious and passionate, and Maddie begins to fall for him. But when they live this close to the edge, can their love survive?

On the Edge is a compelling story about fighting for what’s right and figuring out where you belong. The novel showcases a gritty, realistic voice and earth–shattering romance that will intrigue readers of Simone Elkeles and Paul Griffin and captivate fans of Allison van Diepen's other novels.

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Gangs?! Murders?! sexy and dangerous? Miami streets?
Oh yes, please.
I can't wait to start this baby!

Review: The Rules for Breaking by Ashley Elston

Title: The Rules for Breaking
Author: Ashley Elston
Expected publication: May 20th 2014 by Disney Hyperion
Genre: YA contemporary, mystery, thriller
Goodreads | Amazon |
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 Remember that very intense wild hog chase in The Rules for Disappearing? Well The Rules for Breaking is one big wild hog chasing scene. So to speak.

I wasn't sure if I was going to remember quite a lot about Anna's story but as soon as I started reading this everything came back to me and it took only a few pages to have me fully invested and super excited again. Ethan and Anna's relationship was as adorable and sweet as ever. And as much as I lose myself in a good mystery, Ethan and Anna's romance was a constant presence in my mind, they kept reminding me of the real power of love, which makes you being brave for the ones you care about. I am absolutely in love with these two and how mature their relationship is.

This sequel had me at the edge of my seat from the start. I am amazed things moved as quickly as they did, how the story didn't drag on the conflicts but instead made them deeper, more difficult, adding twists and turns and my head was spinning before I could start to try to figure things out. I loved that everything left unanswered in the first book is explained here, and we finally get to find out what the deal with Thomas was, and it is creepier and scarier than I thought.

 

Another thing I really like is that Ms. Elston doesn't hesitate in adding the real life aspects that make the book all the more uncomfortable and hilarious and of course, more realistic. Like how scared Anna and her sister and Ethan were.  Their emotions so raw and you couldn't help but feel scared and helpless along them. Don't get me wrong, they were brave and did an amazing job at managing their feelings but still, they are only kids, living a horrible nightmare in the middle of a power struggle between drug cartels, I'd be peeing myself.

I also really liked Teeny, Anna's little sister, better this time around. She was more of a character, her personality really coming through and it felt like she was an important part of the book instead of just an added sibling.

I have to be honest here, I might even have liked this book better than the first and that's saying a lot since I loved the first one. I am one thousand percent satisfied and cannot wait for you all to pick this series up. Because when it comes to action and thrill and excitement this series won't let you down. You're in for a wild ride!

Last note: I am crazy about the cover! it makes so much sense and is so synchronized with the story, kudos to the designers.

 

Review: The Rules for Disappearing by Ashley Elston

Title: The Rules for Disappearing
Author: Ashley Elston
Published May 14th 2013 by Disney-Hyperion
Genre: YA contemporary, mystery, thriller
Goodreads | Amazon |
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So I just realized I never posted my review of this book, which was one of my favorites last year. And since the sequel is coming up (and my review with it, spoiler: I loved it) I thought it was appropiate to post it now, so here it is.

 

I really enjoyed this one. For once the mysteries were kind of hard to deconstruct and the characters weren't half as whiny as I would have imagined for anyone in their situation.

I liked the approach the author took regarding the witness protection program and how it can destroy people's lives and sometimes it doesn't seem worth to live a life like that. And especially how devastating it is for a seventeen year old girl, you can't help but root for Meg right away, hoping everything turns out fine.

Now the romance was really cute (if a little instalove for my liking). It was a bit hard to believe a guy would put himself through so much danger for a girl he just met, but Ethan has a great heart and you can tell that from the start so maybe it's not that surprising that he fell for Meg so hard.

Really action packed, it kept me on my toes most of the time, I ended up really invested in the story and thoroughly enjoyed the ride it took me on.

I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with the ending, though. I was a bit unsatisfied but also a whole lot curious. It felt like the easy way out, not cleared and kind of unfinished, and maybe to some people that would be part of this book's charm but for someone as obsessive as me it means I will wreck my brain trying to come up with theories and I already have too much going on in school.

But then I learned there was going to be a sequel, and then all was right in my world. Because I am nowhere near done with this story and this characters and I am anxiously waiting for our next meeting.

And one last thing: that hog hunting scene? That was so intense and scary and the best thing I've read in a while. Y'all need to get on it and read ASAP.

 

 

 

 

Blog Tour: Review and Excerpt 'Biggest Flirts' by Jennifer Echols

 

Hello everyone.

Like always I am absolutely thrilled to be spot-lighting another book by one of my favorite authors, Jennifer Echols.

Check out my review,  mini-excerpt and then enter the giveaway for copies of her books (!)

 

Title: Biggest Flirts 
Author: Jennifer Echols
Expected publication: May 20th 2014 by Simon Pulse
Genre: YA contemporary
Goodreads | Amazon |
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Biggest Flirts is everything it promises to be. Light and quick and yes, a bit naughty. I was incredibly excited to start this Superlatives series by Jennifer because I have had such a great time reading her comedy novels before. This time it was not the exception.

You read the title and you have to expect that this book is going to be fun. And it certainly is a wild ride. Our main characters are Tia and Will. They are voted the school's biggest flirts, and this title is perfect for Tia, who is fun and playful and the kind of girl that can get away with being a bit promiscuous but not a slut. I really loved Tia, she was a bit messed up and very wild but her sense of humor and her big personality make you like her right away.

Will on the other hand, he is kind of quiet and shy. He was a good counterpart to Tia's wildness. I liked that he, for once, was a hot guy portrayed as not the most popular guy despite his hotness. It made him more real to show how much he struggled with being the new guy and realizing that maybe he wasn't a huge people's person as he thought.

The story was so fast-paced that you don't even have time to react to some of the things that happen. But I liked that, better to break my neck than get bored at snail's pace, I finished it in a matter of hours.

Another thing that I loved was that it was laugh out loud funny in a lot of parts. Tia's comments always had me giggling and her best friend Sawyer was such a comedian too, the two of them made me utter quite a few snorts.

And speaking of Swayer, I friggin loved him. And though I love Will too, for a minute there I wanted Sawyer to end up with Tia because together they are SO MUCH FUN. But oh well, I hope he is in another of the stories because he is the best.

Now I am really looking forward to read the next book in the series.

 

 

EXCERPT

 

I stopped feeling sorry for Sawyer when he grabbed both my drumsticks. I sighed in frustration and put my hands on my hips. I didn’t want to be part of his act. Maybe another day but not right now, when I felt so mortified that I was partially responsible for mortifying Will.

“Give them to me,” I told Sawyer.

He shook his huge head. His googly eyes gazed at me, but staring angrily at him did no good because I wasn’t sure which part of the head he was looking out of.

Will stepped forward to intervene. “Back off, bird.”

Good. If Will was defending me, he couldn’t be too resentful.

Sawyer put one hand over his beak, like he was horrified, and used the other wing—with my drumsticks in that hand—to cover his bird crotch.

“I said back off,” Will said, laughing, “not jack off.”

Will was laughing! Now I felt even more relieved—until Sawyer put my drumsticks into his enormous bird beak.

“Oh Sawyer,” I sighed. Almost as if he’d anticipated being named Most Likely To Go To Jail, he’d been stealing things all period and slipping them into his beak—sunscreen, hats, cheerleader pompons so voluminous they didn’t quite fit and hung over the edges of his mouth like he tried to swallow an octopus. When his victims finally convinced him to give their stuff back, he shoved his wing into his mouth, fished around in there, pulled out the possessions in question, and wiped them on his ample tail like they were covered in bird saliva before handing them back, pretend-wet.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jennifer Echols was born in Atlanta and grew up in a small town on a beautiful lake in Alabama—a setting that has inspired many of her books. She has written nine romantic novels for young adults, including the comedy MAJOR CRUSH, which won the National Readers’ Choice Award, and the drama GOING TOO FAR, which was a finalist in the RITA, the National Readers’ Choice Award, and the Book Buyer’s Best, and was nominated by the American Library Association as a Best Book for Young Adults. Simon & Schuster will debut her adult romance novels in 2013, with many more teen novels scheduled for the next few years. She lives in Birmingham with her husband and her son. 

 

www.jennifer-echols.com | http://twitter.com/jenniferechols

 

 

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Waiting On Wednesday: Take Me On by Katie McGarry

WoW is weekly meme created by Jill at Breaking The Spine in which bloggers can share books they're excited to get soon :)


TAKE ME ON
by katie mcgarry

Champion kickboxer Haley swore she'd never set foot in the ring again after one tragic night. But then the guy she can't stop thinking about accepts a mixed martial arts fight in her honor. Suddenly, Haley has to train West Young. All attitude, West is everything Haley promised herself she'd stay away from. Yet he won't last five seconds in the ring without her help.

West is keeping a big secret from Haley. About who he really is. But helping her-fighting for her-is a shot at redemption. Especially since it's his fault his family is falling apart. He can't change the past, but maybe he can change Haley's future.

Hayley and West have agreed to keep their relationship strictly in the ring. But as an unexpected bond forms between them and attraction mocks their best intentions, they'll face their darkest fears and discover love is worth fighting for.

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While I might not be this series biggest fan I was still sad to see it come to an end...
but turns out it didn't.
Come to an end, I mean.
And it continues on with the story of West, who was my favorite Young brother.
But these cheesy covers need to stop, though.
And all I can think about this one is that they both have micrognatia.

Waiting On Wednesday: Sway by Kat Spears

WoW is weekly meme created by Jill at Breaking The Spine in which bloggers can share books they're excited to get soon :)



Sway
by Kat Spears

High school senior Jesse Alderman, or Sway as he's known, could sell hell to a bishop.  He also specializes in getting things people want—term papers, a date with the prom queen, fake IDs.  It's all business with Jesse.  He has few close friends and he never lets emotions get in the way.

But when Ken, captain of the football team, leading candidate for homecoming king, and all around jerk, hires Jesse to help him win the heart of the angelic Bridget Smalley, Jesse finds himself feeling all sorts of things.  While following Bridget and learning the intimate details of her life, he falls helplessly in love for the very first time. He also finds himself in an accidental friendship with Bridget's younger brother who's belligerent and self-pitying after spending a lifetime dealing with cerebral palsy.  Suddenly Jesse is visiting old folks at a nursing home in order to run into Bridget, and offering his time to help the less fortunate, all the while developing a bond with this young man who idolizes him.  The tinman really does have a heart after all.

Add On Goodreads

 

I am a huge fan of this story line when the guy charming a girl for someone else ends up falling for her...

so of course I am dying inside to meet Sway and see if he can charm me too ;)