Early Review - Just Like Fate by Cat Patrick & Suzanne Young

Title: Just Like Fate

Author: Cat Patrick & Suzanne Young

Series: Stand Alone

Pages: 304

Published:  August 27th 2013 by Simon Pulse 

ISBN: 9781442472716

Source: Publisher via Edelweiss

 Description: Caroline is at a crossroads. Her grandmother is sick, maybe dying. Like the rest of her family, Caroline's been at Gram's bedside since her stroke. With the pressure building, all Caroline wants to do is escape--both her family and the reality of Gram's failing health. So when Caroline's best friend offers to take her to a party one fateful Friday night, she must choose: stay by Gram's side, or go to the party and live her life.  The consequence of this one decision will split Caroline's fate into two separate paths--and she's about to live them both.  Friendships are tested and family drama hits an all-new high as Caroline attempts to rebuild old relationships, and even make a few new ones. If she stays, her longtime crush, Joel, might finally notice her, but if she goes, Chris, the charming college boy, might prove to be everything she's ever wanted.  Though there are two distinct ways for her fate to unfold, there is only one happy ending.. 

I Give This ..

The premise behind sounded great.  I really liked the idea that each fate would be written by a different author (at least that's what I am assuming happened).  I'm not really sure why, but I just wasn't as impressed with this book as I wanted to be.

I think my problem lies with Caroline.  It's painfully obvious that she's a runner.  It's easier for her to do that than to face whatever problem she might have.  Granted, I get that it is how some people cope.  But, there's really only so many times you can watch a character do it before you want to slap her.   I can't imagine having my grandmother on her death bed and choosing to leave her knowing full well she might pass away.   But, it's not the first time she has run...nor will it be the last.  

I did like the idea that no matter which fate she choose, she basically ended up at the same place.   I've always loved the idea that we might be fated to something, but the choice is up to us.  Caroline has two very different experiences to get to the end.  Although both fates definitely teach her things about herself and others.   I liked the fact that she ended up right were she needed to be.  But, I was surprised at the fate I preferred.  It wasn't the one I thought it would be.  

Overall, the story was just average to me.  I did like the idea it presents and the ending.  It just wasn't all that memorable. 

 

Review - A Want So Wicked (A Need So Beautiful, #2) by Suzanne Young

Title: A Want So Wicked

Author: Suzanne Young

Series: 2nd (A Need So Beautiful)

Pages: 288

Published: June 26th 2012 by Balzer + Bray

ISBN: 9780062008268

Source: Around The World Tours

 

Description: Elise is a normal seventeen-year-old girl until the day she wakes up in a desert park, with no idea who she is.  After that episode, her life takes a bizarre turn. She’s experiencing unexpected flashes of insight into people’s lives—people she’s never met before. Strangers frighten her with warnings about the approaching Shadows. And although Elise has never had a boyfriend, she suddenly finds herself torn between two handsome but very different young men: Abe, the charming bad boy whose affect on her both seduces and frightens her, and the mysterious Harlin, who’s new to town but with whom Elise feels an urgent, elemental connection—almost as if they are soul mates. Now Elise begins to question everything about her life. Why do these guys both want her so desperately? What are the Shadows? Why does the name Charlotte inspire a terrifying familiarity? And who is Elise, really?

I Give This ...

 

This might be a rare feat in itself.  I think I liked this one MORE than I liked A Need So Beautiful.  With the first book in the series, I didn't really love the story until the end.  This time around, I really just enjoyed the entire novel.

I think the most important aspect of this novel was the simple fact that I liked Elise.  She's trying hard to keep her family together since her mother died.  She has a wayward sister and an absent father.  When strange things start happening to her, she questions them.  And I liked that she goes to her father.  He may be absent, but I liked the relationship they do have.  Her sister was interesting too.  I think there bond with stood a lot of ups and downs between the two of them.  I was sad to see that her sister didn't turn to her in her own troubles.

I thought the paranormal aspect of the story was interesting.  I'm not sure how the whole Charlotte/Elise thing really worked.  But, I didn't really dwell on it.  I felt like Elise's need was a little different than the way it was portrayed in the first book.  I felt more connected to it.  I think my favorite part was actually the way the shadows were explained and portrayed.  It didn't take me long to figure out how it all fit into the bigger picture.  

I liked how the two romances were played out.  It never felt like a love triangle.  Maybe it was because I knew who Elise should be with.  Plus, I just really got the creeps from Abe.  I didn't like the way he talked.  Turns out I was right in the manner of his speaking.

Once again, another angel series that I will be continuing.   I love it when angel books are done right!

Review: A Need So Beautiful by Suzanne Young

Title: A Need So Beautiful

Author: Suzanne Young

Series: Stand Alone

Pages: 252

Published: Available June 21, 2011 by Balzer and Bray

ISBN: 9780062008244

Source: ARC from Around The World Tours

Description: Charlotte’s best friend thinks Charlotte might be psychic. Her boyfriend thinks she’s cheating on him. But Charlotte knows what’s really wrong: She is one of the Forgotten, a kind of angel on earth, who feels the Need—a powerful, uncontrollable draw to help someone, usually a stranger.
There have been others before who’ve felt the Need, but they’re gone—erased from the memories of everyone whose lives they had touched. It's as though they never existed. This is the fate that awaits Charlotte. But the last thing Charlotte wants to do is disappear, to be Forgotten. She wants to stay with her best friend, whose life is spiraling out of control. She wants to lie in her boyfriend’s arms forever. She wishes she could just ignore the Need, but she can’t. And as everyone important in her life begins to slowly forget her, she has to decide if she’ll fight the Need in order to remain herself—no matter how dark the consequences.

I Give This ...

 

 

This book was both frustrating and great all at the same time (well maybe not the same time).   I spent half the book wondering when it was going to get better and then the last half not able to put it down.

I had trouble with Charlotte at first.  She seems like such a ordinary person even with the need.  There didn't seem to be anything striking about her.  When the need strikes, it was played down quite a bit and even Charlotte's tries to write them off as asthma attacks.  Her rich best friend trying desperately to get daddy's attention seemed so cliche.  And I wasn't really found of the casual sexual relations throughout the book.  Especially in light of what Charlotte really is.

About half way through, I completely changed my mind.  I enjoyed learning what Charlotte really is and what is to become of her.  I liked how she struggles against it, even to the point that it physically makes her ill.  I started to enjoy her relationship with Harlin.  It seemed so physical at first, but I started to see the true depth especially at the end.  I was intrigued by the idea of those around her starting to forget her.  At first it's just the little moments, but then more.

In the end, I was surprised.  For a book that started out as nothing special, I would read it again just for the end.  The story wraps up so beautifully, but leaves room for me.  So, if there's another one...I will read it.