Desperately Waiting (on Wednesday)

4.30.2014


Weekly post hosted by Breaking The Spine.


One Plus One by Jojo Moyes
Publication Date: July 1st, 2014
Publisher: Pamela Dorman Books (Penguin)
Page Count: 384 pages
Summary: Suppose your life sucks. A lot. Your husband has done a vanishing act, your teenage stepson is being bullied and your math whiz daughter has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that you can’t afford to pay for. That’s Jess’s life in a nutshell—until an unexpected knight-in-shining-armor offers to rescue them. Only Jess’s knight turns out to be Geeky Ed, the obnoxious tech millionaire whose vacation home she happens to clean. But Ed has big problems of his own, and driving the dysfunctional family to the Math Olympiad feels like his first unselfish act in ages . . . maybe ever.


I like the premise for this one, and I have her other books on my to read list, and I bought an actual copy of one of them both for the summary and the pretty cover, so I hope I enjoy it, as well as this one in the future! What titles are you waiting on?

Top Ten Books if you like...True Blood!

4.29.2014


This meme is hosted by the girls over at The Broke and The Bookish.
Ok I like many things paranormal/fantasy and a touch campy when it comes to some of my entertainment. True Blood is just that while also being a bit badass at times (and with some romance added).



Crux by Moira Rogers (Southern Arcana)
Summary: Jackson Holt makes a decent living as a private investigator in New Orleans. When a local bar owner asks him to do a little digging on her newest hire. New Orleans is the fourth destination in as many months for Mackenzie Brooks, a woman on the run from a deranged stalker. After all, any man who shows up on her doorstep claiming to be her destined lover has more than a few screws loose. But crazy doesn't explain why he always finds her no matter how far she runs. When her well-meaning boss puts a PI on her case, Mackenzie comes face to face with the incredible truth: magic is real, and whatever spell has kept her hidden and separate from the paranormal world is rapidly deteriorating.


Kiss of Midnight by Lara Adrian (Midnight Breed)
Summary: When Gabrielle witnesses a murder outside the club, reality shifts into something dark and deadly. In that shattering instant she is thrust into a realm she never knew existed—a realm where vampires stalk the shadows and a blood war is set to ignite. Lucan Thorne despises the violence carried out by his lawless brethren. A vampire himself, Lucan is a Breed warrior, sworn to protect his kind—and the unwitting humans existing alongside them—from the mounting threat of the Rogues. Lucan cannot risk binding himself to a mortal woman, but when Gabrielle is targeted by his enemies, he has no choice but to bring her into the dark underworld he commands.


Night Pleasures by Sherrilyn Kenyon (Dark Hunters)
Summary: He is solitude. He is darkness. He is the ruler of the night. Yet Kyrian of Thrace has just woken up handcuffed to his worst nightmare: An accountant. Worse, she's being hunted by one of the most lethal vampires out there. And if Amanda Devereaux goes down, then he does too. But it's not just their lives that are hanging in the balance. Kyrian and Amanda are all that stands between humanity and oblivion. Let's hope they win.





A Hunger Like No Other by Kresley Cole (Immortals After Dark)
Summary: After enduring years of torture from the vampire horde, Lachlain MacRieve, leader of the Lykae Clan, is enraged to find the predestined mate he's waited millennia for is a vampire. Or partly one. This Emmaline is a small, ethereal half Valkyrie/half vampire, who somehow begins to soothe the fury burning within him. Sheltered Emmaline Troy finally sets out to uncover the truth about her deceased parents—until a powerful Lykae claims her as his mate and forces her back to his ancestral Scottish castle.Yet when an ancient evil from her past resurfaces, will their desire deepen into a love that can bring a proud warrior to his knees and turn a gentle beauty into the fighter she was born to be?


The Undead Next Door by Kerrelyn Sparks (Love At Stake)
Summary: Three signs that something is very different with your new man: 1) He sleeps all day...which would be annoying except he's so attentive at night. 2) He's attacked by sword-wielding assailants, yet insists he can handle it on his own. 3) He never seems to age. Heather Westfield has always lived a quiet life, but that all changes when she helps a very handsome, very mysterious stranger. There's something not quite right about Jean-Luc, but still, she's never been with a man so charming, so attractive...so wonderful. Now if only a murderous villain wasn't after them, they might get their happily-ever-after.



Bit The Jackpot by Erin McCarthy (Vegas Vampires)
Summary: Vampire Seamus Fox is supposed to be the campaign manager for a Vampire Nation presidential candidate. Instead, he finds himself running around Vegas keeping tabs on the candidate's wife and female entourage. Seamus has had his fill of women: a disastrous and deadly love affair has haunted him for over two centuries. Talk about baggage. But suddenly he finds himself obsessed with a mysterious stripper who dances behind a screen. The sultry yet shy Cara Kim whets his appetite for more, but leave it to Seamus to fall fangs over feet for that rarest of Vegas attractions-a good girl. After a sudden run-in on the street, though, they may soon have a lot more in common...


Accidentally Dead by Dakota Cassidy (Accidentally Friends)
Summary: It's a lousy first day on the job for Nina Blackman when a patient, loopy from the anesthesia, bites her. At least he was cute. But for real drama she can't beat the next evening. Nina wakes up with a set of razor-sharp fangs, bionic vision, supersonic hearing, and a taste for blood. But there's a good explanation: It's her patient, Long Island vampire Greg Statleon. Actually they're perfect for each other if Nina's willing to commit to one man for eternity.





Moon Called by Patricia Briggs (Mercy Thompson)
Summary: Mercedes "Mercy" Thompson is a talented Volkswagen mechanic living in the Tri-Cities area of Washington. She also happens to be a walker, a magical being with the power to shift into a coyote at will. Mercy's next-door neighbor is a werewolf. Her former boss is a gremlin. And she's fixing a bus for a vampire. This is the world of Mercy Thompson, one that looks a lot like ours but is populated by those things that go bump in the night. And Mercy's connection to those things is about to get her into some serious hot water... 




Wicked Enchantment by Anya Bast (Dark Magick)
Summary: All eyes are on Gabriel Mac Braire the day he makes his first appearance in the Seelie Court, including those of Aislinn Finvarra. Despite deep bitterness over her last failed relationship, Aislinn cannot help but be curious about the half incubus who is known to possess dark magick, both lethal and sexual in nature. Rumors abound of the women who have become enslaved to his irresistible charms. So when the Summer Queen of the fae orders Aislinn herself to act as his guide in the court, she is understandably on guard. She's fallen under the spell of far less persuasive men before. In addition, Gabriel might be more than he seems, and his true mission is far from innocent.


Guilty Pleasures by Laurell K. Hamilton (Anita Blake)
Summary: Anita Blake may be small and young, but vampires call her the Executioner. Anita is a necromancer and vampire hunter in a time when vampires are protected by law. Now someone's killing innocent vampires and Anita agrees—with a bit of vampiric arm-twisting—to help figure out who and why. Trust is a luxury Anita can't afford when her allies aren't human. The city's most powerful vampire, Nikolaos, is 1,000 years old and looks like a 10-year-old girl. The second most powerful vampire, Jean-Claude, is interested in more than just Anita's professional talents, but the feisty necromancer isn't playing along—yet. This popular series has a wild energy and humor, and some very appealing characters—both dead and alive.

Let's talk about: book snobbery.

4.27.2014


Have you ever been reading and someone asks what book it is, and when they find out they turn their nose up at your choice? Or have simply encountered another fellow reader and then you begin to discuss the kinds of books you like and the moment you name some of your favorites they suddenly lose their enthusiasm to talk to another fellow reader? All because they find your tastes to be so horrible compared to them. It's something I've encountered on occasion. Not just with people day to day, but more specifically, people within my major (English Literature). Professors are more accepting of different kinds of literature than some of the students!

Whether it's young adult fiction, adult fiction, erotic romances, etc. Books that most don't consider to be the kind of literature that gets you to critically think and use those so called theories learned when reading the classics. I mean, of course, we all occasionally cringe at certain books and their hype (like fifty shades of grey maybe). But I don't judge them for liking erotica. Personally, I'd simply recommend them some titles I like better and leave it at that.

And I know, I know. Who cares what others think? But why turn your nose up at someones preferred type of Literature? Why not celebrate that you've found yet another person who loves to read, no matter if they want to read something as difficult as Shakespeare or something more fun such as Harry Potter. Or even if it's one of those steamy romance novels with the half naked man on front. Reading is something that should be celebrated by anyone and everyone considering it's importance. There are all these genre's created for all kinds of people and all kinds of tastes and interests and some stick to one type of fiction, then others go for them all. But we all have that one important thing in common: we enjoy spending our time reading. 

We may never understand why others read what they read, and we may even cringe at their choices. But at some point there seems a line that shouldn't be cross, or am I wrong? And am I wrong to expect differently? I'll never understand the appeal of non-fiction. Ever. But that's ok. And I occasionally like the classics as well as those typical romance novels. I just know that I'll always have joy for others who love to read, even if every book they love is one I will never enjoy. That joy is why I wanted to create my own book blog and why I'd love a career involving books. I appreciate that amongst book bloggers, I've not seen any sort of judgements for each others tastes. Yet, of course, considering my presences as one is new.

Have you ever had someone judged you harshly for your choice of books? Or do you have different opinions on the topic?

Review Time: Open Road Summer by Emery Lord

4.24.2014

Open Road Summer by Emery Lord
Publication Date: April 15th, 2014
Publisher: Walker Children's
Page count: 342 pages
Summary: After breaking up with her bad-news boyfriend, Reagan O’Neill is ready to leave her rebellious ways behind. . . and her best friend, country superstar Lilah Montgomery, is nursing a broken heart of her own. Fortunately, Lilah’s 24-city tour is about to kick off, offering a perfect opportunity for a girls-only summer of break-up ballads and healing hearts. But when Matt Finch joins the tour as its opening act, his boy-next-door charm proves difficult for Reagan to resist, despite her vow to live a drama-free existence. This summer, Reagan and Lilah will navigate the ups and downs of fame and friendship as they come to see that giving your heart to the right person is always a risk worth taking. A fresh new voice in contemporary romance, Emery Lord’s gorgeous writing hits all the right notes.


Open Road Summer was something I'd been greatly anticipating after hearing about it while going around visiting book blogs ( you've probably heard enough of it by now but I just have to talk about it). Whether it was people who had already read it or wanted to read it, I saw nothing but good things and my hype was quickly building. I even attempted to wait it out because school had me so busy and I was also currently reading something else. Alas, I'm not good at denying myself what I want! I started it....and I was immediately drawn into the book.

What I liked about it: Reagan O'neill, for starters. She was heart weary and a bit shattered emotionally after too many mistakes in her life, but she wanted to change things and to become a better version of herself. She didn't make excuses about her actions and she didn't take anyways crap. I also enjoyed that this was another female character in the young adult genre who wasn't squeaky clean; Reagan has had her fair share of fun with boys and other things and she's had her moments of carelessness.

“I wanted to reach back into my history with a grade-school pink eraser, scrubbing away my decisions like mistakes on a math test. Too bad I drew my mistakes in ink.”

Dee Montgomery was another great character. She was the complete opposite of Reagan in so many ways but she didn't judge Reagan for who she was or what she did. She was a sweetheart but she wasn't a bland one; you couldn't not love her and you certainly couldn't go without loving their friendship. It's one that most of us yearn for or are lucky enough to have ourselves.  They love each other to death, they trust one another so much with everything they have, and they support each other without a second of hesitancy when something goes wrong. Even if they're mad at each other. However, this doesn't mean their friendship was “perfect”. You can't be as close as they are and not occasionally butt heads. What's important is they don't let their fights get in between what's important to them: their friendships.

The third reason I liked it is the Romance of course! And Matt Finch. Thinking his name gives me warm feelings because he was such a beautiful addition to this novel. Reagan was hooked on him the moment they meet and so was I. But, Reagan being her new and improved self who doesn't want to do anything stupid, doesn't let him now just how much he affects her. They clash in the best of ways and his teasing is so perfect when it comes to breaking down Reagan's walls. His songs, his feelings, his actions, everything about him is so genuine and different than what Reagan believes she deserves so seeing the romance between them as they fell harder and harder was beyond any words I can type to try and explain. Did I mention he sings?

“Do you want me to beg you? Do you want me to say please? Then this is the rest of my pride, girl. This song is me down on my knees. Just give in, give in to me, girl. I'll give everything I've got.”

Overall, I enjoyed everything about this book. All of the characters, the plot, the dialogue and all the beautiful quotable words. Emery Lord gave me a contemporary young adult novel that I'll be thinking about for a long time, and will be making me switch up my list of favorites! Go forth and read it immediately!

Anxiously waiting! (on Wednesday)

4.23.2014



Weekly post hosted by Breaking The Spine.

I discovered this one on goodreads a few weeks ago and it was talked about in one of the tea time arc party videos over at epic reads. I was immediately intrigued and I'm anticipating it impatiently!



The Things You Kiss Goodbye by Leslie Connor
Publication Date: June 24, 2014
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books (HarperCollins)
Page Count: 368 pages
Summary: Bettina Vasilis can hardly believe it when basketball star Brady Cullen asks her out, and she just about faints when her strict father actually approves of him. But when school starts up again, Brady changes. What happened to the sweet boy she fell in love with? Then she meets a smoldering guy in his twenties, and this “cowboy” is everything Brady is not—gentle, caring, and interested in getting to know the real Bettina. Bettina knows that breaking up with Brady would mean giving up her freedom—and that it would be inappropriate for anything to happen between her and Cowboy. Still, she can’t help that she longs for the scent of his auto shop whenever she’s anywhere else. When tragedy strikes, Bettina must tell her family the truth—and kiss goodbye the things she thought she knew about herself and the men in her life. (via goodreads)


Want to participate? Find out how here

Ten Characters...Who Make The Best of Friends

4.22.2014


*tv voice* Top Ten Tuesday is brought to you by The Broke and The Bookish. Click the link to find out more details.

We all want that special friend or group of friends who stick by us through thick and thin; ones that are there to support our every decision, good and bad. They make life interesting and you know that even when you annoy the hell out of each other they still have your back when things go south. Here are some characters who will do just that for the ones they love like crazy.


Reagan was not having anyones shit when it came to Dee and the media trying to trash her image. She'd prefer her own damaged reputation over Dee's anyday. Dee is just as beautiful loyal and loving as Reagan is closed off and distrustful. But these two girls love each other to infinity and they don't second guess the trust and the bond they have together.


Talk about loyalty. This is a guy who will put your happiness above a lot of things. Really, a lot. If you get Ridge to love you whether as a friend or a something more he's gonna stick by your side until the day you die. 


Nina can be very temperamental and first to start a confrontation if you sass her but when she loves you, she'll beat someones ass protecting you even if she secretly wants to beat yours herself. Just don't be too sensitive to her insults; she loves you. Promise.


When you have Kenji's loyalty, you have his wisdom. He's smart as hell when it comes to most things and if you're having a moment of insanity he'll mentally (or literally) slap you back into reality before telling you why you need to chill out and grow up. (Plus I love him. A lot.)


Cassidy will look past your flaws, the mistakes you've made, and the shitty things you do to keep people from putting any hope in you. He'll keep your secrets, give you his forgiveness, and you won't find him talking shit about you when you've got your back turned. He's sweeter than candy.


Sydney will protect you until it's no longer possibly, and she'll turn her back on her old prejudices and the prejudice of her kind to help you in any way she can. This says a lot, because there is much at risk when she gives you her all.


They don't just make great best friends, but they are each others best friends. They'll risk their vampiric powers to save you from dying and leaving them. These are two friends who are closer than most can possibly be and they don't drive each other too crazy.


If you call her in need, she's there and ready to get things done even if she's never left the safety of her hometown before. She'll fight creatures she never knew existed and she'll make alliances with the scary and sexy Jericho Barrons. Just know you'll owe her a hell of a lot after she's done.

.....................

Are there any friendships or loyal friends in books you enjoy most?


Review: Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke's Heart by Sarah MacLean

4.18.2014

Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke's Heart by Sara MacLean
Publication Date: April 26th 2011
Publisher: Avon (HarperCollins)
Page Count: 367 pages
Summary: She lives for passion. Bold, impulsive, and a magnet for trouble, Juliana Fiori is no simpering English miss. She refuses to play by society’s rules: she speaks her mind, cares nothing for the approval of the ton, and can throw a punch with remarkable accuracy. Her scandalous nature makes her a favorite subject of London’s most practiced gossips…and precisely the kind of woman the Duke of Leighton wants far far away from him. He swears by reputation. Scandal is the last thing Simon Pearson has room for in his well-ordered world. The Duke of Disdain is too focused on keeping his title untainted and his secrets unknown. But when he discovers Juliana hiding in his carriage late one evening–risking everything he holds dear–he swears to teach the reckless beauty a lesson in propriety. She has other plans, however; she wants two weeks to prove that even an unflappable duke is not above passion.

I decided to take a look through some old favorites and post a review! Might possibly make it a thing to occasion look back at past books I've read and do some reviews, maybe even reread to refresh my mind. It had been a while since I'd read any Historical Romances when I tried this one. I'd forgot how good they can be so I think I need to read more. Specifically, more from this author. Her writing was amazing when it comes to this genre and style.

The book starts with Juliana Fiori, the half sister to the Ralston twins, who are all marked by scandal in some form due to their mothers abandonment for another man and a more adventurous life. Because of this Juliana struggles with fitting in with the ton and acting the way they approve of. She's failing every step of the way in their eyes, especially since they believe she'll turn out to be just like her mom. So she decides to stop trying. The way she deals with the stuffy and snobby characters of English society makes me love her even more. She doesn't hold back for anyone. She's got spunk, she's witty and sassy and oh so lovable. I don't usually fall for the female characters of Historical romances the way I did with this one! I'd definitely want her as my friend.

The hero of the story, Simon Pearson, The Duke of Leighton, is one of the people who have the most disdain for scandal and impropriety so from the start it seems like he can't stand Juliana or her family and what they represent. He doesn't waste a chance to turn his nose up at her and her careless behavior. But he desires her and he has passion for her like he's never had for anything in life and of course he's equally confused and frustrated over this fact. Because of this, he lashes out at Juliana in result. Simon was very stiff and polite in a regal manner in the beginning, but there was still something intriguing about him even then. His confusion over his interest in her and the evolution of his character was done so smoothly, not choppy or extreme at all. 

The tension and chemistry between the two characters is off the charts from the very beginning. Usually when characters are bickering back and forth it can often become more annoying than sizzling but MacLean does a tremendous job at keeping away from crossing that line. When it came to Simon, Juliana was challenging and fierce; a perfect opponent against Leighton's sharp tongue. At every moment I read I was saying to myself, just kiss already! MacLean also gives us a very nice growth in their relationship outside of the steamy tension. The love scenes, of course, were sensual and magnificent and another thing done very well considering the genre. Most Historical Romances can get a little too flowery and overdone!

Juliana is the perfect person to make the stiff Simon a little wild, two opposites couldn't be more perfect for each other. The evolution of his feelings and his beliefs (as well as hers) in the face of their changing relationship was one of the best things about the book, outside the characters themselves. This is the first book I've read from Sarah MacLean and it definitely won't be the last, and it will be the reason I go back into this genre in search for nice little gems to read.

This one definitely deserves five stars.

Feature and Follow Friday: Spring Break!

4.17.2014

The Feature & Follow is hosted by Parajunkee’s View and Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own feature blog post to promote more participation!

Feature Follow questionSpring Break. Where would be your favorite destination spot if you could join the Spring Break festivities? Right off the bat Japan comes to mind! I'm currently studying the Japanese Language at university and for the longest time I've thought Japan and all the cities and countryside towns I've learned about were beyond beautiful. I would love to experience, even for just a short amount of time, the hectic beauty and insanity of cities as wildly colorful and alive as Tokyo. In general, I wouldn't hesitate to travel non stop! I've rapidly built a list of places I want to visit, and it's still growing. Honestly, what destination spot would I not go to is the the real question here. 

Now, where would you like to go? And if you'd like, go here or here to participate.

P.S. I don't have any follow preferences! Whatever works for you. 


Waiting on Wednesday: Everything Leads to You by Nina LaCour

4.16.2014


Event hosted by Breaking The Spine

Everything Leads to You by Nina LaCour
Publication Date: May 15th, 2014
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile (Penguin)
Page count: 320 pages
Summary:  A wunderkind young set designer, Emi has already started to find her way in the competitive Hollywood film world. Emi is a film buff and a true romantic, but her real-life relationships are a mess. She has desperately gone back to the same girl too many times to mention. But then a mysterious letter from a silver screen legend leads Emi to Ava. Ava is unlike anyone Emi has ever met. She has a tumultuous, not-so-glamorous past, and lives an unconventional life. She’s enigmatic…. She’s beautiful. And she is about to expand Emi’s understanding of family, acceptance, and true romance.


Want to participate? Find out how here.



Review: Cinder by Marissa Meyer (The Lunar Chronicles #1)

4.13.2014

Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Publication Date: January 3, 2012
Publisher: MacMillan
Page count: 387 pages
Summary: Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

In the novel Cinder, Meyer gives us the story of Cinderella but with lots of twists. First, the novel is set in a dystopian type world where the countries are split between commonwealths. Cinder is set in the commonwealth of New Beijing. Cinder is cyborg (strange I know but it's amazing!), and because of this she has to face discrimination and class difference because of how others perceive those who are part machine. Cinder's identity is a mystery from the beginning, with her original guardian (her stepmothers husband) gone, she has no idea why she was turned cyborg or where she came from and the origin of her parent's. I liked this part of the story the most, with her discovery of her past and just how important she is with the help of Dr. Erland.

Some of the common attributes of the fairytale kept in the book were the stepmother and stepsister from hell. However, her other stepsister Peony was kind and Cinder considered her a friend. Cinder works as a mechanic for the people of Beijing to make money for her family. She's loyal to a fault even with such a bitter guardian. And the prince. Of course, we've got the prince, but one much more swoon worthy and amazing than any before. Prince Kai is charming from the start, and I love that while Cinder had a hard time not falling for him, she didn't simply fall at his feet. She keeps her wits about her, and she's good at surviving. It kept to the original fairytale with Cinder being below Kai in class but this wasn't a book focused just on the struggling romance; the problems that Kai has to deal with to help the people of the commonwealth and to try to successfully build an alliance with the Lunar Queen.

The Lunar Queen...what a doozy. It's not often Young Adult authors create a foe so deadly and capably of destruction with such ease as this one. Kai and Cinder have to walk a fine line to keep New Beijing safe but it's difficult when the Queen wants the impossible from the Prince and who knows If it's all a ploy to further advanced her true intentions. She drove me insane with just how cunnin and evil she was, but it made for a much more interesting story.

Then, there's the ball. Yes, there's still a ball! But lets just say this was a ball much more eventful than you'd expect it to be. The equivalent of the glass slipper scene in the end of the book was much more heartbreaking to read than anything Disney could create. I just wanted to hug Kai and take away his sadness. Meyer really gets you wishing that things could work between Cinder and Kai, but there's much to do to save the world and Cinder becomes as much a part of that fight as Kai does, and I can't wait to see how that will go!

I fell for the world Meyer created from the beginning, and I love the imagination behind the first installment of the Lunar Chronicles. There's so much going on in the background of Cinder's story but it's not distracting, it works with the scene of Beijing and the troubles that she has to face.

What I Thought Was True by Huntley FitzPatrick (Arc Review)

4.10.2014

What I Thought Was True by Huntley Fitzpatrick
Publication Date: April 15, 2014
Publisher: Dial (Penguin)
Page Count: 416 Pages
Summary: Gwen Castle's Biggest Mistake Ever, Cassidy Somers, is slumming it as a yard boy on her Nantucket-esque island this summer. He's a rich kid from across the bridge in Stony Bay, and she hails from a family of fishermen and house cleaners who keep the island's summer people happy. Gwen worries a life of cleaning houses will be her fate too, but just when it looks like she'll never escape her past—or the island—Gwen's dad gives her some shocking advice. Sparks fly and secret histories unspool as Gwen spends a gorgeous, restless summer struggling to resolve what she thought was true—about the place she lives, the people she loves, and even herself—with what really is.

I was beyond excited to start this book before I had even received it. Excited because I'd won the giveaway and excited because I was so satisfied with My Life Next Door I couldn't wait to see what else Huntley Fitzpatrick had written and if she had the ability to get me hooked on another story. She did, with such ease. 

What I Thought Was True is one of those stories about summertime. It's about the lives of people who live year round on an island and what it's like for them outside the vacation frenzy of the rich people, as well as how important those people can be for them. I immediately fell for the setting and how Ms. Fitzpatrick so easily has you lured into the beauty of Seashell Island. Less so for the occasional bout of snobbish ways for a few of the characters.

Gwen and Cass (Especially Cass, one of my favorite boys of YA now) were both such wonderful and delightful characters to read about and get to know. Their back story was more complicated than I at first was expecting, but I enjoyed the back and forth between them. It was another thing so well done when usually it's something that leaves me annoyed with the characters. They were so hooked on each other and just didn't know what to do about it with their past mistakes hanging over them and so much fear to go forward. I was rooting for them from the very start. I enjoyed the chemistry (so much), and the dialogue, and especially the sweetness.

The side characters were also very enjoyable, more specifically Gwen's family. These were lovable and supportive people with their own problems and experiences into the story. They balanced so well with the drama and plot of the story. They were as important in Gwen's life as Cass and even her relationship with Mrs. Ellington. The book was so specific in every little detail, there isn't anything I didn't love about it. It's almost as if you're learning about life and what the future holds right along with Gwen, Cass, and the rest of the gang.

Definitely 5 stars for this one, I think in many ways I enjoyed it even more than My Life Next Door. I can't wait for what Huntley Fitzpatrick has prepared next.

Review - Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay

4.08.2014

Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay
Publication Date: November 13, 2012
Publisher: Atria Books
Page Count: 380 pages

Summary: Full of rage and without a purpose, former pianist Nastya Kashnikov wants two things: to get through high school without anyone discovering her past and to make the boy who took everything from her pay. All 17 year-old Josh Bennett wants is to build furniture and be left alone, and everyone allows it because it’s easier to pretend he doesn’t exist. When your name is synonymous with death, everyone tends to give you your space. Everyone except Nastya, a hot mess of a girl who starts showing up and won’t go away until she’s insinuated herself into every aspect of his life. The more he gets to know her, the more of a mystery she becomes. As their relationship intensifies and the unanswered questions begin to pile up, he starts to wonder if he may ever learn the secrets she’s been hiding or if he even wants to.

I picked up this book with excitement because I saw so many good things being said about it, and that is always a reason to try a book out. I started it with certain expectations and it turned out to be a complete 180 in regards to these expectations. Sea of Tranquility is a story about two lonely teenagers who've each had their own tragedies to survive through before they've even had time to grow up. Nastya is still closed off and angry after a brutal incident took away something that was more important to her than her life. Josh is floating through life convinced that being alone is his only option after everyone he loves dies. Things change when Nastya is enrolled at his school.

This one started off slow for me. There was so much inner dialogue in the beginning and it was a bit harder to work through, but it was still good and I was too curious about Nastya and Josh to skim or flounce. Both of them are almost emotionless or numb in the beginning, and it was another tough thing to push through. However, their interactions and all the little scenarios that gradually morphed into more important feelings and moments were exciting and had me on the edge.

Drew, on the other hand, kept interrupting the excitement. I'm glad he ended up caring about Nastya but all the playing around he did was annoying and had me frustrated on more than one occasion. One of my favorite moments, though, was between him and his sister when she exploded on him with some kind of wake up call. I like that it showed he cared, and we did get to see his growth on the sideline along with Nastya's and Josh's.

Nastya's tragedy was more complicated and random than I expected—even if she said it herself in the story. My mind couldn't conjure up something as brutal as the truth. And the emotions and problems that Josh had to work through himself, seemed to correlate so smoothly with everything going on in Nastya's world. While her family struggled when it came to coping with what happened to her and her feelings since that horrible day, I wasn't fond of the birthday scene. Such an unnecessary ambush.

The very last page though....insane. I don't even think I can put into words how that last scene made me feel but it was delightfully amazing.