Review: Roomies by Tara Altebrando & Sara Zarr

Title: Roomies 
Author: Tara Altebrando & Sara Zarr
Expected publication: December 24th 2013 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Goodreads | Amazon | The Book Depository 
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Roomies is about two girls that spend a summer emailing each other before they will meet in person in school. So you know what you’re going to get, yet not really because these are teenagers after all, taking the biggest step in their life, moving from their homes and starting to live with a stranger, so there is a lot of catharsis going on.

I sort of liked this novel because of what it means. It’s about an incredibly exciting phase, when you leave the nest and start a new chapter in your life, when you start adulthood. The thing is though, that even though I have already been through that, I found it hard to empathize with both girls, Lauren and Elizabeth. Mostly Elizabeth, I couldn’t really find it in my hard to like her, she seemed a little shallow to me, and her mother didn’t help matters.

Lauren was alright, but then she started to date a guy who is black-skinned. I high-fived the authors in my head because that is a bold move for today’s Young Adult Literature, but then the truth came out. Lauren apparently really likes Keyon but her natural reaction and her parents’ reaction and Elizabeth’s reaction, while very appreciated for the honesty, I was severely disappointed to see kids these days still grow up kind of prejudiced against these meaningless things.

At the end, I think this book is going to be very helpful for everyone out there who is about to experience a situation when they are going to have a new roomie. I think one of its strongest messages is that you don’t need to be best friends with your new roomie, you just have to accept them and their personality, no matter if they are different or similar to yours. It’s all part of growing up. But I wouldn’t really call it a requisite read, though, and it is probably more appealing to the younger crowd.

Review: Crash Into You by Katie McGarry

Title: Crash Into You
Author: Katie McGarry
Publication: November 26th 2013 by Harlequin Teen
Goodreads | Amazon

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I know I haven’t been the most forgiving reviewer on this book’s past sister novels. But nevertheless, I find it really sad that the series is ending and that this might be the last we see of these characters. However, I loved that Crash Into You was the book chosen to wrap things up because to me it was the best of the series.

Seriously, as I read along, I found it hard not to invest myself in the story. Isaiah might not have had my attention back in Pushing The Limits or Dare You To but he completely won me over when telling his story. He’s got a tough exterior and might seem scary or threatening but he is one sweet boy on the inside. I liked that he was loyal and strong and at the same time really vulnerable too.

Then we had Rachel, who suffers panic attacks and I don’t know if it is because I’m currently taking Psychiatry or because I’m naturally so empathetic (and apparently, humble too) but my heart immediately warmed for her story. I can see why she developed her disorder and I was seriously mad at her family for treating her that way.

But then, Rachel also pissed me off sometimes. Like, why couldn’t she figure out a way to get the money? Why did she have to let poor Isaiah carry the entire burden even though he practically lives in the streets and has nothing?! And then she goes questioning his love for her. However, I ended up giving her a pass ‘cause she isn’t the most reliable mind in the ward so to speak.

But then Isaiah was wonderful and it lightened up the whole book for me. He is strong-minded and loyal and caring even though he grew up being the “weakest” link in the chain. But now he’s out there making the world a faster place and my heart thanks him for that. That’s the magic you guys, that even though tattoos, shaved heads and earrings on guys don’t do it for me, Katie McGarry made me fall for one guy that features all those three.

Sincerely, I can say that of all the books in the series, this is the one that did it for me more tan the others, but I still would recommend the whole series.

 

Review: Where Stars Still Shine by Trish Doller

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Title: Where Stars Still Shine
Author: Trish Doller
Expected publication: September 24th 2013 by Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Goodreads | Amazon
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When they told you this book was about heartbreak and pain and love and reunion, they were not lying. This book was impossible to put down, because as soon as you start to read you get completely invested in this heart-wrenching story of long-lost and new-found love.

I liked Callie from the start. I admired her courage and perseveration even before I found out about her horrible story. I liked her because she was loyal to her mom, even if her mom was a mess, and that's something I get (not approve) but get. Because there's no way to cut the connection between a mother and a daughter.

What really sold me on this novel was Callie's new amazing family. Phoebe was lovely, and the little boys were adorable and perfect in a way only children can be. But most of all, I loved Greg. I loved how he turned out to be the incredible father I knew we would be. I loved his relationship with his family. I loved the way he treated Callie, with infinite patience and love. I love the wisdom and warm he added to the story.

I also love Florida. I never been there but each day I am more and more convinced that it is some kind of paradise. The little Greece tucked away in this Florida town made me want to be the awful tourist buying ten tshirts and a bunch of sponges.

The chemistry between Callie and her love interest, Alex, was definitely there. Although I wish it hadn't started off as a sex-based relationship. I know that Callie isn't a relationship expert but I wish she and Alex hadn't done everything backwards. And I also didn't appreciate the lack of closure but sometimes that just the way it happens.

Some loose threads in there too. Like Alex's father and Callie's relationship with Connor. But at the end this book turned out to be a great summer read.

 

 

 

Review: Wild Cards by Simone Elkeles

Title: Wild Cards
Author: Simone Elkeles
Expected publication: September 24th 2013 by Walker Books for Young Readers
Goodreads | Amazon
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Aww the joy a perfectly good summer read can bring us is indescribable. Wild Cards is fun and hot and will make you smile. While I accept that it wasn't the deepest, most meaningful novel I've ever read, it did meet my expectations for a good time.

 

I mostly liked Derek better than anything. His outgoing and easy personality combined with charm and good looks is always a winning combo in my opinion. I liked his jokes and his love for his mom and of course his sexy Texan twang can't hurt. However I did find odd that he liked to wear beanies in the summer; no matter how long you've been gone, texans just don't do that. But somehow I don't think that is going to cause major problems in our (fictional) relationship.

There was also the awesome fact that Ashtyn is a football player. Like really, be my best friend, dude (and by dude, I mean dudette) becaause it takes serious ladyballs to get hang around sweaty, pervy football players all day.

People weren't lying when they said this book was reminiscent of Friday Night Lights (best show ever) and that of course plays (ha!) a big part in my strong liking for this book. So if you are a fan of sexy, cute, summery stories then you must try this one out, you won't be dissapointed!

 

 

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.

Review: Dirty Little Secret by Jennifer Echols

Title: Dirty Little Secret 
Author: Jennifer Echols
Expected publication: July 16th 2013 by MTV Books
Goodreads | Amazon
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I can’t tell you for sure what I was expecting when I opened the first page of Dirty Little Secret. I mean, sure, it’s Jennifer Echols, a good time is for granted, but since she had 3 books out this year and I’ve read all her previous ones, I was a bit overwhelmed.

Turns out my worries were unfounded because she hits it out of the park again. Not only did she reminded me what made her so good and made me fall in love with her writing in the first place, but also I found improvement and evolution. Somehow this book felt even more young adult to me than all of her previous ones, maybe because the emotions Bailey was going through were so perfectly described and perfectly fitted with my own emotions as a confused and hurt teenager that I couldn’t help but be blown away by how much I could relate to her.

Bailey’s sister Julie got a record deal and is setting off to be country’s next Taylor Swift.

 

This would all have been great if Bailey hadn’t been the other half of the guitar and fiddle duo they had all through their short lives. Bailey is hurt and feels rejected now that her parents have removed her from anything Julie is doing so she wouldn’t mess things up, and that includes staying away from music.

But Bailey breathes music, and naturally she can’t let it go. So when she meets Sam, the son of a Johnny Cash impersonator, and possibly the hottest thing that had happened in country music since ever; she has to take a chance or forever wonder what if.

You guys, Sam was amazing. I think he’s probably the most upbeat boy Jenn has ever created (and that’s saying something because he has his fair share of brooding) because he talks really fast, says everything that comes to his head and dresses funky. I loved that he was straight-forward and obsessibly driven about music, he had this energy about him that was hard to ignore.

But then Bailey was my favorite part of the book. She was, like I said, flawlessly crafted into a perfectly real teenager. I got where she was coming from, and I rooted for her all through her story. I wanted to hug her and tell her that I know how she felt because I did too, all those feelings of not belonging and not knowing what you’re supposed to do or who you’re supposed to be, I loved that her problems were over-the-top fiction yet I, a simple chick from the suburbs, could relate to.

 

And then we have the country music. Seriously, who doesn't love a good ole' bluegrass music once in a while (or most of the time, if you're me). Country music is the equivalent of breakfast for champions, and this book's got plenty. You're in for a magical tour through the enchanting streets of Nashville, with its colorful folklore and incredible nightlife, where Bailey and Sam prove to us that dreams do come true.

 

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: The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen

Title: The Moon and More
Author: Sarah Dessen
Published June 4th 2013 by Viking Juvenile
Goodreads / Amazon
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I honestly cannot believe I am going to read a 'meh' review for this book, but sadly, my heart isn't in it because I did not find it that great.

 

Y'all know I love Sarah Dessen. She's one of the writers who got me into YA, also the author of many of my favorite books. I love her as a person and as a writer. So it's hard for me when I less than love anything she writes.

 

This time though, I gotta admit that I had a hard time connecting with her story. Emmaline is a beach girl who is going through the phase of branching out of her old routes and leaving Colby (I know! Colby where Auden and Eli met!) her hometown. But is the outside everything that's cracked up to be? or is she not appreciating what she has now?

 

I, for the life of me, could not care about Emmaline, I feel like Sarah Dessen tried to make her likable by making her situation with her dad a very unfortunate one, but even then, I just couldn't muster any warm feelings towards her and her first world problems. I couldn't get over that she kissed Theo hours after she broke up with Luke, her boyfriend of years.

 

And then I didn't even liked Theo from the beggining, so I felt like I was waisting my time since I didn't care where their relationship went. I liked Luke but he wasn't in the book that much anyway.

 

The only reasonably good parts where when Emmaline's brother, Benji, was in the picture. He was a cutie that brighten the scene he was in. And also, Colby, for a hardcore fan like me, re-visiting Colby was one of the great perks of this book, made me wish I was at the beach reading.

 

So there, I didn't really liked this book but honestly, nothing Sarah Dessen writes can ever be bad, so it's just not for me.

 

 

 

 

Review: When You Were Here by Daisy Whitney

Title: When You Were Here 
Author: Daisy Whitney
Expected publication: June 4th 2013 by Little, Brown
Goodreads / Amazon
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I always feel awkward when I review books (which is very unfortunate since that’s what I do) but this time I feel especially inadequate. Because this book was beautiful and heartfelt and all I could think about was: WHAT KIND OF CANCER DOES ELIZABETH HAVE?

Really. My mind couldn’t stop swimming around all the possibilities and the possible treatments, and then I was just like; tea that cures cancer?! BS!

Yeah, not my classiest moment but sometimes I get carried away because I want everyone to win against cancer and I want to do everything possible and use ever single drug that’s been proven works.

I couldn’t concentrate, I couldn’t stop thinking what they could have done to save Elizabeth. I was a mess of feelings but not for the right reasons I think.

But then, when Danny (Elizabeth’s son) learns about the reason why Holland left him; I stopped, breathed in, and it was like I saw the story with different eyes, a new light was shed over the pages. I started to get the real point of the story.

That’s when my heart started breaking, because when your mom dies, omg I can’t even. Danny’s inconsolable, I was too; cancer’s an awful thing but when the person you love most in the world has it, how are you suppose to function still? I am fortunate enough to have my mom with me (thank God) but I still got Danny’s pain, felt it like it was my own, and grieved right along with him like it was my lost.

Despite all the sadness this book brought to my life (and believe me, it was a lot) there were some awesome aspects to it too. The most amazing of them all was definitely Japan. Now I’ve never been one of those girls obsessed with Japanese stuff, before this book I haven’t even considered ever visiting there, but I had another thing coming because Japan sounds awesome! The Karaoke! All the crazy colors! The fun merchandise! It sounds like I could be one happy gal over there.

 Also, I love boy point of views, and I personally think Daisy Whitney nailed it! I totally believed Danny’s voice, he didn’t seem like he was trying too hard at being all macho and ‘I’m a man, erase all doubt!’, he was teenage-boy-confused not only because his mom just died, or because he is now an orphan, or because the-big-secret-Holland-kept-from-him, it was everything that rolled into a big ball of destruction that crushed the life out of him. The real magic came when we got to see Danny rising from the ashes with the help of a city where dreams come true.

Now it's your turn to fall in love with Tokyo, and with Danny's story; since today's the day When You Were Here is out. Happy book birthday!

 

Review: Dare You To by Katie McGarry

Title: Dare You To
Author: Katie McGarry
Expected publication: May 28th 2013 by Harlequin Teen
Goodreads / Amazon
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From my previous experience with Katie McGarry's debut I swore for sure that I wouldn't get near her second book. But then people started to get all up in my grill about how good it was and that I just HAD TO read. Well, I gave it a try.

Turns out they were partially right. The book didn't blow me away but it definitely left a better impression than its younger bro. Dare You To was just as action-packed as Pushing The Limits but it got less on my nerves. The characters were more relatable (at least Ryan) and in some level I could at least stand Beth. Katie has a way of making her main characters an over the top hot mess but this time Beth I was partially able to swallow her because she's a girl, and she wants what all of us wants, a good guy to fall for her.

I am not saying she welcomed Ryan with open arms, in fact she kept pushing him away to the point I would have slapped her to get some sense in her fake raven-colored head. Ryan went through a lot to get her to trust him but at the end she did trust him, and she learned that not everything was supposed to go wrong in her life.

The big plus this book has is the adorable Ryan Stone. Ryan is absolutely precious; the perfect southern gentlemen, driven and focused. He stands for what is right and he sees past the exterior (hello, hardcore punk named Beth). I love how he has the perfect amount of innocence but is not naive. I loved all his has perfect boy qualities and was instantly wooed. He was hands down the biggest highlight of the book.

So yeah, nowhere near the disappointment I was expecting, and all the baseball talk made it even more fun to me, so if you want to try this one then by all means do so, great read! (:

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: The Rules for Disappearing by Ashley Elston

Title: The Rules for Disappearing
Author: Ashley Elston
Contemporary YA
Expected publication: May 14th 2013 by Disney-Hyperion
Goodreads | Amazon
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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.

One last thing: that hog hunting scene! Awesome.

 

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: The S word by Chelsea Pitcher

Title: The S word 
Author: Chelsea Pitcher
Contemporary YA
Expected publication: May 7th 2013 by Gallery Books
Goodreads | Amazon
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I am really really sad because this book had so much potential. The synopsis is engaging enough to make you think you are in for an emotional, thrilling ride with bullies and suicide and lost friendships. But what it truly delivers is a twisted, amateurish novel.

The mystery felt too childish. And the characters were unreal; they were like 50-year-old actors trying to be teenagers. And the writing was just weird and awkward. And pretty much everything Angie did make me uncomfortable.

SPOILER IN THIS PARAGRAPH: Another thing I have yet to process is Angie and Jesse. Jesse is Angie’s classmate, who dresses in skirt and is the reason his school has a Gay-Straight Alliance, but yet, he fell for a girl, he always thought he was gay but then he fell in love with two girls; so hey, points for originality, I haven’t read that before. But still, I think both Jesse and me are confused by this sudden change of direction (or sexuality I guess). I wanted to really ship Jesse & Angie as a couple, but my head was still trying to wrap itself around the fact that: WHAT? He wears dresses and skirts with converse and Angie is like “it’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen”. I mean: ????????.

I was just too confused towards the end. Oh and the real person Lizzie was in love with? Who wouldn’t have seen that coming? I bet everyone did, so I was really mad they dragged it for so long.

So everyone was so psychotic it was hard to sympathize with any of them; but the one I hated the most was: Lizzie. She wasn’t even technically in the story yet she was unbelievably annoying. Every single entry in Lizzie’s diary made me pull my hair off of my skull. I don’t know what was happening, was the author trying to make us see she was oh so good, and nice and possibly the best girl in the world, or was it just that she doesn’t know teenagers don’t talk like that? Anyways, it was infuriating.

Oh my gosh, and the twist! That “twist” or whatever you call it. Did Angie have a split-personality disorder? Did she sleep-walk? What is going on?! Not one single clue was laid that Angie might have had something to do with it. It felt like the author pulled it out of her sleeve like a last resort or something.

The good thing and what kept me going was that there was some wit thrown in there and also, because I’m a sucker for novels with prom-queen-gone-emo. Also I have to confess I snorted/laughed out loud in some parts which are always a good sign for me.

So honestly, I can’t tell you not to read this one, or to read it. I have no way to advice you, but I can tell you that it ended up being not what I thought it would.