Review: Under the Lights by Abbi Glines

Title: Under the Lights (The Field Party #2)
Author: Abbi Glines
Genre: YA Contemporary
Publisher: Simon and Schuster UK
Published: August 25th 2016
Page Number: 336
Rating: 3.5/5

Summary:

Willa can’t erase the bad decisions of her past that led her down the path she’s on now. But she can fight for forgiveness from her family. And she can protect herself by refusing to let anyone else get close to her.

High school quarterback and town golden boy Brady used to be the best of friends with Willa—she even had a crush on him when they were kids. But that’s all changed now: her life choices have made her a different person from the girl he used to know.

Gunner used to be friends with Willa and Brady, too. He too is larger than life and a high school football star—not to mention that his family basically owns the town of Lawton. He loves his life, and doesn’t care about anyone except himself. But Willa is the exception—and he understands the girl she’s become in a way no one else can.

As secrets come to light and hearts are broken, these former childhood friends must face the truth about growing up and falling in love…even if it means losing each other forever.  

 

REVIEW

 

After finishing up the first book in this YA series by Abbi Glines I had one thought in mind: I want more. So much more. The small town romance mixed with the drama and football. It reminded me of watching episodes of Friday Night Lights with a cup of cocoa on a Friday night as a child while having me dream of living the life of the rich.

 

That was until I read this book.

 

Abbi Glines delivers a book filled with drama. I thought RuPauls Drag Race could only bring the type of drama that has me shook but Under the Lights had me Shooketh. It was an addicting read that I honestly could not put down until I finish the last page of the book but that doesn't always mean it was a brilliant read.

 

Now don't get me wrong I enjoyed the book. I loved our main character Willa and how strong and honest she was about her past and what she wanted for the future. I saw so much of younger self in her. I also loved Gunner and how much he grew and developed as a character. He showed there was more to him than just a rich spoilt brat. And together their romance was something different all together.

 

But then we have the confusing part of the story, mainly in our third main character Brady. For me he didn't fit in the story, I grew tired of his POV. He was whiny and unlike the character I read about in Until Friday Night who came across as someone who'd do anything for anyone and wore his heart on his sleeve. I'm not sure if Abbi had him in the book for the added drama or because she saw him as a vital character in Willa and Gunner's story but I think the story would have been delivered better without his overdraught POV.

 

Despite the mishap in the series I'm still super excited for book three, After the Game, which focuses on Riley and Brady. I'm sure Abbi will use her power of writing luscious romantic scenes to pull me in and use the drama to keep me hooked.

 

 

 

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Review: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J.K Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany

Title: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Author: J.K Rowling, Jack Thorne & John Tiffany
Genre: YA Fantasy / Play Script 
Publisher: Little Brown Books UK
Published: July 31st 2016
Page Number: 343
Rating: 4/5

Summary:
It was always difficult being Harry Potter and it isn’t much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband and father of three school-age children.

While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places.

 

REVIEW

 

This review is going to be short and sweet, mainly because it's difficult judging and reviewing a play script when you're not at all used to them. But my main thoughts for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is that it should definitely be seen performed for you to fully understand everything. Reading a script to actually seeing it be acted out are two entirely different things and I definitely feel like you'll get more out of seeing the show.

 

The script itself is decently written. I'm not sure if I did spot a few errors as I was reading along but it wasn't something that threw me from the book and the nostalgia that I was getting. Being able to finally read the life of Harry, Ron and Hermione 19 years later is something that I never thought we'd get to see but J.K Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany really delivered something good.

 

Albus and Scorpius made the entire script in my opinion. For some reason Harry's character was always trying for it to be about him. He blamed himself about everything and honestly I got bored of him. Harry's character was so horrible, in fact I wonder how Albus is even part of their family because he's nothing like any of them. I was disappointed with the way they ended Albus and Scorpius' relationship because I saw it heading in a gay relationship. They had way too much chemistry for friendship. And I know I'm not the only one who thought so too. So for me I saw it as a huge cop out and definitely something that annoyed me.

 

Overall, I don't think Cursed Child is something that I personally needed in my life but I'm glad I read it. But I'm more excited to see the show next year. I think I'll really be able to grasp everything that did and didn't happen in the script. But if you're on the fence on whether you should read it then my advice would be to go into it with no expectations. This is basically fan fiction. J.K Rowling didn't write any of this and it isn't a novel, it's a play. However, it does still give you nostalgia and missed feelings of Hogwarts.

 

 

 

Review: The Art of Being Normal by Lisa Williamson

Title: The Art of Being Normal
Author: Lisa Williamson
Genre: YA Contemporary / LGBT
Publisher: David Fickling Books
Published: January 7th 2016 (Paperback edition)
Page Number: 357
Rating: 4/5

Summary:

Two Outsiders. Two secrets.

David longs to be a girl.

Leo wants to be invisible.

When Leo stands up for David in a fight, an unlikely friendship forms. But things are about to get messy. Because at Eden Park School secrets have a funny habit of not staying secret for long…

REVIEW

One of my blogger friends, Kayleigh recommended The Art of Being Normal to me. I knew the premise was something I was certainly interested but due to it being out in hardback I had to wait until the paperback release. And Kayleigh was right.

This book was so good.

Gender Identity is super important for me, I don't class myself as either male or female because I don't feel like I honestly am. I'm just myself. So it was really refreshing seeing a book deal with Gender Identity so well. Not only that but The Art of Being Normal is one of the most important books of our time. A lot of people could learn from this, not just children or teenagers. But parents and grandparents alike.

For a YA Contemporary book I was super happy that it was set in the UK, mainly because it was refreshing as most are set in the US on beach costal towns, which is fun sometimes, but sometimes I just want a good book set in the UK. Being completely honest though, The Art of Being Normal was also nostalgic for me, it took me back to the times when I was 9 and 10 years old strutting my stuff around the house in my self-made dress constructed out of my bed sheets, scarves and towels.

Right now I just want to raid a bookstore and hand everyone a copy of this beautiful, brilliant novel. Just. Pick. It. Up!

 

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🎧: U Wear it Well by RuPaul

Review: Kindred Spirits by Rainbow Rowell

Title: Kindred Spirits
Author: Rainbow Rowell
Genre: YA Contemporary
Publisher: Macmillan Kids UK
Published: February 25th 2016 (World Book Day Book)
Page Number: 96
Rating: 4/5

Summary:
'Everybody likes everything these days. The whole world is a nerd.'
'Are you mad because other people like Star Wars? Are you mad because people like me like Star Wars?'
'Maybe.' If you broke Elena's heart, Star Wars would spill out. So when she decides to queue outside her local cinema to see the new movie, she's expecting a celebration with crowds of people who love Han, Luke and Leia just as much as she does. What she's not expecting is to be last in a line of only three people; to have to pee into a collectible Star Wars soda cup behind a dumpster or to meet that unlikely someone who just might truly understand the way she feels.

REVIEW

 

For those who don't know what a World Book Day book is, they're basically short stories that some authors write that sell for £1 on World Book Day in hopes to get people into reading. So, I received Kindred Spirits in a special package from Macmillan - Thanks Kat! - I knew I had to start reading Kindred Spirits straight away and I'm so happy I did because despite it's size, I got so much out of it. I learned then Kindred Spirits isn't a book for just Star Wars fans, it's a book for everyone who is apart of a Fandom; getting together with people who bleed the same thing you do and building up friendships from doing so.

 

Rainbow Rowell does what she does best and that is creating characters that you fall in love with so easily, she mastered it with her short story 'Midnight' and she did it again. I want a full novel on Elena. She's quirky and fun, and slightly reminded me of a mixture of both Eleanor from 'Eleanor and Park' and Cath from 'Fangirl'. And then we have Gabe. Sweet, awkward Gabe. I honestly couldn't help but fall in love with him, he's the kid in high school that we all recognise immediately; nerdy and gangly and stands out too much in a crowd even if they try to hide themselves, it never works! There also is the fact that Elena's friends happen to bully him as well and Elena tends to just sit by and not say anything, so you can't actually dislike him for hating Elena, I would to. But I just love how they worked together in the short story to become sort of friends.

 

Would I pee in a Starbucks cup like Elena had to? No.

Would I recommend you pick this short story up? Hell, yes!

 

 

 

🎧 : Out of the Blue by Adore Delano

 

Review: Happily Ever After by Kiera Cass

Title: Happily Ever After
Author: Kiera Cass
Genre: YA Dystopian
Publisher: Harper Collins Children
Published: October 8th 2015
Page Number: 320
Rating: 4/5

Summary:
Meet Prince Maxon before he fell in love with America, and a girl named Amberly before she became queen. See the Selection through the eyes of a guard who watched his first love drift away and a girl who fell for a boy who wasn't the prince. This gorgeous collection features four novellas from the captivating world of Kiera Cass's #1 New York Times bestselling Selection series, as well as exclusive, never-before-seen bonus content.

 

REVIEW

To review this in it's entirety as my usual reviews would be a little complicated, so I will be reviewing each novella on their own and also giving my thoughts on the bonus content we had. ut firstly I want to talk about the illustrations and how gorgeous they were. I really felt like they added to the story and we completely needed.

The Queen - 3/5 Stars

I've always respected Queen Amberly in the Selection trilogy but reading her Selection was completely eye-opening. Teenage Amberly was incredibly naïve and a whole lot of stupid. Prince Clarkson was looking for a wife, a Queen, someone who would obey him. And he found her in Amberly because she was like a puppy and Clarkson the dog trainer. Everything he said, she did. And it pissed off the feminist that is inside of me.

The Prince - 4.5 Stars

I've always loved Maxon. Kiera writes perfect male characters and Prince Maxon stole my heart from the first time he was introduced. Seeing some of the Selection from her perspective was very fresh and I loved it. We saw a new layer of depth to him which was missing from him in the first book in the trilogy. I will always want more Maxon. Always.

The Guard - 3 Stars

I'm not Aspen's biggest fan. At all. He's an okay character but I always felt like he was there for annoyance other than anything else. So seeing his story with America rehashed was completely annoying. I was hoping to see his love story with Lucy but we saw hardly anything of that and I had no idea why, because their story would've been nice to have read.

The Favourite - 4.5 Stars

Marlee is everyone's favourite. She's beautiful, intelligent but also incredibly selfless and her friendship with America was always nice to read about. When the drama entailed in the series about her and Carter, I was gobsmacked, mainly because it seemed unlike Marlee but seeing her story was so special. I love her and Carter so much, their love was infinite, endearing.

We then got a few scenes from Celeste's POV. Celeste was the Bitch in the series but she was always a favourite character of mine. I always saw her as misunderstood and that became clear from her progress in the series. Her façade was always on point but her character is forever my favourite.

Lucy also had a chapter in her POV, which was interesting. She's a maid and if I am honest, I'm not sure why her part was in there for. Her perspective if fun, fresh but the story we got was a little boring and certainly not satisfying.

Lastly we got a new chapter that would've taken place after The One and it was everything in life. Life has been fulfilled for me. The scene was a little short, but filled with everything that Kiera Cass does so well.

 

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Review: The Enemy by Charlie Higson

Title: The Enemy (The Enemy #1)
Author: Charlie Higson
Genre: YA Horror
Publisher: Puffin
Published: September 3rd 2009
Page Number: 407
Rating: 4/5

Summary:

Everyone over the age of fourteen has succumbed to a deadly zombie virus and now the kids must keep themselves alive. When the sickness came, every parent, police officer, politician - every adult fell ill. The lucky ones died. The others are crazed, confused and hungry. Only children under fourteen remain, and they're fighting to survive. Now there are rumours of a safe place to hide. And so a gang of children begin their quest across London, where all through the city - down alleyways, in deserted houses, underground - the grown-ups lie in wait. But can they make it there - alive?

REVIEW

I've never read a book by Charlie Higson before but I definitely know that I want to continue on with this series. It's intense and so much fun.

After recently watching The Walking Dead I was needing something a little different to read. I remember a friend of mine saying that she loved this series, so I picked it up and was immediately sucked into the life of a different, more dangerous London.

We follow a bunch of different character, who all live in Waitrose trying to survive the Zombie Apocalypse. Unlike most books, The Enemy starts off with instant action of one of the kids is taken by The Enemy. The group are trying to figure out what to do and you're met with instant panic. Your heart rate picks up, you turn the pages quicker than ever because you're dying to find out what happens. Anything could happen, anyone could die. You have no idea what's coming next and that's what Charlie Higson does so well. He writes the series with intensity and a lot of action. Surprise action. There were so many scenes that caught me off guard.

What I loved in the story is the loyalty within the gangs. Waitrose and Morrison's join together and seeing them all get to know each other was so nice. Initially they are all out for themselves, but together they are a family. A dysfunctional family but a family who will do whatever to protect each other. And that is something that really connects to you to characters.

However, I will be honest and say that it did get a little confusing. We followed so many characters that I connected too and then they were.....well, dead. And while I understand that it needs to happen, I just didn't understand why we had to connect with all of the characters before they were topped off. It's meant to be a horror book, not meant to make me cry.

But it was a very engaging story. It was filled with action and I was so happy that we explored more of London. Plus Sam really stole my heart. I feel like I'm his older brother and need to protect him and that's really warming. What I want right now though is the sequel because I need to know what happens next.

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Review: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

 
 
 
Title: The Fault in Our Stars
Author: John Green
Genre: YA Contemporary
Publisher: Penguin
Published: January 3rd 2013
Page Number: 318
Rating: 4/5

Summary:
Despite the tumour-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.

 

 

 

 

REVIEW

 

I'm not sure what to really say about The Fault in Our Stars. It's a world-wide phenomenon, everyone has either read the book or at least watched the movie (Not going to talk about that). When I first read the book I absolutely loved it. I didn't know anything about it, I hadn't watched booktube videos where it was talked about on every channel - good and bad - and I certainly hadn't known that it was loved by everyone. I just picked it up because the cover was simple and cute.

 

What John Green manages to do well is create really relatable characters that you fall in love with. Hazel is honest, despite the fact that she has cancer. Augustus is completely full of himself and really witty. He's the type of person who'd do completely embarrassing things just to make the other person smile. And together they make a great team. However, I have my problems.

 

John Green has romanticised a terminal illness and I don't agree with it. Cancer is not something that should be romanticised. At all. It's a serious illness - which was very well researched - that changes lives. It can destroy not just a person, but that persons entire family. That doesn't mean that I think people with terminal illness can't find or fall in love, because they can. It's me saying that I am not a fan of it.

 

But despite all that, I actually did enjoy the book. I've read it twice, (The first time I didn't know about the hype) the second time I did know about it and it affected my views. John Green's writing isn't phenomenal; it's simple and fast-paced but enjoyable. The conclusion of the book was very predictable. It's a story about 2 teenagers with terminal illnesses, what else do you expect to happen?

 

Would I recommend the book? Yes. It's a quick, fun read with a sad ending. But that's it. It's not life changing, nor is it eye-opening. It's just an okay read.

 

 

 

 

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Review: Nowhere but Here by Katie McGarry

Title: Nowhere but Here
Author: Katie McGarry
Genre: Mature Young Adult
Publisher: Mira Ink
Published: June 4th 2015
Page Number: 496
Rating: 4/5

Summary:

Seventeen-year-old Emily likes her life the way it is: doting parents, good friends, good school in a safe neighborhood. Sure, she's curious about her biological father—the one who chose life in a motorcycle club, the Reign of Terror, over being a parent—but that doesn't mean she wants to be a part of his world. But when a reluctant visit turns to an extended summer vacation among relatives she never knew she had, one thing becomes clear: nothing is what it seems. Not the club, not her secret-keeping father and not Oz, a guy with suck-me-in blue eyes who can help her understand them both.

Oz wants one thing: to join the Reign of Terror. They're the good guys. They protect people. They're…family. And while Emily—the gorgeous and sheltered daughter of the club's most respected member—is in town, he's gonna prove it to her. So when her father asks him to keep her safe from a rival club with a score to settle, Oz knows it's his shot at his dream. What he doesn't count on is that Emily just might turn that dream upside down.

No one wants them to be together. But sometimes the right person is the one you least expect, and the road you fear the most is the one that leads you home.  

REVIEW

 

I'm a really big fan of Katie McGarry's so when I heard about her new series that was being described as West Side Story meets Sons of Anarchy, I knew I had to read it. And what I got after I finished was a book filled with sizzling chemistry, comedy and drama.

 

The story started with immediate intrigue and it only got more and more interesting. Emily is a character that I related to in so many ways: she has quite a high standard of opinions but isn't afraid to see the other side either. She's also perfectly happy (or so she thinks) with her life, her home, her friends, everything. Her reactions to her fathers motorcycle club (and the very specific, yet hilarious scene in the beginning) just had me laughing along. In fact I had no idea if I should be laughing or screaming with her.

 

When Emily meets Oz it isn't lust at first sight, neither is it love at first sight. It's more like a hated attraction at first sight, from both parties. Emily thinks Oz is very attractive and thinks the whole biker image suits him, whereas Oz thinks Emily is completely gorgeous but completely out of place. Everything was set out perfectly for them because despite their differences there was a shit ton of sexual tension. And it was magical, perfect!

 

The book, despite being 480 pages didn't feel like it was that size because I absolutely flew through the book. I honestly thought I had read a book that was 300 pages long because there was so much drama that I continued to flip those pages like I was a drug addict and the book was the best drugs on the market.

 

However. No book is perfect because there were times where I wished we'd see a little more interaction with her biological father. The relationship was...different between them since they only saw each other once every year, but I would've liked something more with them, even if it was only hints of their shopping trip together. But overall, I really enjoyed this book. It not only made me like motorcycle gangs, but I now want to ride a motorcycle and feel the wind in my hair and it falls into my face.

 

If any of you guys are having major Sons of Anarchy withdrawals then you need to bloody pick this book up and live it all. And if you've not watched Sons of Anarchy, well, still pick up the book!

 

 

 

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ARC Review: An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

Title: An Ember in the Ashes
Author: Sabaa Tahir
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Published: June 4th 2015
Page Number: 400
Rating: 4/5

Summary:

What if you were the spark that could ignite a revolution?
For years Laia has lived in fear. Fear of the Empire, fear of the Martials, fear of truly living at all. Born as a Scholar, she’s never had much of a choice.

For Elias it’s the opposite. He has seen too much on his path to becoming a Mask, one of the Empire’s elite soldiers. With the Masks’ help the Empire has conquered a continent and enslaved thousands, all in the name of power.

When Laia’s brother is taken she must force herself to help the Resistance, the only people who have a chance of saving him. She must spy on the Commandant, ruthless overseer of Blackcliff Academy. Blackcliff is the training ground for Masks and the very place that Elias is planning to escape. If he succeeds, he will be named deserter. If found, the punishment will be death.

But once Laia and Elias meet, they will find that their destinies are intertwined and that their choices will change the fate of the Empire itself.

In the ashes of a broken world one person can make a difference. One voice in the dark can be heard. The price of freedom is always high and this time that price might demand everything, even life itself.  

REVIEW

 

I'm definitely not a fantasy reader, but with An Ember in the Ashes picking up incredible reviews describing it as a fantasy set in an ancient Rome like world, I knew I had to read it. And Sabaa Tahir did not disappoint.

 

Most fantasy books start off small, slow and drag on forever and ever, but not this. Literally from page 1 there was action that had me gripped. The descriptions had me picturing the scenes in my head, and I felt like I was watching the movie. Within 3 chapters my mind had been blown. The characters of Laia and Elias were great and very relatable, although Elias did sometimes get on my nerves, but I'll talk about that later. What I found so fresh about the book was that it was very intense and certainly memorable. I would not want the live in that world, trust me, no one would.

 

One thing Sabaa Tahir does extremely well is character development. In the beginning, Laia was very loyal to her family, but scared. She didn't know what was going to happen, she knew that she needed to help her brother even if one part of herself was reluctant. However, by the end of the novel the Laia we read about in the beginning was certainly not the same girl. Her character growth was so great to read. She went from being a girl to being a woman and took on everything she could to save her brother. And it was the same with Elias. Yes, he's grown up being this incredible, intelligent fighter, but he grew as a person. He accepted the differences, he became stronger, although I do have one major problem with him, and that was his underestimating of Helene. He often questioned her abilities and his sexism just got on my nerves. But it's part of that world.

 

The ending certainly left off on a cliff-hanger, but luckily for us, Sabaa recently announced she had signed another contract for a second book. And I am looking forward to it!

 

 

I was sent an ARC from the publishers for an honest review

 

 

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Review: Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

"Everything, Everything is a novel about first chances. First chance at life, first chance at love and first chance at finding out who you truly are. I absolutely adored it!"

Title: Everything, Everything
Author: Nicola Yoon
Genre: YA Contemporary
Publisher: Corgi Children's
Published: August 27th 2015
Page Number: 304
Rating: 4/5

 

Summary:

 

Madeline Whittier is allergic to the outside world. So allergic, in fact, that she has never left the house in all of her seventeen years. But when Olly moves in next door, and wants to talk to Maddie, tiny holes start to appear in the protective bubble her mother has built around her. Olly writes his IM address on a piece of paper, shows it at her window, and suddenly, a door opens. But does Maddie dare to step outside her comfort zone?

 

REVIEW

I had zero idea that this book was being published until I was browsing Goodreads about 3 weeks back and stopped when I saw the beautiful cover. It was eye-catching and simple, yet had an extra dimension to it. And then I read the summary and I knew I had to read it.

 

Everything, Everything tells to the story of two unlikely characters who experience their first chances. Their first chance at life, love and finding out who they truly are. Madeline has lived a recluse life because of her illness and her over protective mother. She's only known life inside her bedroom, reading book and watching everything from her window. Ollie only knows that he dislikes the life he lives, he dislikes the fact his mother won't stand up to his father. So when these two characters came together, they created something worth fighting for.

 

Luckily this story is actually a very quick read. It's not always told in a story, but as documents from Madeline's perspective. Daily feeds of Ollie's family: when they leave the house, when they come back, who they're with. We also get spoiler book reviews that are short and spunky in attitude, it adds this extra dimension not just to the story, but to Madeline's character as well.

 

About 60% into the book I did take a break because I found it to be a little boring, but immediately it picked back up and I found myself really getting more into it. Was the ending perfect? No, I don't think we'll ever get a perfect ending from a book. But it was a satisfying ending that made me smile. I cannot wait for the world to experience this beautiful, beautiful novel.

I received an E-ARC of this book from the Publishers


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ARC Review: Vanishing Girls by Lauren Oliver

"A thoroughly thought-provoking read."

Title: Vanishing Girls
Author: Lauren Oliver
Genre: YA Mystery
Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton
Published: March 12th 2015
Page Number: 322
Rating: 4/5

Summary:

Dara and Nick used to be inseparable, but that was before the accident that left Dara's beautiful face scarred and the two sisters totally estranged. When Dara vanishes on her birthday, Nick thinks Dara is just playing around. But another girl, nine-year-old Madeline Snow, has vanished, too, and Nick becomes increasingly convinced that the two disappearances are linked. Now Nick has to find her sister, before it's too late.

REVIEW

 

I've actually never managed to read a Lauren Oliver book, but when I saw that she was writing a YA Mystery book, I knew it was a must have! Many would think that Vanishing Girls is just a story about a girl who's sister goes missing, but it's a lot more than that. Vanishing Girls deal with family tragedy, loss and just how far we'd go for the people we love.

 

The writing is deep and beautiful, but with an undertone of darkness. We see how two sisters can be affected by the things that happen in their lives. From the set up I was invested in both Dara and Nick. I wanted to know their story, why they did certain things they did and why they'd let a relationship get ruined?

 

Character wise you really learn to love them, but I honestly don't know if I loved them or if I loved the way the story was told more. Vanishing Girls is told in different POV's from Dara and Nicks, past and present. We also get newspaper reports and tweets, which was such a modern, fresh idea to bring into a YA Mystery, because it's what us teenagers are into. When we wake up in the morning the first thing we check are our social medias: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram. So really seeing the story being told through that was what made it so brilliant!

 

I will admit that this book wasn't perfect. But then again, what book truly is perfect? My problem with this book was the ending. It's not that I didn't like it, because I truly did, but at the same time I felt a disconnection from it as well. Maybe it's because I guessed a little early on, but then again, I do that with all Mystery books and TV shows. However, if you're a fan of Mystery or YA then you'll love then nonetheless.

 

 

A physical copy was provided by the publishers for a honest review

 

 

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Review: The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden by Jessica Sorensen

Title: The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden
Author: Jessica Sorensen
Genre: New Adult
Publisher: Sphere
Published: August 8th 2013
Page Number: 400
Rating: 4/5

 

Summary:

 

For Kayden, suffering in silence was the only way to survive. If he was lucky, he could keep his head down, do as he was told, and make it through the day. But one night it seemed like his luck-and his life-might finally end . . . until an angel named Callie appeared just in time to rescue him.

Callie has never believed in luck. Not since her twelfth birthday when everything was taken from her. After the worst was over, she locked up her feelings and vowed never to tell anyone what happened. Now, six years later, she continues to struggle with the painful secret that threatens to consume her.

When fate lands Kayden and Callie at the same college, Kayden is determined to get to know the beautiful girl who changed his destiny. Quiet and reserved, Callie still fears letting anyone else into her world. But Kayden is certain that Callie has come back into his life for a reason. And the more he tries to be a part of her life, the more he realizes that, this time, it's Callie who needs to be saved . . .  

 

REVIEW

 

I've actually had a bad experience with a Jessica Sorensen book in the past, so I was very hesitant to start The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden. But I'm so glad that I gave Jessica another shot because I absolutely adored this book.

 

From Page 1, us readers know that this book isn't going to be the happy-go-lucky type, but the tear-your-heart-out type, and I really loved that. The writing immediately captures your attention and drags you into the messy lives of Callie and Kayden. You grow to love all the characters chapter by chapter, and by the end of the book you are completely rooting for them, cheering them on from the side lines.

 

I mentioned earlier that this story was incredibly dark and I have to warn you guys of trigger moments, because the book deals with depression, rape, self-harm and abuse. And while I know these are difficult subjects to bring up in general, but Jessica did a very good job on portraying them. I knew exactly how Callie and Kayden felt because I've been in their shoes before. Not with rape or abuse, but with depression and self-harm. It was one of the darkest times of my life and seeing it through different eyes was so refreshing. So thank you, Jessica.

 

While I loved my time reading Callie and Kayden's story, I have to admit that there were a few times where my eyes rolled and I sighed in annoyance. In places the story became over dramatic, and the fact that everyone around Callie and Kayden suffered from dark pasts just wasn't believable. But I'm still super excited for the next book in the 7 book series.

 

 

 

Buy the book (Waterstones) | Buy the book (Book Depository)

 

 

ARC Review: Vendetta by Catherine Doyle

"A fast-paced, action-packed Contemporary with a huge twist. I loved it!"

 

Title: Vendetta

Author: Catherine Doyle
Genre: Contemporary/Thriller
Publisher: Chicken House
Published: January 1st 2015
Page Number: 384
Rating: 4/5

Summary:

 

When five brothers move into the abandoned mansion in her neighbourhood, Sophie Gracewell's life changes forever. Irresistibly drawn to bad boy Nicoli, Sophie finds herself falling into a criminal underworld governed by powerful families. As the boys' dark secrets begin to come to light, Sophie is confronted with stinging truths about her own family, too. She must choose between two warring dynasties - the one she was born into, and the one she is falling in love with. When she does, blood will spill and hearts will break.

 

Review:

 

When I read the premise of this book, I instantly knew that I had to have it. It's Young Adult, it's Contemporary, It's inspired by Romeo and Juliet - which I freaking love - and it included dark secrets and the Mafia. What more could a guy want?

 

Nothing.

 

At first I wasn't one hundred percent sure about what I was reading. The atmosphere was very dark and eerie and I felt like I was reading a YA Paranormal book, but after three or four chapters the story really took off. We were introduced to two hot smoking guys. Nic was charming with a dark edge, while Luca was a jerk. He was the type of character you love to hate, like Daemon Black from The Lux Series by Jennifer L Armentrout, only human.

 

Page after page after page, I was drawn into this non-stop action packed story that had me gasping from surprise, so many times that I simply couldn't count. Sophie is a character who you can fall in love with because she's so relatable. Her father is in prison and she doesn't have anyone who she's that close too, I think anyone who has lost someone can relate to her feelings of loneliness.

 

For a debut book, I was pleasantly surprised. It's heavily inspired by Romeo and Juliet and that comes across in the book so many times. I reminded me of watching the movie when I was in Primary school. I felt content and excited, like I couldn't sit still because it was so good. And I had the very same feeling while reading Vendetta.

 

If you love books that are fast paced and bring really good, relatable characters, or even if you like good books in general, then this is the one for you. And like a lot of other people, I'm dying to get my hands on a finished copy.

 

 

I received this book from the publishers for a honest review.

 

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