Review: The Magnolia League (The Magnolia League #1) by Katie Crouch

Title: The Magnolia League

Author: Katie Crouch

Series: 1st in series

Pages: 368

Published: Available now from Poppy

ISBN: 9780316078498

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

Description: After the death of her free-spirited mother, sixteen-year-old Alex Lee must leave her home in northern California to live with her wealthy grandmother in Savannah, Georgia. By birth, Alex is a rightful, if unwilling, member of the Magnolia League, Savannah's long-standing debutante society. She quickly discovers that the Magnolias have made a pact with a legendary hoodoo family, the Buzzards. The Magnolias enjoy youth, beauty and power. But at what price? As in her popular adult novels, Crouch's poignant and humorous voice shines in this seductively atmospheric story about girls growing up in a magical Southern city.

I Give This ...

 

I knew when I started this book that it's rating were on the lower side, but I was darn to this book.  I'm so glad I wasn't influenced because it will truly a wonderful read for me.

I LOVED Alex.  Her character is unlike anything I've read in awhile.  She's sarcastic, rough around the edges, and says what's on her mind.   I enjoyed the fact that she has the gusto to say some of the things she does to her very southern grandmother.  While everyone else sees her previous lifestyle as unconventional, I think she's better prepared to deal with the real world that most teens.  She's practical for the most part and doesn't believe the stories told about the Magnolia League because it's so far fetched.  I also liked that she was hellbent on trying to stay out of the league even though it promised her what she was secretly wishing for.

The league itself was interesting.  It's ties with the Buzzard family are intricately woven.  It makes me wonder who depends on the other more.  The Buzzards have the power and knowledge while the family of the league have all the money.  The older generations are dependent on each other, but at what cost?  I thought the deal they made was interesting and explained a lot about Alex's mother.  

I was sad to see Alex give in to what the league could give her.  I imagine having the ability to change what you don't like about yourself would tempt anybody.  I don't think it changed much of her character though.  I'll be curious as to the fight she puts up in the coming books.  As the saying goes ... the gloves are off.

Review: Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke's Heart (Love By Numbers #3) by Sarah MacLean

Title: Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke's Heart

Author: Sarah MacLean

Series: 3rd in Love by Numbers

Pages: 367

Published: Available now from Avon

ISBN: 9780061852077

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

 

Description: She lives for passion. Bold, impulsive, and a magnet for trouble, Juliana Fiori is no simpering English miss. She refuses to play by society's rules: she speaks her mind, cares nothing for the approval of the ton, and can throw a punch with remarkable accuracy. Her scandalous nature makes her a favorite subject of London's most practiced gossips . . . and precisely the kind of woman The Duke of Leighton wants far far away from him. He swears by reputation. Scandal is the last thing Simon Pearson has room for in his well-ordered world. The Duke of Disdain is too focused on keeping his title untainted and his secrets unknown. But when he discovers Juliana hiding in his carriage late one evening—risking everything he holds dear—he swears to teach the reckless beauty a lesson in propriety. She has other plans, however; she wants two weeks to prove that even an unflappable duke is not above passion.

I Give This ...

 

I think that was my favorite of the series.  It's really hard to tell when the characters are so different.  I think it's because I enjoyed Juliana's character the most out of all the female leads.

I really admire Juliana's character the entire story.  She's fiery and cares nothing about other's approval.  Her passion is what drives her character.  She knows what she wants and will stop at nothing to get it.  While her outer face challenges anyone who disapproves of her actions, I think she really longs for acceptance.  I think she's feels she's constantly trying to live down her mother's actions and her own upbringing.  She longs for acceptance but not at the sake of losing who she is.

I enjoyed Simon's character as well.  Typical for a male, I wanted to slap him a couple times when he didn't realize how hurtful some of the things he said were.  I loved watching his carefully built reputation come crashing down around him.  He worked so hard to be everything he was suppose to be that he forgot to live for himself.  I really enjoyed watching him fight against what he truly wanted all to save his reputation.

I loved how their romance functioned.  Juliana truly brought out the best in Simon.  She made him question who he was and what really mattered.  I was happy to see that Juliana got what she deserved as well.  She stopped worrying about being a scandal and settled for the importance of family.  

I'm sad to think this series is over.  I've really enjoyed it as it's opened my eyes to the historical romance genre.  Hopefully I can find something as fun and this! 

 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list. Click on the picture to be taken to Sheila at One Person's Journey Through A World of Books!

 

It's funny how life sneaks up on you and the simple act of reading a book can get put to the side.  I was thinking I wouldn't have much interruptions in that department this week, but that isn't what happened.  I still managed to read 3 books that were very good.  Hoping this coming week will be just as good.

Read Last Week: 

• The Well of Truth by Amber Riley
• Eternal Sea by Angie Frazier
• Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky

Currently Reading:

• Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready

Up This Week:

• River Marked by Patricia Briggs
• The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross
• Between Here and Forever by Elizabeth Scott

In My Mailbox!

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren and she was inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie!  I also want to mention that all my cover pictures link to Goodreads!

For Review: 

• The Eternal Sea by Angie Frazier (Around The World Tours)

Swapped:

• Kisses and Lies by Lauren Henderson 
• The Native Star by M.K. Hobson

Library:

• Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah

Review: Compulsion by Heidi Ayarbe

Title: Compulsion

Author: Heidi Ayarbe

Series: Stand Alone

Pages: 304

Published: Available now from Balzer + Bray

ISBN: 9780061993862

Source: Arranged tour by Teen Book Scene

Description: Today has to be perfect. Magic. I look at the clock. 10:14 am. Ten fourteen. One plus one is two plus four is six plus ten is sixteen minus one is fifteen minus two is thirteen. OK. I turn from the clock and walk into the hallway. "Ready.”  Saturday will be the third state soccer championship in a row for Jake Martin. Three. A good number. Prime. With Jake on the field, Carson City High can’t lose, because Jake has the magic: a self-created protection generated by his obsession with prime numbers. It’s the magic that has every top soccer university recruiting Jake, the magic that keeps his family safe, and the magic that suppresses his anxiety attacks. But the magic is Jake’s prison, because getting it means his compulsions take over nearly every aspect of his life.  Jake’s convinced the magic will be permanent after Saturday, the perfect day, when every prime has converged. Once the game is over, he won’t have to rely on his sister, Kasey, to concoct excuses for his odd rituals. His dad will stop treating him like he is some freak. Maybe he’ll even make a friend other than Luc.  But what if it doesn’t work?  What if the numbers never go away? 

I Give This ...

I'm draw to books about mental illness.  Maybe that's what having a degree in psychology does to you.  So, I immediately wanted to read this book based on the OCD fact alone.  While, I had a hard time getting into the story, it did not disappoint.

While I was intrigued be Jake, I had a hard time with him at first.  I didn't understand his OCD and what he was doing to calm himself.  And, I was really confused by the "magic".  For a little bit I was afraid it was going to have a paranormal accept.  It seemed like Jake believed that the numbers actually gave him a magical element.  Turns out I was wrong on the fact and then the OCD begins to make sense.  He has his rituals which he must go through everyday before he can leave the house.  Plus, any time he sees a number (on the clock, etc), he has to add/subtract/ whatever to make it a prime number.  It's really crippling him because its starting to effect his everyday life.  As the all important soccer game draws closer, Jake's life goes into a tail spin.  He think that if he can win that big game and earn a college scholarship, his OCD will go away.

But, as with any mental illness, things go crazy.  His OCD has lead to one to many tardies and he's in danger of not being able to play in the big game.  When the morning before the big game doesn't go according to plan, he's forced to skip class so he can start the day right.  But that's not his only problem.  His sister has high social aspirations and wants to cement her place before he goes off to college.  He makes a deal with her, but his OCD basically lands her in the hospital.  

This was roller coaster ride for me.  I really enjoyed watching how Jake's OCD controls him.  I liked watching him get to that point when he realizes he needs help.  I also loved who and how he finally reaches out for that help.  From about half way through the book I was hooked.  So, the 3 rating comes from the slow start and the excessive use of the "F" word.   

Review: Savannah Grey by Cliff McNish

Title: Savannah Grey

Author: Cliff McNish

Series: Stand Alone

Pages: 272

Published: Available now from Carolrhoda Books

ISBN:  9780761370253

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

Description: 15 year old Savannah Grey has never felt she's belonged. She keeps her distance, so she's surprised by her attraction to the new boy Reece. Then strange things begin to happen: nature, it seems, is exerting an overpowering force on the world. Birds behave strangely; gusts of wind blow leaves so fiercely they seem to lure people away. And Savannah learns she has supernatural powers. Nature has a purpose for Savannah and her friends. For they are on course to meet the vile and evil Orcrassa, who wants to destroy the world by corrupting nature. And it wants Savannah Grey to help realise its savage intent.

I Give This ...

DNF

Now this is a first since I started reviewing books.  I usually continue reading even if I don't like it.  Something about the story drives me forward, so I want to finish.

With this book, it wasn't that I didn't like the story or even the characters.  The simple fact was the I felt nothing for them.  I read half of this book before putting aside.  I came to the realization that I wasn't enjoying reading it.  I wasn't registering what was going on in the story. The only reason I remember the characters names are because of the title and description.  I came to the conclusion that I would much rather be reading something else.

So, this was a did not finish.  Which I've decided not to rate. 

Review: Everything I Was by Corinne Demas

Title: Everything I Was

Author: Corinne Demas

Series: Stand Alone

Pages: 264

Published: Available now from Carolrhoda Books

ISBN: 9780761373032

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

 

Description: "My walls were stripped, and all that was left in the room was a pile of boxes and my mattress propped against the wall." So begins Irene's journey from an Upper West Side penthouse to—well, she's not entirely sure where. Irene's investment banker father is "downsized" when his company merges with another. When he can't find work, her family's lifestyle—and her socialite mother's spending—quickly catches up with them. Eventually, they're forced to move in with Irene's grandfather in the big family farmhouse upstate. But what begins as the most disastrous summer of her life takes a surprising turn when she meets a most remarkable family.

I Give This ...

 

This wasn't what I was expecting.  The cover and description are misleading.  I was thinking an older lead character with the typical teenager drama.  Instead, I got a 13 year-old girl on the brink of that drama.

I instantly liked Irene.  For most of the book she's feels older than her age.  She's got her typical young teenage behavior.  She's worried about leaving her friends and the stigma she's afraid will come with people finding out they have no money.  She's nervous about spending a summer in the middle of nowhere instead of glamorous New York City.  She's basically had her life turned upside down with little forewarning.  Her dad seems a bit of a pushover, giving in to her mother's every whim.  But ties very hard to keep the family together and goes the extra mile to put there life on track.  I disliked her mother the most in the story.  She's seems like such a snob.  Even in the end, I felt like she didn't care for anything but the families image.  I was willing to bet she made Irene's father take that apartment!

Throughout the summer Irene realizes that friendship comes in different forms and having money doesn't matter to everyone.  She realizes the mistake her parents made along the way.  She does act irrationally at times, but nothing that felt out of character both for her and a typical teenager.  I think she found a place that felt more comfortable than a stuffy apartment and private school in the city.  A place were she could be who she truly was without judgement.  

In the end, I liked the book quite a bit.  It was just a little bit younger than what I normally read.  I think younger teens will really like it, especially those who have to move, etc during an already hard enough period in their lives.