Fifteen Seconds of Normal Review

Fifteen Seconds of Normal
By: Alex Marestaign 


Step 1: Transfer high schools Step 2: Hide your Tourette’s Step 3: Find your fifteen seconds of normal Kaeya Garay has a plan. And it seems to be working.But when a curious interruption named Thatcher Kelly stumbles upon her “safe” place in the school’s abandoned art gallery, her grand plans for normalcy are suddenly derailed. Set over the course of three weeks, Fifteen Seconds of Normal is the quirky saga of a literature obsessed teen on the edge of a meldown and the hope driven heroine who begins to pull him back. Fans of Eleanor and Park be warned. You won’t be able to put this one down. 

Everyone is familiar with those internet memes? What many tend to forget is that those pictures are of real people. With lives. And Hearts. Thatcher Kelly becomes familiar with this in the beginning of Fifteen Seconds of Normal. When his “normal” is snatched away he finds a new one in the hidden art gallery where he meets the beautiful Kaeya Garay. A girl with secrets of her own. 

I’ve met people with Tourette’s and I didn’t know much about it really until I picked up this book. The storyline begins like any other contemporary read but stretched into the unknown territory about the harsh judgmental society we live in today. 

Thatcher Kelly is a sweetheart, honestly, there needs to be more guys like him out there. It almost seems rare now to find one. OR maybe I’m not looking hard enough? Either way, his selfishness and devotion to his sister makes this protagonist a cuddly teddy bear I want to hug every moment. 

Kaeya Garay took me a while to be able to pronounce her name. Something about the “e” in the middle just threw me off. But her character and perfect flaws made up for it. She channels the classic teenager in high school. She just wants to be “normal.” Which is shown as she constantly tries to jump hurdles that she only needs to walk around. As the reader, you learn along with her about the lesson of just being yourself. 

The overall storyline was good, but I feel like the author could have stretched it out a little longer. Add a bit more drama maybe? Allow the relationships to grow and get more intimate? It would make the book a little more longer and add more emphasis to the characters. Because the book flew by way too fast; or maybe I just plowed through it because of how great it was. 

Either way, this book is filled with good content, interesting characters, and full of cute little jokes and quirks. I highly suggest it. 

[A Review copy was sent in exchange for an honest review] 

P.S I Like You Review

P.S I Like You
By: Kasie West

While spacing out in chemistry class, Lily scribbles some of her favorite song lyrics onto her desk. The next day, she finds that someone has continued the lyrics on the desk and added a message to her. Intrigue!

Soon, Lily and her anonymous pen pal are exchanging full-on letters—sharing secrets, recommending bands, and opening up to each other. Lily realizes she’s kind of falling for this letter writer. Only, who is he? As Lily attempts to unravel the mystery and juggle school, friends, crushes, and her crazy family, she discovers that matters of the heart can’t always be spelled out…

Ever since discovering the magical stories of Kasie West, I have been a huge fan. So of course I had to jump on the new book that came out and read it in a single night.

I have to say, this is one of my favorite stories of hers and not just because the main character shares the same name as me, or resides in the same state, or loves to write. Basically Lily is me and we are the same (Kasie West did you stalk me or something because you literally wrote me into a book). 

The banter and awkwardness of Lily Abbott makes the book quirky and you can fully get a taste of what she is like in real life. We are all a little bit of Lily in faces of crushes and enemies which is what makes this all the more relatable. I can't count how many times I've been ridiculously horrible and cringeworthy in front of a guy. 

Speaking of guys, the beautiful YA guys in this books is swoon-worthy. I don't want to give away who the secret writer is but let's just say you'll be happy. Like giddy and excited. Maybe even squeal a little bit.  I absolutely love how Kasie makes her characters flawed and human, yet completely perfect in all the same way. Even using a cliche story-line, she makes it into the most unique love story I've ever read. 

I think the lyrics in the book deserves their own awards in itself. Did Kasie herself write them? Because they are beautiful and deserves Taylor Swift to sing them in sparkly costumes. I wanted to write the lyrics in my notebooks. 

I also want to applaud Kasie for having it set in Arizona. There's something fun about reading a book based in the place you live. When it mentions a place you've been, a city you know by heart, it makes reading all the more fun. (P.S Kasie, I literally am writing this while wearing shorts and a t-shirt with big fuzzy socks to justify the fact that it's winter, even in Arizona). 

Overall, it was a good book to read and even though it made me yearning for a cute boyfriend, it was beautiful and heartwarming. Therefore it's a 5/5. 

Some of my favorite quotes from this book include:

1. )

“Who are you talking to?”

“Myself.”

“You do that a lot.”

“I know. I’m the only one who understands me.”

2.) “You’re my favorite way to pass the time. But time stands still when you’re on my mind.” 

3.) “If a penny can bring luck and a dime can grant a wish, how come my eleven cents hasn’t bought me what I need.” 

How To Make Out Review

How To Make Out
By: Brianna R. Shrum

Synopsis:

Sixteen-year-old Renley needs three thousand dollars for the math club’s trip to New York City, and she knows exactly how to get it: she’s going to start a how-to blog where people pay for answers to all of life’s questions from a “certified expert.” The only problems: 1) She doesn’t know how to do anything but long division and calculus. 2) She’s totally invisible to people at school. And not in a cool Gossip Girl kind of way.

So, she decides to learn to do . . . well . . . everything. When her anonymous blog shifts in a more scandalous direction and the questions (and money) start rolling in, she has to learn not just how to do waterfall braids and cat-eye makeup, but a few other things, like how to cure a hangover, how to flirt, and how to make out (something her very experienced, and very in-love-with-her neighbor, Drew, is more than willing to help with).

As her blog’s reputation skyrockets, so does “new and improved” Renley’s popularity. She’s not only nabbed the attention of the entire school, but also the eye of Seth Levine, the hot culinary wizard she’s admired from across the home-ec classroom all year.

Soon, caught up in the thrill of popularity both in and out of cyberspace, her secrets start to spiral, and she finds that she’s forgotten the most important how-to: how to be herself. When her online and real lives converge, Renley will have to make a choice: lose everything she loves in her new life, or everyone she loves in the life she left behind.

How To Make Out was one of those books you can never put down until you read every single page twice. On the outside, the story looks to be just one of those normal "chick flicks" type books. But beneath the surface, in-between each page, is a beautiful story of a broken girl and how much she misses her run-away mom, wants her dad to notice her, and aches for true love. The depth to Renley is deeper than the ocean and she keeps it locked away. It takes a few mistakes for her to learn her true potential and who she really is as a person. 

I have never rooted for a fictional character more. Shrum had me on my toes between two beautiful, and kind men for Renley. I about held my breath at the end, and then spit out my water I was drinking at her choice. The author crafted this beautiful love story in a way that's not cliche or a love triangle in any form, but a raw and soft love, thats relatable to any teenager. 

Each chapter has it's own set of laughs, jokes, and embarrassing moments that will make you cringe. But as you read the story, you will grow with the main character, and ultimately come out for the better.

How To Make Out are for the girls who need a good love story late at night, that shows, your prince is out there. It just may take a blog, and a best friend to figure it out. 

Rating: 4/5

Playlist: 

Ride by: Chase Rice

The Mess I Made by: Parachute 

I Hate You, I Love You by: Gnash 

Glitter Review

Glitter
By: Aprilynne Pike

Outside the palace of Versailles, it’s modern day. Inside, the people dress, eat, and act like it’s the eighteenth century—with the added bonus of technology to make court life lavish, privileged, and frivolous. The palace has every indulgence, but for one pretty young thing, it’s about to become a very beautiful prison.
When Danica witnesses an act of murder by the young king, her mother makes a cruel power play . . . blackmailing the king into making Dani his queen. When she turns eighteen, Dani will marry the most ruthless and dangerous man of the court. She has six months to escape her terrifying destiny. Six months to raise enough money to disappear into the real world beyond the palace gates.
Her ticket out? Glitter. A drug so powerful that a tiny pinch mixed into a pot of rouge or lip gloss can make the wearer hopelessly addicted. Addicted to a drug Dani can sell for more money than she ever dreamed.
But in Versailles, secrets are impossible to keep. And the most dangerous secret—falling for a drug dealer outside the palace walls—is one risk she has to take.

Out in stores October 25th

I went into this book with a very blind eye. I knew it had something to do with drugs, and a kingdom, but other than that I couldn't really wrap my mind around the setting of this story.  So I'll explain it for the confused ones not understanding the synopsis: 

The rest of the world is normal, jeans-wearing, improper humans. But in Versailles, France, a billion-dollar company bought the city and transformed it into their kingdom. Where everyone dresses like they were in the Marie Antoinette days (with an actual reason but I don't want to spoil that). 

From the very first page I was intrigued. Sure, I was super confused for the first few chapters until they finally explained why the heck they dress and act like they do, but it was interesting nevertheless.  I have always loved princesses and evil kings so this book was right up my ally. 

Characters: 

Danica is a girl with ambitions that doesn't include being a Queen and wife to a killer. She wants out, something her mother has never allowed and now she has a very small time-frame to escape this life she has been forced into. 

Saber: Mysterious, hot, kind, basically everything we all want in a love interest. The hot love scenes will not disappoint and his backstory will make you want to cry. He is the type of guy we all want to rescue us and make his princess. 

Justin: Anger issues, power issues, bipolar... he's just got a lot going on in his big King brain (probably cause his head is so big and the small crown is cutting off his circulation).

Plot: Basically a breaking bad mixed with royals. I can't say who would be who character wise but it does have the same elements and deaths scattered throughout. You think you know what's going to happen, but when it does occur, it's not quite like what you would expect... times a million. It makes you yearn desperately for the sequel. I'd even bribe the author with Glitter to receive it if it was real...

Originality: Ten billion stars for this whole original plot. I've never read anything close to it.  How did Pike come up with this? Was she just sitting at a table eating breakfast and decided she wanted to write a book about a girl stuck in a Marie Antoinette life trying to escape it by dealing drugs? This whole book could get it's own genre and I can see it sparking other ideas for authors on how to push the envelop of the world. 

I give this book a 5/5 stars for its Characters, Plot, and Originality. I held onto each page for dear life and never wanted it to end. You can bet I will be waiting for the sequel. 

Book Playlist: 

Theme Song: Gasoline by Halsey 

You've Got Me Flush by Future Generations
Any Other Way by We The Kings
Thief by Alexander Jean
Inhale Exhale by Rebellion 
Iris by Hannah Trigwell
Kiss From A Rose by Seal

*Was provided with an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Outward Blonde Review

Outward Blonde

By: Trish Cook

Sixteen-year-old Lizzie Finkelstein is a hard-partying socialite who lives a charmed life with her mother in Manhattan. After a public drunken escapade results in both an arrest and an embarrassing viral video online, Lizzie’s parents stage a late night intervention. Lizzie finds herself whisked away to Utah to learn a lesson or two about taking responsibility at Camp Smiley, a wilderness survival program for troubled kids.

Camp Smiley is a far cry from Lizzie’s high society life in New York. Without her stable of luxury hair/makeup items, her teacup Pomeranian, contact with the outside world or access to social media, Lizzie must face the harsh conditions of the outdoors. Grouped with troubled campers in which she’s certain she has nothing in common (except Jack, who’s pretty hot), Lizzie must now learn to dig her own toilet in the woods and build a fire by rubbing two sticks together before the camp will ever let her go back to her former existence. She has a choice: get with the program, or get out of there.

I don't know what I would do if my parents sent me to camp against my will; let alone one that makes you hike ten miles in a day for fun. I can barely do ten push ups without being winded. So when I cracked open the book and was transported into the world of Lizzie Finkelstein, I could relate a little with her. 

She hates outdoors, loves shopping, fashion know-it-all, and generally a nice person (most of the time). Though she does have a lot to work on: Rude, harsh, spoiled, manipulative... to name a few.

But yet through this book you see the journey of a broken soul trying to find her way back. Which is something we can all relate to. Lizzie represents teenagers everywhere trying to find themselves in a society that determines it for you by look. 

Positives:

- Relatable Protagonist
- Underlying meaning
- Comedic gold
- Douche bag guy
- Adorable love interest
- crazy back stories

Negatives: 
- Spoiler to back stories
- Not enough connection to love interest
- Sometimes awkward language used

There was a page around the third chapter that had a documentation of the "campers." Along with the descriptions of what they did. I liked the little commentary documents but these I didn't enjoy. I think the anticipation would have been better if we had to figure out what they did to get sent to the camp on our own.  A huge plot twist could have been made then. 

I also think the spark formed between Lizzie and him (not going to give it away don't worry) should have grown a little more. In a way it wasn't there but there at the same time. I love the love interest and think he would be perfect for Lizzie... I just wished the love would have grown and been shown a little more before the huge reveal. 

Also when Lizzie is texting her friends, sometimes she would use slang and weird stuff teenagers don't really use anymore... or ever. 

For the long haul I liked the book. The plot and one-liners were great, and the ending was adorable. I'd give it 3.5/5 stars. It reminded me a lot of Legally Blonde in a way because of the different world Lizzie is transformed into... and how she deals with it. 

Fans of Legally Blonde and Miss Congeniality will eat this book up and not want to put it down. The comedic writing style with the few sentiment and important moments will keep you hooked. 

*Was provided with an ARC in exchange for an honest review

The Possibility of Somewhere Review

The Possibility of Somewhere
By: Julia Day

Together is somewhere they long to be.

Ash Gupta has a life full of possibility. His senior year is going exactly as he’s always wanted-- he's admired by his peers, enjoying his classes and getting the kind of grades that his wealthy, immigrant parents expect. There's only one obstacle in Ash's path: Eden Moore—the senior most likely to become class valedictorian. How could this unpopular, sharp-tongued girl from the wrong side of the tracks stand in his way?

All Eden's ever wanted was a way out. Her perfect GPA should be enough to guarantee her a free ride to college -- and an exit from her trailer-park existence for good. The last thing she needs is a bitter rivalry with Ash, who wants a prized scholarship for his own selfish reasons. Or so she thinks. . . When Eden ends up working with Ash on a class project, she discovers that the two have more in common than either of them could have imagined. They’re both in pursuit of a dream -- one that feels within reach thanks to their new connection. But what does the future hold for two passionate souls from totally different worlds?

I love contemporary reads so much.  There is just something about them that get's my blood pumping at the thought of reading them.  It was no different with this book.

Eden is a girl driven to escape the life her dad has planned for her and what she is expected to be.  She will do anything to achieve her goal, but she just wasn't expecting the dreadful four letter word: Love. 

Individually these characters are insecure, lonely, and unsure of themselves. But together? They compliment the best in each other.  It was amazing to see their animosity towards one another blossom into this infatuation in which they can't live without another.  That's the best kind of love stories in my opinion.

This book reflects what society tends to jump to when it comes to relationships, looks, or anything that is deemed, "different." Which is why I honestly loved the diversity and unique structure in which this story was shaped upon. I have never read anything quite like it and get by the last page I was deep in love with it.  

For a debut novel, the pages held deep thoughts and insights to love, school, and life with different incomes.  Great book to read for seniors before they go off to college, or freshman college students starting their new life.

4/5 Stars

Book Playlist:

Drive by: Oh Wonder
You Always Make Me Smile by: Kyle Andrews
Bruises by: Train
2 Broke Kids by: Ruth B
Back To You by: Twin Forks

(Many thanks to St. Martins Press for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review)

Detached Review

Detached 
By: Christina Kilbourne 

Anna has always been so level-headed, so easy-going, so talented and funny. How could anyone have guessed she wanted to die?

Anna is not like other people. For one thing, she’s been an accomplished artist since she was a preschooler. For another, she’s always felt like she didn’t belong: not with other kids, not with her family, not in her body. It isn’t until her grandparents are killed in a tragic accident, however, that Anna starts to feel untethered. She begins to wonder what it would be like if she didn’t exist and the thought of escaping the aimless drifting is the only thing that brings her comfort.

When Anna overdoses on prescription pain killers the doctors realize she has been suffering from depression and start looking for a way to help her out of the desperate black hole she never thought she would escape. It’s then that rock bottom comes into sight and the journey back to normal begins.

Depression is an illness that my family has suffered from generations to generations.  That being said, I have always been weary of books that have that plot written in because I am very critical of how its portrayed.  It's not something that causes you to be sad, or a result of your parents grounding you.  It's an illness that infects your mind and turns even the brightest, most colorful days, into a dreary grey.

From the first page I absolutely fell into rhythm of this book.  Anna has what some people would say is the perfect life: two married parents who are well off, a great relationship with her brother, good grades, and a wonderful talent.  How could she be depressed?

Slowly through the pages you see the illness drive Anna deeper and deeper into this dark cloud, where the only way out in her mind is death.

I loved everything about this book from the beginning to the end.  It correctly and accurately shows depression and how you never know what is going in someone's head.  On the outside they could be happy and all smiles, but inside slowly dying.

I really connected with Anna because depression runs in my family so much, and I have been a victim of it's dark ways.  Maybe not driven to the point of suicide, but some days I have clouds of darkness too.

I suggest this book to everyone and anyone, it's important to understand depression and how it can change even the happiest of people to these shells of themselves. It was a beautiful read and will always remember it.

 September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day. This year's theme is Connect, Communicate,‎ Care. I encourage you to be part of the Conversation. 

National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255 (available 24 hours everyday)

Tell Me Three Things Review

Tell Me Three Things
By: Julie Buxbaum

Everything about Jessie is wrong. At least, that’s what it feels like during her first week as a junior at her new ultra-intimidating prep school in Los Angeles. It’s been barely two years since her mother’s death, and because her father eloped with a woman he met online, Jessie has been forced to move across the country to live with her stepmonster and her pretentious teenage son.

Just when she’s thinking about hightailing it back to Chicago, she gets an email from a person calling themselves Somebody/Nobody (SN for short), offering to help her navigate the wilds of Wood Valley High School. Is it an elaborate hoax? Or can she rely on SN for some much-needed help?

In a leap of faith—or an act of complete desperation—Jessie begins to rely on SN, and SN quickly becomes her lifeline and closest ally. Jessie can’t help wanting to meet SN in person. But are some mysteries better left unsolved?

Three Things:

(1) I may or may not have shed tears while reading this beautiful book. (2) Ever since I started reading this book I have been tempted to purchase a waffle maker. (3) I want a guy like SN in my life so badly why can't all guys be like him.

I always get emotional when reading about the loss of a parent because I'm so close to mine. There was no dry eye in my room as I read this book because if I were to ever lose one, I don't know what I would do. 

Jessie is very relatable in just the way she presents herself.  Being shy myself, and having to start over at a new school (multiple times) I felt for her.  High school is mean and people just suck all the way around.  But for the current situation she's in, she handles it pretty well (better than I would have).  Dad says he is going on a business trip and then comes back married? I would have flipped.  Like, huge tantrum, yelling, flipped out.  But Jessie carefully composes herself and tries to go along with whatever life brings her. Of course on the inside she has all her turmoil and anger built up but I mean if she didn't, she wouldn't be human.

I loved the diction in the story and how you could really connect with the main character.  You were literally inside her head and I lost count on how many times I would laugh out loud at the jokes, have an "awh" moment, or shed a few tears.  You weren't just told a story, you lived it out with Jessie. 

SN is probably my favorite person ever.  I wish I had a cute guy anonymously message me and give me tips on school, who to friend, and just have someone to talk to when I moved states.  Probably would have saved me a whole lot of trouble.  SN is everyone's dream guy and as you flip through the pages you have the same anxious feeling like Jessie does, to figure out who it is.  And believe me when you find out, you'll be pleasantly and happily surprised.

This book at first glance looked to be a cute story with a pretty cover but turned out to be SO much more. 

I wish I could just make everyone I met read this book so they could have the same bubbly feeling I had when reading it.

5/5 Stars

The Problem With Forever Review

The Problem With Forever
By: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Growing up, Mallory Dodge learned that the best way to survive was to say nothing. And even though it’s been four years since her nightmare ended, she’s beginning to worry that the fear that holds her back will last a lifetime. Now, after years of homeschooling, Mallory must face a new milestone—spending her senior year at a public high school. But she never imagined she’d run into Rider Stark, the friend and protector she hasn’t seen since childhood, on her very first day.

It doesn’t take long for Mallory to realize that the connection she shared with Rider never really faded. Yet soon it becomes apparent that she’s not the only one grappling with lingering scars from the past. And as she watches Rider’s life spiral out of control, Mallory must make a choice between staying silent and speaking out—for the people she loves, the life she wants and the truths that need to be heard.

What originally pulled me in was the beautiful water color cover.  The bright colors along with the gorgeous font of the title nabbed me into splurging a little and buying this book beauty.

The minute I opened up the first page, I was sucked in.  Armentrout's writing just pulls you in and you feel like you are with Mallory and Rider on their adventure.  She is descriptive in places she needs to be and her characters never say a single word not needed for the story to progress. 

Mallory:  Is a lovely, shy character who reminds me of myself.  The anxiety of public speaking, or speaking in general, and the over analysis of every move she makes is almost a complete replica of me.  She is a sweet girl with a huge heart that doesn't want to let anyone down. My favorite thing about the story was her character development.  The author did such an fantastic job on slowly progressing Mallory's personality until you reach the last page and feel so proud of her and what she has achieved over the four hundred or so pages.

Rider: Okay a hottie with a past with Mallory, and an over protective side? Yes.  I instantly loved him so so so so much.  Though, it was hard to get past that he had a girlfriend, because the way he treated Mallory wasn't fair to either of them.  But he quickly redeemed himself in the later pages with how thoughtful and patient he was with Mallory.  His character development wasn't as paced as Mallory and even now I think he had a while to go to get where he needed to be.  But that's the beauty of books, they allow us the imagination to think beyond the pages.

Overall this story won a 5/5 stars from me.  The plot, the diction, the characters, all fit together in this harmony that allowed me to eat up the words within two days.  Forever recommending this story and will always remember it.  Hopefully someday I can write a story as passionate and as brilliant as Jennifer did.

It Ends With Us Review

It Ends With Us

By: Colleen Hoover

Sometimes it is the one who loves you who hurts you the most.

Lily hasn’t always had it easy, but that’s never stopped her from working hard for the life she wants. She’s come a long way from the small town in Maine where she grew up—she graduated from college, moved to Boston, and started her own business. So when she feels a spark with a gorgeous neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid, everything in Lily’s life suddenly seems almost too good to be true.

Ryle is assertive, stubborn, maybe even a little arrogant. He’s also sensitive, brilliant, and has a total soft spot for Lily. And the way he looks in scrubs certainly doesn’t hurt. Lily can’t get him out of her head. But Ryle’s complete aversion to relationships is disturbing. Even as Lily finds herself becoming the exception to his “no dating” rule, she can’t help but wonder what made him that way in the first place.

As questions about her new relationship overwhelm her, so do thoughts of Atlas Corrigan—her first love and a link to the past she left behind. He was her kindred spirit, her protector. When Atlas suddenly reappears, everything Lily has built with Ryle is threatened.

With this bold and deeply personal novel, Colleen Hoover delivers a heart-wrenching story that breaks exciting new ground for her as a writer. Combining a captivating romance with a cast of all-too-human characters, It Ends With Us is an unforgettable tale of love that comes at the ultimate price.

I walked into this book knowing nothing except for the fact that it was written by my favorite author, and it was her most personal book yet.

I was nervous.  What would this be about? Would I enjoy it? Would I cry? My name Lily is the same as the main characters, would that change my opinion on it even more?

There's no way you can really prepare for the heartbreak that's bound to come with a book so I sucked it up and closed myself out for a few hours in my room.

When I emerged, I had a new perspective.

The emotion held in this story was real and raw.  Colleen didn't hold back on the characters flaws and kept throwing more things to hate and love about them.  These types of relationships happen, I've seen people go through them at even a young age in high school, to what my mother tells me of her father. 

I admit I didn't cry while reading this book, because I was too shocked at the realness this story holds for people.  I've always wondered why people don't just leave abusive situations? Why stay? Just walk out, easy and simple.  But as I cheered on Ryle and Lily, just to see them crumble, I wanted him to change, I wanted them to work out.  But the reality of it is it's simply never going to happen. I felt myself pulled into the abuse, belief in his lies. 

Survivors of abuse, people who deal with it, are extremely brave.  Not just to be in the situation but to have the strength to walk away. 

This story made me thank my parents for showing me how true love is supposed to work.  They had always told me how lucky I was, but I didn't truly realize it until now.  The biggest fight I've ever seen them in is when my dad drives and my mom freaks out when he goes a bit too fast and doesn't stop right away.

I want to hug every single person out there, no matter what they are going through.  Because you are loved.  By God, Jesus, He will never let you down.

Though it didn't have some crazy plot twist that blew your mind, it held something else.  Raw, real material of something that happens everyday to people.  Some people we may know, some we don't.

Lily's Top 10 Summer Reads

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.

Broken Dreams Series Blog Tour (Giveaway!!!)

Broken Dreams Series
By: by Elodie Nowodazkij

A Summer Like No Other

 

She’s his best friend’s little sister. He’s the biggest player of them all.

They shouldn’t be together. But this summer’s just too tempting.Sixteen-year-old Emilia Moretti’s goal for the summer is simple: forget her brother’s best friend—Nick Grawsky—ever existed. It should be easy: He’s spending his summer in the Hamptons, adding girls in tiny bikinis to his list of broken hearts. Guarantee he won’t be telling them they’re like his little sisters. This summer, Emilia won’t stay awake at night thinking about him. She’ll need flawless ballet movements to have a shot at next year’s showcase, and she’s finally ready to search for her birth parents. But when Nick decides to stay in the city, Emilia’s resolve disappears in a pirouette. Maybe it’s the spin they needed to be together. As long as she doesn’t get stuck believing in happily ever after…

Nick is tired of pretending to be the happy, let’s-have-fun guy. His father wants him to change his career from professional dancer to…lawyer. He needs to put all of his focus on dancing to prove to Daddy Dearest he’s good enough to make it big. And he may have a case of the bluest balls in history courtesy of Emilia. She’s off-limits: The bro code with Roberto even forbids the dirty thoughts he has about her. Besides, he’s not boyfriend material. He only has time for flings, for girls who don’t expect much, for girls he doesn’t want to kiss goodnight. He knows he should resist her, but he’s not sure he wants to…

At least for this summer.

It’s going to be a summer like no other.

Review:

I love dancing and am very familiar with Ballet and all forms of dance.  So to be able to read a book based on dance? Basically my two favorite things combined! This novel had the perfect amount of drama, romance, and those  cute little moments you wish you could have in real life.

You can feel the electricity between Nick and Emilia in every little pass they have in the story.  Their story unfolds in a unique and bitter-sweet way that I enjoyed. I also was intrigued of Em's longing to find her birth parents.  Two of my cousins are adopted and so I got to go on Emilia's adventure with her as she tried to find herself and where she came from.

 I love summer romances and what better thing to do while in the middle of summer, single as a pringle? Read about it.  This book was the right pick. 

Always Second Best

Sometimes being first isn’t what you expected. Seventeen-year-old ballerina Emilia Moretti is tired of always being second best. And she’s going to prove the world she deserves to be first. In her upcoming School of the Performing Arts showcase. In the eyes of her birth parents. And in the heart of the guy she loves. She spends hours rehearsing, hours dreaming about becoming number one, hours imagining how her entire life is about to change. But when nothing goes the way she planned, she’ll need to realize what it really means to be first. 

Eighteen-year-old Nick Grawski doesn’t want to follow Daddy Dearest’s rules any longer. He's going to prove he's meant to be a dancer—not a lawyer—and he is not going to stay away from Em just because his father demands it. He needs to show Em that—this time around—he’s there to stay and that he won’t break her heart again. Even when her world goes down to shit, even when he finds out his dad may have been trying to protect him all along, even if being there for one another is harder than falling in love. 

ALWAYS SECOND BEST is a novel of hope and heartbreak and broken dreams. It’s a novel about falling in love and discovering that being first isn’t always what matters.

Review:
The words in this story have the power to crush the life out of you, then slowly build you back together.  You read through the book and think you have it all figured out and la dee da when you trip and the twist hits you.  This story was read in the matters of a plane ride; I could not put it down.  It includes every single element you know and love from Modern YA and I will forever re-read it, and remember this story.

***GIVEAWAY***

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