As Summer comes to a close, and school shopping takes over everyone's days I'd like to reflect on the memorable novels I read over the summer. Most of these (or maybe all) are contemporary love stories, because what else does a single eighteen year old want to read in the middle of July?
10. Hopeless by: Colleen Hoover
Sometimes discovering the truth can leave you more hopeless than believing the lies…
That’s what seventeen-year-old Sky realizes after she meets Dean Holder. A guy with a reputation that rivals her own and an uncanny ability to invoke feelings in her she’s never had before. He terrifies her and captivates her all in the span of just one encounter, and something about the way he makes her feel sparks buried memories from a past that she wishes could just stay buried.
Sky struggles to keep him at a distance knowing he’s nothing but trouble, but Holder insists on learning everything about her. After finally caving to his unwavering pursuit, Sky soon finds that Holder isn’t at all who he’s been claiming to be. When the secrets he’s been keeping are finally revealed, every single facet of Sky’s life will change forever.
Of course I had to include a CoHo book in this Top 10. As one of my favorite authors, I was thrilled to obtain this book since it was the only one I have yet to read. She certainly did not disappoint. Every page was filled with that magical Colleen spark we all know and love her for. She has a knack of those plot twists and just giving the reader an emotional connection to the readers. This book was definitely a top favorite and will be a story I will forever remember.
9. The Neverland Wars by: Audrey Greathouse
Magic can do a lot—give you flight, show you mermaids, help you taste the stars, and… solve the budget crisis? That's what the grown-ups will do with it if they ever make it to Neverland to steal its magic and bring their children home.
However, Gwen doesn't know this. She's just a sixteen-year-old girl with a place on the debate team and a powerful crush on Jay, the soon-to-be homecoming king. She doesn't know her little sister could actually run away with Peter Pan, or that she might have to chase after her to bring her home safe. Gwen will find out though—and when she does, she'll discover she's in the middle of a looming war between Neverland and reality.
She'll be out of place as a teenager in Neverland, but she won't be the only one. Peter Pan's constant treks back to the mainland have slowly aged him into adolescence as well. Soon, Gwen will have to decide whether she's going to join impish, playful Peter in his fight for eternal youth… or if she's going to scramble back to reality in time for the homecoming dance.
Ever since I heard the song Lost Boy by Ruth B, I have had Peter Pan fever. I was lucky enough to be able to get an eCopy of this lovely book in exchange for a review. I read it while on vacation over the summer and was glued to my screen, my mind wrapped up in the story, rather than paying attention to the actual vacation. The characters were witty, fresh, and exciting. It took a whole new turn on the Peter Pan legend and spun it up from it's feet. I will definitely be first in line for the sequel.
8. My Life With The Walter Boys by: Ali Novak
My Life with the Walter Boys centers on the prim, proper, and always perfect Jackie Howard. When her world is turned upside down by tragedy, Jackie must learn to cut loose and be part of a family again.
Jackie does not like surprises. Chaos is the enemy! The best way to get her successful, busy parents to notice her is to be perfect. The perfect look, the perfect grades-the perfect daughter. And then...
Surprise #1: Jackie's family dies in a freak car accident.
Surprise #2: Jackie has to move cross-country to live with the Walters-her new guardians.
Surprise #3: The Walters have twelve sons. (Well, eleven, but Parker acts like a boy anyway)
Now Jackie must trade in her Type A personality and New York City apartment for a Colorado ranch and all the wild Walter boys who come with it. Jackie is surrounded by the enemy-loud, dirty, annoying boys who have no concept of personal space. Okay, several of the oldest guys are flat-out gorgeous. But still annoying. She's not stuck-up or boring-no matter what they say. But proving it is another matter. How can she fit in and move on when she needs to keep her parents' memory alive by living up to the promise of perfect?
I had seen all the hype on Wattpad and walked passed the book countless of times at Barnes and Noble so it was only time that would tell when I would finally give in and pick it up.
I could readily relate to Jackie's "Type A" Personality and understand her culture shock in moving to a whole new situation, one she was not used to. This novel was beautifully crafted and had lines full of wit, laughter, and 'awe' filled moments.
7. The Chase: Trusting God with Your Happily Ever After by: Kyle and Kelsey Kupecky
Kyle and Kelsey Kupecky couldn't have dreamed a better love story for themselves had it been scripted by a bestselling novelist like Kelsey's mom, Karen Kingsbury. In fact, if you asked them, Kyle and Kelsey would name God as the author of their story. And they're glad they trusted him to write it for them.
Unfortunately, too many girls hoping for their own happily-ever-after have taken matters into their own hands, chasing after boys when they should be chasing after God. And that inevitably leads to heartache, low self-esteem, and poor choices as girls give in to pressure from media and peers to look and act a certain way to attract guys.
Kyle and Kelsey want girls to know that it's never too late to trust God with their love lives, that wherever they are, there's always hope for the future. Through their own story and the stories of others who long for love, they show girls how to put God first, how to value and protect their purity, how to deal with loneliness and bullying, and how to see themselves as God does--a one-in-a-million girl who deserves no less than God's best.
This book doesn't beat around the bush. It tells you the truth straight out, through the words of Kyle and Kelsey, and their stories. Whether it be by personal experiences, their friends, or just pure Godly Wisdom, they take you on a journey through how they found their happily ever after, and encourages you to not give up on it either. As a girl about to head off to college, this encouragement was much needed. I loved how I could relate to Kelsey's worries and fears, and I enjoyed the guy's perspective on everything. This book talks about sex, love, God, and everything in between. Whether your religious or not, I suggest you pick this up and read it. You won't regret it.
6. Isla and the Happily Ever After by: Stephanie Perkins
Love ignites in the City That Never Sleeps, but can it last?
Hopeless romantic Isla has had a crush on introspective cartoonist Josh since their first year at the School of America in Paris. And after a chance encounter in Manhattan over the summer, romance might be closer than Isla imagined. But as they begin their senior year back in France, Isla and Josh are forced to confront the challenges every young couple must face, including family drama, uncertainty about their college futures, and the very real possibility of being apart.
Featuring cameos from fan-favorites Anna, Étienne, Lola, and Cricket, this sweet and sexy story of true love—set against the stunning backdrops of New York City, Paris, and Barcelona—is a swoonworthy conclusion to Stephanie Perkins’s beloved series.
I love Stephanie Perkins ability to tell a true and honest love story. I had already read her other two books and quickly picked up her last one in the trilogy. I also had gotten back from my trip to New York City which coincidently is where part of this book takes place.
This love was more promiscuous than Perkins other two books which was a surprise, but a pleasant change in pace. I believe readers will be pleased to know that the other characters from the previous novels make an appearance in this last addition (A few scenes with everyone made me squeal with happiness I admit). But it won't take away from the stars of this book: Josh and Isla. Perkins has a knack for spinning a good plot twist and making her characters fall in love in real time, which is why she is a top favorite author.
5. Saint Anything by: Sarah Dessen
Peyton, Sydney's charismatic older brother, has always been the star of the family, receiving the lion's share of their parents' attention and—lately—concern. When Peyton's increasingly reckless behavior culminates in an accident, a drunk driving conviction, and a jail sentence, Sydney is cast adrift, searching for her place in the family and the world. When everyone else is so worried about Peyton, is she the only one concerned about the victim of the accident?
Enter the Chathams, a warm, chaotic family who run a pizza parlor, play bluegrass on weekends, and pitch in to care for their mother, who has multiple sclerosis. Here Sydney experiences unquestioning acceptance. And here she meets Mac, gentle, watchful, and protective, who makes Sydney feel seen, really seen, for the first time.
The uber-popular Sarah Dessen explores her signature themes of family, self-discovery, and change in her twelfth novel, sure to delight her legions of fans.
It's Sarah Dessen. That's a good enough reason to read it. Plus I'm a sucker for the Best-Friend-Brother story.
4. The Hidden Oracle by: Rick Riordan
How do you punish an immortal?
By making him human.
After angering his father Zeus, the god Apollo is cast down from Olympus. Weak and disorientated, he lands in New York City as a regular teenage boy. Now, without his godly powers, the four-thousand-year-old deity must learn to survive in the modern world until he can somehow find a way to regain Zeus's favour.
But Apollo has many enemies - gods, monsters and mortals who would love to see the former Olympian permanently destroyed. Apollo needs help, and he can think of only one place to go . . . an enclave of modern demigods known as Camp Half-Blood.
Ever since sixth grade I have been a Rick Riordan super fan, and it hasn't stopped, even at eighteen years old. I believe his books are timeless and you are never too old for an "Uncle Rick" book. I didn't know what to expect when I read this book, same characters? Will Percy make an appearance? What does Rick have up his sleeves? Hesitantly, I cracked it open and didn't put it down until my mom yelled at me at four A.M that if we didn't leave that instant we would be late for our flight.
Any fan of Percy Jackson will fall in love with even Apollo, the most self centered person to meet, and his little sidekick friend. You will be on the edge of your seat with this book and gasp at the ending... and curse yourself for finishing it so fast and having to wait a year for the next installment.
3. Enchanted by: Althea Kontis
It isn't easy being the rather overlooked and unhappy youngest sibling to sisters named for the other six days of the week. Sunday’s only comfort is writing stories, although what she writes has a terrible tendency to come true.
When Sunday meets an enchanted frog who asks about her stories, the two become friends. Soon that friendship deepens into something magical. One night Sunday kisses her frog goodbye and leaves, not realizing that her love has transformed him back into Rumbold, the crown prince of Arilland—and a man Sunday’s family despises.
The prince returns to his castle, intent on making Sunday fall in love with him as the man he is, not the frog he was. But Sunday is not so easy to woo. How can she feel such a strange, strong attraction for this prince she barely knows? And what twisted secrets lie hidden in his past—and hers?
Fans of Once Upon a Time will be "enchanted" by this fairy tail. A;thea completely breaks down the fairy tales and rewrites them in a unique, and never before told way. I loved Sunday and her love of story telling. It reminded me of myself and that even a quirky, nerd can find a prince. If you enjoy balls, fairy godmothers, and fancy gowns, I guarantee you will be wowed by this book.
2. The Hamilton Affair by: Elizabeth Cobbs
Set against the dramatic backdrop of the American Revolution, and featuring a cast of iconic characters such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and the Marquis de Lafayette, The Hamilton Affair tells the sweeping, tumultuous, true love story of Alexander Hamilton and Elizabeth Schuyler, from tremulous beginning to bittersweet ending—his at a dueling ground on the shores of the Hudson River, hers more than half a century later after a brave, successful life.
Hamilton was a bastard son, raised on the Caribbean island of St. Croix. He went to America to pursue his education. Along the way he became one of the American Revolution’s most dashing—and unlikely—heroes. Adored by Washington, hated by Jefferson, Hamilton was a lightning rod: the most controversial leader of the American Revolution.
She was the well-to-do daughter of one of New York’s most exalted families—feisty, adventurous, and loyal to a fault. When she met Alexander, she fell head over heels. She pursued him despite his illegitimacy, and loved him despite his infidelity. In 1816 (two centuries ago), she shamed Congress into supporting his seven orphaned children. Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton started New York’s first orphanage. The only “founding mother” to truly embrace public service, she raised 160 children in addition to her own.
With its flawless writing, brilliantly drawn characters, and epic scope, The Hamilton Affair will take its place among the greatest novels of American history.
To be honest I only picked up this book because of the cover and my enjoyment of the Broadway musical music. Other than that I didn't really know what I was getting into. There has been a huge rage for Hamilton and so I thought I would join the fun and see what it was all about.
I've never actually been one for a historical romance but I pleasantly enjoyed this book and certainly learned a lot (considering I didn't pay much attention to U.S history in high school). Even if you don't care for learning, or history, I still recommend this book for displaying the history of Hamilton, while in a romantic and entertaining way.
1. Anna and the French Kiss by: Stephanie Perkins
Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris--until she meets Étienne St. Clair. Smart, charming, beautiful, Étienne has it all...including a serious girlfriend.
But in the City of Light, wishes have a way of coming true. Will a year of romantic near-misses end with their long-awaited French kiss?
This book is on my all time favorite and the perfect read for the summer. Set in a romantic country, with a British hottie and a seemingly ordinary American girl, every reader will fall in love with the characters and the magic of Paris. There are simply not enough words in the English language to explain how beautiful this love story is. I think I will forever be recommending this book to every single person I meet.
