Review: Lola and The Boy Next Door (Anna and The French Kiss #2) by Stephanie Perkins

Edition: ebook
Pages: 338
Publish Date: September 29, 2011
Publisher: Speak
Genre: Young Adult Romance
Series: Companion Series
Goodreads Rating: 4.02 (72,642 ratings)

Ah this was such a good pick me up! What a nice day off spent reading this adorable book. Though I'll be honest I loved Anna and The French Kiss more, but I'm a sucker for the boy next door type stories. 
I loved that we still got some Anna and Etienne in this book, but Lola and Cricket's story was so sweet. 
This story follows the rekindling of Lola and Cricket's love, though they were only 12 at the time, now at 17/18 and Cricket come's back into her life, the feeling are still there for them both. But with rock star controlling boyfriends, and twin sisters still trying to keep the girl next door away from her brother, they run into many problems. 
But in true Stephanie Perkin's fashion they all live happily ever after (except Lola's EX boyfriend). 

and as a fashion student I truly loved the style aspect in this story, I need to find a fashion forward guy for myself!

Thanks for reading! 

Review: Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma

Edition: ebook
Pages: 432
Publish Date: May 27, 2012
Publisher: Definitions
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
Series: No
Goodreads Rating: 4.07 (26,673 ratings)

I've only read one other book that made me cry this much. Both ended the same, suicide. You start out this book knowing it won't end well, for a while you tread water leading up to where it begins, then it's like what they say, how can something so wrong feel so right. I was so happy when they finally were together, you know it's wrong but in all fairness it didn't seem that way. 
And then everything went wrong.
I don't want to go into it cause I just finished it and I need to stop crying at some point. 
Everything about this book was flawless, Tabitha Suzuma as a writing makes you feel everything, you can't skim her novel's you want to read every world, feel every emotion, and in the end feel the gut wrenching pain as Maya and Lochan we're pulled apart by their family, the police, and finally by death. 
Though it ends with Maya caring for the family in such a numb broken state, making a promise to Lochie on his funeral date to try. I have faith she may make it, only for her family, because that's all that ever mattered to both of them.

Review: Kaleidoscope Hearts by Claire Contreras

Edition: ebook
Pages: 295
Publish Date: January 20, 2015
Publisher: Self Pub
Genre: New Adult Romance
Series: No
Goodreads Rating: 4.33 (817 ratings)

My god Claire Contreras knows how to pull on your heart string bringing back thoughts of childhood love. I read her Darkness Duology and loved it, so I just had to read this one.
Elle and Oliver were heart stoppingly perfect, the back and forth push and pull was just beautiful and painted the perfect picture of love. It doesn't get much better than this, you'll laugh, cry, smile, and love every minute of this book.

Review: You Against Me by Jenny Downham

Edition: ebook
Pages: 416
Publish Date: September 13, 2011
Publisher: David Fickling Books 
Genre: Young Adult Romance
Series: No
Goodreads Rating: 3.72 (12,872 ratings)

This was so painful! Both families were a wreck, and seeing it from both Ellie's (the sister of the accused rapist) point of view, and Mikey's (who's 15 year old sister was raped). The fact that they fell for eachother was heart breaking since both families tore them apart. 
There were a few characters that I hated, one of course being Ellie's brother Tom who put her through all of this (though he tried to redeem himself in the end), and her Father who in my opinion was the biggest ass of them all. I understand wanting to defend your kid but punishing his daughter and generally treating her like crap for telling the truth. I mean (spoiler) he raped the girl, why punish his sister for telling the truth. 
Needless to say, I love Jenny Downham's writing style, having both perspectives, the family dynamics, it was an emotional ride, and having NO conclusion other than Ellie and Mikey putting it behind them
But Tom is still pleading not guilty, Karyn and Ellie have to go to court and be judged and torn apart, all because Ellie's dad chose his rapist son over his daughter.

Review: Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson

Edition: Hardcover
Pages: 449
Publish Date: May 6, 2014
Publisher: Simon and Schuster 
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
Series: No
Goodreads Rating: 4.16 (15,396 ratings)

I am so much like Emily it's kind of sad. I need someone to make a list of random crap for me to do that I would never do. 
But I will be honest, out of all 3 of her books I like this one the least. That's doesn't say much since I loved it, I just loved the others more.

The love story was so cute, but I didn't like the ending. Great to sort things out between her and Sloane, and of course with her and Frank, But what about the other friends she made?? There wasn't any resolution for that, though I like having an open ended ending where you can just imagine how things will turn out, but I wanted more from this.

Review: Mockingjay (The Hunger Games #3) by Suzanne Collins

Edition: Audiobook/Hardcover
Pages: 11 hours and 40 minutes
Publish Date: August 24, 2010
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Genre: Young Adult Dystopian
Series: The Hunger Games
Goodreads Rating: 4.03 (1,387,975 ratings)

I need the movie and I need it now!
Peeta and Katniss forever :)

Review: Throne of Glass (#1) by Sarah J Mass

Edition: Paperback
Pages: 404
Publish Date: May 7, 2013
Publisher: Bloomsbury 
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Series: Throne of Glass
Goodreads Rating: 4.19 (89,204 ratings)

So...this girl is totally bad ass! I freakin' loved her sass, I loved the friends she made, and the boys, oh the boys! The Prince and Captain of the Guard! And of course when the magic got serious, the demons and ghosts were awesome. 

Even though I enjoyed it...I really didn't enjoy the majority of it, the build up and development was just too much. But now that we've got the whole world, plot and character development overwith I look forward to reading Crown of Midnight and then of Course The Assassins Blade and Heir of Fire.

Review: Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson

Edition: Paperback
Pages: 468
Publish Date: May 8, 2012
Publisher: Simon and Schuster 
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
Series: No
Goodreads Rating: 4.12 (18,527 ratings)

Taylor Edward's family isn't as close as it used to be, but after learning that her fathers days are seriously numbered, he requests that they spend them the way they did 5 years ago, at the families lake house.

With their usual summer plans of ballet classes, SAT prep, and whatever else they could come up with to not be together cancelled, they all head up to the Poconos lake house, the one Taylor hasn't been back to in 5 years.

New friends, and old friends are back, as well as Taylor's childhood boyfriend Henry.

“Just because you'd left something behind didn't mean that it had gone anywhere.” 
― Morgan Matson, Second Chance Summer

Taylor has this horrible habit of running away when things get tough, and that's what happened 5 years ago, she and Henry got together in the month that Lucy, Taylor's best friend, was away. But when Taylor find out that Lucy has a crush on Henry Taylor keeps their relationship a secret, until best friend and boyfriend inevitably meet. And of course, Taylor's first instinct is to run away...for 5 years.

A lot has happened, but somehow throughout this last summer everything is started fresh. After many apologies first. 

Henry and Lucy are Taylor's escape from what is happening at home. He dad is slowly deteriorating, and after Taylor spends the afternoon baking and kissing, and just having fun with Henry her dad takes a turn for the worst. it's only days now and Taylor runs again, but only from Henry. 

Ending the relationship with the reason to spend time with her family while all Henry wants to do is be there for her. 

On the last night, Taylor sits under the stars and meteor shower with her father and finally tells him the words she can't remember saying - I love you.

“A thousand moments that I had just taken for granted- mostly because I had assumed that there would be a thousand more.” 
― Morgan Matson, Second Chance Summer

This is an amazing book about second chances, in the wake of her family's loss and with only a few weeks left of summer, Taylor finds Henry and asks him for another second chance.

If I had to choose I'd say this one was better than Amy and Roger's Epic Detour, but they're both amazing. WARNING you needs tissues if you're going to read this book!

And after finding Morgan Matson's book Since You've Been Gone for only 5$ I cannot wait to start reading it!

Thanks for reading

Review: Opposition (Lux #5) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Edition: Paperback
Pages: 534
Publish Date: August 4, 2014
Publisher: Entangled teen
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Series: Lux
Goodreads Rating: 4.48 (18,686 ratings)

OMG world takeover! crazy psycho luxen's human's and much much more.
It's hard to accept that Kat's family is gone, after the invading luxen's needed to assimilate they did it too quickly killing the human they imitate. 
Uniting with the government (non corrupt kind) and the Arum helped destroyed the luxen's who were out to take over earth. 
They've saved earth and have acquired that future they never thought possible. 

Review: Consequences: Opal and Origin (Lux #3-4) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Edition: Paperback
Pages: 800
Publish Date: June 3, 2014
Publisher: Entangled teen
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Series: Lux
Goodreads Rating: 4.75 (1,337 ratings)

Opal: OMG How can it end like that!!! No. No. NO! 
I am so not happy that Daemon's first "I love you" to Kat was as his brother drags him to safety. 
Other than that ending I am in love with this book. It had the most lovey dovey cuteness out of the first 3 books and it was so perfect. We lost a couple more characters, Carissa, Katy's friends from school who was experimented on trying to turn her into a hybrid like Kat. And finally Will, the sick asshole implant who's failed healing left him back to square one, dying. His revenge plan failed, leaving him dead and even though he shot katy, Daemon healed her (and himself). 
And guess what, Blake is even more of an asshole. The king of all assholes. I hope he dies the most painful death imaginable. 
That ending man, holy fuckkk!

So I'll be honest I didn't enjoy this book as much as the others. Mainly for the sick twistedness of the government. And that ending! WTF!? I'm really scared how this is going to end. I just want everything to go back to the beginning. 
And more deaths!? This just sucks, Paris, Ash, and Andrew. That poor family betrayed by who they thought they could trust, Matthew who acted like a father to all of them, gave them up to the DOD. 
Their only way out was exposing themselves to the world, and now more Luxen have come to earth for god knows what.

But hey, Katy and Daemon are married!!! Freakin' MARRIED! 

Now on to Opposition!

Review: Catching Fire (The Hunger Games #2) by Suzanne Collins

Edition: Audiobook/Hardcover
Pages: 11 hours and 40 minutes
Publish Date: September 1, 2009
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Genre: Young Adult Dystopian
Series: The Hunger Games
Goodreads Rating: 4.31 (1,504,983 ratings)

I'll be honest, it was hard getting into the book because I've already seen the movie, and I have to say both were amazing!
I am so happy that this series has enforced my faith in the film industry, usually I'm against books being made into movie or tv shows, as much as it's always something you kind of want, you always know that they butcher the books. But so far The Hunger Games have been made almost flawlessly, including nearly every aspect of the books. I wish I had read the books first either way because it's hard to read something where you know everything that happens. 
But it won't be that way for Mockingjay because I have restrained myself from seeing part 1 so I will be reading that books soon, finally knowing the end for Peeta and Katniss.

2015 Reading Challenge

possibilities...
1. LUX Beginnings (800 pages)
2. Pride and Prejudice Jane Austin
3. Hunger Games Trilogy
4. Confess by Colleen Hoover
5. The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey
6. Champion by Marie Lu (Almost 31!)
7. Alientated by Melissa Landers
8. Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
9. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Mass
10.
11. Captive by Aimee Carter
12. Life Before Legend by Marie Lu
13. Half Bad by Sally Green
14.
15.
16. Lost and Found by Nicole Williams (loved her Crash series)
17. Just Listen by Sarah Dessen
18. Honestly none of those prize winners interest me..
19. Stolen by Lucy Christopher
20.
21. The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
22.
23. reread A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett
24. A thousand pieces of you by Claudia Gray
25.
26.
27. Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma
28.
29.
30.
31. Unremembered by Jessica Brody
32. Champion by Marie Lu
33. ....a little princess again
34. Collide
35. The Defiant by Lisa M Stasse
36. Forget You by Jennifer Echols
37.
38. Second Chance Summer (I've heard it'll make me cry)
39. Half Bad Again...
40. I don't really read graphic novels..
41. The Raven Boys by Maggie Stevader
42. The Night Circus
43. Nothing takes place where I live...
44. Dash and Lily's book of dares
45. ^ Rachel Cohn
46. Les Mis
47.
48.
49.

Review: Beginnings: Obsidian and Onyx (Lux #1-2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Edition: Paperback
Pages: 800
Publish Date: January 3, 2013
Publisher: Entangled teen
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Series: Lux
Goodreads Rating: 4.70 (1,821 ratings)

Obsidian: 
HOLY SHIT!
Okay, this was one of the first books I got on my recommendations on goodreads and I completely ignored it because of the god awful cover and the synopsis, unaware that I actually enjoy a good supernatural book. 
And this was flippin' amazing! I love the push and pull between Daemon and Katy and I'm just dying for more! 
I've loved Jennifer L. Armentrout's New Adult books and now I'm in love with her YA Fantasy as well. Like I literally spent my whole day off reading this and watching youtube video's about the top 14 of 2014. I wish I had the day off tomorrow to read all of Onyx.

Onyx: FINALLY! you know the push and pull was really hot and intriguing but they admitted they loved eachother! It wasn't all alien bond but real love. But now that they've admitted it I'm kind of scared for the inevitable fall out...I kind of hoped they'd drag out the sexual tension like they do in TV shows because the whole coming together is what everyone wait for. And now I'm waiting for it to all fall apart. 
One thing that I love is that the alien bond is a you die I die sort of thing. So I have full faith that neither of them are going to die. But *spoilers alert* Dee's boyfriend dies! That was heart breaking. But we've got Dawson back! He's alive!! 
Everything is just peachy atm, except for vengeful Arum, and DOD officers, crazy stupid Mutated humans who work for the DOD (Brian, or Bo, or whatever his name was...fuckin' asshole)

Since I ahve all the books already I don't anticipate that I'll be holding off between all these books. Probably just going to marathon the whole thing since I have 4 DAYS OFF! Woooohoooo reading sprint!

Bookworm Rant

So it has come to my attention that reading is a bad thing.
Yes you read that correctly.
According to my family I need to get a life and stop reading so much.
I realize being 20 y/o that yes maybe I should be going out more but here's the thing.
I'm like my Mother, but the only family I have is all on my Father's side, and I am nothing like my family. I'm completely introverted realist who hates parties or any occasion with more then 3 people.
If I had to choose between going to club to dance and drink or staying at home and reading, I'd stay at home and read.
What sucks is that this seems to be some extreme sign of depression or alienation as I'm cutting myself off from the outside world to read a goddamn book.
What parent in their right mind would prefer me to go out partying rather than read a book?
It seems odd to me. Like I get where their coming from with some of it like yes maybe reading over 100 books seems excessive especially to someone who's read less then 5 in their whole life.
But in all honesty, I've found something that makes ME happy. Something that can be a social thing but is mainly a solitary activity, but that works for my kind of personality.
They say opposites attract but that is not the case with my family. I'm am the complete black sheep in my family of sparkly positive white sheep.

I'll probably delete this later, I'm just real hurt by my families incessant teasing and trying to change me to be more like them. I'm 20 y/o, I am who I am and I'm happy with that.
So they just need to suck it up and get over it!

Review: Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

Edition: Paperback
Pages: 344
Publish Date: May 3, 2011
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers 
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
Series: Standalone
Goodreads Rating: 4.06 (42,327 ratings)

God I LOVE road trip books! And this is definitely number 2 following The Edge of Never by J.A. Redmerski.

This story follows Amy, who developed a fear of driving after driving the car that her and her father crashed in, blaming herself for the accident causing her fathers death.
Because of this fear and her families recent move to Connecticut, leaving Amy to find a way to get the family car and all her stuff down to Connecticut. 
Enter Roger. An old family friend planning to spend the summer with his father and his new family in Pennsylvania. Two basically strangers on a four day car trip. 
Things change. Both having their first experience outside of California they decide to explore and take an epic detour filled with new places, exposed secrets and regrets, life changes, snacks, burgers, music, and love.

This was an absolutely adorable book. I always want to just hop on a bus or get in the car with some friends and drive after reading books like this. One day my friends, one day.