Want to go Private? by Sarah Darer Littman

Want to Go Private? by Sarah Darer Littman 


Released: August 2011
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Genre: Contemporary - Young Adult
Pages: 336
Source: Teen Book Scene
Buy: Amazon 

Rating: ♥♥♥♥


Want to Go Private? is a smack in the face of exactly how scary the online world can be. Abby is just starting high school, and while her best friend, Faith, is excited about all the new possibilities, Abby isn't. She still wants things to be the same, and then she meets Luke online. Luke is older than her, but he makes her feel special. Tells her that she's right and everyone else in her life is wrong.

Starting in, I had a bit of trouble getting into the character of Abby due to her being a younger teen. She was also naive which made the book that more scary as you could see Luke taking advantage of her. She never questioned why he always had his face a bit shadowed in pictures he sent. As the pages turn you see him already trying to control her. A boy at school is interested in her, but she stops most contact with him because of Luke. She starts avoiding her best friend completely and all her grades start dropping because she is consumed by being online.

Sarah Darer Littman does not shy away or touch lightly when writing Luke. There were a few graphic things put into the novel that made my stomach flip, and I wanted to reach in and take Abby away from this man who kept telling her he loved her, but was convincing her to take pictures of her self and worse. The story is told in three parts, and when part one ended, after she meets up with Luke, I was anxious to see what was going to happen next.

From there the book shows what Abby's family and friends go through during the time of her disappearance as it unravels that she had became a victim of an online predator. Switching point of views like that really pulled you in, made you worry, made you angry, and added such emotions to this story. These people cared. While Abby thought they didn't, you can see they truly did, even her bratty younger sister, Lily. For part there, the aftermath of everything that happened, I think the author handed it all very well.

It's scary to know that while Abby is a fictional character, her story is not fiction. With so much of our lives being poured onto online, this novel made me stop and think about all the things I put out there. The people I've talked to, even back when I was a teenager, because the fact is: You never know who is behind the computer screen. Want to Go Private? is a powerful read, and I applaud Sara Darer Littman for bringing awareness on the subject.

♥amber

Dead Rules by Randy Russell

Dead Rules by Randy Russell


Released: June 2011
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 384
Source: Teen Book Scene
Buy: Amazon


Rating: ♥♥♥♥

When Jana Webster wakes up after her bowling accident, she finds herself in Dead School. (Ya, could you imagine having to go to more school AFTER you died?) The first thing on her mind isn't being freaked out or even pissed off that she's dead - she's more concerned that she can no longer be with her boyfriend, Michael, who is her soul-mate.

At least that's what she thinks.

Dead Rules is definitely a unique tale that deals with death in a whole other way. You always think when you die, you'll be judged for what you did when you were alive. But in this story, you're judged on how you die which makes you either a Slider or a Riser. (And you don't want to be a Slider...well, I wouldn't mind being one if it means I get to hang out with Mars.) While trying to figure out exactly why there is such a thing as Dead School, and why a very cute and brooding guy named Mars keeps coming into her life, Jana knows one thing for sure: She wants Michael back, and if she has to, she'll kill him to get him there with her.

There was a lot of questioning of what exactly happened to Jana the night she died. She starts getting creepy messages, but her head is more wrapped around the love of her life. Normally when a character is like this, I would get annoyed, but because the book is written in third person, Russell did a great job of mixing things up where you would get to see things from not only Jana's perspective, but also Mars's and even Michael's. About half-way through the book, I kind of predicted on how things were going to end, and even though I was right, it still didn't take the fun away for me.

The world and the story itself was really interesting, had some funny moments, and like I said very unique. Even the minor characters fitted in nicely with their own voice, and while there wasn't a whole lot of focus on them, they were still well rounded characters.

The ending didn't exactly tie up nicely, leaving it open for a second book - which please someone tell me there will be a second book! Still, if you've ever wanted to give the world of ghosts or paranormal a chance, this is your book! And if you already like this genre, don't miss out on Dead Rules!

♥amber

Bitter End by Jennifer Brown

Bitter End by Jennifer Brown


Released: May 2011
Publisher: Little, Brown for Young Readers
Genre: Young Adult - Contemporary
Pages: 359
Source: Won
Buy: Amazon


Rating: ♥♥♥♥

When Alex falls for the charming new boy at school, Cole, a handsome, funny, sports star who adores her, she can't believe she's finally found her soul mate-someone who truly understands her and loves her for who she really is.


At first, Alex is blissfully happy. Sure, Cole seems a little jealous of her relationship with her best friends, Zack and Bethany, but what guy would want his girlfriend spending all of her time with another boy? But as the months pass, Alex can no longer ignore Cole's small put-downs, pinches, or increasingly violent threats. As Alex struggles to come to terms with the sweet boyfriend she fell in love with and the boyfriend whose "love" she no longer recognizes, she is forced to choose - between her "true love" and herself.



---

Jennifer Brown became one of my 'must' authors with her powerful and thought-provoking debut novel, Hate List. When I heard her sophomore novel was coming out and she was tackling another tough subject, I was estastic because for some reason the darker the subject, the more I'm drawn to it. I decided a long time ago to never question why I love tough issue books, but I do.

There's no doubt that Jennifer Brown is an awesome writer. She creates these well fleshed out characters and her writing puts you right there with them. Alex, our main girl, was easy to like. She was genuine and a pretty level-headed. Even though her home life wasn't the best - dead mom, dad there but not there, absent older sister, and an annoying younger sister who was severely pissed off at the world, she had two really awesome best friends, Zack and Bethany. The personalities of all three of them together was a perfect example of actual friendship. Sometimes I felt like I was right there with them, going over Vacay Day. And I have to say, Zack is way up there on some of my favorite characters. In such a serious book, you wouldn't expect comic relief, but Zack brings it to the table.

Then there was Cole. Knowing that this book is about an abusive relationship, it's hard to like the abuser even when his true colors haven't shown yet. I did understand the first initial attraction that Alex had towards Cole, and how he drew her in. Tackling a subject like this is difficult one, and Brown handled it well showing you how someone who is a victim sometimes can't find a way out. But sometimes during the book, it seemed things were a bit unbalanced. The only way I can figure out how to explain it is that when it came to relationship with Alex and Cole, there was a lot of telling instead of showing. Feelings and things were kind of summed up instead of allowing me to really see why Alex felt the need to stay with Cole. That is probably the only thing that struck me a bit odd because when it came to Alex's life with her friends and family, I got them completely.

I'm glad there are authors out there like Jennifer Brown who will take on these topics and show you how easily you can slip into someone else. Reading some of the scenes that Alex went through were hard. Knowing what Cole was, you just want to jump into the book, shake Alex, and take her away from the situation. I definitely would recommend this one to anyone especially those that might find themselves in a situation just like Alex did.

♥amber

What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen

What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen

Released: May 2011

Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group

Genre: Young Adult - Contemporary 

Pages: 416

Source: Traded
Buy the Book: Amazon

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

Another town. Another school. Another Mclean. Ever since her parents' bitter divorce, Mclean and her father have been fleeing their unhappy past. And Mclean's become a pro at reinventing herself with each move. But in Lakeview, Mclean finds herself putting down roots and making friends—in part, thanks to Dave, the most real person Mclean's ever met. Dave just may be falling in love with her, but can he see the person she really is? Does Mclean herself know?

---

Out of all the books coming out in 2011, this one right here was my most anticipated. If you're a long-time reader, you know why. If you've just stumbled upon this blog then know this: I am a total and utter fan-girl of Sarah Dessen.

There's always a certain formula that Dessen seems to stick with: a girl with a unique name, family dynamics, realistic issues, and of course a boy. So why do the same formula always seem to work? I have no idea, but I know if I pick up one of her books, I will be glued.

What Happened to Goodbye deals with Mclean. Her family situation is divorced parents and she travels with her father whose line of business is to put restaurants back into shape. The big catch is that when they move, Mclean always finds a way to reinvent herself. She can be anyone she wants to be. That idea is very intriguing because I think everyone can relate to wanting a fresh start sometimes or wanting to be someone completely different.

There was a lot of back story shoved in right at the beginning, and some chapters were a bit harder to truck through because of it. What I found funny about this book compared to her other ones: I was more interested in secondary characters rather than Mclean. I'm not saying Mclean is boring. She has a certain spunk about her, and I envy her way of being able to blend herself into any group without having this shy new-girl syndrome you read in a lot of books. 

Take Dave for instance who is "the boy" in the story. He is probably one of my more favorite guy characters Dessen has created. I absolutely loved his character and his relationship with Mclean. Right from the start they had this spark, and not just "romantic" spark but a real connection just as friends. And their second run-in with one another was just flat out hilarious. I knew I was going to love his character right after that meeting. 

Then there was the restaurant owner, Deb, that Mclean's dad is trying to help. She was very colorful and I always got a kick out of reading things that were happening with her. Even Mclean's dad was a trip to read because his attitude changed so easily depending on who he was around for the most part. There's also a lot more dialouge in this book compared to past Dessen books, and because of that I felt like I heard more of the secondary characters which is also another reason why I think I was so intrigued by them. It wasn't just Mclean's voice anymore, it was a whole well-rounded fleshed out group.

Obviously you can tell I really enjoyed this book BUT (and it pains me to say a "but" when it comes to Dessen), the 'final conflict' lacked a certain punch to it, and I felt like the overall ending was just wrapped up too nicely. If you are a first-time Dessen reader I recommend giving This Lullaby or Truth About Forever a try before you get into her newer ones. If you have read her other books, don't be surprised when you see a few characters from Truth About Forever, Lock and Key, and Along for the Ride pop up. Sadly, no Dexter, but a girl can still hope for the next one!

♥amber

The Opposite of Amber by Gillian Philips

The Opposite of Amber by Gillian Philips


Released: April 2011
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Genre: Young Adult - Contemporary
Source: Teen Book Scene


Rating:♥♥♥♥

Ruby and her older sister Jinn live together on their own, just about making ends meet. Jinn is beautiful, with glittering blonde hair, and makes it her business to look after Ruby. They are horrified by, but try to ignore, the local newspaper stories of prostitutes who are murdered, their bodies eventually discovered underwater.


Then the no-good Nathan Baird turns up on the scene - again - and Jinn starts to change. First Nathan moves in with Jinn and Ruby, making Ruby feel an outsider, and then Jinn and Nathan move out, leaving Ruby alone. Jinn no longer has time to look after Ruby. And it seems to Ruby that Jinn herself needs looking after. Her beautiful glittering hair starts to lose its shine. And then Jinn disappears. A deeply moving, chilling, and incredibly powerful thriller that celebrates the love two sisters have for each other and mourns the events beyond their control that will conspire to drive them apart.


---

The beginning of the book didn't really grab me in like I thought it would. It was mainly because I had it in my mind that this was going to be more of a mystery book about the dead girls and the missing sister. And I will admit that I picked this book up mainly because my name is in the title. The book focuses a lot on Ruby herself. After her mother's death, it had always been her and her older sister, Jinn. When Jinn decides to stay with a guy who isn't good for her, Ruby has to adjust to this new life put in front of her.

After I got over the fact that this wasn't exactly a suspenseful book, I throughly enjoyed the plot. There was a great balance in Ruby. She was lost yet she wasn't. I haven't read many UK based book so all the slang and seeing the different culture really interested me. Gillian Philips is a wonderful writer. A lot of the passages were written beautifully and I could get lost inside Ruby's world.

With the aspect of the missing girls and who the killer was, I was very surprised. I was sure throughout half the novel that it was a certain someone, actually I would have even took a bet on it, but when the ending came around I had a what?! moment. Even if you thought this book was more of a thriller type novel, don't let that steer you away that it's not. It's still a wonderfully written story about a teenage girl finding her place in this world.

♥amber

Mad Love by Suzanne Selfors

Mad Love by Suzanne Selfors


Released: January 2011
Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers
Genre: Young Adult - Contemporary
Pages: 336
Source: Publisher


Rating: ♥♥♥♥

When you're the daughter of the bestselling Queen of Romance, life should be pretty good. But 16-year-old Alice Amorous has been living a lie ever since her mother was secretly hospitalized for mental illness. After putting on a brave front for months, time is running out. The next book is overdue, and the Queen can't write it. Alice needs a story for her mother—and she needs one fast.

That's when she meets Errol, a strange boy who claims to be Cupid, who insists that Alice write about the greatest love story in history: his tragic relationship with Psyche. As Alice begins to hear Errol's voice in her head and see things she can't explain, she must face the truth—that she's either inherited her mother's madness, or Errol is for real.


---

You may have been like me and looked at this book thinking it would be just another light cute romantic type of spin on Cupid. But I was really surprised (and in a good way!) to find that this story had much more depth to it.

Alice is your typical teenager who's living the normal type of life. She lies to everyone saying her best-selling author mother is working on her next novel or out of the country for research. She makes sure no one knows that her mom is actually in a mental institute due to her bi-polar issues. She doesn't attend public school because she has to keep up with all her mother's stuff, and the only friends she really has are the tenants in the fourplex she manages in her mother's absence. Okay, so maybe she's not a normal teenager, and she's definitely got more stress placed on her than anyone should ever have. If things weren't enough for her she has some guy claiming to be Cupid that needs her to write his story before his time is up.

A lot of the book focuses on Alice and her growth from trying to accept her mother's disease and the life she has now. I loved the voice of Alice. She really pulls you in. I absolutely loved Errol's story and learning more about his past. The friendship that Alice and him build is realistic even if ya know, he's not exactly human. If Selfors was to ever write the story of Errol, I would buy a copy of it! There was also a side romantic relationship with Alice's crush, Tony. I think it played in very well with the story, and added to the growth that Alice goes through. Plus Tony was pretty awesome. The neighbors, the ones that know Alice's secret with her mother, were great side characters. Alice definitely had a lot of people looking out for her even if she didn't realize it.

The only fall back is that while this novel started out really good, and the spin on Cupid seemed to start flowing, a good portion of the novel deals with Errol (aka Cupid) trying to convince her that he is the real deal. It got a bit repetitive that she didn't realize this for half of the book. Besides some of the novel slowing down, I overall really enjoyed this real. This is the second book I've read by Selfors, and she's definitely becoming an author to look out for!

Don't forget to check out my interview with Suzanne here!

Amazon | Goodreads | Website

♥amber

Losing Faith by Denise Jaden

Losing Faith by Denise Jaden


Released: September 2010
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Genre: Young Adult - Contemporary
Pages: 377
Source: Bought
Challenge: The Contemps


Rating: ♥♥♥♥


A terrible secret. A terrible fate.


When Brie's sister, Faith, dies suddenly, Brie's world falls apart. As she goes through the bizarre and devastating process of mourning the sister she never understood and barely even liked, everything in her life seems to spiral farther and farther off course. Her parents are a mess, her friends don’t know how to treat her, and her perfect boyfriend suddenly seems anything but.


As Brie settles into her new normal, she encounters more questions than closure: Certain facts about the way Faith died just don't line up. Brie soon uncovers a dark and twisted secret about Faith’s final night...a secret that puts her own life in danger.



---

This was such a good read! Denise Jaden did a fantastic job of weaving in different elements of a teenage life, death, and a glimpse at a cult-like experience. Because of that last part - this was definitely different from what I've read before in the contemporary genre.

Brie faces one of the biggest aftermaths of someone's death: Regret. We've all experienced it. No matter how close or unclose you were with someone you knew that passed away, you always wish maybe you would have just hung out a little more, got to know them just a little bit more. With Brie, she never really knew her sister. Sure she knew her Christian sister. The one that drove her nuts, but after her death, she notices there was a lot of things she had missed out on. Memories flood her mind, brining the reader so much closer to Brie and the mystery of Faith's death.

Denise Jaden does something very tricky with her writing. She has the super writer's ability to lure you into the story without even realizing how hooked you are. Each chapter seemed to give just enough questions to make me keep turning the pages, wondering what exactly went on while Faith was alive. The characters in this book are so well developed. I loved how Jaden weaved in all these different personalities like Tessa and Alis into Brie's life. The three of them were the biggest odd trio, but yet, she made them fit perfectly together.

The only part I had trouble with was the middle. There was a great build up to the truth, but it started to drag just a bit. I do wish more was talked about with exactly what Faith was into while she was alive because I always find it fascinating how certain groups can suck a person in.

If you are worried that this book might come off as preachy due to it having religious type context, please don't let that discourage you from picking this up. This book was no way preachy or pushy on anything.

♥amber

Like Mandarin by Kirsten Hubbard

Like Mandarin by Kirsten Hubbard


Released: March 2011
Publisher: Random House
Genre: Young Adult - Contemporary
Pages: 320
Source: Teen Book Scene


Rating: ♥♥♥♥

It's hard finding beauty in the badlands of Washokey, Wyoming, but 14-year-old Grace Carpenter knows it's not her mother's pageant obsessions, or the cowboy dances adored by her small-town classmates. True beauty is wild-girl Mandarin Ramey: 17, shameless and utterly carefree. Grace would give anything to be like Mandarin.


When they're united for a project, they form an unlikely, explosive friendship, packed with nights spent skinny-dipping in the canal, liberating the town's animal-head trophies, and searching for someplace magic. Grace plays along when Mandarin suggests they run away together. Blame it on the crazy-making wildwinds plaguing their badlands town.


Because all too soon, Grace discovers Mandarin's unique beauty hides a girl who's troubled, broken, and even dangerous. And no matter how hard Grace fights to keep the magic, no friendship can withstand betrayal.

---

There are so many great debuts coming out this year, and Like Mandarin is no exception. Grace's character is one of the best examples of a wallflower. She's super smart, has a lot going for her, but you she can't seem to crack out of her shell.  It doesn't make it easier when she has a little sister who is the apple of her mother's eye due to being in many beauty pageants and having a voice like an angel. Due to how Grace is, Mandarin, the mystery of her and how she acts is very alluring.

Maybe because I know of a few people like Mandarin, I had a love/hate relationship with her character. But because of how Grace was, I understood why she was so desperate in trying to keep their friendship together. Mandarin is definitely a character who you never know what she's going to do next. As the story grows, you can see how much in some ways Mandarin is a good person deep down when it comes to Grace, but also how much she relies on her too. 

This book was such a wonderful story of friendship, trust, and the downfall of both. I was very impressed with Kirsten Hubbard's writing.  She's one of those authors who make words flow together look extremely easy when we all know it's not. Not only did she do a great job of bringing characters to life, but she wrote the town where I could understand why Mandarin was so desperate to leave it. I will definitely be looking forward to the next book Hubbard writes!

♥amber

Vixen by Jillian Larkin

Vixen by Jillian Larkin
(Flappers Book One)


Released: December 2010
Publisher: Delacorte Book
Pages: 421
Genre: Young Adult - Contemporary - Historical
Source: Star Book Tours


Rating: ♥♥♥♥

Jazz . . . Booze . . . Boys . . . It’s a dangerous combination.


Every girl wants what she can’t have. Seventeen-year-old Gloria Carmody wants the flapper lifestyle—and the bobbed hair, cigarettes, and music-filled nights that go with it. Now that she’s engaged to Sebastian Grey, scion of one of Chicago’s most powerful families, Gloria’s party days are over before they’ve even begun . . . or are they?


Clara Knowles, Gloria’s goody-two-shoes cousin, has arrived to make sure the high-society wedding comes off without a hitch—but Clara isn’t as lily-white as she appears. Seems she has some dirty little secrets of her own that she’ll do anything to keep hidden. . . .


Lorraine Dyer, Gloria’s social-climbing best friend, is tired of living in Gloria’s shadow. When Lorraine’s envy spills over into desperate spite, no one is safe. And someone’s going to be very sorry. . . .

---

You may have noticed on my blog that I do not review historical fiction. Well, that's about to change. I have fallen in love with at least an era, and that era would be the 1920's. I found it so interesting to see how much society's views have changed especially in women from then and now. There is definitely no way my fat mouth would have been welcomed to any sort of high society back then.

Jillian Larkin's writing was so wonderful and captured it perfectly. I seriously cannot wait to read more from this time period! The way she weaved in the three lives of Gloria, Clara, and Lorraine seemed like it was practically effortless.

Gloria was the main focus of the book, at least to me. She's the type of girl who you look at and know she has had it all. As you read, you realize that this girl isn't just another pretty face desperate to be some up and coming rich man's trophy wife. When the rebellious side in her decides to make an appearance, everyone, including the reader, needs to watch out. Gloria's character really took me by surprise! Especially when she sets her eyes on a black (gasp!) musician at a speakeasy in Chicago.

Clara, better known as Country Clara was probably my favorite character out of the three girls. She's got a flapper's past that is so sealed shut, it takes about the whole book to find out what this girl did while she was in New York. She uses her time in Chicago to try and reinvent herself. When Gloria's best friend, Marcus, sets his eyes on her, you definitely see a relationship sparking. I really loved the charm Marcus had. You can tell he's a playboy, but he's also got this sensitive side to him. The growth in Clara throughout the book was very realistic!

Then there was Lorraine. Lorraine is that friend who is always wanting more and more in their life. While I understand why she feels the need to be jealous of her best friend, I couldn't really sympathize with her. This girl definitely has some issues. She is one hot mess! Sometimes she did annoy me, but she brought a lot of turbulence to herself and everyone around her which of course made for a good story.

For the most part, the story flowed nicely. As I mentioned before, the lives of all three teenage girls weave together perfectly.  But there were a few snags here and there where I felt the story slowed and got a bit boring. Besides that I really, really did enjoy this book. It's the first book in the series so there was a lot of build-up, but Larkin did answer a bunch of questions I had from the get-go, but still left it so open I am DYING to know what is going to happen next. Let's just say the three of these girls certainly know how to get the gossip mill flowing, and I doubt it will be slowing down anytime soon.

♥amber

Fall For Anything by Courtney Summers

Fall For Anything by Courtney Summers


Released: December 2010
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Genre: Young Adult - Contemporary
Pages: 224
Source: Publisher


Rating: ♥♥♥♥


When Eddie Reeves’s father commits suicide her life is consumed by the nagging question of why? Why when he was a legendary photographer and a brilliant teacher? Why when he seemed to find inspiration in everything he saw? And, most important, why when he had a daughter who loved him more than anyone else in the world?

When she meets Culler Evans, a former student of her father’s and a photographer himself, an instant and dangerous attraction begins. Cullen seems to know more about her father than she does and could possibly hold the key to the mystery surrounding his death. But Eddie’s vulnerability has weakened her and Culler Evans is getting too close. Her need for the truth keeps her hanging on...but are some questions better left unanswered?



---
Reading this book was like being caught in a fog. You never really knew what was going to be in front of you.  I've grown accostmed to Summers writing strong, love-to-hate type of characters. So when I was introduced to Eddie, I was taken a back. She is nothing like past characters. She is fragile, broken, and has a very somber feeling to her.
It's not just Eddie's world that seems to be caught in this thick fog her father's suicide has left. Her mother walks around in his old house coat, shuffling through the house while her friend, Beth, has decided it's her duty to pick up the pieces. What she doesn't realize is that she's just driving Eddie nuts. As annoying as Beth was, I think in some ways she was kind of essential. Eddie's non-foggy ways were kind of brought out when Beth was around.
While her mother is off in her own depressed world, the only other person there that isn't driving Eddie nuts is her best friend Milo. I loved Milo. He was such a strong character who also brought back some life into Eddie. He cared a lot for her which was blatantly obvious from the get-go. I wondered how things would go between them as the pages went on, but soon we were introduced to Culler Evans who is a character of his own.
Eddie seems to think Culler has the answers she's looking for. The reason of why her dad took his own life without warning. Culler is one of those characters who you are weary of, but at the same time, you just can't help but like him no matter how screwed up his intentions are in the book.
Courtney Summers' books have always been more character driven. It's amazing how it never gets boring, not even for a second. I love how she plays them out. Giving us just pieces of them, not fully understanding their actions, and not having them apologize for being who they are. They're so real you have to question if maybe she's writing someone's biography.
I have never been the type of reader that needs an ending wrapped in a pretty pink bow especially when it comes to contemporary fiction. I like to somewhat wonder what happened to these characters after the story is done. But I think Eddie's story was cut too short. It just didn't feel "finished" to me. 
Overall, Courtney Summers is still one author that you MUST check out if you haven't. I have no doubt she will keep writing books that will keep her in a league of her own.
Website | Twitter | Amazon | Goodreads
♥amber

Crash Into Me by Albert Borris (Blog Tour)

Crash Into Me by Albert Borris


Released: June 2009
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Genre: Young Adult - Contemporary
Pages: 272
Source: Bought


Rating: ♥♥♥♥

Owen, Frank, Audrey, and Jin-Ae have one thing in common: they all want to die. When they meet online after each attempts suicide and fails, the four teens make a deadly pact: they will escape together on a summer road trip to visit the sites of celebrity suicides...and at their final destination, they will all end their lives.


As they drive cross-country, bonding over their dark impulses, sharing their deepest secrets and desires, living it up, hooking up, and becoming true friends, each must decide whether life is worth living--or if there's no turning back.



---

Crash Into Me was a book I had kept meaning to read, and I'm so glad I finally did. Ever read a book that you know is powerful yet you have no clue how to describe why? That's kind of how this review is going to be.

The book opens with Owen meeting up with Frank, Jin-Ae, and Audrey. Throughout their trip, old chats come up, telling more about each character before they all decided to make this pact together. Owen was a character who I could understand in some ways, and in others, I needed to know why he thought life wasn't worth living. The same went for Frank who thought he'd never be enough for his family. Then Jin-Ae, a lesbian who couldn't come out to her parents. Then there was Audrey. Oh Audrey. You would think a book that covers such a raw and emotional subject matter wouldn't have comic relief, but because of Audrey there was. And trust me, these kids needed some comic relief.

Besides wondering what was going to happen at the end, I really wanted to know more about Owen. What all he went through, why he was like this kept me very glued to the story. The friendships that build because of this amazed me. Here were four teens thinking no one cared about them when the whole time they had formed this incredible friendship and bond they were too blind to see.

Suicide was the only thing the characters knew, but yet them discussing it, brining things up, making list of ways to kill yourself - it never got repetitive like you may think. Let's face it. A lot of teens go through these feelings. I know I did, and I would have loved to have read a book like this back then.

Overall, Albert Borris did a wonderful job of capturing a very raw and real subject. This is the type of book I think should be read and passed around to anyone who has ever felt this way. And even if you've never found yourself in a dark place, you can still take something from it.

♥amber

Matched by Ally Condie

Matched by Ally Condie


Released: November 2010
Publisher: Dutton
Genre: Young Adult - Dystopia
Pages: 384
Source: Around the World Tours


Rating: ♥♥♥♥

In the Society, Officials decide. Who you love. Where you work. When you die.


Cassia has always trusted their choices. It’s barely any price to pay for a long life, the perfect job, the ideal mate. So when her best friend appears on the Matching screen, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is the one . . . until she sees another face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. Now Cassia is faced with impossible choices: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she’s known and a path no one else has ever dared follow—between perfection and passion.



---

I'm new to the Dystopia genre. After discussing it on twitter with Sab, I came to realize I have read it before, but what can I say I have a bad habit of sticking in my comfort zone of reading. Since Matched was one of the most anticipated books this year, I decided to pop my head out and see what the fuss was about.

Ally Condie's style of writing is very poetic. The words slip in nicely and flow so easily it amazed me how far into the story I was without even realizing it. The only downside I think some readers will find in the beginning of Matched is a bit slow. Normally I can't do a slow book, but the whole world that Cassia is placed in had me so intrigued. The thought of living in a world, one that was controlled from what you ate, to what you wear, to who (if anyone) you will spend the rest of your life - that's just crazy!

For someone who doesn't think of a futuristic world, it was a bit weird at first trying to view a main character who had never really had her own thoughts. Cassia has never went against what she has told, but soon her mind begins to wonder. One thing I loved was seeing a lot of the 'past' which some of it was only fifty or sixy years ago being intertwined in the stories. (Double bonus for using some of Dylan Thomas's work). When Ky's face appears on the screen, it's like the first time Cassia's life actually turns into a life. She suddenly so confused when she shouldn't be, and her feelings are sprinkled throughout the pages and the character growth was paced out so wonderfully - it just made this read so fantastic.

What really makes Matched stand out to me is how beautiful the relationship between Ky and Cassia is. I am a sucker for a good romance, and each chapter my stomach become fluttery wondering what was going to happen to these two. If anything did, I was on pins and needles wondering what the outcome would be.

I will give out a semi spoiler, but it's one I think everyone should know so they don't have the same reaction I did. There is a sequel (and thank you Jenny for reassuring me of it!) so when you get to the last page don't chuck the book on the table shouting out a WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?! Because Cassia's story is far from done, and I am so, so very glad of that.

♥amber

Aces Up by Lauren Barnholdt

Aces Up by Lauren Barnholdt


Released: August 2010
Publisher: Delacorte Books
Genre: Young Adult
Pages: 288
Source: Around the World Tours


Rating: ♥♥♥♥


Seventeen-year-old high school senior Shannon Card needs money. And lots of it. She's been admitted to Wellesley, but her dad just lost his job, and somehow she has to come up with a year of tuition herself. But Shannon's dream of making big bucks waitressing at the local casino, the Collosio, disappears faster than a gambler's lucky streak. Her boss is a tyrant, her coworker is nuts, and her chances of balancing a tray full of drinks while wearing high-heeled shoes are slim to none. Worse, time is running out, and Shannon hasn't made even half the money she'd hoped.

When Shannon receives a mysterious invitation to join Aces Up, a secret network of highly talented college poker players, at first she thinks No way. She has enough to worry about: keeping her job, winning the coveted math scholarship at school, and tutoring her secret crush, Max. But when Shannon musters up the nerve to kiss Max and he doesn't react at all, the allure of Aces Up and its sexy eighteen-year-old leader, Cole, is suddenly too powerful to ignore.

Soon Shannon's caught up in a web of lies and deceit that makes worrying about tuition money or a high school crush seem like kid stuff. Still, when the money's this good, is the fear of getting caught reason enough to fold?

---

Lauren Barnholdt has always managed to crack me up in her novels, and this one was packed full of great moments. One thing I really enjoyed about Aces Up was the main character Shannon. She's very smart, fiercely independent, and has a good heart. Due to living in a horrible economy, which I think all of us obviously can relate to, there have been some cut backs in Shannon's family. So she knows the only way she's going to get into the college of her dream is to somehow come up with her own money. Now how many of you know a teenager that is willing buy a fake ID so she can work? Yeah, Shannon is awesome.

When Cole approaches Shannon on joining the exclusive underground club Aces Up, I thought I knew how this story was going to play out. There was something very swoon-worthy about Cole. He's cute and has that 'need to know basis' type of attitude. When he was around, I thought Max who? But Shannon is no fool, and the choices she makes throughout the novel had even me surprised.

I don't know a thing about poker. Even after reading this book, I still don't. But I do know that the plot, characters, and everything in between was such a fun read! I think this is one of Barnholdt's best books, and as always, I'm looking forward to what kind of crazy idea she'll come up with next!

♥amber

Unconventional by JJ Hebert

Unconventional by JJ Hebert


Released: July 2009
Publisher: Mindstir Media
Pages: 332
Genre: Adult - Contemporary - Inspirational
Source: Won from author

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

Young James Frost just knows, deep in his bones, that he's a writer. He writes far into early mornings, after his wearying hours of scrubbing toilets and sweeping floors. He loves writing that much. But it's not only the joy of words that keeps him grinding; it's his desire to retire the janitor's mop. He sees being published as the key to living an improved life.


James has another deep-seated conviction: that he's not good enough. He secretly longs to be accepted. However, the conventional others in his life seem all too willing to remind him that he's wasting his time. Then he meets and falls in love with Leigh, the one bright spot in his endless misery of self-doubt. A quiet but resolutely religious girl, she has to fight off disapproval of her own from overly critical parents, whose insults are countered by James's often-voiced admiration of her. Likewise, Leigh's faith in his talents begins to build his confidence, eventually allowing her to introduce him to a different way to help himself: relying on God.


Ultimately, James's newfound faith is sorely tested to the point of doubt when his dream to be published seems to melt into a mirage, smothered by countless rejection slips from agents and publishers. His faith is also battered by having to fight highly emotional battles and suffer fear and loss. Just when James appears hopelessly sapped by devastating events, one last door opens, and he's rocked by an epiphany.

----

I haven't read an 'inspirational' book in a long time. I know people tend to shy away from something labeled under that genre due to have preachy the book might be. That's not the case with Unconventional. It has a great mix of everything that happens in life.

My first reaction after reading a few pages was: Oh my, you are wordy! Then a few chapters into it I realized how easily I could relate to James and his life. He's a writer. I'm a writer. He decided to not attend a four year college unlike all of his friends. I did about the same. He works at a crappy job and dreams of one day being published. Yep, I know that story all too well.

When James meets Leigh it seems like his life is going to turn around. I really enjoyed how slowly and realistic the relationship built between the two. Leigh really helped James realize how good of a person he was even when things go a bit sticky. We all know life doesn't go the way we want it to, and for James this happens a lot. I think if I would have read this book months ago it wouldn't have had the same affect on me. If you read this book, it'll lit a fire under you butt - writer or not. What really made this story so wonderful is the simplest reminder that when you have faith not only in your beliefs, but in yourself, you can do anything.

♥amber

Winter Longing by Tricia Mills

Winter Longing by Tricia Mills


Released: August 2010
Publisher: Razorbill
Genre: Young Adult
Pages: 256
Source: Around the World Tours


Rating: ♥♥♥♥


A plane crash in Alaska takes
Winter’s first love away forever . . .


When Winter's boyfriend is killed in a plane crash in the Alaskan wilderness, she's robbed of the future she'd only just allowed herself to believe might be hers. Winter and Spencer had been destined for one another. And after his death, Spencer's presence continues to haunt her.


But when her next-door neighbor becomes an unlikely friend, Winter begins to accept all that she can't change. Can she open herself to a new future . . . and a possible new love?

---

Winter Longing is what I would describe as a quiet emotional story that you suddenly just find yourself slipping into without even realizing it. Right from the get go you know that Spencer is going to die. The back of the book tells you that. One thing that stood out to me more in this story was how someone who was gone from the beginning still had such an impact throughout the story.

I'm glad the author decided to never really put Spencer there while he was alive. You only learn about him through memories and a tiny paragraph before each chapter. For me, this made me understand why Winter was going through such a hard time without him. The more you learn about the two, the more heart breaking it is to know that they'll never be together. I don't just mean that in the love sense, but the two have been best friends for most of their life. It made the sense of loss much more powerful.

Tricia Mills did a great job of covering a girl who is slowly slipping into depression. Everyone takes death in a different way, and Winter cannot understand how everyone around her can simply move on with their lives while she still can't. Then she meets Jesse. He's not the character who just steps into the room and suddenly everything is going to be peachy again.  His character takes time to step up, but is played out so well, you can't help but love him.

This was a great story about loss, healing, love, and second chances. It's almost a great reminder that we should never take anyone in our lives for granted because you never know when they might be gone. You're definitely going to want to pick this book up.

♥amber

Review: Split by Swati Avasthi

Split by Swati Avasthi


Released: March 2010
Publisher: Random House
Genre: Young Adult - Contemporary - Abuse
Pages: 282
Source: Around the World Tours


Rating: ♥♥♥♥


Sixteen-Year-Old Jace Witherspoon arrives at the doorstep of his estranged brother Christian with a re-landscaped face (courtesy of his father’s fist), $3.84, and a secret.


He tries to move on, going for new friends, a new school, and a new job, but all his changes can’t make him forget what he left behind—his mother, who is still trapped with his dad, and his ex-girlfriend, who is keeping his secret.
At least so far.


Worst of all, Jace realizes that if he really wants to move forward, he may first have to do what scares him most: He may have to go back. First-time novelist Swati Avasthi has created a riveting and remarkably nuanced portrait of what happens after. After you’ve said enough, after you’ve run, after you’ve made the split — how do you begin to live again?



---

SSplit is one of those novels where I'm really not for sure what to say. I don't mean that like it was a bad read. It was a great read. One that punched me in the gut and made me teary eyed.

The subject of abusive is never a pleasant one nor is it one that is easy to read. It's horrible to know that this type of family, and the things that not only Jace, but his older brother, Christian, were put through happen in real life. That so many children, teens, and adults have suffered these things - it really breaks your heart.

Jace was very well developed and sometimes even scary character. He's so fueled with anger, yet is trying his hardest to get past it, I wasn't for sure how his future would be. The secret that he is carrying around completely took me by surprise. It honestly infuriated me, but at the same time I felt very sympathetic towards him. Throughout the book you see his journey to make amends with his brother, to try and save his mother, and most importantly save himself from turning out like his father.

My only complaint is that during the middle of the read things just seemed to slow down for me. The beginning had me hooked, but then things seemed to drag more, but the ending...the ending was so realistic and due to the subject matter completely perfect.

♥amber

You Wish by Mandy Hubbard

You Wish by Mandy Hubbard


Released: August 2010
Publisher: Razorbill
Genre: Young Adult
Pages: 272
Source: Around the World Tours


Rating: ♥♥♥♥


Kayla McHenry’s sweet sixteenth sucks! Her dad left, her grades dropped, and her BFF is dating the boy Kayla’s secretly loved for years. Blowing out her candles, Kayla thinks: I wish my birthday wishes actually came true. Because they never freakin’ do.


Kayla wakes the next day to a life-sized, bright pink My Little Pony outside her window. Then a year’s supply of gumballs arrives. And a boy named Ken with a disturbing resemblance to the doll of same name stalks her. As the ghosts of Kayla’s wishes-past appear, they take her on a wild ride… but they MUST STOP. Because when she was 15? She wished Ben Mackenzie would kiss her.


And Ben is her best friend's boyfriend.

---

I really enjoyed Mandy Hubbard's first novel and she did not disappoint me with You Wish.

The idea of this story was fantastic! Think back to every wish you've made at your birthday. Would you really want all of those to come true? Well for 16 year old Kayla, she doesn't really have a choice in the matter. From a life sized My Little Pony, a life supply of gum balls, a guy looking like Ken, and my most favorite wish ever - Raggedy Anne coming to life! Kayla's life is just getting more and more hectic by the minute, but what happens if the wish she made for her best friend's boyfriend to kiss her comes true?

Kayla is my type of character. A girl who is smart, screws up, and is full of witty sass. There were so many moments while reading I was cracking up and just loving every minute of it. Mandy Hubbard really knows how to write a fun novel that anyone of any age can read. While the idea of all your wishes coming true isn't very realistic, but the friendship and insecurities that Kayla has are. This book has a great mixture of a teen life plus a crazy situation.

After reading this, I can say for sure that Mandy has became one of my favorite authors and I think will keep coming up with some great novels for us to read.

♥amber

Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs

Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs (Book One)


Released: June 2010
Publisher: HaperCollins
Genre: Young Adult - Paranormal - Series
Pages: 304
Source: Around the World Tours

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

Lily Sanderson has a secret, and it’s not that she has a huge crush on gorgeous swimming god Brody Bennett, who makes her heart beat flipper-fast. Unrequited love is hard enough when you’re a normal teenage girl, but when you’re half human, half mermaid like Lily, there’s no such thing as a simple crush.


Lily’s mermaid identity is a secret that can’t get out, since she’s not just any mermaid – she’s a Thalassinian princess. When Lily found out three years ago that her mother was actually a human, she finally realized why she didn’t feel quite at home in Thalassinia, and she’s been living on land and going to Seaview high school ever since, hoping to find where she truly belongs. Sure, land has its problems – like her obnoxious, biker boy neighbor Quince Fletcher – but it has that one major perk – Brody. The problem is, mermaids aren’t really the casual dating type – when they “bond,” it’s for life.


When Lily’s attempt to win Brody’s love leads to a tsunami-sized case of mistaken identity, she is in for a tidal wave of relationship drama, and she finds out, quick as a tailfin flick, that happily-ever-after never sails quite as smoothly as you planned.



---

Growing up, I loved the Little Mermaid so when I heard about Forgive My Fins, I thought for the inner mermaid fan in me who can still bust out A Whole New World, would have to give it a try. And holy crab cakes was I glad I did! Forgive My Fins was such a cute, charming, and fun read!

Lilly is a bit bubbly, a bit stubborn, sometimes childish, but overall a great voice to slip into. I really like how she had her own insecurites when it came to her looks and how she dressed, but it wasn't the overly sappy and whiny voice that some ficitional characters have. Another thing that I have to point out is the uniqueness in words that Terri decided to use. There are many sea references in Lilly's vocabulary, like son of a swordfish, that really add to the mermaid tale, but not so much where you find yourself annoyed.

Then there was Quince. Oh Quincey boy how I adore you and the fact you used the word: darlin'. The banter between Lilly and Quince was amusing and cute all at the same time. Quince has the slightly bad boy vibe to him, but one I think even anti-bad boys can learn to love.

The plot itself is on the predictable side, but I think a lot of people will enjoy the freshness of Lilly's voice and the overall charm the mermaid world has. I really adored Terri Lynn Childs writing. She never gave too much of a character or history dump that sometimes happens when reading any paranormal read. You learn about Lilly's world as the story goes on.  The epilogue was a bit surprising, but left me curious enough to see what else is going to happen in the kingdom of Thalassinian in the second book.

♥amber

Review: Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles

Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles

Published: April 2010
Genre: Young Adult - Contemporary Fiction - Romance
Publisher: Walker & Company
Pages: 304
Source: My sister's bookshelf

Rating: ♥♥♥♥


When Carlos Fuentes returns to America after living in Mexico for a year, he doesn’t want any part of the life his older brother, Alex, has laid out for him at a high school in Colorado . Carlos likes living his life on the edge and wants to carve his own path—just like Alex did. Then he meets Kiara Westford. She doesn’t talk much and is completely intimidated by Carlos’ wild ways. As they get to know one another, Carlos assumes Kiara thinks she’s too good for him, and refuses to admit that she might be getting to him. But he soon realizes that being himself is exactly what Kiara needs right now.

---

Being a huge fan of the first book in this series, Perfect Chemistry, I was more than thrilled when I finally got my hands on this. It's hard obviously not to compare the two books together because it's the same series and they're a lot of like.

This time around we're introduced to a bad boy named Carlos.  Oh...where do I begin with him? Alex has nothing when it comes to this Fuentes brother. While borderline obnoxious, the things that would fly out of this Carlos's mouth had me laughing and sometimes blushing like mad. Sparks start to fly shortly with Kiara who was your average girl without being a typical Mary Sue. The reaction between the two were always amusing and sometimes extremely steamy. Which is why I would recommend this more for older teens rather than younger due to some scenes in the book.

Even though the plot is slightly cheesy, it still kept me glued. But you know what? I love cheesy. I can't see anyone putting this book down because while Kiara and Carlos's attraction wasn't as powerful as I thought it would be, I had to know what's going to happen to them. Simone Elekes knows how to make you care about her characters up until the very end. Did I think Rules of Attraction topped Perfect Chemistry? No, but it was still a great read. I'm so looking forward to reading the last installment of the Fuentes brothers.



♥amber

Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

Released: May 2001 

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Genre: Young Adult - Contemporary Fiction

Pages: 352

Source: Big Honcho Media

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

Amy Curry thinks her life sucks. Her mom decides to move from California to Connecticut to start anew--just in time for Amy's senior year. Her dad recently died in a car accident. So Amy embarks on a road trip to escape from it all, driving cross-country from the home she's always known toward her new life. Joining Amy on the road trip is Roger, the son of Amy's mother's old friend. Amy hasn't seen him in years, and she is less than thrilled to be driving across the country with a guy she barely knows. So she's surprised to find that she is developing a crush on him. At the same time, she's coming to terms with her father's death and how to put her own life back together after the accident. Told in traditional narrative as well as scraps from the road--diner napkins, motel receipts, postcards--this is the story of one girl's journey to find herself.

----

Amy & Roger's Epic Detour is definitely a book you do not want to miss out on if you've ever wanted to take a cross country road trip. What a wonderful way to explore America without ever leaving your house! I thought the maps, playlist, pictures, and Amy's entries in her travel journal were a clever touch to really make you feel like you were with Roger and her.

Amy was pretty bland at the beginning of the novel. It made the read a bit drabby at first, but after I passed the first fifty pages - I was pretty much sold. While being on a road trip just for about a week doesn't seem like that long of a time for a person to change, it is. Knowing more and more about Roger and Amy and seeing them both tackle things in their past made the pages fly by. The plot itself isn't very fast paced, but it makes for a great character growth read. I think those that like a more action fast plot might not like this one too much.

One thing I have to point out is how much I enjoyed seeing both characters experience everything around them. Neither of the characters had really been outside of California so when they stumbled upon the Midwest (where I'm from) I was probably cracking up a bit more than I should have. Especially when they arrived at a Sonic, and had no clue what it was. Or when they hit Kentucky and never had sweet tea. (No sweet tea? You people are living without!) It was pretty neat seeing all the differences that many states have. 

After I read this book, I texted my sister asking if she wanted to make a small road trip of our own. So at the end of the month we're hitting up Graceland! So I say pick this book up, enjoy Morgan Matson's wonderful writing, and see where it takes you. Who knows, you might end up on a road trip of your own. 

♥amber