Book Review: Dare you to by Katie McGarry

Dare You To by Katie McGarry (4.5 Stars)

Blurb from Goodreads:

Ryan lowers his lips to my ear. "Dance with me, Beth."

"No." I whisper the reply. I hate him and I hate myself for wanting him to touch me again....

"I dare you..."

If anyone knew the truth about Beth Risk's home life, they'd send her mother to jail and seventeen-year-old Beth who knows where. So she protects her mom at all costs. Until the day her uncle swoops in and forces Beth to choose between her mom's freedom and her own happiness. That's how Beth finds herself living with an aunt who doesn't want her and going to a school that doesn't understand her. At all. Except for the one guy who shouldn't get her, but does....

Ryan Stone is the town golden boy, a popular baseball star jock-with secrets he can't tell anyone. Not even the friends he shares everything with, including the constant dares to do crazy things. The craziest? Asking out the Skater girl who couldn't be less interested in him.

But what begins as a dare becomes an intense attraction neither Ryan nor Beth expected. Suddenly, the boy with the flawless image risks his dreams-and his life-for the girl he loves, and the girl who won't let anyone get too close is daring herself to want it all....

Book Review: Second Chance by Katie Kacvinsky

Second Chance by Katie Kacvinsky (5 Star)

Amazing. Just... mesmerizing.

Blurb from Goodreads:
Can two drastically different, imperfect people be perfect for each other?

It’s been four months since Gray and Dylan have seen each other. Dylan’s been traveling in Europe, while Gray has college, baseball, and a life rooted in one place. Gray’s determined to forget Dylan, the girl he fell in love with in First Comes Love. Besides, how do you make a relationship work with an independent loner?

Just when he decides he’s over her, Dylan makes an unexpected entrance back into his life, hoping their steamy romance can start right where it left off. Gray realizes you can tell your mind to do one thing, but you can’t always convince your heart to follow. Dylan realizes she finally has to make a choice between freedom and her relationship with Gray.

Hilarious, intense, inspiring, and emotional, Second Chance shows that love is a journey, and there are never clear road signs or maps to guide you along. You can only navigate with your heart.

Book Review: Just One Day by Gayle Forman

Just One Day by Gayle Forman (5 Stars)

Blurb from Goodreads:
When sheltered American good girl Allyson "LuLu" Healey first meets laid-back Dutch actor Willem De Ruiter at an underground performance of Twelfth Night in England, there’s an undeniable spark. After just one day together, that spark bursts into a flame, or so it seems to Allyson, until the following morning, when she wakes up after a whirlwind day in Paris to discover that Willem has left. Over the next year, Allyson embarks on a journey to come to terms with the narrow confines of her life, and through Shakespeare, travel, and a quest for her almost-true-love, to break free of those confines.

Book Review: The Nature of Jade by Deb Caletti

The Nature of Jade by Deb Caletti (4 stars)

Blurb from Goodreads:

I am not my illness. "Girl with Anxiety," "Trauma of the Week" -- no. I hate stuff like that. Everyone, everyone has their issue. But the one thing my illness did make me realize is how necessary it is to ignore the dangers of living in order to live. And how much trouble you can get into if you can't. Jade DeLuna is too young to die. She knows this, and yet she can't quite believe it, especially when the terrifying thoughts, loss of breath, and dizzy feelings come. Since being diagnosed with Panic Disorder, she's trying her best to stay calm, and visiting the elephants at the nearby zoo seems to help. That's why Jade keeps the live zoo webcam on in her room, and that's where she first sees the boy in the red jacket. A boy who stops to watch the elephants. A boy carrying a baby.

His name is Sebastian, and he is raising his son alone. Jade is drawn into Sebastian's cozy life with his son and his activist grandmother on their Seattle houseboat, and before she knows it, she's in love. With this boy who has lived through harder times than anyone she knows. This boy with a past.

Jade knows the situation is beyond complicated, but she hasn't felt this safe in a long time. She owes it all to Sebastian, her boy with the great heart. Her boy who is hiding a terrible secret. A secret that will force Jade to decide between what is right, and what feels right.

Master storyteller Deb Caletti has once again created characters so real, you will be breathless with anticipation as their riveting story unfolds.

Book Review: Hold Still by Nina LaCour

Hold Still by Nina LaCour (4.5 Stars)

Blurb from Goodreads: An arresting story about starting over after a friend’s suicide, froma breakthrough new voice in YA fiction

dear caitlin, there are so many things that i want so badly to tell you but i just can’t.

Devastating, hopeful, hopeless, playful . . . in words and illustrations, Ingrid left behind a painful farewell in her journal for Caitlin. Now Caitlin is left alone, by loss and by choice, struggling to find renewed hope in the wake of her best friend’s suicide. With the help of family and newfound friends, Caitlin will encounter first love, broaden her horizons, and start to realize that true friendship didn’t die with Ingrid. And the journal which once seemed only to chronicle Ingrid’s descent into depression, becomes the tool by which Caitlin once again reaches out to all those who loved Ingrid—and Caitlin herself

Book Review: Gone, Gone, Gone by Hannah Moskowitz

Gone, Gone, Gone by Hannah Moskowitz (4 Stars)

This was definitely something deep.

Blurb from Goodreads: In the wake of the post-9/11 sniper shootings, fragile love finds a stronghold in this intense, romantic novel from the author of Break and Invincible Summer.It's a year after 9/11. Sniper shootings throughout the D.C. area have everyone on edge and trying to make sense of these random acts of violence. Meanwhile, Craig and Lio are just trying to make sense of their lives.
Craig’s crushing on quiet, distant Lio, and preoccupied with what it meant when Lio kissed him...and if he’ll do it again...and if kissing Lio will help him finally get over his ex-boyfriend, Cody.
Lio feels most alive when he's with Craig. He forgets about his broken family, his dead brother, and the messed up world. But being with Craig means being vulnerable...and Lio will have to decide whether love is worth the risk.

This book is quite sensitive to write a review about, but I really want to explain why I think this book was awesome so, without further ado. This is my opinion.

Book Review: Vain by Fisher Amelie

Vain by Fisher Amelie (5 Stars)

I knew there was something different about this, and Amelie didn't disappoint :D

Blurb from Goodreads: If you’re looking for a story about a good, humble girl, who’s been hurt by someone she thought she could trust, only to find out she’s not as vulnerable as she thought she was and discovers an empowering side of herself that falls in love with the guy who helps her find that self, blah, blah, blah...then you’re gonna’ hate my story.
Because mine is not the story you read every time you bend back the cover of the latest trend novel. It’s not the “I can do anything, now that I’ve found you/I’m misunderstood but one day you’ll find me irresistible because of it” tale. Why? Because, if I was being honest with you, I’m a complete witch. There’s nothing redeeming about me. I’m a friend using, drug abusing, sex addict from Los Angeles. I’m every girlfriend’s worst nightmare and every boy’s fantasy.
I’m Sophie Price...And this is the story about how I went from the world’s most envied girl to the girl no one wanted around and why I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.

Book Review: The Edge of Never by J.A Redmerski

The Edge of Never by J.A Redmerski (5 Stars)

Fun-Freaking-Tastic!

Blurb from Goodreads: --The New York Times, USA Today, and Wallstreet Journal bestselling blockbuster--
Sometimes life takes you off course . . .
THE EDGE OF NEVER
Twenty-year-old Camryn Bennett thought she knew exactly where her life was going. But after a wild night at the hottest club in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, she shocks everyone-including herself-when she decides to leave the only life she's ever known and set out on her own. Grabbing her purse and her cell phone, Camryn boards a Greyhound bus ready to find herself. Instead, she finds Andrew Parrish.
Sexy and exciting, Andrew lives life like there is no tomorrow. He persuades Camryn to do things she never thought she would and shows her how to give in to her deepest, most forbidden desires. Soon he becomes the center of her daring new life, pulling love and lust and emotion out of her in ways she never imagined possible. But there is more to Andrew than Camryn realizes. Will his secret push them inseparably together-or destroy them forever?

Book Review: The Vincent Boys by Abbi Glines

The Vincent Boys by Abbi Glines (5 Stars)

One of the most best stories about love triangles ever. :D

Blurb from Goodreads: Ashton is getting tired of being good, of impressing her parents and playing ideal girlfriend to Sawyer Vincent. Sawyer is perfect, a regular Prince Charming, but when he leaves town for the summer, it’s his cousin Beau who catches Ashton’s eye. Beau is the sexiest guy she’s ever seen, and even though he’s dangerous, Ashton is drawn to him.
Beau loves his cousin like a brother, so the last thing he wants to do is make a move on Sawyer’s girl. Ashton is off-limits, absolutely. That’s why he does his best to keep his distance, even though he’s been in love with her forever. When Ashton wants to rekindle their childhood friendship in Sawyer’s absence, Beau knows he should say no.
Ashton and Beau don’t want to hurt Sawyer. But the more they try to stay away from each other, the more intense their urges become. It’s getting way too hard to resist....

Book Review: First Comes Love by Katie Kacvinsky

First Comes Love by Katie Kacvinsky (5 stars)

Wow. Just wow.

"I've always been awed by very different and unique characters, but now, after reading "First Comes Love" it gave me another new perspective."

Like his name, Gray is dark and stormy. Dylan, a girl always searching for what's next, seemingly unable to settle down, is the exact opposite: full of light and life. On the outside, they seem like an unlikely couple. But looks can be deceiving and besides, opposites attract.
What starts as friendship, turns into admiration, respect and caring, until finally these two lone souls find they are truly in love with each other.
But staying in love is not as easy as falling in love. If Dylan and Gray want their love to last, they're going to have to work at it. And learn that sometimes love means having to say you're sorry.

Book Review: Point of Retreat by Colleen Hoover

Point of Retreat by Colleen Hoover (5 Stars)

Gosh ;(

It made me cry so hard...

AGAIN...

"It was everything I expected the sequel could be. It was just pure emotion and very real that you can feel what the characters were feeling. It was a perfect sequel for Slammed"

Hardships and heartache brought them together…now it will tear them apart.
Layken and Will have proved their love can get them through anything; until someone from Will’s past re-emerges, leaving Layken questioning the very foundation on which their relationship was built. Will is forced to face the ultimate challenge…how to prove his love for a girl who refuses to stop ‘carving pumpkins.’

Book Review: My life next door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick (4.5 Stars)

"If you want a book that's definitely chick-lit. Makes you feel a dozen kind of emotions and has a boy protagonist that is probably one of the most gentlemanly guy I've ever read. This is probably the best thing for you(me)"

A gorgeous debut about family, friendship, first romance, and how to be true to one person you love without betraying another.

“One thing my mother never knew, and would disapprove of most of all, was that I watched the Garretts. All the time.”

The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, numerous, messy, affectionate. And every day from her balcony perch, seventeen-year-old Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them . . . until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs her terrace and changes everything. As the two fall fiercely in love, Jase's family makes Samantha one of their own. Then in an instant, the bottom drops out of her world and she is suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself?

A dreamy summer read, full of characters who stay with you long after the story is over.

Book Review: Slammed by Colleen Hoover

Slammed by Colleen Hoover
(10 stars)

I know I usually give a 1-5 rating for my reviews but this book has made me do something I so rarely do. It made cry so much that I had been sobbing at some point, just because I had a "connection" with it.

Blurb on Goodreads : Following the unexpected death of her father, 18-year-old Layken is forced to be the rock for both her mother and younger brother. Outwardly, she appears resilient and tenacious, but inwardly, she's losing hope.
Enter Will Cooper: The attractive, 21-year-old new neighbor with an intriguing passion for slam poetry and a unique sense of humor. Within days of their introduction, Will and Layken form an intense emotional connection, leaving Layken with a renewed sense of hope.
Not long after an intense, heart-stopping first date, they are slammed to the core when a shocking revelation forces their new relationship to a sudden halt. Daily interactions become impossibly painful as they struggle to find a balance between the feelings that pull them together, and the secret that keeps them apart.

MY OPINION:

The words : "FREAKINGLY AWESOME AND FANTASTIC" are the best way to start this review. I love it. I just love it. It was the first book, for now that I have labelled as inspirational, a super fave, and perfect for hopeless romantics (like me!!) . It was absolutely perfect for me. I love love love the writing, I love the plot, and most of all I love and I am in love with the characters.

It was about Layken who recently moved to Michigan because of financial reasons and from the start, she hated Michigan. But she met her neighbor, Will. She instantly had a connection with Will, and she admitted that maybe Michigan won't be that bad if Will is there. Then she finds out that they can't be together. Worst of all, the secrets and revelations that she is discovering is finally taking its toll on her.

The writing I love. So much. The songs from the Avett brothers are starting to spark my interest, and I love the poems! Gawd, the poems were all awesome and it was a treat for someone like me. I write poems too, and I appreciate it that there's a "slam" night where people would "slam" the poems they've made in front of an audience, Kinda makes me wish there is a club N9NE somewhere. 

The little brothers Kell and Caulder were adorable, and they made the best characters come out of Layken and Will. Julia (Layken's Mom) is also one of my fave characters, she's the only mom in the books i've read that has been one of my favorites. I love her so much, her devotion to her kids and good nature was just awesome. Kinda reminds me of my mom too. What happened to Julia is very deep and heartbreaking, and yet she still puts on a smile for her children which made me love her more. Eddie is what a true bestfriend stands for. Everything about her is exactly what a bestfriend does and knows. I love her a lot.

I love Will and Layken to infinity!! They are both awesome, and best of all, they compliment each other so much, I can't choose who I love most between them. Layken is just an awesome girl. She's the type of girl anyone would root for. I love her for being honest with herself, and her love for her brother and mother is selfless and inspiring. Most of all, I like the fact that she didn't beg for Will to do something, instead she tried to do something about their "complicated" relationship so that she could be friends with him. I love her 'cuz she isn't clingy and that she isn't naive like most girls. 

Will, is definitely someone anybody can fall in love with. The poem he made about death is just full of emotion and I feel it, even from reading. His sense of responsibility is really touching too, he loves Caulder so much, and he would do anything to make sure that his little brother is happy. Their relationship got more complicated near the end, and I was just waiting to see what would happen to them, and I ended up crying, for joy and utter relief (the reason, I don't want to tell 'cuz it will too much of a spoiler.)

I had to admit that I didn't like the start of their lovestory, I don't agree with insta-love, it will never happen in the real world, and it is soo mary sue when it happens, I got irritated with their instant connection, but it didn't last long. It was before the middle of it that I thought: "Hold up, there's something about this" , the story got better as it progresses and it touched me in a deeper way that any novel has yet to do. I cried then sobbed, maybe even screamed because of it. I knew from the moment I stopped crying, that this is an extraordinary novel.

WHY I WOULD RECOMMEND IT?:
It made cry a river of tears >.<, It was that awesome and that deep that it gave me a much more deeper appreciation of life, of my parents, of family and of love. Love truly is something that can't be stopped, they all say that you should love with your brain. That is true, but with love comes the heart, and I too believe that everything should be balance, especially with love.

About the Author:
Her candid description: 
I'm addicted to and seriously floored by the talent of The Avett Brothers band, which is obvious in both of my books. They are 99% of my playlist. The other 1% being Eminem and Jason Mraz. I love lindor truffles (the white ones with the chips inside) and have an unhealthy addiction to diet pepsi. A serious addiction.

Connect with her:
Website | Facebook

Book Review: Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen

Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen
(4.5 Stars)

"AN INSPIRATION AND HEARTWARMING NOVEL! I LIKE LOVE IT!"

 SUMMARY (FROM GOODREADS ): "Ruby, where is your mother?" Ruby knows that the game is up. For the past few months, she's been on her own in the yellow house, managing somehow, knowing that her mother will probably never return.That's how she comes to live with Cora, the sister she hasn't seen in ten years, and Cora's husband Jamie, whose down-to-earth demeanor makes it hard for Ruby to believe he founded the most popular networking Web site around. A luxurious house, fancy private school, a new wardrobe, the promise of college and a future—it's a dream come true. So why is Ruby such a reluctant Cinderella, wary and defensive? And why is Nate, the genial boy next door with some secrets of his own, unable to accept the help that Ruby is just learning to give?

MY OPINION:
Wow. (That simple, do I need a better way to start it :D)

Ruby Cooper finds her life turning upside down. With her mother’s sudden disappearance and lack of parental guidance, her sister Cora—who she never saw for years, after she moved out—came to take her from her home. Completely out of her old life, she finds herself getting every ‘need’ that should be provided for her. A home (with hot running water and a fridge filled with food), a family and a good education. Yet she finds herself wishing that she would be back to her old yellow house.

Trying to adjust to the sudden changes in her life, she found things that made her consider if she really did wanted to come back to her old life. But as she finds herself getting comfortable with her new life, she learns the secrets that her mother has been keeping from her. How can she accept how much her mother lied to her about many things, and made her think that she was all she had? Most of all, how can she help her friend, Nate if he’s in the same position as he is?

I had to admit that I was scared of reading one more of Sarah Dessen’s. I kept thinking about Dreamland and how much it made me heavy with tense excitement (it was way out of my own comfort zone). But I’m glad. I was really inspired by this book.

The plot, I loved a lot. I loved the fact that I couldn’t expect what would happen next. It made me all the more excited of what would happen. The writing was amazing, I like the pacing, it made me understand every moment without actually being to bored of too many details. Most of all, after reading it, it would make you think for a while, and remind yourself of how much we neglect many blessings that are always given to us. Yet we aren’t grateful for each one of it.

The characters were all very cute too, some were very adorable and fun to read about, these characters would be Gervais, Olivia, Harriet and Reggie, they didn’t play a very BIG deal in the story (but they are very much a big part of it too.) But, other characters were mostly an inspiration and they can really move you with their story.

Jamie was just heartwarming, I loved him because of his compassion and the way he cares for Cora and Ruby. I loved his fun personality, his optimistic attitude and helpful nature. I was moved many times by him, his love for Cora was just an ‘aaaaaaaaaww~’ moment, and every time I found myself cheering for him, wishing that more people in the world would be like him. Compassionate and all-around-good.

Cora was pretty much a surprise for me. At the very start her aura of personality was just plain strict and demands authority (in short, he seems like a strict teacher who’s always bossy to everyone). Yet as I continued reading the book, I saw a different side of her. Behind the confident and professional demeanor, she hides insecurity and infinite want to have a family. I loved her because she possesses this kind of “tough love” for Jamie and Ruby. She may seem like a snob, but every time she softens, you can see how much she cares for her family. She and Jamie were just adorable to read. They are complete opposites yet you will see how much they love each other, it was just sweet :). Most of all, I love her because, even though you can’t see it (well, read it in our case) you can feel, how much she cares for her sister.

Nate was annoying at the same time amazing for me. He was very admirable, helping Ruby when she needed him, he was her friend and I really like him for that (‘cuz it’s just so attractive when a guy is gentlemanly). He advises her, he was the main reason why Ruby was changing for the better, he listens to her, advises her. I just don’t understand the fact that he won’t let Ruby help him in return. He clearly needed help but he didn’t allow her to help him, (and look where that got him with his ex-girlfriend <.<) He just tries to prove that he can handle himself, but the truth is, he just ended up alone with no one to help him. I don’t necessarily hate Nate, that’s too deep. I just really REALLY don’t understand his concept of the term “independent” because in my point of view, he looks too fragile contrary to the image he has at school. Like he was more afraid of being truly alone.

And now I give a standing ovation for the girl who is now added to my (new list of) inspirational persons. 

Ruby Cooper~~! :D
Its very hard to describe why I like her, or why I think she’s inspirational. Its hard to find proper words to describe her. The best way to I could describe her is: She’s an example. Not just to people reading this book, but to those having similar problems. Her position is just sad, and her fears are uniquely hers, yet she faced them all. She learned many different things, and she changed for the better. That’s the best way I could describe her. AN EXAMPLE. A ROLE MODEL. AN INSPIRATION.

WHY WOULD I RECOMMEND IT?
I would gladly tell to all of the people reading this review that if you ever decide to read this book, love it, hate it. Doesn't matter. Because it doesn't leave not just an impression but a good lesson that can really make you think, and remind you of how much we are blessed in so many ways, we think that we're not whole, or incomplete, but sometimes other people's situation are much worse. This novel gave me another perspective, and understanding of the world. :D I hope that you will learn and love it as much as I did.

* * *

 ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Sarah Dessen grew up in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and attended UNC-Chapel Hill, graduating with highest honors in Creative Writing. She is the author of several novels, including Someone Like You, Just Listen and Along for the Ride. A motion picture based on her first two books, entitled How to Deal, was released in 2003. Her tenth novel,What Happened to Goodbye, will be published in May 2011. She lives in North Carolina

Connect with her here:

Website: http://sarahdessen.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/sarahdessen

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sarahdessenbooks

Tumblr: http://authorsarahdessen.tumblr.com/