Review. Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen

Title. Saint Anything
Author. Sarah Dessen
Published May 5th 2015 by Viking Juvenile
From Goodreads.

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.

First of all, let me get it off my chest,

I love this title!

Before I read it I thought it was a play on words about...

But it wasn't. But the reason why it is called this is even more awesome (if possible).

Anyways.

I've missed Sarah Dessen. 

That's what I first thought as I read the first few chapters. I've forgotten how she always manages to make a story seem easy, relatable. Her main characters are always so easy to like, to root for. Saint Anything was not different.

I can't pinpoint what exactly makes her stories so magical but that's undeniable. Saint Anything trapped me. In a world where Sydney was perfect on the outside (and pretty much on the inside too, I know I would have thrown plenty of fits if I were in her place) yet very vulnerable, it made you instantly love her. 

Then came the Chathams, especially Layla and Mac, who were the most amazing, most welcoming family Dessen has ever written (possibly). I loved them and their chamadery. I loved that they had a pizzeria. I loved everything about them.

I am trying to remember if there Dessen has ever written a boy as shy as Mac. I can't remember (it's been a lot of books and a lot of boys) but I absolutely adored that Mac was the shy one for once. He grew up being overweight his whole life and now with a recent healthier body he is kind of apprehensive of people (no blame). He was absolutely perfect and adorable.

And as much this is 2015, and this is a new, different story, it still felt familiar, like seeing your childhood best friend again and realizing you missed them more than you noticed. I loved to read this, Sarah, my old pal. Thanks for forever bringing me reading pleasure, circa 2007.

Review: The One Thing by Marci Lyn Curtis

Title: The One Thing 
Author: Marci Lyn Curtis
Expected publication: September 8th 2015 by Disney-Hyperion
From Goodreads: 

Maggie Sanders might be blind, but she won't invite anyone to her pity party. Ever since losing her sight six months ago, Maggie's rebellious streak has taken on a life of its own, culminating with an elaborate school prank. Maggie called it genius. The judge called it illegal.
Now Maggie has a probation officer. But she isn't interested in rehabilitation, not when she's still mourning the loss of her professional-soccer dreams, and furious at her so-called friends, who lost interest in her as soon as she could no longer lead the team to victory.
Then Maggie's whole world is turned upside down. Somehow, incredibly, she can see again. But only one person: Ben, a precocious ten-year-old unlike anyone she's ever met.Ben's life isn't easy, but he doesn't see limits, only possibilities. After awhile, Maggie starts to realize that losing her sight doesn't have to mean losing everything she dreamed of. Even if what she's currently dreaming of is Mason Milton, the infuriatingly attractive lead singer of Maggie's new favorite band, who just happens to be Ben's brother.
But when she learns the real reason she can see Ben, Maggie must find the courage to face a once-unimaginable future... before she loses everything she has grown to love.

So what's your thing? The One Thing that makes you the happiest?
Mine is easy, it would be reading amazing books. And I am thrilled to inform you that this is one of them.

I had the most magical experience reading this novel. I don't even know what to say about it right now so I don't spoil it for everyone else, just that it was fabulous. I mean is not everyday you find a book that is mainly focused on the relationship between a seventeen year old blind girl and a semi-paralyzed ten year old boy. That alone makes me want to grab the book and read it again, to remind myself of how incredibly beautiful and funny and heartbreaking and uplifting it was.

To me, it is Maggie and Ben's relationship that completely made the book. They were the best pair of mismatched friends I have ever read. But that's not to say I didn't appreciate, and LOVED other aspects of the book. Like Maggie's grandpa, Gramps, who takes her granddaughter to Target and then abandons her at the Feminine Products aisle and talks to her about his swollen prostate. And Ben's mom, who welcomes strangers to her home with bear hugs and saves stray animals. And of course, Ben's brother Mason, lead singer of Maggie's favorite band, reformed bad boy and Ben's biggest cheerleader.

I loved everything about this book that even now writing this makes me want to go back and read it again. If only just for Ben, and his incredibly bright soul, his awkward question and his larger than life personality. He calls Maggie his girlfriend the first time he meets her, he was a ten in my eyes right in that moment. And Maggie, with her dark humor and sarcastic personality that doesn't hide her soft heart and her struggle to cope with her new vulnerability. She went from soccer goddess to a friendless blind kid. My heart swelled for her. That's why my favorite part was the first half, when Ben and Maggie's friendship blossoms.

The second half was harder. If only because of it deals with all the difficult issues that were swept under the rug before. Especially the twist. I found it hard to understand both Maggie and Mason's reactions after that, but I guess I wouldn't know what to make about it either.

In the end I think this was an excellent read. I haven't been so enthralled in a novel in months, and this one awoke me and shook me and practically kicked me out of my reading stupor and reminded me that YA is full of magical surprises.

Review: Emmy & Oliver by Robin Benway

Title: Emmy & Oliver 
Author: Robin Benway
Expected publication: June 23rd 2015 by HarperTeen
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary, drama
Goodreads | Amazon | The Book Depo

 According to my goodreads account, I have been waiting for this novel for almost two years. Two years of anticipation that built up a lot of expectations. And to be totally honest, this novel did not disappoint.

Emmy & Oliver is about two childhood friends reunited ten years after Oliver was kidnapped by his father. If that isn't enough to catch your attention I don't know what you're doing reading this. It was an emotional roller coaster, there's no other way to describe it.

Robin did an amazing job at capturing what each of the characters went through because of this horrible experience. Which made me connect with everyone in the book and really see the reasoning behind their actions. I absolutely loved that this book doesn't tell you how to feel but instead questions your feelings. It reminds you that the world is not black or white but shades of gray.

Despite you would expect this book to be about Oliver, he is the one who was kidnapped after all, it is so much about Emmy too. Everything she went through and how that shaped who she is now. I loved Emmy, she to me was the strongest character. Apart from Maureen, Oliver's mom, who is reminiscent of Michelle Pfeiffer in The Deep End of the Ocean (this film is a jewel, you should see it ASAP) just as heartbreaking and fierce at the same time.

And I just don't think it is appropriate to continue trying to explain this book because it won't do it justice. Every YA Contemporary fan should experience this one for themselves.

Review: Between The Notes by Sharon Huss Roat

Title: Between The Notes 
Author: Sharon Huss Roat
Expected publication: June 16th 2015 by Harper Teen
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary, Drama, Music
Goodreads | Amazon | The BookDepo

There's something magical about Between the Notes. Something that transported me back to my teenage years, something every YA is supposed to do but it's actually rare nowadays. Because to be honest, I read YA all the time and I didn't know I've missed this so much until I had it again, the thrill of expecting the unexpected, the twist in the story that will make you go 'woah'.

I loved it. I loved this despite of the love triangle. In fact I think I loved it because of the love triangle.

Ivy's family is going through a difficult financial situation. She is been wealthy all of her life but now she's forced to relocate to a modest setting where she has to learn the real value of money, and truth, and friendship and of course, love.

People, Ivy Emerson is likable. Even if she starts off as a snob, you just can't help to like her. And her internal growth throughout the book is off the charts. I enjoyed every step of the way. And let's not even get started on the rest of the  characters, who were all amazing, from Ivy's parents to Kaya and Brady, her little brother and sister, the loyal friends Reesa and Molly, and let's not forget the love interests, James Wickerton with his romantic notes and drawings, and Tim Riggins, I mean Lennie Heart-Of-Gold Lazarski.

I cannot say enough good things about this novel. So I'll settle for: read this! the message behind it alone makes it worth it, but the spectacular way it's written will make you stay for the rest.

Review: Magnolia by Kristi Cook

Title: Magnolia
Author: Kristi Cook
Expected publication: August 5th 2014 by Simon & Schuster
Genre: YA Contemporary
Goodreads | Amazon |
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Magnolia is about two kids growing up in the South. Their moms are best friends and have always wanted to pair the two of them together. Naturally, Jemma and Ryder hate that idea and have hated each other their whole lives. I thought that had potential to be hilarious and I was so excited to dig in.

Jemma and Ryder are both good looking and popular and if it weren’t for the huge hurricane and some health problems I’d say their lives are perfect, which makes it hard to care for them and their developing romance. But I have to say that it was a very cute love story and it really made sense they would be a couple, I’m glad they realized it too because I kept wishing they’d abandon the nonsense and just kiss already. The story is from Jemma’s point of view and she seemed to me kind of too childish, I can’t even tell how many times she cried and that annoyed me, sometimes I didn’t even knew why she was crying she just did it.  A lot.

The subplot about the hurricane was good. I have always been crazy about meteorology and have spent a fair amount of hours watching Discovery Channel’s shows about storms, so I enjoyed reading about it through Jemma’s eyes. And learning what happened to the town and everyone’s homes was a bit heart-breaking; Hurricane Katrina is fresh in my mind too.

I really liked reading about her relationship with her sister, and was really invested in her medical problems but to be honest I felt like it was underdeveloped. I wanted to know more about how she was doing from her words and not just how Jemma thought she was doing but at the end they didn’t communicate much and I missed their relationship. I also thought the thing with Patrick was not needed but that's just my opinión.

I would say that I really liked this book because it was what I expected, a sweet southern romance with lots of country feel and some crazy weather action thrown in there too. 

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: 17 First Kisses by Rachael Allen

Title: 17 First Kisses
Author: Rachael Allen
Expected publication: June 17th 2014 by HarperTeen
Genre: YA Contemporary
Goodreads | Amazon |
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You see the title, you see the cover and you would never think that this book is what it is.

I know, I know, I shouldn't judge a book by its title or its cover but some times it cannot be helped. And actually, part of what made me pick up this book is the cute cover, I just thought it will be this cutesy, light romance and maybe a bestfriendship thrown in there too.

And the first few chapters it appeared it was the case but then Wham! The story took off at neck-breaking pace while I laughed and oh-ed and ah-ed and wondered where the well my cutesy story went. It pulled the rug out from underneath my feet. It takes guts to put this kind of story out there as your debut book and I have to take my hat off to Ms. Allen. I can easily tell you that the risk paid off because this book rocks.

The story is about Claire, aka CJ. CJ starts off as a cute tomboy who has all these awkward kisses ever since the second grade and it is just hilarious. At first I loved CJ and how real and smart she was and confident enough to wear Adidas shorts and flip flops to girly parties. I was also head over heels about her overweight best friend, Sam. Sam was adorable and loyal and the goalie in CJ's soccer team.

Everything goes to hell when CJ starts her new friendship with Megan, only the most popular girl in the sixth grade and Queen of the Crownies, the most important girl clique consisting of her, Britney (a mindless groupie that always follows Megan) and Averley (the one with a reputation of being easy), and some other girl that moves away leaving space for CJ to be part of the Crownies and therefore she becomes popular.

These girls were the mean girls all through the seventh and eight grade, and CJ goes through a transformation and becomes Claire, a beautiful, confident girl that gets to have a bunch of new kisses with a new bunch of guys and it is just messy and hysterical. Now while I was a bit disappointed on these girls I still couldn't take them very seriously since they were so young and I just laughed it off. They were like any other teenager, trying to figure who they are.

But then things get serious as they get older and I find myself getting annoyed at Megan and how she treated Claire and then something happened and I would cheer for Megan instead and all I wanted was to kick Claire in the shins.

One thing has to be clear, though, this book is not as light and airy as I am making it out to be. Claire's family goes through a horrible tragedy, and the other girls family situations weren't ideal either, and I loved that, it made me care for them even if I didn't like them at the moment.

But the important thing is that they, all these characters, they made me feel. They made me care to the point of taking the story too seriously and being too emotionally involved. And that is what makes me continue to pick up books, that overwhelming feeling of living through somebody else's life. It is what keeps me glued to the world of contemporary, where the authors don't have magic to rely on so they have to create their own.

And as far as romance, it does have some but it really doesn't. Sometimes you would think Claire was in love only to realize that it really wasn't and she saw it too, as she grew up. And the one I really wanted her to be with didn't happen ): you know what I am talking about because it is one of my most favorite things to read about but I won't ruin it for others. And even if CJ tries to make it seem like she kind of have feelings for said guy, at the end I just didn't buy it. Not after everything that happened with her and all the boys before (and after, ughhhh). But whatever, they were both better off I'd like to hope. And I really wasn't bothered because it was refreshing to see that young love is not always so final.

So really, this book was all kinds of messed up and ugly but also so entertaining and awesome and hilarious too. I just think it is one of the best contemporaries I've read this year and it was a huge surprise. I can't wait to read more from this author.

Lastly, I am not really into comparisons but this one just speak volumes about this book, because 17 Kisses reminded me so much of the Jessica Darling series, which is amazing so for fans of Not-so, you have to try this one!

 

 

 

Review: Heartbeat by Elizabeth Scott

Title: Heartbeat
Author: Elizabeth Scott
Published January 28th 2014 by Harlequin Teen
Goodreads | Amazon
Contemporary Young Adult Fiction
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Heartbeat was my first experience with a book by Elizabeth Scott. I am kind of ashamed of myself for never trying out anything by her because I absolutely loved her newest story Heartbeat.

I was super excited to read this book because I’ve never read something quite like this before. I mean you hear of “issue” books but it’s not often that said issue is having to deal with an unborn baby alive inside of your brain-dead mother’s uterus. I know, I know, you can say whatever you think it’s right and we can definitely argue about our opinions but when you have a relationship like the one Emma and her mother had, the decision is way more difficult than you would think.

I got Emma, I really did. I don’t think there’s another human being I love more than my mother, and what happens to Emma is so terrible I understood perfectly was she was so angry and confused and I couldn’t judge her or blame her. I just let her be herself.

However, everything was so ridiculously heartbreaking that I didn’t know who to feel most sorry for; Emma with her dead mother or Dan with the decision to save the baby at all costs, and of course, Caleb and the tragic story of his sister and his own relationship (or lack thereof) with his parents.

The important thing though, is that no matter how depressing a life can get, this book talks about finding hope in the unexpected, and seeking solace in the arms of the ones that were always there too. And Scott did a marvelous job in making me believe that these people really did get that, and not only said things to wrap up the book nicely. Very moving story that made me reconsider the side I thought I stood on my whole life.

 

Review: Anyone But You: A Modern-Day Spin on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet by Kim Askew and Amy Helmes

Title: Anyone But You:  A Modern-Day Spin on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet 
Authors: Kim Askew and Amy Helmes
Published January 1st 2014 by Merit Press
Goodreads | Amazon | The Book Depository
Genre: Young Adult // Retelling // Contemporary
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Today, January 7^th, 2014, was the coldest day in my memory, yet my heart has been warmed as I read along the story within the pages of Anyone But You. Anyone But You is based of Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, which gave me an idea of what to expect. But sincerely, I can tell you that you won’t expect the kind of delightful story of two Italian families’ long history of managing restaurants and hating each other.

There are two stories intertwining in this book. One about Gigi Caputo and Roman Monte, who are two teens that have fallen in love despite their families complete despise of each other. I liked this story, Gigi was a reliable and likable young heroine and Roman was as swoon-worthy as they come. And although I am not crazy about instalove (actually, I almost always hate it), this time it was more than tolerable because every interaction between Gigi and Roman was sweet and adorable.

Now, the other story, the one about this kids great-grandfathers is one that I am sure will stay with me for a long time. Because this story was both heart-warming and heartbreaking and I cannot even think back to it without both smiling and spilling tears. I am absolutely certain that I had never felt more feelings within such a short span of time. I fell in love with Nick Caputo and Benny Monte as much as one person can possibly can. I love them both individually and I love their friendship too. I laughed and rejoice and suffered throughout all their story and I think I am permanently scarred upon finishing it. And mostly because there is nothing I would have done differently, because Kim and Amy did an exceptional job at making me understand from where they were coming from and to love them as they are.

And just like before, with Kim Askew & Amy Helmes’ previous book that I read, I am marveled at the way they can project a story and make it come to life with so much clarity before my eyes. I am stunned to see the glorious picture they created in my mind, it’s like a movie, actually better than a movie. (I couldn’t help but picture the young Nick and Benny looking as dazzlingly vitality as my boyfriend, Ryan Gosling in The Notebook). 

So really, I have nothing but good to say about this book. I wish I could relive Nick and Benny’s story again and again even though it causes me endless pain and heartbreak but I actually want to go through again because it is just too precious. 

Review: The Distance Between Us by Kasie West

Title: The Distance Between Us
Author: Kasie West

Published July 2nd 2013 by Harper Teen

Goodreads | Amazon

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Awwwh I've found a new book to put on my favorite's list. Because The Distance Between us couldn't be anything but, after all the swooning and the laughing it put me through. There was no way on earth I wouldn't fall in love with this book.

And I did. Hard. I love it enough to want to re-read it right now. Because it was a whole experience, more than just reading a story. It put me through the emotions of meeting an exciting new friend, of reconsidering options and choosing paths, of falling in love for the first time. It was the whole package. 

Caymen was the perfect heroine because we are all Caymens on the inside, hiding our insecurities behind our security blankets (in her case, her sarcasm) and trying to work out the courage to fight for what we want. I rooted for Caymen as soon as I met her, and my fist was up in the air when she got her happy ending. I laughed along her, got mad along her, I cared.

And then this sweet love story was pretty darn flawless. I fell in love with Caymen and Xander's relationship; their hilarious banter and the slow, almost painfully slow way it build up. I realized I was too invested when I caught a glimpse of my face in the mirror and it had that glow only brides and new moms have. Unmistakably, I was in it too deep.

So seriously, y'all need to pick up this contemporary jewel and add it to our collection because this book will brighten your day and your mood, and it will warm your heart and remind you of the fairy tales that are so amazing, it's really a cruelty they're only fiction.

Ps. After this I am so picking up Pivot Point.

Review: How Zoe Made Her Dreams (Mostly) Come True by Sarah Strohmeyer

Title: How Zoe Made Her Dreams (Mostly) Come True
Author: Sarah Strohmeyer
Published April 23rd 2013 by Balzer + Bray
Goodreads / Amazon
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I was super excited to get my clean hands on this book. Honestly, it's pegged as The Devil Wears Prada meets Disney?... SAY WHAT?!

So I started this book as soon as I got it, and let me tell you, I didn't stop reading until it was over. Because HZMHD(M)CT is amazing! Such a cute, entertaining read that magically transports you to a fairyland.

Everything is included, charming princes, bitchy princesses, wicked witches, and funny furries. I loved the book's premise, a girl intering in one of the most famous theme-parks in the country, forced to play assistant to the evil queen/manager of the park. And let me tell you, Miranda Presley has nothing on this Queen! she makes Zoe feed caviar to her dog, prepare her breakfast, play cinderella in one unfortunate ocassion (Le Spastic anyone?) and play Red Riding Hood several times too.

 

 

 

I loved Zoe for all the right reasons. She was a hot mess and she kept me entertained, I was laughing so hard at all the situations she was put in (and sometimes she even put herself there). But she was awesome, and girlfriend, I wish you'd be my bestie so we could hang out and you could be your selfless self and nominate me for the Dream & Do grant ;).

 

There's also our Hottie McHot-A-Lot, Ian Davidson. I loved Ian too, he was truly a prince and I fell in love with him despite his seriously bad puns (that boy has to start learning new jokes).

 

The whole world building had me wishing I could work at a theme park too, even though it sounds exhausting and (if they make you an animal and you have to wear a furry costume) gross but I love children and magic so yeah I think I could handle it. Although not as well as Zoe, who I cheered on during the whole book and girlfriend didn't dissapoint.

 

Sarah Strohmeyer also didn't dissapoint, she gave us an splendid ending that I absolutely loved and adored. I wish she would write a sequel with Zoe and Ian as RAs this time around.

 

Kudos, Sarah! You knocked it out of the park!

Review: Golden by Jessi Kirby

Title: Golden
Author: Jessi Kirby
Published May 14th 2013 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Goodreads / Amazon
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Golden is Jessi Kirby's sophomore novel. And while I thought In Honor, her debut, was actually pretty good and loved its concept. I loved Golden much more. In my opinion, it was much well structured and written, Kirby certainly improved a lot and you can immediately tell that.

Golden is about Parker, a shy, bookworm who by chance or fate finds an old journal from a girl who went missing 10 years ago. Parker, a high school senior, is in the run for a scholarship in honor of the missing girl and her boyfriend, so she starts reading the journal in the hopes of finding some inspiration for her speech and for her own boring life.

While I enjoyed Parker's growing process and was delighted to see her finally start to take the reins of her life and owning it, the real joy to me was getting to read Juliette (the missing girl)'s story.

I was utterly captivated by Juliette's quiet exterior and passionate interior. Her story really pulled my heartstrings and it was just so perfect in so many levels. The fact that she lived a secret summer affair was amazing, and the boy she lived it with was amazing too. I loved that scene at the secret beach, I could picture it like a movie in my head, and it made my toes curl.

Essentially, the book is two stories blending together masterfully, with great characters that you can relate to, and beautiful passages about standing up for yourself and for the things that you want in life. And I would encourage fans of Jessi Kirby and fans of contemporary to give it a chance because it was the perfect summer read.

 

 

Review: Riptide by Lindsey Scheibe

Title: Riptide
Author: Lindsey Scheibe
Published May 8th 2013 by Flux
Goodreads | Amazon
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I had a very eloquent, and very emotional review for this book (and two more), but genius me pressed the reset button on my phone and they’re gone. So now you have to settle for this quick, not-nearly-as-awesome-but-trying-my-best review.

Riptide surprised me. I thought it was going to be a cute, summery, surfer-book, and it was so much more. Seriously, the depth went beyond just the sad story inside the walls of Grace’s home, which I am not going to spoil you because I want you to read this.

I loved Grace, she was tenacious, and sweet and I admire her courage and discipline when she surfs. Whoever said surfers were shallow potheads has obviously not met Grace and Ford.

Ford. Also known as Ferdinand Watson, the love of my life, or Grace’s best friend. You have to love him from page one, he is just the kind of guy that everyone loves because he is super smart, super handsome and super nice. He is a surfer guy but he is also doing an internship at Grace’s dad prestigious firm; he wants to be a lawyer, you see, and not just any lawyer, one dedicated to help immigrants. Now how mind-blowing is this? Sometimes we forget there are teenagers out there with passion for great causes, and I’m not saying it is bad to concentrate on winning the heart of your next crush, but sometimes YA novels forget to include awesome young leaders like Ford.

I love that this novel is also multicultural, Ford is half Mexican and he embraces his fiesta side. Mexican culture, or at least Mexican food, is included as a bid deal in this novel, which makes it even warmer. And then we have Ford’s Asian, hilariously awesome friends. Meeting foreign people is the only way to discover that these people are not criminals and it’s really sad some consider them so. I hope this novel opens people’s eyes about how much immigration laws kind of suck in the US, and it’s sad and disappointing considering it is a country that was founded by immigrants.

But on a lighter topic, Ford’s crush on Grace, their banter and their subtle, slow falling for each other was just so incredibly sweet; I loved every minute of it. I loved learning so much about surfing that I am even considering trying it, it sounds amazing and romantic, like a relationship with the ocean. Ford’s parents were another aspect of the book that I completely fell for, they had such a big part of the story, especially his mother, that I was like “is this really a YA?”.

So really, what a lovely read. Wish it was longer and wish you’d all give it a go.

 

 

 

Review: Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard

Title: Wanderlove
Author: Kirsten Hubbard
Published March 13th 2012 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Goodreads // Amazon
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What a ride.

No literally, it’s like I’ve been traveling alongside Bria all this time. This book is all about that one journey, that special growth journey you take some time in your life, it can be metaphorical or physical, and lucky Bria Sandoval had the chance to make both. She takes us with her to the beautiful countries of Guatemala & Belize, crossing borders, breaking barriers and crushing old misconceptions about this hidden paradise.

I loved Bria. She is believable, she is going through some stuff, she just broke up with her boyfriend (who I amicably call the bastard) which made her gave up her art, the thing she loved the most; and she’s trying to escape all of that by booking a Mayan route tour with Global Vagabonds. But that turns out to be a huge disappointment, so she ditches them for a pair of backpackers that invite her to join them, Starling & Rowan.

 I loved both Starling & Rowan, too. They were everything I was hoping they’d be, they were open minded and adventurous and completely enchanting, I would have been thrilled to meet people like them in one of my trips. Rowan especially, he is so different from your cookie-cutter YA male, he is mature and independent; there’s a raw quality to him too, like Bear Grylls except young and not disgusting. But you can’t believe to imagine how attractive he was, even though he wasn’t very chatty, his actions always spoke volumes, like how he buys bracelets from every kid that asks him. I loved how he was trying to reform from bad boy to good boy, instead of the other way around.

Like Rowan, I also love it when Bria talked about art. I am not much of an art geek, and honestly most of the time I don’t get it when people talk about art, but Bria was a whole ‘nother thing. It was beautiful, the way she explained her love for art; it practically changed me.

And what an amazing change of scenery! I cannot begin to express how grateful I am for this setting, and for the exposure Ms. Hubbard is giving to the people in both Belize & Guatemala, from the bottom of my heart I thank you in their name.

Also, there's a paragraph stuck with me, Rowan talking about why people don’t dare to step out of their calculated tour routes and taking a chance and seeing the country for what itt really is and not just like an attraction; and about how people are always afraid of goiing to third world countries and how they forget that people live there their whole lives. It made me feel embarrassed even though I’ve never been one of those people, but it is kind of sad because it was so true.

So I am enamored, what a great book, infinitely amazing. I loved Kirsten Hubbard’s writing so much; it was beautiful, so beautiful. A master-piece, I’m sad it doesn’t get much recognition, but I’ll make sure to lend my copy to my friends (life-threating them if they don’t give t back of course).

 

 

Review: Tempestuous by Kim Askew & Amy Helmes

Title: Tempestuous: A Modern-Day Spin on Shakespeare's The Tempest
Authors: Kim Askew & Amy Helmes
Expected publication: December 18th 2012 by Merit Press
Goodreads // Amazon //
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So once in a while something totally unexpected happens, like finding a ten-dollar bill on the street or discovering there’s only 2 girls in your class, both of them named Melannie. OR starting a book and loving it from page one, that’s what happen to me while I read Tempestuous, loved it from page 1 ‘till the very last one.

Miranda is an ambitious girl, who kind of has the power of getting people to do what she wants. She’s popular and beautiful yet the authors managed to make her likable. I loved her from the start because she’s so witty, and she means no harm, she’s just used to having people offering to do stuff for her but it’s not like she’s bossing them around. Well, at least not after that pesty situation that made her fall from grace at her private school and has her working for minimum wage at the food court in the mall.

Review: Valkyrie Rising by Ingrid Paulson

Title: Valkyrie Rising
Author: Ingrid Paulson
Published October 9th 2012 by HarperTeen
Add this book on Goodreads
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In Valkyrie Rising there’s lots of action happening in only 32 hours. I liked that, I like that it’s fast-paced but not rushed. I had never heard of Valkyries before (or maybe I had but had forgotten) but the thing is, I was never overwhelmed by the all the new information coming into my brain, I think the author did a wonderful job of intertwining the Norwegian legends and Ellie’s modern story.

Ellie is fed up being just the little sister of the ubber popular Graham and is trying to get the courage to stand out on her own. Ellie, Graham and their hot-as-the-sun neighbor Tucker are off to spend the summer with Graham & Ellie’s grandmother in Norway and the story starts to unravel from there.

While I think I liked Ellie at the end, I still had a hard time connecting with her. I never got why it was so hard for her to stood up to her brother, I mean that’s one of the easiest things, siblings are born to do that, it’s natural. It also bothered me that she was so gorgeous and all that, nothing against gorgeous girls, some of them are gorgeous on the inside but some part of you doesn’t want to be her friend (or is that just me and my jealousy talking?).

The best part for me was definitely the romance. Tuck & Ellie were adorable together and totally meant to be, and everyone knows I’m a sucker for girl&boy-best-friends-realize-they-have-feelings-for-eachother stories so this one hit right on target. I loved every single one of their scenes together and their constant tug-and-pull relationship, it made the book for me.

I think part of my problem with is that I’m kind of not turned on by fantasy/paranormal/dystopian books anymore, they kind of bore me and I find myself skipping pages. So it’s not this book’s fault, I think. But I also can’t deny that this was no blow your mind kind of book, but it was good, and cute, and I don’t regret it.

 

 

Review: A Charmed Life by Jenny B. Jones

Title: A Charmed Life

Author: Jenny B. Jones

Published May 1st 2012 by Thomas Nelson Publishers

Goodreads | Amazon | The Book Depo

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What can I tell you about this series except that it is genius and that you shouldn’t miss it.

A charmed life is a compilation of three novels about Bella Kirkwood, a NYC kid who has to move to Oklahoma due to her mom’s recent new marriage to a tampon-factory-working man with 2 kids.

Bella is not thrilled, to say the least, but she is trying to make it work, even though her new patent leather shoes got ruined while walking through manure, and even though the chief of the school’s paper gave her a story about recycling (trash diving is so not her thing); oh and did I mention someone is always trying to kill her?

This is one of my favorite series ever. Full of wit and laugh-out-loud moments, Bella’s adventures will keep you entertained and satisfied. And the continuous mysteries that unravel in this small-town are another plus that will for sure give you a fun time.

I love pretty much all the characters, but Bella is my favorite of course, because she might love her fashion brands but she has a huge heart and a lot of courage. Her nosiness is comical but her braveness is real. She's the perfect main character because even though her life is much more interesting than yours you just have to love her because she is adorable, and I want to be her BFF.

Luke Sullivan. Oh Luke, can I marry you? He’s the most perfect guy I have ever read. So chivalrous and smart, and even though he likes Bella, he is not going to put up with her games. I love how dedicated he is, and certainly, I love his preppy style. Oh, and I can't forget, he looks like this -->

Now guys, if I tried to mention every character in the series I will be here all summer but  one character I really have to tell you about is Ruthie. 

Ruthie is amazing. The funniest side-kick ever, she is snort-you-drink-out-your-nose funny, I do not recommend you read this book in public if you have one of those witchy/piggy/hey-look-at-me laughs because people will be looking at you weird.

In conclusion, there's only a couple series I can say that have managed to stay my favorites through all my life, A Charmed Life is one of them. No matter what age I am I always enjoy re-reading the adventures of Bella Kirkwood and now with this make-over you have the chance to own the 3 books in one for a great price and I asure you, it's money well-spent! ;)