People We Meet On Vacation 🏖 ☀️ by Emily Henry

People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Emily Henry has once again managed to create a sweet, gorgeous, and fun novel about people falling in love. This time around, though it was especially special, meaning it was so full of complex emotions and feelings that neither Poppy, Alex or myself could pinpoint exactly when everything changed.

For the longest time I have been a fan of stories about former friends realizing they actually love each other as more-than-friends, so you can imagine how thrilling it was for me to get to participate in the deliciously slow-burn relationship.

Poppy and Alex shouldn’t like each other. They are too different. The only sensible thing would be for a platonic friendship to blossom. Problem is, this long friendship is born where they become just the person each of them can truly be themselves, these naked versions of themselves.

It was so nail-biting, painfully-glorious to watch these two lovely, fun, caring people wake up to the reality of their true feelings. And while yes, you might have already realized where this is going, I assure you, the ride is one-hundred percent worth it.

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Review: Top Ten by Katie Cotugno

Title; Top Ten 
Author; Katie Cotugno

Hardcover, 320 pages

Expected publication: October 3rd 2017 by Balzer + Bray

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Ah. Where to start? 

I honestly can't find the words because it almost pains me to say that I did not like this book. I will try to make sense of why now.

First of all; the format. What was up with that? The book jumped from time to time without much sense. We'd be reading about senior year and then summer of freshman year, then junior year winter and it wasn't confusing per se (well at least not ALL the time) but it was annoying and pointless. Throughout I kept wanting to fix the damned timeline.

Another thing was that I didn't quite connect with either of the main characters. Even their friendship made no sense to me or them it seemed. And not in a way that they shouldn't be friends just like neither of us know if they are friends just because they want to be together.

But my biggest problem with it, and I hate to say it but I will, is that I found it to be boring. I honestly think the book offered nothing plot-wise. I finished the book not 12 hours ago and I can't tell you what it was about except two teens realizing they are better off friends. I think it tried to add substance by exploring Gabby's mental struggle with anxiety and Ryan's concussioned brain, but it wasn't enough for me. 

For example, they played Ryan's injury a lot throughout the book, they build it up with headaches getting more and more frequent and even having his personality change because of it. I was hoping it will get explored at the end if he had ny consequences because of it, but at the end the issue is suddenly dropped like nothing ever happened. It left me feeling cheated. And I just thought that overall the story lacked depth. 

As always, this is only what I think and in no way reflects an absolute. So I invite you to form your own opinion by picking up the book from your local library or bookstore.

Review: The End Of Our Story by Meg Haston

Title: The End Of Our Story 
Author: Meg Haston
Expected publication: April 4th 2017 by HarperTeen
GOODREADS | AMAZON
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Disclaimer: Hello friends. I decided that this book is basically this song in story form. So if you want, you can listen to it while reading my review. If you don't want that, please don't do it just because I said so. 

So, as I read the last chapter of The End Of Our Story I have mixed feelings. There isn't a single chapter in the book that didn't depress me. Seriously it was all an avalanche of sadness.

And yet. Yet I kind of liked it.

The writing was very lyrical and the character's background story was my favorite part. You know how I am a sucker for bestfriends turned something more, and this story had plenty of that.

Bridge and Wil had been each other's closest friends for a long time, they were even a couple at some point. But situation after situation have kept them apart for a year. A year where things unraveled into a huge mess.

Bridge and Wil were not perfect. In fact I was annoyed at both of them most of the time. They were flawed but they were real. I wouldn't do the same things they did if I were in their place but I understood where they were coming from. It was easy to, because they felt like very real, very confused teenagers. And who can judge them, honestly? There is not one of us who doesn't regret something they did at seventeen.

That led me to be okay with the story, after everything, I was okay. I accepted it and I actually think I enjoyed it. 

That's why I have no doubts in recommending this book. Give it a try. Especially if you love a different kind of romance, that might or might not be bittersweet. ;)

Review: Never Always Sometimes by Adi Alsaid

Title: Never Always Sometimes

Author: Adi Alsaid
 

From Goodreads:

Best friends Dave and Julia were determined to never be cliché high school kids—the ones who sit at the same lunch table every day, dissecting the drama from homeroom and plotting their campaigns for prom king and queen. They even wrote their own Never List of everything they vowed they'd never, ever do in high school.

Some of the rules have been easy to follow, like #5, never die your hair a color of the rainbow, or #7, never hook up with a teacher. But Dave has a secret: he's broken rule #8, never pine silently after someone for the entirety of high school. It's either that or break rule #10, never date your best friend. Dave has loved Julia for as long as he can remember.

Julia is beautiful, wild and impetuous. So when she suggests they do every Never on the list, Dave is happy to play along. He even dyes his hair an unfortunate shade of green. It starts as a joke, but then a funny thing happens: Dave and Julia discover that by skipping the clichés, they've actually been missing out on high school. And maybe even on love.

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It's always fun to read about best friends, don't you think? Something about it transports me to my happy place and that's where I like to be when I read.

This is actually my first time reading one of Adi Alsaid's books but he's funny on Facebook and I thought it was time to try one out.

At first I was a little bit put off by it. Something in Julia's excessively trying to be quirky and Dave's complete willingness to go along with everything she said. But then they warmed on me and I understood this odd couple better.

I ended up loving the turns the story took on. I am so glad for them too because it shows that maybe we need time and growth to realize what we really want, especially when we are seventeen.

Perfect ending. I couldn't agree more with the way things turned out. I saw it coming and I wanted it. At the end I knew it was the best for the characters I got to loved through the pages so I'm happy and glad I read this one. Don't pass it.

Review: On The Fence by Kasie West

Title: On The Fence 
Author:Kasie  West
Expected publication: July 1st 2014 by HarperTeen
Genre: YA contemporary
Goodreads | Amazon |
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I am completely in love with Kasie West and her ability to write the most adorable stories. So far I have loved every single one of the books she has ever put out. So I was beyond curious to see if she would do it again, and she totally did!

On The Fence delivered. It was a cute story that went beyond fluffy, summery writing but still didn't take itself too seriously. It featured West's now signature style of amazing, relatable heroines and a supporting cast that was more than just added secondary characters, to the point that you learned everyone's name and cared for their individual stories.

I loved Charlie. She was the strongest of the whole book to me, just so easy to like and her point of view made the book completely captivating and hilarious. I loved the dynamics between her and her brothers. They made one of the cutest sibling relationships I have ever read. And I love that Charlie was going through a lot of self doubt but she was still confident in what she loved, like sports and hanging out with the guys and not one of those insecure, whiny girls that wonder why the world doesn't love them. She definitely strung at my heart cords because I have also felt insecure about how I look, much like her I am tall and even though I am no jock I hit the gym often and I sometimes feel so big standing beside all my petite friends; and all this only made me feel more connected to her and her story.

And I loved each of her brothers and their different personalities too. And of course her dad was a sweetheart so I loved each time he awkwardly tried to teach Charlie any girl stuff, it was hysterical. And don't get me started on Braden, who was just so perfect with how he wanted Charlie to be with someone who appreciated who she really was. Le sigh.

The story with Charlie's mom was an unexpected depth that added a lot to an otherwise cute story, I really liked that. But don't think this book isn't hilarious too, it is! It has been reaffirmed that West has joined my list of Contemporary queens. Loved it.

Review: Panic by Lauren Oliver

Title: Panic
Author: Lauren Oliver
Published March 4th 2014 by HarperCollins
Genre: Contemporary Young Adult
Goodreads | Amazon | The Book Depository
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Panic is the newest (and my first) Lauren Oliver novel. I knew of her (who doesn't) and I knew of the huge hype her books cause, and all the fan base she has acquired. So yeah I was a little bit scared to tackled this book. And my expectations were high.

Since this is a contemporary novel, I felt like this was my chance to start something that I would probably like, and I went ahead. I did like Panic. I liked that the dual Point of view was not shared by the two parts of a couple but rather by two practical strangers that end up being friends.

Heather and Dodge both participate on Panic this summer. Panic is a dangerous but entertaining game high school seniors play for the fame and money. At the start I didn't really liked, or get, either Heather or Dodge. They were both whining and complaining and didn't seem to have a lot of potential. But as the story progressed I started to like them, I saw where they were coming from and why they were that way and my heart felt for them.

While the plot story was great and the writing style was romantic and engaging, I really didn't think the book was that exciting for me. I figured everything out very early on and had a lot of trouble to keep going. However, I did finish the book and that counts a lot to me. The romance aspect wasn't the main focus but I did liked the way it developed with one of the couples, Heather and Bishop; and how they went from best friends to something more. Dodge and Nat gave me a little bit of trouble, I could really see how obviously in love Dodge was but Nat was enigmatic and I had a hard time believing she truly was interested in him.

The game was cool to read about and witness but completely terrifying to think about. Like, in some form or another, people actually do stuff like this in the streets. It strengthens my conviction that every teenager should get a 24-hour job in the summer.

So basically, a good book that made me glad I tried Oliver's books (finally) even though it didn't quite convert me into her fan base. But I am sure it is going to please everyone else who has been waiting for her next work.

 

 

Review: Side Effects May Vary by Julie Murphy

Title: Side Effects May Vary 
Author: Julie Murphy
Expected publication: March 18th 2014 by HarperCollins/ Balzer + Bray
Genre: Contemporary Young Adult
Goodreads | Amazon | The Book Depo
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Side Effects May Vary was probably the book that had me most worked up for 2014. I mean with a synopsis promising lots of drama and a "love story" blossoming between two childhood best friends I just couldn't contain my excitement. Add a cancer patient and then you have me hooked for life.

 

So I am not happy to write this review. You'll see why.

 

Mean girls have never bothered me before (I am not one of Courtney Summers biggest fan for nothing) but there was something really mean  about Alice. I found it hard to believe she cared about anyone feelings but her own, like with her mom's affair, everything was about Alice and how her mom had no right to ruin her life, then she saying that she loved Harvey but she constantly played games with him and clearly took advantage of his  feelings towards her. I couldn't really find it in my heart to like anything about her. Even reading the Now Alice, I just didn't see any changes in her. She didn't really show signs of maturing at all. In fact she acted even more selfish than when she was sick.

 

What I really loved was the "friendship" between Harvey and Alice. I really understood Harvey and think he is perfectly crafted as a person, so it was easy to see why he would feel so passionate towards someone like Alice. He was nice and caring and his good natured personality just makes you see why he is such a good friend to Alice even when she acts the way she acts.

 

But my inability to love Alice as a person didn't stop me from realizing that Julie Murphy is very good at story telling. The book was interesting. Things kept happening and even though some scenes were killing me to read, and I have a permanent scowl in my face from all the cringing; I can still say that I finished it and my time wasn't wasted. Murphy really did a good job at making the story come alive in front of my eyes, even if I didn't exactly loved it. But I am still interested in reading what she comes up next.

 

 

 

Waiting On Wednesday: Better Off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg

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



Better Off Friends
by Elizabeth Eulberg

For Macallan and Levi, it was friends at first sight. Everyone says guys and girls can’t be just friends, but these two are. They hang out after school, share tons of inside jokes, their families are super close, and Levi even starts dating one of Macallan’s friends. They are platonic and happy that way. 

Eventually they realize they’re best friends — which wouldn’t be so bad if they didn’t keep getting in each other’s way. Guys won’t ask Macallan out because they think she’s with Levi, and Levi spends too much time joking around with Macallan, and maybe not enough time with his date. They can’t help but wonder . . . are they more than friends or are they better off without making it even more complicated? 

From romantic comedy superstar Elizabeth Eulberg comes a fresh, fun examination of a question for the ages: Can guys and girls ever really be just friends? Or are they always one fight away from not speaking again — and one kiss away from true love?

ADD ON GOODREADS



I've actually read Ms. Eulberg's debut books, and even though back then I was younger (duh) I remember thinking they were too childish for my taste.

But now we both have grown I'm sure and since I am a weakling when it comes to boy-girl-bestfriends I just HAVE TO READ THIS. 

Review: Winger by Andrew Smith

Title: Winger
Author: Andrew Smith
Published May 14th 2013 by Simon & Schuster
Goodreads | Amazon
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I've been trying to write this review since the beginning of time* and yet I find myself unable to convert what my heart felt and turn it into words.

Because Winger will sure make you feel, a story of growing-up and going down and being lifted up and realizing you had a very wrong concept of how others perceive yourself.

I friggin loved Ryan Dean from the start. Even though my prejudice-filled mind was like "what the hell are you doing?! this is gonna be about a disgusting, hormonized boy your brother's age! abort! abort!" 

Well, Ryan Dean is a fourteen year old, and that's where my predictions ended because he is nothing like the cliché I imagined him out to be. BOY IS FREAKING AWESOME. No, seriously, you'll be cheering him up and rooting for him from page one. And then his comics (and his whole life basically) is hilarious. As in, get-me-some-diapers-I-might-lose-the-fight-with-incontinence funny. I was laughing so hard I forgot bad stuff happens in this world.

And I won't spoil you but let's just say I tried to hold back the tears...

but did not succeed...

* Meaning, since I read this book back in May.

Waiting on Wednesday: Send Me a Sign by Tiffany Schmidt

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

 

 

 

SEND ME A SIGN

by Tiffany Schmidt

 

Mia is always looking for signs. A sign that she should get serious with her soccer-captain boyfriend. A sign that she’ll get the grades to make it into an Ivy-league school. One sign she didn’t expect to look for was: “Will I survive cancer?” It’s a question her friends would never understand, prompting Mia to keep her illness a secret.

The only one who knows is her lifelong best friend, Gyver, who is poised to be so much more. Mia is determined to survive, but when you have so much going your way, there is so much more to lose. From debut author Tiffany Schmidt comes a heart-wrenching and ultimately uplifting story of one girl’s search for signs of life in the face of death.

Goodreads

 

 

Aww. For this one book I'm willing to give cancer-books another try :)

 

I'm sure it will be amazing

not only it has great praise from practically everyone, and a tear-jerking plot. It also has my favorite thing ever: boy and girl best friends realize they might have romantic feelings for eachother!

 

 

I- I- I LOVE THAT! So for me this book is made of win already.

 

Also I've heard from a little birdie (Courtney Summers) that this is pretty much the book my life has been waiting on ever since it was born.

 

Review: The Boys Next Door by Jennifer Echols

Title: The boys next door
Author: Jennifer Echols
Mass Market Paperback, 317 pages
Published June 26th 2007 by Simon Pulse
Goodreads | Amazon

Slowly but surely I've come to love Jennifer Echols books.
It's just that she has this awesome writing style.. so carefree, and fearless... teenagery.


So whenever I start a book from her, especially one of this 'old' ones, I just know it's gonna be funny, cute and good times at full (oh and sexy times too *wink*)

This book didn't let me down!

It had the extra awesome factor I loooooove with passion:

Boy and Girl best friend realize they want something more ;)

I loved all the funny interactions between the five friends.
Lori new femme fatale, her tidy and composed brother McGillicuddy,
and the three brothers next door: Adam the youngest *swoon*, Sean the heartbreaker middle child, and Cameron the forever cool first born.

There was so much funniness in this book. A huge part of this can be blamed on Lori,

She is a tomboy that only hangs out with her college brother and her neighbors next door, three extremely handsome, extremely manly, sailor boys.
Even though there were a lot of boys in this story, I never lost track of who was who, they might have looked very similar on the outside but each of them had a different personality that made them stood out.

Lori is the best, she's witty and sassy and so freaking funny. She would always have the perfect comeback and she was no chicken when it came to try new tricks with the boys. But some time now she has been feeling the need to become more girlish so she can catch Sean's (hearthrob middle child) attention.
But she's still a tomboy, she can't help but kick ass while wakeboarding...

 ...Which Sean hates. Adam (baby brother and best friend) is another story, he's always
encouraging Lori to do what she likes and go get what she wants, even if it hurts him (Due to his secret crush on her).

I loved Adam since I first laid eyes on him (so to speak). This boy is awesomeness, he has an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder,  gets called LD (for Learning Dissability), and is the youngest of three boys; you can probably guess he gets picked on ALL THE TIME.
And oh boy he does. But that doesn't stop him, he tries hard to be treated normaly, he tries hard to fit in with his brothers and friends by doing stupid stuff and getting hurt. His life is like a Jackass episode. And just as passionaly as he takes everything in his life,
he's madly in love with Lori, who (saddly) has THE BIGGEST crush on Sean.

Sean is Adam's brother, he's the one in the middle and opposed to what people might think, he is the one that gets all the attention.
Everyone is in love with him even though he could be the BIGGEST jerk. But he could be very charming too.

But you have to read to see how this mess gets fixed (or does it stay a mess?)

All the book is made of awesome characters, extremely cute kissing scenes, and oh so funny and witty comebacks.
Now throw in some wakeboarding falls, and one or two fist fights and you have a book I would be re-reading pretty soon!