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Review: Just Like the Movies by Kelly Fiore
Just Like the Movies by Kelly Fiore
July 22, 2014
Walker Books for Young Readers
Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank You!)
Pretty and popular track star Marijke Monti is confident about almost everything – she’s got great friends, a great family, and she’s on her way to the State Track Championship. In fact, the only thing Marijke isn’t confident about is her relationship with Tommy Lawson.
Lily Spencer has spent her entire high school career preparing for the future – she’s participated in every extracurricular activity and volunteer committee she could. But, at home, she watches her mother go on date after date with dud-dudes, still searching for “the one.” Lily realizes that she’s about to graduate and still hasn’t even had a boyfriend.
While they live on each other’s periphery at school, Lily and Marijke never seemed to have much in common; but, after a coincidental meeting at the movie theater, Lily gets an idea – why can’t life be like a movie? Why can’t they set up their perfect romantic situations, just in time for their senior prom, using movie techniques?
Once the girls come up with the perfect plans, they commit themselves to being secret cohorts and, just like in the movies, drama ensues. (Goodreads)
When I read the synopsis for Just Like the Movies I was pumped! I am a huge movie fan, especially when it comes to romantic comedies. I have seen most of the movies that the book mentions so that made it a really enjoyable read. Having said that, I mostly enjoyed Lily’s side of the story instead of Marijke’s. I found Marijke overly paranoid and a little annoying at times. Lily’s romance had that sweetness to it that made me want to keep reading. However, I did find all of the romantic movie situations amusing. This was a cute summer read and overall I found it enjoyable.
Just Like the Movies is recommended for fans of romantic comedies, first love, and friendship.
Review: Fan Art by Sarah Tregay
Fan Art by Sarah Tregay
June 17, 2014
Katherine Tegan Books
Source: Publisher via Edelweiss (Thank You!)
When the picture tells the story…
Senior year is almost over, and Jamie Peterson has a big problem. Not college—that’s all set. Not prom—he’ll find a date somehow. No, it’s the worst problem of all: he’s fallen for his best friend.
As much as Jamie tries to keep it under wraps, everyone seems to know where his affections lie, and the giggling girls in art class are determined to help Jamie get together with Mason. But Jamie isn’t sure if that’s what he wants—because as much as Jamie would like to come clean to Mason, what if the truth ruins everything? What if there are no more road trips, taco dinners, or movie nights? Does he dare risk a childhood friendship for romance?
This book is about what happens when a picture reveals what we can’t say, when art is truer than life, and how falling in love is easy, except when it’s not. Fan Art explores the joys and pains of friendship, of pressing boundaries, and how facing our worst fears can sometimes lead us to what we want most. (Goodreads)
I will admit that I have not read nearly enough LGBT young adult books. In fact, from the summary I did not even realize that it was a LGBT book thanks to the names. I assumed like a narrow-minded fool that Jamie was a girl and Mason was a boy. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised once I got into the book and kept reading. Fan Art really opened my eyes to a genre that I have not explored much. It was a really sweet romance between two best friends that needed to see what has been right in front of them all along.
Fan Art is for fans of sweet romance, art, and coming of age stories.
Review: Open Road Summer by Emery Lord
Open Road Summer by Emery Lord
April 15, 2014
Walker Childrens
Source: Purchased
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.
(Goodreads)
There is nothing I love better about summer than driving around with my windows down blaring country music on the radio. Reading Open Road Summer evoked that same feeling for me. It also reminded me a lot of the show Nashville which I enjoy watching. Dee and Reagan had a great friendship that was not overshadowed by the romance between Reagan and Matt Finch. Speaking of Matt Finch, I think he is one of my new book boyfriends now. He was so sweet and caring and not at all a bad boy. I’m not sure about all of you but sometimes I get tired of the guys from the wrong side of the tracks. I often find those story lines harder to relate to. I’d rather have a nice, smart, possibly nerdy guy. Those are the ones who make me swoon.
I wish Open Road Summer had an official playlist or better yet a soundtrack of the original songs from the book. I don’t normally put together playlists but Spotify has opened up my musical tastes lately:
Open Road Summer is recommended for fans of country music, Nashville, and songwriting boys with guitars.
Top Ten Tuesday: Books About Friendship
I haven’t done a Top Ten Tuesday post in forever but this seemed like a fun topic. Just a reminder, Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.
1. I just finished this book a few weeks ago and I freaking loved it! Dee and Reagan have a true blue friendship despite some ups and downs throughout the novel.
2. I LOVE this series so much! Kat, Mary, and Lila do some serious bonding while getting revenge.
3. Are series cheating? Well, here is another one that I will never stop raving about. Astrid, Cordelia, and Letty won me over with their 1920s charm.
4. So many great friendships in this book. Cath and Wren, Cath and Reagan, and Cath and Levi.
5. Love how Iko and Cinder can always rely on each other.
6. Rat is such a good friend to Ever and encourages her in her weight loss.
7. I enjoyed April and Vi’s crazy antics.
8. Kat and Hale forever!
9. Katie and Violet cracked me up with their shenanigans.
10. Had to throw in an adult book. Darcy and Rachel frustrate me to no end but sometimes they had a good friendship.
Review: Prisoner of Night & Fog
Prisoner of Night & Fog by Anne Blankman
April 22, 2014
Balzer+Bray
Source: Publisher via Eidelweiss
In 1930s Munich, danger lurks behind dark corners, and secrets are buried deep within the city. But Gretchen Müller, who grew up in the National Socialist Party under the wing of her “uncle” Dolf, has been shielded from that side of society ever since her father traded his life for Dolf’s, and Gretchen is his favorite, his pet.
Uncle Dolf is none other than Adolf Hitler.
And Gretchen follows his every command.
Until she meets a fearless and handsome young Jewish reporter named Daniel Cohen. Gretchen should despise Daniel, yet she can’t stop herself from listening to his story: that her father, the adored Nazi martyr, was actually murdered by an unknown comrade. She also can’t help the fierce attraction brewing between them, despite everything she’s been taught to believe about Jews.
As Gretchen investigates the very people she’s always considered friends, she must decide where her loyalties lie. Will she choose the safety of her former life as a Nazi darling, or will she dare to dig up the truth—even if it could get her and Daniel killed?
From debut author Anne Blankman comes this harrowing and evocative story about an ordinary girl faced with the extraordinary decision to give up everything she’s ever believed . . . and to trust her own heart instead. (Goodreads)
I was really excited to read Prisoner of Night & Fog ever since I heard about it a few months ago. I am normally a fan of anything to do with historical fiction and the premise of this sounded super interesting. It took me a couple chapters to really get into the story. Once the mystery started to pick up I became more engaged with the characters. I found it unique to view Hitler’s rise to power through the eyes of a young girl, Gretchen. Her budding relationship with Daniel was exciting and I feared for both of them throughout the novel. Gretchen’s mother drove me nuts with her shear lack of emotion towards her daughter. The brother has serious issues and I’m interested to see who he becomes in the second book. If you enjoy books set in 1930s Germany I would give this one a chance.
Review: Salvage by Alexandra Duncan
Salvage by Alexandra Duncan
April 1, 2014
Source: Publisher via Eidelweiss
Ava, a teenage girl living aboard the male-dominated deep space merchant ship Parastrata, faces betrayal, banishment, and death. Taking her fate into her own hands, she flees to the Gyre, a floating continent of garbage and scrap in the Pacific Ocean, in this thrilling, surprising, and thought-provoking debut novel that will appeal to fans of Across the Universe, by Beth Revis, and The Handmaid’s Tale, by Margaret Atwood. (Goodreads)
My Thoughts
I am not normally a huge science fiction fan but Salvage immediately caught my eye due to the gorgeous cover. I enjoyed the sister wife aspect, which reminded me a lot of Wither by Lauren DeStefano. Ava had a strong voice and it was great to see her grow throughout the novel. Best part is that it was a standalone and the love triangle wasn’t really all that complicated. Mumbai was a super unique setting and I loved the world that Duncan created. I really hope there is a companion novel in the works.
Stacking the Shelves (2)
Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga’s Reviews
So this weekend has been full of awesome. On Friday I bought my first iPhone and I am already in love with it. Plus, I got a great deal on a new contract, my case and protective glass cover thanks to Best Buy. Feeling like such an adult now.
The boyfriend came to visit and we spent Valentine’s Day with wine and chocolate covered strawberries. We’ve been exploring the city more but things are kinda expensive here so we spent Saturday at the main library branch. We explored three floors of books and I wanted to take all of them home with me. At least now I know just how good my library system is here so I can use it more. Here is what I picked up at the library:
Why Dukes Say I Do by Manda Collins- Excited for this new series!
How to Entice an Earl by Manda Collins- Loved the first book in this series so I’m excited to find the other two.
How to Romance a Rake by Manda Collins- This is book two in the Ugly Ducklings series. 🙂
Heartbeat by Elizabeth Scott- from Estelle@Rather Be Reading (Thank you!)
No One Else Can Have You by Kathleen Hale- Started this when I had the ARC but never finished it. Going to give it another shot.
Incarnate by Jodi Meadows- Decided to start this series since the last book finally came out.
Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland- Keep hearing such good things about this and I need a summer read that’s to all this snow.
How to Love by Katie Cotugno- Finished this last night. Review to come soon.
Where’d You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple- Adult book that I’m excited for since it’s gotten great reviews.
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn- Picked up an audiobook to listen to on my way to work.
What books did you get this week? Let me know in the comments.
Stacking the Shelves (1)
Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga’s Reviews
I tried to keep from buying anything this week but there were too many amazing releases! So yeah, I’ve already failed my not buying books resolution from one of my previous posts.
Sorry about the picture. The lighting wasn’t great in my apartment when I took this on my iPad.
The Books
Landry Park by Bethany Hagen
Omg! I’ve heard this is supposed to be like Downton Abbey which I absolutely love! So excited to read this one!
Cress by Marissa Meyer
Confession time. I STILL haven’t read Scarlet but Cress was so pretty that I couldn’t resist. Hope having this one motivates me to finally read Scarlet.
Not a Drop to Drink by Mindy McGinnis
I’ve been meaning to read this since it was first released last year and almost got to go to Mindy’s signing when she was in Dayton. After chatting with Mindy about Ohio’s crappy weather on Twitter a couple days ago, I immediately went out and bought my own copy of Not a Drop to Drink. Love the gorgeous cover and I saw this week that the cover and synopsis for the companion novel, In a Handful of Dust was released as well.
Well, hopefully these will be the last few books I buy for awhile but no promises. 🙂
Let me know in the comments what you added to your shelves this week.
Review: Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge
Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge January 28, 2014 Source: Publisher via Edelweiss
Since birth, Nyx has been betrothed to the evil ruler of her kingdom-all because of a foolish bargain struck by her father. And since birth, she has been in training to kill him.
With no choice but to fulfill her duty, Nyx resents her family for never trying to save her and hates herself for wanting to escape her fate. Still, on her seventeenth birthday, Nyx abandons everything she’s ever known to marry the all-powerful, immortal Ignifex. Her plan? Seduce him, destroy his enchanted castle, and break the nine-hundred-year-old curse he put on her people.
But Ignifex is not at all what Nyx expected. The strangely charming lord beguiles her, and his castle-a shifting maze of magical rooms-enthralls her.
As Nyx searches for a way to free her homeland by uncovering Ignifex’s secrets, she finds herself unwillingly drawn to him. Even if she could bring herself to love her sworn enemy, how can she refuse her duty to kill him? With time running out, Nyx must decide what is more important: the future of her kingdom, or the man she was never supposed to love. (Goodreads)
My Thoughts
I absolutely love anything to do with fairytale retellings and they seem to be making a huge comeback these last few years. I’ve read some amazing Beauty and the Beast stories like Beauty and Rose Daughter both by Robin McKinley. I had heard that Cruel Beauty was a unique spin on this classic tale so I knew I had to give it a shot. Well, I read Cruel Beauty in literally one sitting. Like, I stayed up until my eyes hurt and I knew work was going to be seriously rough the next day. The lack of sleep was so worth it though because the story of Nyx and Ignifex was captivating. This wasn’t a step by step retelling and I loved it for that. I couldn’t predict what was going to happen next because the story was so refreshing. I was sorry to see the end of Cruel Beauty but I’m excited for Gilded Ashes on April 1st which is set in the same world.
Literary Explorations 