Mostly Good Girls

Mostly Good Girls

By: Leila Sales

The higher you aim, the farther you fall….

It’s Violet’s junior year at the Westfield School. She thought she’d be focusing on getting straight As, editing the lit mag, and figuring out how to talk to boys without choking on her own saliva. Instead, she’s just trying to hold it together in the face of cutthroat academics, her crush’s new girlfriend, and the sense that things are going irreversibly wrong with her best friend, Katie.
When Katie starts making choices that Violet can’t even begin to fathom, Violet has no idea how to set things right between them. Westfield girls are trained for success—but how can Violet keep her junior year from being one huge epic failure?

My Rating ****

I have read quite a few prep school based novels and all focused on devilishly mean rich girls and steamy romances. To be honest I was expecting the same thing from “Mostly Good Girls”. By looking at the cover itself I think anyone would. I was surprised to find this book to be different. The main focus is friendship between two girls, Violet and Katie and their struggles to live up to expectations of life and others. Written from Violet’s perspective we get to experience being not only a teenager, but also an Editor- In- Chief of Prep school newspaper.

As you get to know the girls you see how different from each other they are. For Katie everything comes easy, while Violet struggles to fight for everything and always falls short. Of course elements of unrequited love, pear pressure and teenage rebellion are present.

Many times I felt like I was having a conversation with a 16 year old, which for a new writer I think it’s a great accomplishment. Accompanied by great sense of humor and witty comments the novel becomes an enjoyable read. It is definitely not your typical story.

Shiver

Shiver

by: Maggie Stiefvater

For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf—her wolf—is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human ... until the cold makes him shift back again.

Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human--or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.
 
My Rating ****

I am a big fan of supernatural, tragic, love stories. I found “Shiver” to be a sensuous and intense. Stiefvater has an original and interesting take on werewolves. Such take makes it possible for the reader to imagine them living amongst us. From the very beginning you feel the deep connection between Grace and Sam, even when he is a wolf. It is an emotional bond that at times makes it difficult for them to live their lives. The author uses delicate and passionate words to describe their feelings as well as their individual experiences. I found Grace to be very intriguing, especially since she is not a werewolf…

Role of supporting character is crucial in this book. All characters are original, realistic and make the plot come together. I can definitely say that most novels don’t have such development when it comes to supporting characters, but Stiefvater proves that it can be done.

The only thing I wasn’t crazy about was the ending. I felt like a chunk of the book was ripped out and I was missing some information, however I am hoping that the sequel “Linger”, will explain all that.

Along For The Ride

Along for the ride

by: Sarah Dessen

It’s been so long since Auden slept at night. Ever since her parents’ divorce—or since the fighting started. Now she has the chance to spend a carefree summer with her dad and his new family in the charming beach town where they live.


A job in a clothes boutique introduces Auden to the world of girls: their talk, their friendship, their crushes. She missed out on all that, too busy being the perfect daughter to her demanding mother. Then she meets Eli, an intriguing loner and a fellow insomniac who becomes her guide to the nocturnal world of the town. Together they embark on parallel quests: for Auden, to experience the carefree teenage life she’s been denied; for Eli, to come to terms with the guilt he feels for the death of a friend.

My Rating ****

I LOVED IT!!!! This novel was Sarah Dessen at her best. The way she captures the essence and feel of summer is absolutely amazing. One of the characteristic of Dessen’s writing is evolving the protagonist and preparing them for the future, while giving the reader a life lesson. In all her novels summer seems to be a kind of defining stage between past and present, being a teen and a grown up.


I thought Auden had a little spice to her. She was judgmental and prejudiced against lip glossed blondes. I liked that she wasn’t all nice. She also wasn’t your typical teen, she was lacking the teenage experiences. I appreciated how the author described the change in Auden after getting to know people that she wouldn’t usually associate herself with. That brings us to supporting characters, which as always were well developed and interesting. One of the most memorable of them was Eli; handsome, very much to himself, wounded, sexy bike rider connects with Auden on more than one level. Both similar and at the same time so different. I specially enjoyed the late night quests. You can smell the love.
Overall, very strong, rich plot and great characters make up an amazing book.

That Summer

That Summer

By: Sarah Dessen

For fifteen-year-old Haven, life is changing too quickly. She's nearly six feet tall, her father is getting remarried, and her sister, the always perfect Ashley, is planning a wedding of her own. Haven wishes things could just go back to the way they were. Then an old boyfriend of Ashley's reenters the picture, and through him, Haven sees the past for what it really was, and comes to grips with the future.

My Rating: **

There is not much I can say about this novel. I liked Haven, I found her very mature for her young age. However, I found her annoying at times when it came to dwelling over the past. I was disappointed with all the other characters as well as the relationship between Haven and her older sister’s, Ashley, ex boyfriend.


What I was missing in this novel is a life lesson that Dessen later on incorporated into her style of writing.

Sarah Dessen’s sense of humor came through In the story, which I always appreciate.

One Lonely Degree

One Lonely Degree

by: C.K. Kelly Martin

Anything is possible....

Finn has always felt out of place, but suddenly her world is unraveling. It started with The Party. And Adam Porter. And the night in September that changed everything. The only person who knows about that night is Audrey—Finn’s best friend, her witness to everything, and the one person Finn trusts implicitly.

So when Finn’s childhood friend Jersy moves back to town—reckless, beautiful Jersy, all lips and eyes and hair so soft you’d want to dip your fingers into it if you weren’t careful—Finn gives her blessing for Audrey to date him. How could she possibly say no to Audrey?

With Audrey gone for the summer, though, Finn finds herself spending more and more time with Jersy, and for the first time in her life, something feels right. But Finn can’t be the girl who does this to her best friend...can she?

My Rating ***

I was really exited to read this novel. I must say I was slightly disappointed in it. The style of writing was fairly simple. The story line was relatable and the issues seemed were authentic, yet sometimes the romance and family drama failed short to impress me. The protagonist Finn is secretly dealing with a traumatic incident that involved Adam, which in my opinion could’ve been developed a bit more. I found the characters too ordinary and easily forgettable.

However, there were things I liked about this novel. The ending was surprising, even though I was hoping for something else, I found it refreshing and different from all the other YA novels.

Someone Like You

Someone Like You

by: Sarah Dessen

Halley has always followed in the wake of her best friend, Scarlett. But when Scarlett learns that her boyfriend has been killed in a motorcycle accident, and that she's carrying his baby, she's devastated. For the first time ever, Scarlett really needs Halley. Though their friendship may be tested by the strain, like a true friendship, it will endure.


My Rating ***

“Someone like You” is one of the first novels of Sarah Dessen. It was a quick but enjoyable read. The main characters were well developed and delineated. Unlike other novels, this one focused a lot on the friendship between two girls, Halley and Scarlett, as well as the significance of it in the critical times.


The issues of teenage pregnancy and death are very well portrayed. The serious moments are often lightened with humor. The plot is well constructed and fast paced. I found this story line very relatable.

However, I felt like something was missing. I can't pin point what exactly. Even though the importance was to focus on the relationship between the girls I think that other aspects of the story, some characters were a little underdeveloped.

Advance Reader's Copies

August Releases

Love Sucks

by: Mellisa Francis

AJ Ashe may have gotten rid of her vampire stalker and her evil ex-teacher, but things are hardly back to normal. For one thing, she still has to maintain a strict look-but-don't-touch policy with Ryan, her hot ex-boyfriend-turned-stepbrother. For another, she has to learn to control her vampire superpowers—which means more than a few dates with Lex, mind-reading professional vampire trainer and too-sexy-for-his-own-good bad boy. And as if that's not enough, she happens to be the key to her father's plans to take over the world . . . and he'll stop at nothing to get what he wants.
All this and she's still got to plan the prom. Being a teenager is tough, but being a teenage vampire just flat out sucks!
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The Iron Daughter

by: Julie Kagawa

Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron fey—ironbound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her.
Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's stuck in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.
 
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You Wish
 
by:  Mandy Hubbard
 
Kayla McHenry's sweet sixteen sucks! Her dad left, her grades dropped, and her BFF is dating the boy Kayla's secretly loved for years. Blowing out her candles, Kayla thinks: I wish my birthday wishes actually came true. Because they never freakin' do.
Kayla wakes the next day to a life-sized, bright pink My Little Pony outside her window. Then a year's supply of gumballs arrives. A boy named Ken with a disturbing resemblance to the doll of the same name stalks her. As the ghosts of Kayla's wishes-past appear, they take her on a wild ride . . . but they MUST STOP. Because when she was fifteen? She wished Ben Mackenzie would kiss her. And Ben is her best friend's boyfriend.

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Halo 

By: Alexandra Adoretto

Nothing much happens in the sleepy town of Venus Cove. But everything changes when three angels are sent from heaven to protect the town against the gathering forces of darkness: Gabriel, the warrior; Ivy, the healer; and Bethany, a teenage girl who is the least experienced of the trio. They work hard to conceal their true identity and, most of all, their wings. But the mission is threatened when the youngest angel, Bethany, is sent to high school and falls in love with the handsome school captain, Xavier Woods. Will she defy the laws of Heaven by loving him? Things come to a head when the angels realize they are not the only supernatural power in Venus Cove. There′s a new kid in town and he′s charming, seductive and deadly. Worst of all, he′s after Beth.

Sing me to sleep

Sing Me To Sleep

By: Angela Morrison

 

True love can turn you into a whole new person. Even if you once were The Beast, you can become The Beauty. One boy can awaken the music inside of you and make your voice sing out. And then, one terrible secret can take it all away.


But as Beth soon discovers, no matter how painful love is, it's worth it. Because it's better to have loved and lost than never loved at all.

My Rating ****

“Sing me to sleep” was amazing. The author bases her story on that of a young member of the Amabile choir. It is one of the most powerful novels I have ever read in my life. Quite few times I tried to put the book down because it was too much to handle.

This was my first novel by Morrison and I cannot wait to read “Taken By Storm”. What I loved about this book is the way the author described the connection between Derek and Beth. It felt almost real. The way they longed for each other was beautiful. I really enjoyed the incorporation of music into the story line. It makes it so much more intense and relatable. I was head over hills for Derek! When you read the novel you will know why.

The supporting characters were well developed as well. I really liked Scott. He was so sweet and supportive. He proves that you can fall in love with someone, regardless of how they look. He is a true definition of friendship.

However, there were things that I disliked about this novel. Beth at times got on my nerves with her immature behavior and I hated the ending. I felt things happened too soon. For me the ending just undermined the whole point of the story.

Overall, be prepared for a passionate, intense and an emotional journey. Be sure to have a box of tissues by you. I don’t think I ever cried so much over a novel.

Rules of Attraction

Rules Of Attraction

By: Simone Elkeles

When Carlos Fuentes returns to America after living in Mexico for a year, he doesn’t want any part of the life his older brother, Alex, has laid out for him at a high school in Colorado.

Carlos likes living his life on the edge and wants to carve his own path—just like Alex did. Then he meets Kiara Westford. She doesn’t talk much and is completely intimidated by Carlos’ wild ways. As they get to know one another, Carlos assumes Kiara thinks she’s too good for him, and refuses to admit that she might be getting to him. But he soon realizes that being himself is exactly what Kiara needs right now.

My Rating ****


Prior to reading “Rules of Attraction” I had some mixed feelings about it. I was excited but I was afraid that it might be a poor attempt to repeat the success of “Perfect Chemistry”. I couldn’t be more wrong. I’ve read this novel within a matter of hours. Simone Ekles has a very unique style of writing. I find the alternating narration very compelling. It lets you get both sides of the story, which gives you a better understanding of the characters.


“Rules of Attraction” has a very similar plot to its forerunner. I loved the book; nevertheless few dots don’t seem to connect. I felt like some “issues” that Carlos was faced with were slightly forced into the story. On the other hand, Kiara’s life was so normal. In the first installment Brittany just as Alex had her own fair share of problems. I found Kiara’s story a bit refreshing. She is the complete opposite of Brittany. Carlos and Kiara have so much in common, but at the same time they are the completely opposite.

Their relationship is edgy and filled with sexual tension. There were so many funny moments in this book; I couldn’t stop laughing out loud! Carlos made my heart melt, especially when he spent time with Brandon.

I also enjoyed the little glimpse into Alex and Brittany’s relationship. Even though we know they end up together, it was nice to see the “in between” period.

Overall, Simone Ekles did it again. Characters are memorable, exciting, and the epilogue is very satisfying. The hot, sexy romance makes this novel irresistible. I cannot wait for the third installment featuring the youngest Fuentes brother, Luis.

I Heart You, You Haunt Me

I Heart You,You Haunt Me

by Lisa Schroeder

Girl meets boy.

Girl loses boy.

Girl gets boy back...

...sort of.

Ava can't see him or touch him, unless she's dreaming. She can't hear his voice, except for the faint whispers in her mind. Most would think she's crazy, but she knows he's here. Jackson. The boy Ava thought she'd spend the rest of her life with. He's back from the dead, as proof that love truly knows no bounds.

My Rating ****

“I Hear you, You haunt me” is a tragic love story about two teenagers, whose love is so strong it survives death. The whole book is written in verse, which makes every experience so much more powerful and intense. It’s written in a sort of poetic way, which combined with heartrending loss makes up a beautiful and haunting novel.

I don’t want to give anything away but what I am going to say is that this book is sort of a guide to moving on without actually forgetting the person you have lost. It takes you through all of the steps; guilt, denial, isolation and grief. Ava’s memories of Jackson are so strong that at times they seem more real than present to her.

Overall, this is an amazing novel which teaches us that there is hope after a tragedy. Very well written, beautiful language, a must read.

If I Stay

If I Stay

By: Gayle Forman

"Just listen," Adam says with a voice that sounds like shrapnel.

I open my eyes wide now. I sit up as much as I can. And I listen.
"Stay," he says.

Choices. Seventeen-year-old Mia is faced with some tough ones. Stay true to her first love-music-even if it means losing her boyfriend and leaving her family and friends behind? Then, one February morning Mia goes for a drive with her family, and in an instant, everything changes. Suddenly, all the choices are gone, except one. And it's the only one that matters.


My Rating *****

“If I Stay” is a moving and unforgettable story about a girl named Mia, who in one day has to come to a possibly heartbreaking conclusion regarding her life. Through out the book past and present are constantly compared which reinforces the magnitude of that decision. Memories and painful details help draw a very violent, realistic and painful at times picture.

Music plays a large role in this novel. People often express their feelings through music and I think Forman uses this to show the intensity of Mia’s experiences.

Mia’s friends and family bring the story to a full circle. Understanding her relationship with them helps us see just how hard Mia’s decision really is. The way her grandparents are portrayed made me cry, the connection between Adam and Mia made me long for love. Adam is sweet, loving and intense. All characters in this novel are very well developed, full of realism and love. I also loved how accepting and understanding Mia’s parents were.

“If I Stay” is a coming-of-age love story with a twist. I was stunned and amazed how good this novel is. Definitely a must read

Evermore ( Immortals Series)

Evermore

by: Alyson Noel


For fans of P.C. Cast and Stephenie Meyer, a paranormal young adult novel about a psychic girl who falls in love with an immortal boy.


My Rating *****


If are a fan of S.Mayer, P.C. Cast or B. Fitzpatrick you’re going to love Noel’s writing. All supernatural/ teenage love stories seem to have the same train of thought; however there is something about Evermore that stands out for me. Evermore is addictive!! I couldn’t put it down. I even read it while walking down the street.


First of all, the intensity with which the book is written is absolutely indescribable. While I was reading it a felt every emotion, almost ever touch. I cried and laughed out laud. Noel pens a well-detailed story that makes it easy for the reader to visualize both the characters and the scenery. The way the author describes Damon as this dark, mysterious, unbelievably beautiful and sexy man makes you want to go and search the world for a guy like him. From the very first moment he is introduced in the book you are unconditionally, irrevocably in love with him and so is Ever…..


Overall, amazing, full of suspense, mystery, and tense building romance easily one of the best novels I have recently read.