Review: All the Rage by Courtney Summers

All the Rage by Courtney Summers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love Courtney Summers. She knows how to tackle tough subjects. But, even this one was hard for me to read. Mainstream society is getting better about handling rape, but it's still not were it should be. I'm afraid what happens in this book happens far to frequently. Society has a tendency to blame the victim. It's easy to look away.

I really felt for Romy. She's just trying to move forward. She's constantly the target for intense teasing and ridicule. I can't even begin to imagine all the internal turmoil she would go through on a daily basis. It's too much for any one person to bear. I think her mother really tries to help her, but she doesn't know how to reach her.

The side story of the missing girl felt a little bit like filler. I didn't mind it because it did weave into the story in a way. I would have like more redemption and forgiveness for Romy when it came to that situation.

Over, it was a very good read.

View all my reviews

Review - Torn Away by Jennifer Brown

Title: Torn Away

Author: Jennifer Brown

Series: Stand Alone

Pages: 288

Published: May 6th 2014 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers 

ISBN: 9780316245531

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

Description: Jersey Cameron has always loved a good storm. Watching the clouds roll in and the wind pick up. Smelling the electricity in the air. Dancing barefoot in the rain. She lives in the Midwest, after all, where the weather is sure to keep you guessing. Jersey knows what to do when the tornado sirens sound. But she never could have prepared for this.  When her town is devastated by a tornado, Jersey loses everything. As she struggles to overcome her grief, she's sent to live with relatives she hardly knows-family who might as well be strangers. In an unfamiliar place, can Jersey discover that even on the darkest of days, there are some things no tornado can destroy? 

I Give This ...

One should not read books about the loss of loved ones when you've recently experienced it yourself.  Or maybe you should because it helps you come to better terms with how you are feeling about your own loss.  Whatever the case may be, I deeply felt the pain Jersey goes through in this book.

I enjoyed our brief introduction to Jersey before tragedy struck home.  I think the point of making her the typical girl made the story that much more devastating.  Her life isn't perfect, so that can make her anybody.  It shows that death knows no bounds and will take anybody.   I admired her courage as the tornado was ripping over her, her determination to stay put because she knew that's were her family would come looking for her. I felt her deep sorrow when she discovered her mother and sister were gone and the joy she felt when she found her step-father.  

And then the story turns some more because all that wasn't enough for Jersey to go through.  Part of me really wanted to hate Jersey's stepdad.  But, he wasn't coping well with his grief and thought the best thing for her was to live with her biological father.  This is a man she's never met and family who obviously resents everything about her.   They were awful is so many ways.  I had high hopes that her stepfather would recognize this and come and get her.  

At this point, I was beginning to wonder if Jersey would find some sort of peace in this chaos the world had left her in.  She ends up at her mother's parents house.  She's indifferent here and determined not to show any sort of emotion.  But, she's having a hard time matching these people with the imagine her mother left her.  Slowly she begins to understand that maybe family changes over time.  Her mother and sister may be gone, but they can still live on in her and the people around her.  How she chooses to remember them is up to her.

A beautifully written and powerful book.  I savored it until the last page was done.  I apparently need to  read more of Jennifer Brown.

 

Review - On the Fence by Kasie West

Title: On The Fence

Author: Kasie West

Series: Stand Alone

Pages: 296

Published: July 1st 2014 by HarperTeen 

ISBN:  9780062235671

Source: Publisher via Edelweiss

 

Description: For sixteen-year-old Charlotte Reynolds, aka Charlie, being raised by a single dad and three older brothers has its perks. She can outrun, outscore, and outwit every boy she knows—including her longtime neighbor and honorary fourth brother, Braden. But when it comes to being a girl, Charlie doesn't know the first thing about anything. So when she starts working at chichi boutique to pay off a speeding ticket, she finds herself in a strange new world of makeup, lacy skirts, and BeDazzlers. Even stranger, she's spending time with a boy who has never seen her tear it up in a pickup game.  To cope with the stress of faking her way through this new reality, Charlie seeks late-night refuge in her backyard, talking out her problems with Braden by the fence that separates them. But their Fence Chats can't solve Charlie's biggest problem: she's falling for Braden. Hard. She knows what it means to go for the win, but if spilling her secret means losing him for good, the stakes just got too high. 

I Give This ...

I've read Kasie West's debut novel but haven't managed to get to anything else written by here (even the second book in her series).  I've been interested in her contemporary work, so I decided this would fit the bill.  Plus, I like the idea of the boy next door.

I liked Charlotte from the first few pages.  I didn't really identify with her, but I felt her personality really jumped off the pages.  I liked how at ease with her brothers.  I liked that her dad gives her a challenge because to help her learn a lesson.  Part of me does wish it would have been a little harder for her to find a job, but I enjoyed the job that was available to her.  I think it taught her a lot about who she was, who she could be, and what she wanted.  

Honestly, I wasn't sure what part of the story I enjoyed more...the boy or the job.  You see, I think the job is a big part of the story her.  Charlie didn't have to be just a tomboy.  She was allowed to be feminine whenever she felt like it.  But, she was so afraid that her brothers would give her a hard time.  Her job allowed her to explore that side that I think she hadn't wanted to for a long time.  

And then there's the boy.  Braden is the typical boy next door.  I love that he is so close to her brothers that there's really no separation to them and him.  I think Charlie has always noticed him, but never give him much thought until they started their late night talks at the fence.  But, Charlie has a hard time ready his intentions.  She's never had much practice ready boys off the field.

I also enjoyed the two surprise twists in the story.  One, I had a feeling about given the hints and dreams that Charlie kept having about the accident that killed her mom.  The other one was a given considering Charlie has 3 older brothers.  I'm sure they thought they were protecting her.  Overall, I loved this story.  I have another one of her contemporaries that I need to read as soon as possible.  

 

Review - No Alligators in Sight by Kirsten B. Feldman

Title: No Alligators in Sight

Author: Kirsten B. Feldman

Series: Stand Alone

Pages: 232

Published: November 25th 2013 by KBFeldman Books 

ISBN: 9781492792192

Source: Author for honest review

Description: In this coming of age novel, Lettie and Bert squeak by in a tiny town on Cape Cod, one parent an alcoholic and the other absent. After a string of bad decisions on Lettie’s part, their father ships them to their barely remembered mother for the summer, where they will learn hard lessons about themselves, their family, and their future by way of the Florida swamp. Throughout Lettie keeps her biting humor flowing, her razor-sharp pen at the ready, and her eye on her quest for a “normal” life. 

I Give This ...

I'm always a little wary of self published books, which in the growing age of self publishing maybe I should be open.  I had nothing to fear with this one.  I loved this coming of age book.

Lettie has a lot of pent up anger directed at everybody.  She was forced to grow up to quickly in order to take care of herself and her little brother Ben.  She never got to be a child herself, a fact that is really easy to place the blame on her father.  He's there and he's not the best of parents.  It's easy to idolize and fantasize about their mother who left them.  If if she knows the truth is far from this fantasy.  But, when Lettie gets caught shoplifting, her father decides maybe a little hard truth is what she needs.  

What floored me at first was that I had no idea that the absent mother might actually be worse than the father.  Within a couple chapters, I realized that maybe Lettie's dad was trying to protect them the only way he knew how.  He may have been an alcoholic, but he did love them.  I kept waiting for some moment to happen for Lettie's mother to wake up a realize what they were doing.  I hated that it was so obvious how much she favored Bert (not in a way the deterred from the story if you know what I mean).  I hated the way her husband didn't care about them.  But, most of all I was disgusted when they dumped her at the airport expecting her to find her own way home with out so much as a backwards glance.

Despite the events that lead to Lettie being send home, I was happy to see that maybe it opened up her dad's eyes a little.  She needed a father and he was right there.  I think he was making the right choices to better their lives, although I wish it would have happened sooner.  I'm not sure on the ending though.  Part of me is hoping for the bridge to be built while the other part thinks there's no freakin way. 

 

Review - Nantucket Red (Nantucket #2) by Leila Howland

Title: Nantucket Red

Author: Leila Howland

Series: 2nd (Nantucket Blue)

Pages: 288

Published: May 13th 2014 by Disney-Hyperion 
ISBN: 9781423160953
Source: Publisher via Netgalley

Description: When Cricket is offered the chance to earn enough cash to afford a real college experience, she heads back to Nantucket for the summer. But the faraway island challenges Cricket in ways she hadn't anticipated. It's hard to focus on earning money for next year, when she finds her world opening up in entirely new ways-to art, to travel, and, most unexpectedly, to a future completely different from the one she has been working toward her whole life. A friendship blossoms with Ben, the gorgeous surfer and bartender who encourages Cricket to be free, even as she smarts at the pain of seeing Zack, her first love, falling for her worst enemy.  But one night, when Cricket finally lets herself break all her own rules, she realizes she may have ruined her carefully constructed future with one impulsive decision. Cricket must dig deep to fight for her future, discovering that success isn't just about reaching goals, but also about listening to what she's been trying to ignore-her own heart.

I Give This ...

I'm a sucked for the word red in a title for some reason.  Chances are that if it's in the title, I will pick it up and read the description.  That's what happened here and realizing I needed to read Nantucket Blue first.  Well worth the mistake.

This one picks up right were the first one ended.  But, then we are rushed right through Cricket's senior year.  It kind of through me off a little at first, but I adjusted when I realized the important time frames were there.  Zack went off to an exclusive boarding and school and Cricket decided absolutely no contact (they even deleted each other off Facebook).  They saw each briefly at Thanksgiving and Zack tried to rekindle their romance.  Cricket basically blew him off, so I didn't blame him for moving on.  For Cricket to expect him to wait was putting a lot of pressure on him.  

I liked how Cricket was handed this opportunity.  She's worked really hard to earn a scholarship, but we all know Ivy League are pricey.  She's willing to live at home just to make sure she can do it.  But, she's given the chance to live the whole experience, if she can make the money to pay half the balance.   And this is were she ends up at Nantucket, because were else can she make that much money in a short summer.

I felt that Cricket really grew in this book.  She realizes what she wants in love and that maybe she was wrong to push away Zack.  I don't think she every really cared for Ben either.  I think it was the older guy thing and hoping to make Zack jealous.  And think she also learned that  you have to have a little fun in your life or you might let loose too much at the wrong time.  Every choice you make has consequences even if at the time it seems like no big deal.

A great second book in the series and a great summer beach read.  I'll have to put this author on my watch for list!

 

 

Review - Catch a Falling Star by Kim Culbertson

Title: Catch A Falling Star

Author: Kim Culbertson

Series: Stand Alone

Pages: 304

Published: April 29th 2014 by Point 

ISBN: 9780545627047

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

Description: Nothing ever happens in Little, CA. Which is just the way Carter Moon likes it. But when Hollywood arrives to film a movie starring former child star turned PR mess Adam Jakes, everything changes. Carter's town becomes a giant glittery set and, much to her annoyance, everyone is starry-eyed for Adam. Carter seems to be the only girl not falling all over herself to get a glimpse of him. Which apparently makes her perfect for the secret offer of a lifetime: playing the role of Adam's girlfriend while he's in town, to improve his public image, in exchange for a hefty paycheck. Her family really needs the money and so Carters agrees. But it turns out Adam isn't at all who she thought he was. As they grow closer, their relationship walks a blurry line between what's real and what's fake, and Carter must open her eyes to the scariest of unexplored worlds - her future. Can Carter figure out what she wants out of life AND get the guy? Or are there no Hollywood endings in real life? 

 I Give This ...

After a book like this, I'm always reminded that I should read more contemporary.  Or maybe it's just Kim Culbertson.  She has a knack for making me feel like a teenager again, one that's just discovered the "it" person.  It kind of makes me feel giddy.

I think Carter fully believes nothing good can ever happen to her.  Probably because she's thinks it's her personal job to save the world.  Hence her agreement with Adam Jakes to be his girlfriend while he's filming his new movie.  Adam has had a little bit of a PR problem and a little bit of the small town/girl next door might be just what he needs.  What neither of them counted on was how they might really feel about each other by the end of the summer.

I liked how this satisfied every teenage girls dream of meeting the hot superstar guy.  I liked how it made it seem real because it's not your typical boy meet girl, boy falls for girl story.  Adam has many faces and its extremely hard for Carter to see which one is real.  Plus, I completely understood that Carter feels that she can never be enough for Adam.  I also liked that Adam doesn't completely trust Carter either.  It must be hard for him to believe that she's not out for something else.

I really liked how each character how depth beyond their relationship.  Adam has to realize that his actions have consequences.  Being in the limelight means every move is analyzed beyond its original context.  Carter needs to realize that she has dreams beyond her family and her small town and it's ok to go out and fulfill them.   Fear shouldn't be what hold them back.

I'll continue to read Kim Culberston.  She has just the right blend of things I love in contemporary young adult.  

 

Review - Great by Sara Benincasa

Title: Great

Author: Sara Benincasa

Series: Stand Alone

Pages: 263

Published: April 8th 2014 by HarperTeen 

ISBN: 9780062222695

Source: Publisher via Edelweiss

Description: Naomi Rye usually dreads spending the summer with her socialite mother in East Hampton. This year is no different. She sticks out like a sore thumb among the teenagers who have been summering (a verb only the very rich use) together for years. But Naomi finds herself captivated by her mysterious next-door neighbor, Jacinta. Jacinta has her own reason for drawing close to Naomi-to meet the beautiful and untouchable Delilah Fairweather. But Jacinta's carefully constructed world is hiding something huge, a secret that could undo everything. And Naomi must decide how far she is willing to be pulled into this web of lies and deception before she is unable to escape.

I Give This ...

 

 I was a little hesitant after noticing a couple reviews.  But, I decided to give it a go anyway.  I'm ended up really enjoying the story.  Perhaps the fact that I've never read The Great Gatsby helps in that regard.  

I found Naomi to be interesting.  I wondered if she picked the opposite of what a socialite would wear, act, etc. just to see how far she could push her mother.  It seemed like she didn't want to give this world a chance at all.  It wasn't until an outsider latched on and pulled her into this world was she able to see that it might have something to offer her.  She changes the way she dresses, donning the outfits her mother has filled her closets with.  She starts to ignore her friends at home, instead complaining when Jacinta and Delilah begin to exclude her from their plans.  It made her seem shallow at times, but I think she was just confused in how to meld these two sides of her self.

Jacinta was the character I never quite understood throughout this.  She was expecting a lot in return for throwing a few wild parties.  But, I think it goes to show that sometimes old grudges and impressions run dip and that it takes more than a few years and money to look past that.  It was also a sad reminder that even the best of us are going to look out for ourselves when put under the light.  It was sad to see how this destroyed Jacinta in the process.  I wish she would have been stronger than that though.

I seem to be one of the few that thought this was pretty good.  I sometimes think that putting in the category of a contemporary retelling of a classic can put a lot of pressure on a book.   

 

Review - Tease by Amanda Maciel

Author: Tease

Author: Amanda Maciel

Series: Stand Alone

Pages: 328

Published: April 29th 2014 by Balzer + Bray 

Published: 9780062305305

ISBN:9780062305305

Source: Publisher via Edelweiss

Description: Emma Putnam is dead, and it's all Sara Wharton's fault. At least, that's what everyone seems to think. Sara, along with her best friend and three other classmates, has been criminally charged for the bullying and harassment that led to Emma's shocking suicide. Now Sara is the one who's ostracized, already guilty according to her peers, the community, and the media. In the summer before her senior year, in between meetings with lawyers and a court-recommended therapist, Sara is forced to reflect on the events that brought her to this moment—and ultimately consider her own role in an undeniable tragedy. And she'll have to find a way to move forward, even when it feels like her own life is over.  

I Give This ...

  This book was really hard for me to rate.  It just goes to show you that its possible to enjoy a story and dislike the main character.  

I thought this was an excellent book about bullying.  In this day and age its a very real thing that is occurring everyday.  It was emotional to read from cover to cover.  I was floored over and over again at the tactics Sara, Brielle, and their friends display towards Emma.  It's disturbing to think that teens exhibit this kind of behavior and think there is nothing wrong with it.  In fact, even after Emma's death, they still continue to blame her for what has happened.

It's hard to like Sara at any point in time in this book.  But at the same time, I think Sara might have been just as manipulated as Emma was.  Brielle knew she was in command and how to get just what she wanted.  She could warp the situation to make those around her believe that Emma really was the problem. Sara makes excuse after excuse for her behavior, never looking at her own actions.  

I think this might become a must read for teens.   It can lead to great discussion and show how the actions may make others feel.  They may think they are doing no harm, but that is obviously far from the truth.  I think this book can be paired well with Thirteen Reasons Why. 

 

 

 

Review - Unstoppable (The Nature of Grace #3) by S.R. Johannes

Title: Unstoppable

Author: S.R. Johannes

Series: 3rd (Untraceable, Uncontrollable) 
Pages: 275

Published: June 3rd 2014 by Coleman & Stott 

Source: Author for Tour

Description:  After everything that has happened, Grace moves to the Everglades to live with her grandmother, Birdee, and hang out with old man Rex, Birdee's "friend with benefits". Grace quickly befriends Dylan, Rex's nephew, and Dylan's girlfriend, Sadie, who is a die-hard teen activist. Sadie spends her time leading protests against the roadside zoos that run rampant in Florida with a total disregard for animals or the flimsy law. One day while out in the marshes of the Everglades, Grace and her friends rescue an abused—and endangered—Florida panther. She and Birdee spend time rehabilitating the animal. But when the panther runs off, Grace follows it to Uncle Bob's, a large roadside zoo they all have been protesting. One that is illegally filled with a variety of endangered and exotic animals. Before she can rescue the panther, she and her friends are kidnapped by the ruthless owner and dragged deep into the Everglades for a hunting challenge.  Only this time, Grace is the prey. During a sick game of cat and mouse, Grace and her friends are offered one chance at survival, but only if they reach civilization before being caught. With a small head start and very little supplies, only time and skill stand between the hunter and the hunted. But out in the Everglades, there may be more dangers than Grace realizes. Against all odds, Grace must make it out alive and win, or everything she holds dear could be lost.

I Give This ...

As with the previous two books in the series, this one was non stop action until the very end.  Grace has a habit of finding herself in impossible places to protect the animals she loves.

I would have hoped that Grace could manage to stay on the down low while living with her grandmother in the Everglades.  But no, instead she attends a protest lead by the mayor's daughter.  Did not not occur to a single one of them that it might be a bad idea?  A prime example of not realizing the power of the media for sure.  For once though, I wondered if Grace finally tangled with the wrong person.  Evil couldn't possible when out this time.

Despite the evil intent of the hunting challenge, I thoroughly enjoyed it.  Reminded me of a story I read in English class is junior high (I can not remember the name of it now).  I was impressed with Grace's skills even though she has demonstrated them time and time again.  Her father taught her well and it's showcased in this book quite prominently.  She's at home in the wild as much as anywhere else.

I was intrigued by the pop up zoos that seem to dot the Florida landscape.  These types of displays are horrible.  We had something similar near were I live when I was a child.  I distinctly remember their Ligers and the events that followed when these animals attacked their owners and escaped into the woods.  I have no respect for my fellow man that doesn't respect that animals of the world.  

This has been an enlightening series for me to read.   I've enjoyed being a part of this from the very beginning!   

 

 

Review - Nantucket Blue (Nantucket #1) by Leila Howland

Title: Nantucket Blue

Author: Leila Howland

Series: 1

Pages: 294

Published:  May 7th 2013 by Disney Hyperion 

ISBN: 9781423160519

Source: Purchased

Description: For Cricket Thompson, a summer like this one will change everything. A summer spent on Nantucket with her best friend, Jules Clayton, and the indomitable Clayton family. A summer when she’ll make the almost unattainable Jay Logan hers. A summer to surpass all dreams. Some of this turns out to be true. Some of it doesn’t. When Jules and her family suffer a devastating tragedy that forces the girls apart, Jules becomes a stranger whom Cricket wonders whether she ever really knew. And instead of lying on the beach working on her caramel-colored tan, Cricket is making beds and cleaning bathrooms to support herself in paradise for the summer. But it’s the things Cricket hadn’t counted on--most of all, falling hard for someone who should be completely off-limits--that turn her dreams into an exhilarating, bittersweet reality. A beautiful future is within her grasp, and Cricket must find the grace to embrace it. If she does, her life could be the perfect shade of Nantucket blue.

I Give This ...

When I requested Nantucket Red, I didn't realize that it was the second book in the series.  I debated just reading that, but decided that this one sounded great so I purchased it.  I ended up loving it!

At first I wasn't sure what to think of Cricket.  I thought she may have been to dependent on her best friend Jules and her family.  I get that the loss of Jules' mother was devastating for Cricket too, but it's like she never thought to recognize that her friend needed to grieve.  And if she needed to do it without Cricket, so be it. So she follows the Clayton's to Nantucket, thinking that she's just what Jules needs.  She wasn't expecting her to slam the door in her face.

I actually think that the whole experience was good for Cricket.  It forced her to do something on her own. I liked that she stayed on Nantucket, got a job and a place to stay, and made friends that weren't just a part of Jules' circle.  I loved that in her repeated attempts to makes Jules see her, she keeps running into someone else.  And in those meetings, Cricket's begins to realize that everything she had every dreamed of can happen.  But, is it worth it?   She tries to tell herself repeatedly that it's just a summer fling and no one has to know. 

As with all things that are kept a secret, everything blows up in Cricket's face.  I saw it coming and loved how it all played out.  I think it showed Cricket how she felt about everybody involved and how far she was willing to go to keep it. 
 

This was the perfect summer read.  I'm ready to read the next one!

 

Review - This Side of Salvation by Jeri Smith-Ready

Title: This Side of Salvation

Author: Jeri Smith-Ready

Series: Stand Alone

Pages: 384

Published: April 1st 2014 by Simon Pulse 

ISBN: 9781442439481

Source: Publisher via Edelweiss

Description: Everyone mourns differently. When his older brother was killed, David got angry. As in, fist-meets-someone-else’s-face furious. But his parents? They got religious. David’s still figuring out his relationship with a higher power, but there’s one thing he does know for sure: The closer he gets to new-girl Bailey, the better, brighter, happier, more he feels. Then his parents start cutting all their worldly ties to prepare for the Rush, the divine moment when the faithful will be whisked off to Heaven…and they want David to do the same. David’s torn. There’s a big difference between living in the moment and giving up his best friend, varsity baseball, and Bailey—especially Bailey—in hope of salvation. But when he comes home late from prom, and late for the Rush, to find that his parents have vanished, David is in more trouble than he ever could have imagined... 

 

I Give This ...

There's a lot of things that drew me to this book.  It's not uncommon for those who experience loss to immerse themselves in religion.  I think most of the time this can be an truly uplifting experience.  But, I was curious as to the circumstances that may occur in this book.

I really liked David.  He's been through a traumatic experience and it's no wonder that he begins to question God.  He even goes as far as to mock God publicly.  But because of a series of events, David begins to become to devout in his faith.  So when his parents start to follow a questionable religious figure, he views it as another test of his faith.  He's willing to go the extra mile to keep his family intact, even when its at the expense of his own happiness.  He doubts the Rush is real, but he has no way to convince his parents (especially his dad) that they might be duped.  

I enjoyed how the idea of the Rush was set up.  I felt the author did a great job of making sure the reader recognizes the hoax behind the Rush.  I did wonder if the parents were in on the event, and was pleased to discover the truth behind the events.  I also appreciated that I never felt like the book was making fun of the idea of the Rapture.  David believes wholeheartedly in the bible and what it tells us.  And I appreciated how the matter was handled.

I loved how throughout this entire process, David never looses faith.  He realizes that his dad's faith has become something unhealthy.  But, he never waivers.  I think he even brings his sister back to the folds.

Review - Four Seconds to Lose (Ten Tiny Breaths #3) by K.A. Tucker

Title: Four Seconds to Lose

Author: K.A. Tucker

Series: 3rd (Ten Tiny Breaths, One Tiny Lie)

Pages: 400
Published: April 1st 2014 by Atria Books

ISBN: 9781476740492

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

Description: Owning a strip club isn’t the fantasy most guys expect it to be. With long hours, a staff with enough issues to keep a psych ward in business, and the police regularly on his case, twenty-nine-year-old Cain is starting to second guess his unspoken mission to save the women he employs. And then blond, brown-eyed Charlie Rourke walks through his door, and things get really complicated. Cain abides by a strict “no sleeping with the staff” rule. But being around Charlie challenges Cain’s self-control…and it’s been a long time since any woman has done that. Twenty-two-year-old Charlie Rourke needs a lot of money, really fast, in order to vanish before it’s too late. Taking her clothes off for men makes her stomach curl but Charlie tells herself that at least she’s putting her acting and dancing skills to good use. And though her fellow dancers seem eager to nab their sexy, sophisticated, and genuinely caring boss, she’s not interested. After all, Charlie Rourke doesn’t really exist—and the girl pretending to be her can't get distracted by romance. Unfortunately, Charlie soon discovers that developing feelings for Cain is inevitable, and that those feelings may not be unrequited—but losing him when he finds out what she’s involved with will be more painful than any other sentence awaiting her.

 I Give This ...

I'm invested in this series.  I've loved every character we've met so far.  I was particularly curious about Cain.  What led him to life he's chosen?  I had a feeling his history was sad, and I was right.

Cain has made it his mission to save women who have fallen on hard times.  And what better way to find those women than by owning a strip club?   Women who work in this business are in need of the fast cash.  Cain wants to me the one to set them up for future success.  He keeps them out of drugs, away from abusive boyfriends, and basically helps them see the woman they are meant to be.  He's trying hard to earn redemption for the two women he wasn't able to protect, his sister and Penny.

I wasn't sure what to think of Charlie for a long time.  I wasn't sure if she was completely naive or really was in so deep there was no way out.  It just didn't sit well with me that it took so long for her to see her stepdad for who he really was.  But, then again, being that close to that type of person and seeing what he is truly capable of had to be frightening.  I found it interesting that she thought she could keep this other world hidden from Cain especially.  She picked his club because it seemed "safer" in many ways, but in all reality it brought everything to a head.

All three books have different tones so far.  This one is far grittier and darker.  Cain's past is not pretty and he's willing to go the distance to protect Charlie, something that makes me deeply curious how Charlie would react if she knew the truth.   And while Charlie has a lot of guilt for what she is doing...her answer was to save enough money to run and hide.  Forget taking dear old daddy down, it's every women for herself.

There's a lot of sexual tension (and sex) in this story, and not only between Charlie and Cain.  It seems Cain has some intense desires and interesting ways to satisfy those needs.  But, I think it's a way of staying detached and lets him not care.  Plus, there's just a lot of verbal comments.  I never felt like it was too over the top though.

I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.  I love series that are connected but focus on different characters!

Review - Torn (Torn #1) by K.A. Robinson

Title: Torn

Author: K.A. Robinson

Series: 1st

Pages: 268

Published: September 3rd 2013 by Atria Books

ISBN:  9781476752136

Source:  Publisher via Netgaller
 

Description: Chloe hasn't had the best life. With a mother who is gone more often than not, she has had to raise herself. After graduating high school, she leaves to start a new life away at West Virginia University with her best friends Amber and Logan, determined to leave her demons in the past.  On her first day, she meets a stranger who takes her breath away at first sight. Until she met Drake, no one had ever sparked her interest. Now this tattooed and pierced bad boy is all she can think about, no matter how hard she fights it. Falling for Drake was never part of her plans, but when it happens, things seem to do anything but fall into place. Dealing with a tragic past, Drake has never cared about anyone else but himself and his band. But when Chloe takes the empty seat next to him in class, things start to change. Instantly drawn to her, he begins to wonder if one girl can take a cold hearted womanizer and change every part of him?


I Give This ...

Hmm...This book really wasn't what I was expecting.  Then again, I wasn't sure what genre it fit into.  Although, it didn't take long before I realized that this fits solidly into the new adult genre.  It's a niche that I enjoy.  

I liked Chloe for the most part.  I can't imagine the life she's had to live up until the time she met Amber.  Her mom is a complete wreck and causes Chloe a lot of pain.   It's amazing that Amber's parents are able to recognize all Chloe has to offer and have the means to take in a teenager with that kind of background.  But, as much as Chloe tries to live without the shadow of her past, she makes a lot of mistakes trying to prove she isn't her mother.

I found it interesting how oblivious she is to Logan's true feelings.  If everyone else knew how he felt, I imagine he's jealous tendencies had reared their ugly head before.  I had to admire his loyalty to Chloe, he stuck by her no matter what.  He hoped that one day she would see him as he saw her.  But, I found some of his controlling ways a little overbearing.  Chloe needed to make her own mistakes with our him hovering over her.

I loved Drake, but not because I have a thing for the bad boys.  I think he was trying hard to live up to the reputation he had created for himself.  By behaving the way he did, he kept anybody from getting close to him.  But, Chloe got to him and he had a hard time putting up those walls he had worked so hard to build.   

I know lots of readers loved Logan, but I felt like the relationship was forced.  I never though Chloe had true feelings for him.  She entered the relationship because everyone felt like she should, that Logan was the perfect match.  I don't condone cheating, but it was inevitable int his situation.

I'll have to seek out the next one.  I'm curious what chaos can come next!

Review - And We Stay by Jenny Hubbard

Title: And We Stay

Author: Jenny Hubbard

Series: Stand Alone

Pages: 240

Published: January 28th 2014 by Delacorte Press

ISBN: 9780385740579

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

Description: When high school senior Paul Wagoner walks into his school library with a stolen gun, he threatens his girlfriend Emily Beam, then takes his own life. In the wake of the tragedy, an angry and guilt-ridden Emily is shipped off to boarding school in Amherst, Massachusetts, where she encounters a ghostly presence who shares her name. The spirit of Emily Dickinson and two quirky girls offer helping hands, but it is up to Emily to heal her own damaged self.  This inventive story, told in verse and in prose, paints the aftermath of tragedy as a landscape where there is good behind the bad, hope inside the despair, and springtime under the snow.

I Give This ...

I was worried how this book would portray these events.  It's a  was delicate subject for sure.  It was lacking in the details and emotion I wanted.  And their are a few chain of events that just didn't sit well with me.

I never fully understood how Paul ended up shooting himself.  The events are told through flashbacks.  I almost would have liked something that expressed Paul's thoughts because Emily feels so disconnected from all of this.  His actions seem so intense for what happened.  I think he was trying to get his feeling heard and noticed, but either the author didn't convey this moment well....or Paul never meant to hurt anybody.  So, we're back to how did he end up shooting himself?  In the stomach no less.  I don't think that's a "normal" route to suicide.  

I did think Emily's emotions were completely valid.  I just didn't like how she got to were she was.  I think she handled the entire situation very poorly.  I'm not saying Paul's death is her fault.  I just think there are a lot of other ways she could have handled this.  Her parents reacted to the issues poorly as well.  But, in light of all of these, it's no wonder that Emily goes into a deep depression.  It's a lot of for any person to handle.

I think this book could have been great.  And maybe it's my own personal thoughts on certain events that happen in this book that sway my opinion.  It just wasn't all that I had hoped it would be. 

 

Review - The Color of Heaven (The Color of Heaven Series #1) by Julianne MacLean

Title: The Color of Heaven

Author: Juliane MacLean

Pages: 316

Published: January 23rd 2011 by Julianne MacLean

ISBN: 9780986842221

Source: Sent for honest review

Description: Sophie Duncan is a successful columnist whose world falls apart after her daughter's unexpected illness and her husband's shocking affair. When it seems nothing else could possibly go wrong, her car skids off an icy road and plunges into a frozen lake. There, in the cold, dark depths of the water, Sophie experiences something profound and extraordinary--something that unlocks the secrets from her past, and teaches her what it means to truly live.

I Give This ...

I was contacted by another author wondering if I would be interested in reviewing a fellow author's friends work.  It seems she already had a few books under her built but was trying a different genre under a pseudonym.  I'm not usually one for chick lit, but the titles and descriptions intrigued me.  I decided to give the first in the series a shot.

First off, this was a surprisingly light book despite the topic.  Yes there are some moments of doom and gloom, but the overall tone if the book was uplifting.  It was almost to a fault because at times the book didn't feel very adult like.  But, I think that's because grief has torn Sophie down so far she's a shell of herself.  So we see a side of Sophie that is not necessarily the true Sophie.

The death of Sophie's daughter is heartbreaking.  I can't imagine what this mother went through and maybe that's what I identified with the most.  Her idiotic husband drove me nuts.  It sounds like he wrote of his daughter long before she was gone.  His way of dealing with his grief I"m sure.  But, by acting this way he managed to make his wife feel even worse.

I wasn't surprised by the events at the bottom of the lake.   It didn't take me long to pin down what was actually happening.  But, I found it very sweet.  It helped Sophie deal with things in her past, not just her daughter's death.  From that, she was able to move forward.  And maybe...she'll also be able to truly live again.

    

Review - Bang (Visions #2) by Lisa McMann

Title: Bang

Author: Lisa McMann

Series: 2nd (Crash)

Pages: 256

Published:  October 8th 2013 by Simon Pulse 

ISBN: 9781442466258

Source: Publisher via Edelweiss

 

Description: Jules should be happy. She saved a lot of people’s lives and she’s finally with Sawyer, pretty much the guy of her dreams. But the nightmare’s not over, because she somehow managed to pass the psycho vision stuff to Sawyer. Excellent. Feeling responsible for what he’s going through and knowing that people’s lives are at stake, Jules is determined to help him figure it all out. But Sawyer’s vision is so awful he can barely describe it, much less make sense of it. All he can tell her is there’s a gun, and eleven ear-splitting shots. Bang. Jules and Sawyer have to work out the details fast, because the visions are getting worse and that means only one thing: time is running out. But every clue they see takes them down the wrong path. If they can’t prevent the vision from happening, lives will be lost. And they may be among the casualties… 

I Give This ...

I have extremely conflicting emotions about this one.  And separating those emotions and evaluating the book for what it was proved to be harder than I thought.  There was that nagging thought in the back of my head that really bugged me.

On one hand, I actually felt that this story was an improvement over the first book.  Jules and Sawyer are acting a little bit more their age.  Their family dynamics are crazy, but they are both pushing the boundaries that I think they should.  And maybe some they shouldn't.  Jules starts lying about almost everything.  But, she can't explain the visions and the need she feels to solve the riddle being seen.  And she's not about to give up Sawyer for their families stupid feuds.  Sawyer is standing up for himself and I'm curious how this might play out in the next book.  He's taken a drastic measure that has some big consequences.

The events of the story are well played out.  The visions seem way less specific this time and are harder to decipher.  This really seems to effect Sawyer and I would not want to see what he sees on repeat all the time.  I admired their courage to see it through even placing themselves in significant danger just to help those in the vision.  They really saved a lot of lives and trauma.

What really bothered me about this, was that I often wondered if this was too soon for this type of event to be written out in literature this way?  I seem to be the only one that has been mentioned this in reviews, so maybe I'm the only one that feels the events of December 2012 are still to raw.  I really wanted to know if the author already had this book partially (or fully) written when Sandy Hook happened or did this come after?  It's something that has weighed on my mind.

I let my emotions ride and decided to give the book its dues.  I liked it despite the emotions it made me feel.  I all enjoyed the hook at the end.  It had a very Final Destination feel to it!

Review - The First Phone Call from Heaven by Mitch Albom

Title: The First Phone Call from Heaven

Author: Mitch Albom

Series: Stand Alone

Pages: 272

Published:  November 12th 2013 by Harper 

ISBN: 9780062294371

Source: Sent for honest review

Description: The First Phone Call from Heaven tells the story of a small town on Lake Michigan that gets worldwide attention when its citizens start receiving phone calls from the afterlife. Is it the greatest miracle ever or a massive hoax? Sully Harding, a grief-stricken single father, is determined to find out. An allegory about the power of belief--and a page-turner that will touch your soul--Albom's masterful storytelling has never been so moving and unexpected.

I Give This ...

I haven't read a book by Mitch Albom in quite some time.  But, this book seemed to have all the same qualities of the previous books that I read and enjoyed.  Sadly, I think this missed the mark a little for me.

I really tried not to go into this book as a skeptic.  Albom has a knack for making a believer out of you.  I wanted to see how he could pull off phone calls from Heaven.  But, it didn't take me long to not like how these phone calls were presented.  This whole plot line is heavy in spoilers so lets just leave it as I was extremely disappointed how it all played out.

However, I did love the characters.  Sully is the perfect person to narrate this book.  He needs something to believe in.  His life has become the opposite of how he pictured it.  And really, it's not because he made bad choices (well maybe just that one).  It's really just the luck of the draw.  Sometimes bad things happen to good people.  And sometime really unimaginable things happen to people like Sully.  I hope in the end he found some measure of hope in those around him.

In the end, this wasn't exactly what I had hoped it would be.  But, it really does have all the qualities that Mitch Albom is known for.  I think plenty of people will connect with it more than I did.