February Wrap Up

February Wrap Up:

Books Reviewed:

-All Lined Up by Cora Carmack

-All Broke Down by Cora Carmack

-I'll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios

-I Was Here by Gayle Forman

Books I Read But Haven't Reviewed:

-Hero by Samantha Young: I'm a big fan of Samantha Young's books and I really enjoyed reading this one too. (4 Stars)

-Beautiful Beloved by Christina Lauren: I love this series and I loved seeing Sara and Max again. (4 Stars)

Waiting on Wednesday #194: Jesse's Girl

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases.

Jesse's Girl
By: Miranda Kenneally
Release Date: July 1, 2015 


"Practice Makes Perfect. Everyone at Hundred Oaks High knows that career mentoring day is a joke. So when Maya Henry said she wanted to be a rock star, she never imagined she’d get to shadow *the* Jesse Scott, Nashville’s teen idol. But spending the day with Jesse is far from a dream come true. He’s as gorgeous as his music, but seeing all that he’s accomplished is just a reminder of everything Maya’s lost: her trust, her boyfriend, their band, and any chance to play the music she craves. Not to mention that Jesse’s pushy and opinionated. He made it on his own, and he thinks Maya’s playing back up to other people’s dreams. Does she have what it takes to follow her heart—and go solo?" (Summary from goodreads.com)

New Releases: 2/22/15 - 2/28/15

New Releases: 2/22/15 - 2/28/15

February 24:

A Wicked Thing by Rhiannon Thomas

A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Scwab

Unleashed by Sophie Jordan

Unchanged by Jessica Brody

Waiting on Wednesday #193: Lying Out Loud

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases.

Lying Out Loud
By: Kody Keplinger
Release Date: April 28, 2015

"Kody Keplinger returns to the world of The DUFF in this brand-new companion novel! Sonny Ardmore is an excellent liar. She lies about her dad being in prison. She lies about her mom kicking her out. And she lies about sneaking into her best friend's house every night because she has nowhere else to go. Amy Rush might be the only person Sonny shares everything with -- secrets, clothes, even a nemesis named Ryder Cross. Ryder's the new kid at Hamilton High and everything Sonny and Amy can't stand -- a prep-school snob. But Ryder has a weakness: Amy. So when Ryder emails Amy asking her out, the friends see it as a prank opportunity not to be missed. But without meaning to, Sonny ends up talking to Ryder all night online. And to her horror, she realizes that she might actually like him. Only there's one small catch: he thinks he's been talking to Amy. So Sonny comes up with an elaborate scheme to help Ryder realize that she's the girl he's really wanted all along. Can Sonny lie her way to the truth, or will all her lies end up costing her both Ryder and Amy?" (Summary from goodreads.com)

Waiting on Wednesday #192: A Court of Thrones and Roses

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases.

A Court of Thrones and Roses
By: Sarah J. Maas
Release Date: May 5, 2015

"When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world. As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever." (Summary from goodreads.com)

I Was Here by Gayle Forman

I Was Here
By: Gayle Forman
Released: January 27, 2015
Source: Purchased
Purchase the Book: Amazon

"Cody and Meg were inseparable. Two peas in a pod. Until . . . they weren’t anymore. When her best friend Meg drinks a bottle of industrial-strength cleaner alone in a motel room, Cody is understandably shocked and devastated. She and Meg shared everything—so how was there no warning? But when Cody travels to Meg’s college town to pack up the belongings left behind, she discovers that there’s a lot that Meg never told her. About her old roommates, the sort of people Cody never would have met in her dead-end small town in Washington. About Ben McAllister, the boy with a guitar and a sneer, who broke Meg’s heart. And about an encrypted computer file that Cody can’t open—until she does, and suddenly everything Cody thought she knew about her best friend’s death gets thrown into question. I Was Here is Gayle Forman at her finest, a taut, emotional, and ultimately redemptive story about redefining the meaning of family and finding a way to move forward even in the face of unspeakable loss." (Summary from goodreads.com)

I really enjoyed I Was Here. It is a really powerful story that I still can't stop thinking about days later. 

I Was Here is the story of Cody who is dealing with the aftermath of her best friends suicide. Cody and Meg grew up together and were inseparable. After Meg's death, Cody questions how she didn't see the signs and learns that there was a lot that Meg was keeping from her. 

Cody was developed well through the course of the book. As she tries to make sense of Meg's sudden death, she throws herself into trying to figure out all of the secrets that Meg kept from her. I liked Cody because she was complex and realistic. You really see her going through different stages of grief. The side characters were also really great too. 

The plot was intriguing because there was this mystery element to the story when it came to Meg. I'm a big fan of Gayle Forman's previous books because I find her writing to be stunning and she definitely brought that again to this book. I found myself writing down a lot of quotes. I also found myself learning a lot from this book too. The links in the Author's Note led me to doing some more research on a topic I knew very little about prior to reading this book. 

Overall I really enjoyed I Was Here. I definitely recommend picking this book up because it will make you think and you won't stop even after you finish it.



My Rating:

I'll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios

I'll Meet You There
By: Heather Demetrios
Released: February 3, 2015
Source: Purchased
Purchase the Book: Amazon

"If seventeen-year-old Skylar Evans were a typical Creek View girl, her future would involve a double-wide trailer, a baby on her hip, and the graveyard shift at Taco Bell. But after graduation, the only thing standing between straightedge Skylar and art school are three minimum-wage months of summer. Skylar can taste the freedom—that is, until her mother loses her job and everything starts coming apart. Torn between her dreams and the people she loves, Skylar realizes everything she’s ever worked for is on the line. Nineteen-year-old Josh Mitchell had a different ticket out of Creek View: the Marines. But after his leg is blown off in Afghanistan, he returns home, a shell of the cocksure boy he used to be. What brings Skylar and Josh together is working at the Paradise—a quirky motel off California’s dusty Highway 99. Despite their differences, their shared isolation turns into an unexpected friendship and soon, something deeper." (Summary from goodreads.com)  

I have been hearing so much about I'll Meet You There for months so I had to buy it the day it came out and wow it was stunning. This was the type of book that I just couldn't put down and I kept found myself trying to sneak in time to read throughout my day. 

I'll Meet You There is the story of Skylar who has just graduated high school and can't wait until she is out of her small town. She is so close to getting out and attending college in San Francisco, but then her mom loses her job. Skylar is torn between staying or going. Then there is Josh who has returned home from Afghanistan after losing his leg. Josh is now back to working at the Paradise motel again with Skylar. 

Skylar and Josh are both very well developed and complex characters. They make mistakes and are far from perfect. They are just real and for that I loved them. Josh is struggling with the aftermath of what happened while overseas. While Skylar is dealing with a lot when it comes to her mom. I really loved the whole storyline of Skylar's conflict with whether or not she should stay or leave. I also thought that the friendship that develops between Josh and Skylar really came across as natural and realistic. Then the side characters were just as great as Skylar and Josh. I loved Skylar's friends, Chris and Dylan.   

As I mentioned earlier, it was so hard to put this book down. I ended up reading it all in one day because I quickly became so invested in these characters.  I loved the setting in the small town. Demetrios did a great job with creating that small town feel. Also the plot was paced well and I thought that it gave the characters a chance to really develop in a realistic way. This story made me laugh, tear up, and even made my heart race. Demetrios writing is simply gorgeous. She handled a complex topic like PTSD so well. I especially loved the few chapters in Josh's point of view.

Overall I loved I'll Meet You There. This is such an unforgettable story that I can't recommend enough. 

My Review:

New Releases: 2/8/15 - 2/14/15

New Releases: 2/8/15 - 2/14/15

February 10:

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

The Ruby Circle by Richelle Mead

The Glass Arrow by Kristen Simmons

Rebellion by Stephanie Diaz

My Heart and Other Black Holes by Jasmine Warga

When Reason Breaks by Cindy L. Rodriguez

Seeker by Arwen Elys Dayton

One of the Guys by Lisa Aldin

Waiting on Wednesday #191: All the Rage

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases.

All the Rage
By: Courtney Summers
Release Date: April 14, 2014

"The sheriff’s son, Kellan Turner, is not the golden boy everyone thinks he is, and Romy Grey knows that for a fact. Because no one wants to believe a girl from the wrong side of town, the truth about him has cost her everything—friends, family, and her community. Branded a liar and bullied relentlessly by a group of kids she used to hang out with, Romy’s only refuge is the diner where she works outside of town. No one knows her name or her past there; she can finally be anonymous.But when a girl with ties to both Romy and Kellan goes missing after a party, and news of him assaulting another girl in a town close by gets out, Romy must decide whether she wants to fight or carry the burden of knowing more girls could get hurt if she doesn’t speak up. Nobody believed her the first time—and they certainly won’t now — but the cost of her silence might be more than she can bear.　 With a shocking conclusion and writing that will absolutely knock you out, All the Rage examines the shame and silence inflicted upon young women after an act of sexual violence, forcing us to ask ourselves: In a culture that refuses to protect its young girls, how can they survive?" (Summary from goodreads.com)

All Broke Down by Cora Carmack

All Broke Down 
By: Cora Carmack
Released: October 28, 2014
Source: Purchased
Purchase the Book: Amazon

"Dylan fights for lost causes. Probably because she used to be one. Environmental issues, civil rights, corrupt corporations, and politicians you name it, she's probably been involved in a protest. When her latest cause lands her in jail overnight, she meets Silas Moore. He's in for a different kind of fighting. And though he's arrogant and infuriating, she can't help being fascinated with him. Yet another lost cause. Football and trouble are the only things that have ever come naturally to Silas. And it's trouble that lands him in a cell next to do-gooder Dylan. He's met girls like her before fixers, he calls them, desperate to heal the damage and make him into their ideal boyfriend. But he doesn't think he's broken, and he definitely doesn't need a girlfriend trying to change him. Until, that is, his anger issues and rash decisions threaten the only thing he really cares about: his spot on the Rusk University football team. Dylan might just be the perfect girl to help. Because Silas Moore needs some fixing after all." (Summary from goodreads.com)

I really enjoyed All Broke Down. I enjoyed this book even more than the first one in the series, All Lined Up. I couldn't put it down and so I finished it all in one day.

All Broke Down is the story of Silas, who always seems to be getting into some sort of trouble, and Dylan, who fights for what she believes in. After meeting in jail one night, these two can't seem to stay away from each other. Silas even enlists Dylan's help in cleaning up his image and attitude when his position on the football team is in jeopardy. 

I loved both Silas and Dylan because these are two complex characters who make mistakes. They both have their flaws. Silas struggles to keep his anger in check and he usually finds himself in tough situations because of it. While Dylan struggles with doing what she wants or doing what will reflect well on her family. Both of these characters grow and develop really well through the story. I also love the way that the relationship develops between them as well. It was realistic and hot. 

I enjoyed the plot for All Broke Down even more than the plot for All Lined Up. It was great to follow along as both Silas and Dylan learn so much from each other. Carmack once again paced the story really well and wrote that great balance between drama and romance. It was also great to see some characters from All Lined Up show up again in this book and meet some new characters as well.  

Overall I really enjoyed All Broke Down and definitely recommend picking it up. It had really great characters that will be difficult to ever forget about. I am now anxiously awaiting the next book in this series. 

 My Rating:

All Lined Up by Cora Carmack

All Lined Up
By: Cora Carmack
Released: May 13, 2014
Source: Purchased
Purchase the Book: Amazon

"In Texas, two things are cherished above all else—football and gossip. My life has always been ruled by both. Dallas Cole loathes football. That's what happens when you spend your whole childhood coming in second to a sport. College is her time to step out of the bleachers, and put the playing field (and the players) in her past. But life doesn't always go as planned. As if going to the same college as her football star ex wasn’t bad enough, her father, a Texas high school coaching phenom, has decided to make the jump to college ball… as the new head coach at Rusk University. Dallas finds herself in the shadows of her father and football all over again. Carson McClain is determined to go from second-string quarterback to the starting line-up. He needs the scholarship and the future that football provides. But when a beautiful redhead literally falls into his life, his focus is more than tested. It's obliterated. Dallas doesn't know Carson is on the team. Carson doesn't know that Dallas is his new coach's daughter. And neither of them know how to walk away from the attraction they feel." (Summary from goodreads.com)

I really enjoyed All Lined Up and it was tough to put this book down for long. This book had great characters, a captivating plot, a realistic romance, and it included some football.

All Lined Up is the story of Dallas who is the football coach's daughter. She hates football after always coming second to it and now she can't even escape it while at college because her dad is the new coach. Then there is Carson, who has just transferred to Rusk this year and is working hard to make his way up to starting quarterback. Dallas has no idea that Carson is on the team after they meet one night and Carson has no clue that she is the coach's daughter.   

I really liked both Dallas and Carson. Both of these characters are complex and have really interesting backgrounds. Dallas wants nothing to do with football anymore because of her dad and her ex-boyfriend. However, she can't seem to stay away from Carson. While Carson works really hard for what he wants and is determined to get it. The relationship that builds between these two is realistic and paced well. The chemistry is definitely there from the very beginning and is practically jumping off of the pages. Dallas and Carson grow and develop over the course of the story both individually and together. I also loved the side characters and will be looking forward to getting to know some of them even more in the next books in this series.

The plot hooked me in from the first chapter and I thought that it was paced really well. I kept finding it difficult to put this book down for long. There was a really great balance of romance and drama. I loved the setting too and the way that football was incorporated throughout the story in different ways. I have read one of Cora Carmack's other series and loved it, but I found that I enjoyed the start to this new series even more.

Overall I really enjoyed All Lined Up. I recommend it to anyone who is looking for a really great New Adult book series to read.    
 
My Rating:
 

New Releases: 2/1/15 - 2/7/15

New Releases: 2/1/15 - 2/7/15

February 3:

I'll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios 

Invaded by Melissa Landers