{REVIEW} 99 Days by Katie Cotugno

Title: 99 Days
Author: Katie Cotugno
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Rating: ★★ ish

Blurb from Goodreads: 

Day 1: Julia Donnelly eggs my house my first night back in Star Lake, and that’s how I know everyone still remembers everything—how I destroyed my relationship with Patrick the night everything happened with his brother, Gabe. How I wrecked their whole family. Now I’m serving out my summer like a jail sentence: Just ninety-nine days till I can leave for college, and be done.

Day 4: A nasty note on my windshield makes it clear Julia isn’t finished. I’m expecting a fight when someone taps me on the shoulder, but it’s just Gabe, home from college and actually happy to see me. “For what it’s worth, Molly Barlow,” he says, “I’m really glad you’re back.”


Day 12: Gabe got me to come to this party, and I’m actually having fun. I think he’s about to kiss me—and that’s when I see Patrick. My Patrick, who’s supposed to be clear across the country. My Patrick, who’s never going to forgive me.


My Reaction/Thoughts:

Okay this really upsets me. I wanted to love this book. I wanted this to be my new favorite contemp because it was a total cover buy for me. This book is so adorable there was no way the inside wasn't as adorable. Boy was I wrong. I thought this book was going to be about facing your mistakes and owning up to them...not about repeating them! I honestly felt so torn reading the entire book. I was loving it, but hating it at the same time. I admit I was completely addicted to the plot and had to finish it all in a day just so I could find out what happened next, but I can't say I am satisfied with the outcome. I get that it's realistic and all that jazz, but for this novel I just craved a little bit more

I hated how Molly completely broke Patrick. Twice. The second was completely his fault because he was a completely douchenozzle 75% of the time, but I was just so desparately rooting for him to get his crap together! But nope. I honestly thought he was playing some sick game with her. And as for Gabe? Oh my sweet, Gabe, poor baby. He was so sweet and didn't deserve to get his heart stomped on. If you can see from my GR updates, I was so frustrated that she wouldn't just tell Gabe what was going on when it was still innocent.

Patrick was the worst. Let's just let that be clear right now. This guy had me feeling the biggest case of whiplash I've ever felt. I didn't know whether I should love him or hate him. In the end, I was just annoyed. In all Molly's memories Patrick is such a little brat that you have to wonder how she stayed with him for so long. He was so moody and Molly was comfortable with their bubble that I felt like maybe it was a good thing she cheated on him with Gabe just so she got out of that clearly unhealthy relationship. However, I was rooting for them a little. I felt like Patrick and Molly had some unfinished business and maybe they needed this to get their crap together and finally fix what they both broke. But like I said, Patrick gave me whiplash. He was so hot and cold! I mean this is the guy that treated Molly so poorly and was the biggest a-hole all because he "was trying not to lose her" WHAT EVEN?!

Gabe, on the other hand, was a joy. I really don't think he did any wrong. Yes, he shouldn't have made Molly out to just be something he had to win. but his true intentions were there. That was evident from the beginning. I just loved Gabe. He was so patient with Molly and truly a sweetheart. I loved this cutie pie.

This is so difficult for me because I honestly don't know how I should be feeling. I don't hate this book, but I didn't love it at all either.

I really enjoyed the writing though. I found myself really enjoying the way Cotugno wrote scenes or depicted the way Molly was feeling because I knew exactly what she meant. I could feel it too.

I did enjoy how Molly finally stood up for herself! It was long overdue and I am so proud of her. There was no way she deserved all the crap she went through. It is a double standard for girls and it sucks. She isn't the only one that made a mistake and it's completely ridiculous that she would leave town a year ago and only come back to still be a victim of so much torment!

My biggest problem was all the cheating! SO MUCH CHEATING!

I mean Molly is totally screwed up. She spends all her time either thinking about Patrick while she's with Gabe and comparing the two or just thinking back to memories she spent with Patrick. Clearly this girl has no idea what she even wants or feels. I was so confused right along with her. But did we really have to repeat history, but switch the two brothers? I wanted to bang my book against the wall just so the characters would maybe get some sense! They made the dumbest decisions that I can't even remember how many times I rolled my eyes behind its sockets.


I don't know...This book had good writing, good characters regardless of their stupidity but it just kind of feel like we went in a complete circle. We ended where we started. However, a little bit more accepting and wiser on Molly's part, so I suppose that's all that matters.


Is it strange that I actually kind of want a sequel? I want more Gabe!

{REVIEW} Jesse's Girl by Miranda Kenneally

Title: Jesse's Girl
Author: Miranda Kenneally
Series: Hundred Oaks
Book: 6
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Rating: ★★★

Blurb from Goodreads:

Practice Makes Perfect.

Everyone at Hundred Oaks High knows that career mentoring day is a joke. So when Maya Henry said she wanted to be a rock star, she never imagined she’d get to shadow *the* Jesse Scott, Nashville’s teen idol.


But spending the day with Jesse is far from a dream come true. He’s as gorgeous as his music, but seeing all that he’s accomplished is just a reminder of everything Maya’s lost: her trust, her boyfriend, their band, and any chance to play the music she craves. Not to mention that Jesse’s pushy and opinionated. He made it on his own, and he thinks Maya’s playing back up to other people’s dreams. Does she have what it takes to follow her heart—and go solo?

My Reaction/Thoughts:

The only reason I decided to pick this book up was because of the title. Yes, Jesse's Girl like the song. Plus it sounded really cute. Each chapter was titled after a popular song as well so I thought that was really clever. However, I never read a book in the Hundred Oaks series before and I was a little hesitant, but being the rebel that I am...why not?

I really enjoyed the plot even though it was really simple. I liked that we saw Jesse and Maya's friendship/relationship grow. It was cute, but steady and based upon their connection to music and feeling like an outcast. It wasn't just purely on attraction or instalove— which I hate!But, it was entertaining and had its adorable moments. However, on the other hand I did feel like it was a little flat. I didn't get very much out of it. I just watched these two characters fall in love and both give the other the confidence he/she needed to go after their dreams. Unfortunately, that's all that it was. There was no big conflict or climax. I felt like the high point of this book was "Will They Or Won't They? and once they became a couple, that was it. It plateaued. I still enjoyed it, but I wanted more. I expected more.

In addition, the characters were  a little typical. There was nothing special about them. Nothing I really took away from the story that makes me satisfied with the story. I didn't connect to the characters too much like I'd like and that bums me out a bit. Maybe I just needed to read more from Kenneally or the Hundred Oaks series to really connect so I take the blame for that one.

Overall, it was still an entertaining book and it was what I needed to read after all the fantasy books I've been reading. Cute, sweet, and fun.

Side Note: At the end of the book the author provides a playlist labeled "Jesse's Playlist" with a bunch of 80s songs and whatnot. Many of these songs were from bands that Maya and Jesse enjoyed and talked about in the book, but what I find ironic is how there is not one single Queen song. Maya named her Twitter handle QueenQueen after her love for Queen! She sings Queen during multiple audtions/performances and there is not one Queen song on this so called "playlist"? That's weird.


I'll leave you with this to get stuck in your head (:

Happy reading!

{REVIEW} P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han

Title: P.S. I Still Love You
Author: Jenny Han
Series: To All The Boys I've Loved Before
Book: 2
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Rating: ★★★★★

Blurb from Goodreads:

Lara Jean didn’t expect to really fall for Peter.
She and Peter were just pretending. Except suddenly they weren’t. Now Lara Jean is more confused than ever.
When another boy from her past returns to her life, Lara Jean’s feelings for him return too. Can a girl be in love with two boys at once?

My Reaction/Thoughts:

“People come in and out of your life. For a time they are your world; they are everything. And then one day they’re not. There’s no telling how long you will have them near.” 

This book was so wonderful! It was everything I hoped it would be. Well it was seriously lacking some more Peter K, but I will forgive you, Jenny Han, because that ending seriously gave me so many feels that I just can't...

“So I take Peter’s hand; I put it on my heart. I tell him, “You have to take good care of this, because it’s yours.” 

I can't explain enough how much I seriously love this series. It paints such a vivid picture deep first love, betrayal, heartbreak, and daring to love again. I absolutely love it!

“I know now that I don’t want to love or be loved in half measures. I want it all, and to have it all, you have to risk it all.”

  I adore Lara Jean and Peter and Kitty and John even made me love him! I do admit I missed Josh, but I understand why he was missing. I think this book needed way more Peter and Lara Jean because I am greedy and needy so I can't say that I enjoyed this more than the first book, but I did enjoy the ride. I loved all our new characters and the new romance that John brought — even though he was seriously blowing holes in my ship. But my favorite part of this book was definitely Lara Jean. I know many people are bothered by her because she is a classic sixteen year old girl worrying about the most mundane things and is naive, but what sixteen girl isn't? I know I was. I know I worried about the dumbest things and wouldn't get over it until they just ate me alive. But that's what I loved about her. She realized what was important in the end and was mature. She such a classic girly girl too. This girl would curl her hair when she was upset so she could think and I loved that. I did silly things like this when I was younger too. I could just relate to her so much and I felt a little nostalgic reading from her. She showed a nice dose of character development. She didn't fuss over things too long with Peter and was able to move on so they could enjoy being together and I think their relationship was great. Although it really bothered me that he spent so much time with Gen. I mean really he was with her more than he was with LJ! I WANT MORE PK AND LJ FEELS! And then we just see them start to fight more and more and then the break up! UGH!!!! 

Then Jenny Han brings in the lost letter from the first book and John Ambrose McClaren...

Oh John, he was quite a sweetie pie and I'd be lying if I didn't say I had to root for him a little bit, but my heart belongs to Peter Kavinsky, Sorry, Johnny. 

However, who didn't swwon when we saw him in that uniform driving that red convertible? 

John was just so sweet to Lara too. I loved their effortless chemistry and the way they just seemed to understand each other. It just wasn't the right time — which makes it more realistic. 

I think I laughed so hard at all the wonderful scenes with Stormy. That woman was a riot! And kudos for Miss Han for bringing in the feminist debate, LOL.

“I had no idea you were such a feminist,” I say. 

“Feminist?” Stormy makes a disgusted sound in her throat. “I’m no feminist. Really, Lara Jean!” 

“Stormy, don’t get worked up about it. All it means is that you believe men and women are equal, and should have equal rights.” 

“I don’t think any man is my equal. Women are far superior, and don’t you forget it. Don’t forget any of the things I just told you.” 

All in all, I loved this book. I loved it so much and I can't believe I finished it in a day. I hated that we didn't get to see more of Peter and LJ and that she spent more time away from him than with him, but that ending more than made up for it. That ending was everything! That ending is why I couldn't bring myself to give it anything less than five stars. 

I am just going to swim around in my feels now. 

{REVIEW} Last to Know by Micalea Smeltzer

Title: Last to Know
Author: Micalea Smeltzer
Series: Willow Creek
Book: 1
Rating: ★★★★1/2

Blurb from Goodreads:

He was just a boy.
And I was just a girl.
But if that’s all there was to the story it wouldn’t be very interesting, would it?

Up and coming band Willow Creek is back in their hometown for the summer. For the drummer, Maddox Wade, this summer was meant for writing music and playing gigs.

Falling in love was not part of the plan.

One look at Emma Burke and those plans cease to matter.

Emma is quiet and guarded. She’s still hurt from her father walking out two years ago. She doesn’t want to trust Maddox, but with his dark hair, smoldering good looks, and infectious smile he’s impossible to resist.

Together Maddox and Emma embark on an unforgettable summer of adventures and first love.
Everything is perfect…or so Emma thinks.

There are things she doesn’t know, and when she finds out the truth it might shatter everything she’s built with Maddox.


No one said love was easy, and for Maddox and Emma it just might be impossible.

My Rating/Thoughts:

“The way I see it, there are always going to be the ones that love you and the ones that hate you—let’s face it, people love to tear others down, but as long as you’re confident within yourself then nothing else matters.” 

Actual rating: 4.5 stars

The only reason this didn't get 5 stars was because the plot synopsis spoils the book. This book was a cute love story about a shy, quiet girl and an adorable sweet guy who is the drummer of a popular hometown band. I really enjoyed reading this story, but I was a little disappointed that the "conflict" was spoiled right there in the blurb. Emma doesn't know that that Maddox is in a famous band so you keep wondering when Maddox will finally tell only to realize that this is his "big secret"--so I was a bit disappointed. I wish I was kept in the dark right along with Emma. But then you kind of have to wonder how Emma could be so blind and didn't put two and two together. Come on, Emma! Other than that, this book was fantastic! I loved the humor, the romance was to die for, the sassy writing, and all the lovable characters--not to mention the adorable hedgehog Sonic! I cannot wait to read the other books in the Willow Creek series. Micalea Smeltzer is a great writer and I love the level of sass that she includes in her writing. I am diving into Never Too Late right after I put this laptop away! I'm ready to fall in love with Mathias Wade (;

“I got lost in the imaginary world—picturing myself as the heroine. After all, wasn’t that why people read? So they could live someone else’s life for a little while?”

I recommend! And you can get an ebook of Last to Know for free right on on most retailers for a limited time!

{REVIEW} I'll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios

Title: I'll Meet You There
Author: Heather Demetrios
Rating: ★★★★★

Blurb from Goodreads:

If seventeen-year-old Skylar Evans were a typical Creek View girl, her future would involve a double-wide trailer, a baby on her hip, and the graveyard shift at Taco Bell. But after graduation, the only thing standing between straightedge Skylar and art school are three minimum-wage months of summer. Skylar can taste the freedom—that is, until her mother loses her job and everything starts coming apart. Torn between her dreams and the people she loves, Skylar realizes everything she’s ever worked for is on the line.


Nineteen-year-old Josh Mitchell had a different ticket out of Creek View: the Marines. But after his leg is blown off in Afghanistan, he returns home, a shell of the cocksure boy he used to be. What brings Skylar and Josh together is working at the Paradise—a quirky motel off California’s dusty Highway 99. Despite their differences, their shared isolation turns into an unexpected friendship and soon, something deeper.

My Rating/Thoughts:

Let me first start off by saying how wonderful Heather Demetrios is for giving us this wonderful story about a Marine. Not many authors have dived into this type of story and I absolutely loved Demetrios for taking the punch. I think I love her more for it after reading the author's note about how dear this book was to her and about her dad and brother. Seriously, this will be forever a new favorite of mine because it reminds me of my own grandfather who served and suffered from PTSD.

So without further adieu, let's talk about these characters. Demetrios paints such a vivid and wonderful story about this girl named Skylar who lives in a "blink town" (blink-and-you'll-miss-it) who is desperately trying to get out. She works at the Paradise motel trying to make enough money to go to college and take care of her alcholic mother who just lost her job. I enjoyed reading about Skylar because she was straightedge and this was the first book I have ever read that even mentioned the lifestyle and I loved it! Skylar goes through so many problems and it's just heartbreaking because she tries so hard to make a better life. She takes on so many responsibilities and burdens. She deserves more than she's been handed and the fact that she can still laugh and smile is truly inspiring. She learns to love Josh even through his setbacks and closed-doors attitude. I was rooting for her the whole book and was so heartbroken when she wasn't going to decide to go to school. This girls deserves all her dreams to come true!

Now Josh. Let's talk about this wonderful man named Josh Mitchell. Whew! This man is amazing. He is so strong for continuing to fight his battles. I was so worried that he would let his demons win because he was so consumed by guilt over what happened in Afghanistan and losing his unit and leg that I really thought he just wouldn't be able to see that he deserved better. This was his second chance at life. We see how much pain he is facing over losing his buddy Nick and how much he blames himself. We see his struggle over losing his leg and the "phantom pain" and PTSD when little triggers send him back, as well as his attempt to go back living in society. Seeing his struggle and fight to overcome these battles was truly amazing to read. Because you can't do anything but want him to overcome his pain. You hear about so many guys who suffer the same effects from war who end their lives because they see no better way. I think this is why it's so important and inspiring for Demetrios to give us this type of character. I can't even begin to explain how overjoyed I am that Josh got everything he deserved. He got peace, happiness and the girl! (:

I can't recommend this book enough. I'd rate it SIX STARS if I could! It was just that wonderful that I devoured this beauty in a day!

March Wrap-up

MARCH WRAP-UP

This month was a great reading month for me! I read a grand total of 10 books! I am really proud of myself because I was feeling rather lazy while reading, but I pushed through because all of these were pretty great. 

1) Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightening Thief by Rick Riordan: ★★★★

2) The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan: ★★★★★

3) The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan: ★★★★★

4) The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan: ★★★★★

5) The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan: ★★★★★ 

6) Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard: ★★★★★
7) Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover: ★★★★★
8) Dreams of Gods & Monsters by Laini Taylor: ★★★★★
9) Steadfast by Claudia Gray: ★★★★
10) The Longest Ride by Nicholas Sparks: ★★★★★

{REVIEW} Whatever Life Throws at You by Julie Cross

Title: Whatever Life Throws at You
Author: Julie Cross
Rating: ★★★★★

Blurb from Goodreads:

Life loves a good curveball…

Seventeen-year-old Annie Lucas's life is completely upended the moment her dad returns to the major leagues as the new pitching coach for the Kansas City Royals. Now she's living in Missouri (too cold), attending an all-girls school (no boys), and navigating the strange world of professional sports. But Annie has dreams of her own—most of which involve placing first at every track meet…and one starring the Royals' super-hot rookie pitcher.

But nineteen-year-old Jason Brody is completely, utterly, and totally off-limits. Besides, her dad would kill them both several times over. Not to mention Brody has something of a past, and his fan club is filled with C-cupped models, not smart-mouthed high school “brats” who can run the pants off every player on the team. Annie has enough on her plate without taking their friendship to the next level. The last thing she should be doing is falling in love.

But baseball isn't just a game. It's life. And sometimes, it can break your heart…

My Rating/Thoughts:

Forbidden romance. Baseball. A hot pitcher. What's not to love? I was completely intrigued while reading the whole novel. And I also really enjoyed that this book was centered around baseball and the chapter headings were just adorable with the close up photo of a baseball. As well as the different division pages with "spring training" or "opening day" etc. indicating where in the season we are. I don't know what it is about baseball and pitchers but this is the second book and pitcher that I fell in love with (*sigh* Ryan Stone anyone?). I just didn't want it to end. I loved all the characters and the secondary characters as well. Again, another great book that has a great father-daughter relationship, it was so touching. Can I get a sequel please?

What I really liked about this book was that it wasn't really an instalove story either. I mean Annie and Brody are into each other, but you don't really know that and Brody felt the same way. We see their relationship grow from friends first and how much they begin to trust each other and feel like they are the only person who understands the other. I couldn't say how much I fell in love with Brody the second he came clean to Annie about his "fake relationships" with the girls for publicity and how she needs to trust him because he will be the first to tell her everything. Their relationship was just so good. It progressed wonderfully and I really respected how they communicated about important stuff. Plus, can it be anymore passionate? *swoon*

This book was filled with a nice amount of humor, had some great themes, characters, relationships, sports, heartbreak, tough decisions, and just a great story. I am so glad I picked this book up. I never read anything by Julie Cross before but I had a giftcard for Barnes & Noble that I got for Christmas and just saw it and picked it up because hey, I like baseball and hot guys, so why not? And I am just so glad I did. Another new book to add to my favorite contemporaries.

Would I recommend? Yes.

{REVIEW} The Boyfriend Thief by Shana Norris

Title: The Boyfriend Thief
Author: Shana Norris
Rating: ★★★

Blurb from Goodreads:

1 ill-fated hot dog costume. 2 former BFFs. 11 days to seduce a boy.

Avery James doesn’t believe in romance—she’s studied enough biology to know that love is nothing more than hormones and chemicals. Besides, she has more practical goals in mind, namely saving up for a summer humanitarian program in Costa Rica. But when her Diggity Dog House supervisor denies her a raise and Avery finds herself $500 short for the trip of a lifetime, Avery has no choice but to accept an unexpected offer. The deal? She must steal her arch nemesis Hannah’s boyfriend before prom, giving Avery eleven days to seduce Zac Greeley.

Avery is sure the job will be easy. But a few midnight comedy shows and spontaneous dance parties (not to mention one particularly intimate carwash) later, Avery finds herself questioning everything she’s ever thought about love. Could Zac’s signature cherry-lime Slurpees be causing brain freeze, or is Avery actually starting to fall for him?


Will Avery be able to steal Zac away from Hannah before he steals Avery’s heart?

My Rating/Thoughts:

“The only person who can make you miserable is yourself, if you hold back because you’re too afraid of failure to take a chance.” 


This was a cute, easy read. I read a couple chapters every night and it was entertaining. It wasn't great by any means and Avery was such a goody goody that she drove me crazy 75% of the time, but I still really liked it. I think I loved this book simply because Zac was so gosh darn adorable. I loved the growing, slow and steady relationship between him and Avery and their end scene was just so adorable! This book had a good amount of character development for Avery, which is a nice present because let's be real...this girl was nuts. It's understandable that she has to be perfect all the time because in her eyes that's how she thinks she will good enough for anyone because her mother abandoned her family. This really messed with her and the whole book she just talks about wanting to go to Costa Rica to find her to maybe get some answers about why she left and why Avery just wasn't good enough to make her stay. It was quite sad, but then I hated how this attitude made her brother, father and even Zac feel. Avery would come off as a know it all and condescending so she just really bothered me. But in the end, she does an 180 and I loved it!

“Because you don’t just walk away from someone when things get tough,” Zac said. “You find a way to stick it out and figure out what’s gone wrong.” 

I think the only problem I had with this book was that the entire book Avery keeps talking about "that one night in eighth grade" over and over and over and over again that it was so frustrating she wouldn't say what happened! I think I built up this scenario in my head of some huge blow out that I was a little bummed about what really happened. I mean Elliot and Avery, even Hannah had hinted that if people knew the truth about who "Avery really was" or what type of person she was, people would hate her so I thought it would have been way bigger than what Avery actually did "that one night in eighth grade." Oh well. This is a young adult contemporary book so what do I expect right? LOL All in all, nice, okay read. I liked it, didn't love it.

Would I recommend? Eh, maybe.

{REVIEW} Dare You To by Katie McGarry

Title: Dare You To
Author: Katie McGarry
Series: Pushing the Limits
Book: 2
Rating: ★★★★★

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....

My Rating/Thoughts:

"I dare you to kiss me."

I LOVED THIS BOOK! And I am quite surprised I loved it a little bit more than Pushing the Limits because I could not stand Beth at all in PTL. She was irritating, immature, selfish and just a real witch to Echo that I could not stand her. I didn't care that she got her own book and didn't even want to read it. But I decided to pick it up because I wanted to see what happened with her and Isaiah (since I loved him so much) and I am so glad I did! I was so hooked and wouldn't go to sleep until I read a couple chapters every night. This story was more touching because Beth had so many walls up and Ryan worked so hard to break them down. I loved their relationship so much. It wasn't so much instalove. There was insta-attaction, but it wasn't love. At least not in my eyes. Love was worked for, trust was worked for and earned. I really enjoyed the dark aspects that this novel had because it shows the ugly side of families, the addictions, the lying, the false facades. It has so much more raw emotion that I just couldn't turn away.

“Screw what Mom and Dad think. Screw the rest of the town. Screw perfection. This girl is mine.” 

I think what I loved most about this book was Ryan. He was such a lovable character that I just want to squeeze him and keep him for myself. He's funny, dedicated, loyal, protective, motivated, and loves challenges. He is constantly challenging himself and he hates losing. Once he sets his mind on something he will  not stop until he accomplishes it. He makes some pretty hard decisions and he just does what he thinks is right. He goes against what his father wants even though it's hard. He changes his "plans" and pushes for his own dreams.  He pushes Beth and he broke down her many walls and got her to trust him. I nearly cried when she finally told him that she trusted him. It was so touching and I got so teary eyed when he was teaching her how to swim, the first sign of trust.

“I don't lose. Do you hear me? I don't lose and that includes losing you. I'm done being kept in the dark. Im done feeling like you're slipping right past me. You are not saying goodbye to me. I'm in love with you and you love me back. You are staying.” 

Ryan is just amazing. I love him. (I'm sorry Noah, You're still bae though).

“Emotions is evil. People who make me feel are worse. I take comfort in the stone inside of me. If I don't feel, I don't hurt.” 

Beth was a complex character and I did end up really enjoying, but I'd be lying if I didn't say that she irritated me for 50% of the book. She got under my skin in PTL and that carried into this novel as well. To me, she was just so stubborn and childish! I hated that anytime someone said something she didn't want to hear she would quickly just say "*eff* you!" This got so old, so fast and I was praying for some hardcore character development. And thank God we got it! Beth changed and made a new, promising life for herself at her uncle's. (Sidenote: how adorable was Scott and his love for Beth? He took care of her when she was a small child and loved her like she was his own. This was so touching and I loved every minute of it!) And I also couldn't stand the way Beth would tell Ryan or even Isaiah that they didn't love her. Now I understand this was her own issue and she doesn't believe she is worthy of love. Especially from Ryan because he is this perfect golden boy with the perfect life and "guys like him don't fall for girls like her" but don't you dare try to diminish his love or act like its nonexistant! Don't tell him how he is feeling or what he does feel isn't real! Same goes for Isaiah. Yes he may not look at you the way Noah looks at Echo, but to him, she was everything to him and he did love her. Maybe it was the great love, but it was love and it's all he's known and let him find out his own feelings without Beth trying to shove it in his face and rejecting him that his love isn't real. That's the only thing that really bothered me. Other than that, I enjoyed her a lot more. She had some dark demons she had to battle and she had to learn to trust and love herself. I really enjoyed reading her story.

“How many more of us are faking the facade? How many more of us are pretending to be something we're not? Even better, how many of us will have the courage to be ourselves regardless of what others think?” 

Like PTL, I was so impatient with the plot twist. In PTL, Echo is trying to find out what happened "that night" through the whole book and we don't find out until the very end. I get why, but my impatience can't take it! This was the same thing! What is in that room?! What happened?! Why did Beth's dad leave and blame her?! UGH!!!! But I am glad for the results, it was way more messed up than I would have imagined. I just loved this book so much. The characters are great, the guys are so lovable, the friendships, the family, the tough decisions, standing against family to do the right thing. I loved all of it!

“That must be love: when everything else in the world could implode and you wouldn't care as long as you had that one person standing beside you.” 

Would I recommend? Yes!

November Wrap Up

So November I was obviously in my slump, but I am still impressed with  myself. Battling a slump is rough, but I still managed to read 7 books! Go me! I hope December brings me just better reading times because work is making me lazy! Oops. 

So this month I have read:

1. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (reread before the movie)
2. My Life With the Walter Boys by Ali Novak
3. The Retribution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin 
4. To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han  
5. The Distance Between Us by Kasie West (ebook, not pictured)
6. The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend by Kody Keplinger 
7. Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

What books have you read this month? Have you read any of these? What did you think? (:

{REVIEW} Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

Title: Pushing the Limits
Author: Katie McGarry
Series: Pushing the Limits
Book: 1
Rating: ★★★★

Blurb from Goodreads:

So wrong for each other …and yet so right.

No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with "freaky" scars on her arms. Even Echo can't remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal.

But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo's world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible.


Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she'll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again.

My Rating/Thoughts:

“Because growing up means making tough choices, and doing the right thing doesn't necessarily mean doing the thing that feels good.” 

I have seen this book all over Instagram with people raving about how amazing this book was. While it was a great read and compelling, I just thought it was really good. Maybe the over hype set some high standards. But it was still really good and I am glad I read it.  I think because the whole book is focused on Echo trying to remember her repressed memories of the night she got her gruesome scars and when she finally remembered it was a little predictable to me. It wasn't some big unveiling of what happened. However, I think the story and the characters were great. Echo lost her brother and his death haunts her every single day and her mother is bipolar. These two factors have truly scarred her in and of themselves. What I really enjoyed though was actually her relationship with her father. At first he is truly distant and controlling, but then we see that he is actually just afraid and doesn't know how to act around her. When he sees her all he sees is regret and the mistake that he made that awful night that he let her down. I really enjoyed that that they were able to fix their relationship because she really needed her family.

“If you’re scared, tell me. If you need to cry and scream, then do it. And you sure as hell don’t walk away from us because you think it would be better for me. Here’s the reality, Echo: I want to be by your side. If you want to go to the mall stark naked so you can show the world your scars, then let me hold your hand. If you want to see your mom, then tell me that too. I may not always understand, but damn, baby, I’ll try.” 

Noah, I think, was my absolute favorite. This guy was so full of passion and  love for his brothers that it drives his very being. I loved every scene he had with his brothers because it was so heart warming and I actually cried multiple times because it was just so adorable. What was most touching was that he realizes that he wasn't allowing himself to really love Echo because he felt like he was betraying his parents and brothers, but I was so thrilled when he realized that he can love them both and have everything he wanted! He was always there for Echo when she needed him and I just loved him! Who doesn't want a sweet, loving, protective, bad boy by their side? I know I do!

This book was filled with some amazing secondary characters as well. Echo and Noah have the  best friends I have seen in awhile. I think Isaiah is my favorite and because he gets his own story in Crash into You, I will just have to read it even though I wasn't originally planning it. And it was really refreshing that this novel was actually pretty dark. When you really look into it, this book is dark. These two characters are battling their darkest demons and trying to make their brightest future. I really enjoyed myself reading this. And I definitely recommend this to anyone who needs a good, touching contemporary that deals with some tough decisions with a great love story.

Would I recommend? Yes.

{REVIEW} The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend by Kody Keplinger

Title: The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend
Author: Kody Keplinger
Rating: ★★★★

Blurb from Goodreads:

Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn’t think she’s the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She’s also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her “the Duff,” she throws her Coke in his face.

But things aren’t so great at home right now, and Bianca is desperate for a distraction. She ends up kissing Wesley. Worse, she likes it. Eager for escape, Bianca throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with him.

Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out Wesley isn’t such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she’s falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone.

My Rating/Thoughts:

“No matter where you go or what you do to distract yourself, reality catches up with you eventually.” 

I'm going to be honest, I only picked this book up because I kept seeing it everyone on Instagram, but the plot seemed a little eh to me, but when my real motivation came when I found out it was going to be a movie. Of course I have to read it now, right!? Well I did and I was pleasantly surprised. I actually loved this book. I loved the characters. I loved the relationships. I loved everything that this book stood for. It's a little darker, but shows readers the ugly side of what some teens have to go through with families. I totally sympathized for Bianca when her alcoholic father relapsed and she had no idea what to do. Her once content little home was turning upside down and she didn't know what to do. So she goes to the only outlet that seemed to offer some release...Wesley. This no strings attached, purely physical arrangement turned into something much more. We all knew that. We all called it from the moment Bianca poured her drink at him, not only because it's right there in the book description, but because there was just too much chemistry right off the bat!

First:
"Wesley Rush doesn’t chase girls. They chase him.”

Then:
“You’re right. Wesley Rush doesn’t chase girls, and I’m not chasing you”

But in the end:
"Wesley Rush doesn’t chase girls, but I’m chasing you" ♥

I loved Bianca and Wesley! I loved their relationship even if they were only having sex together. They were just so perfect for each other and I am so glad it led to much much more. They both were there for each other when the other needed them. Wesley showed just how beautiful she actually was and she is more than the Duff. Bianca showed Wesley that he needed to face his parents and stand up for himself and his sister, leave his womanizing lifestyle and bring some stability back into his life. In the end I am just so touched that Bianca changed Wesley's view of girls and relationships and actually made him want to chase her...because Wesley Rush doesn't chase girls...come on.  But that ending? *sighs* it was so cute and perfect, I loved it. I am happy.

"Just remember to do what makes you happy, okay? Don’t lie to yourself because you think it’s safer. Reality doesn't work like that"

What I loved most too was Bianca's friends Jessica and Casey. Jessica is the sweet and innocent, ditsy girl that is just so fun to have around. Casey is the sensible cheerleader, but sweet and always there to protect and help Bianca. What made me most upset was that Bianca was being such a jerk to her. Casey was openly trying to figure out what was wrong with Bianca and wanted to be there for her, but Bianca was just bottling everything up and ditching her friends. Granted, yes she was running off to Wesley, but it was so sad that she was pushing her friends aside. She could have been honest with them and it was just so sad because Casey was so hurt because of it. I am glad that they made up and it didn't blow up to be way worse than it could have because great friendships like this are hard to find. I am glad that Keplinger played this Duff business the way she wrote it as well. At first when I found out that Bianca was the so called "Duff" I thought her friends only kept her around for this reason, but then we found out that they had no idea what the Duff actually was and were actually upset that Bianca would ever even think that she's the ugly freak of a friend. To Casey and Jessica, they were the Duff. I think that's what I loved most about this book. Everyone feels insecure and the freak. The ugly one, the fat one, the one who is too short or too tall, but at the end of the day, we are all different and have our insecurities but we are all beautiful. This book brings a wonderful theme and I wish I had read it sooner.

This book was just a great read. It's funny, it's sweet, it makes you think. It's a perfect read for teenage girls and I really enjoyed it. Now I hope the movie does it justice!

Would I recommend? Yes. Fair warning though, it has some "mature language"

{REVIEW} To All The Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

Title: To All The Boys I've Loved Before
Author: Jenny Han
Series: To All the Boys I've Loved Before
Book: 1
Rating: ★★★★ 1/2

Blurb from Goodreads:

Lara Jean keeps her love letters in a hatbox her mother gave her.

They aren't love letters that anyone else wrote for her, these are ones she's written. One for every boy she's ever loved—five in all. When she writes, she can pour out her heart and soul and say all the things she would never say in real life, because her letters are for her eyes only. Until the day her secret letters are mailed, and suddenly Lara Jean's love life goes from imaginary to out of control.

My Rating/Thoughts:

“Love is scary: it changes; it can go away. That's the part of the risk. I don't want to be scared anymore.” 

This was a fun, fast, easy, and cute read. I genuinely enjoyed it. I haven't read anything by Jenny Han before so I didn't know what to expect considering everyone was raving about this book so I was a little worried I hyped this book up in my head, but it did not disappoint. The writing is great and filled with so many relatable feelings. The plot was simple, yet very interesting and compelling. Lara Jean is a likable character (though all the characters are so likable). To me, she was a bit relatable. She cares about her family with all her heart and she lives to please and make sure they are taken care of once her sister Margot goes off to college in Scotland. I loved the male characters in this book as well so much that I just didn't know who I loved more at first. I still don't. But I think I am definitely Team Peter.

“You'd rather make up a fantasy version of somebody in your head than be with a real person.”

Peter was such a great character! He was funny and sweet and just all around great. I loved the way he acted with Kitty. I thought he was a great boyfriend to Lara Jean even if it was "pretend' but let's be real..this kid was in love the whole entire time no matter what he says. He was so honest and straight with Lara Jean about everything and it was refreshing. She could be herself with him and just enjoy being with him. How sweet it is that he'd pick her up everyday for school and went out the night before to get mocha donuts for their ski trip?! Awwwwe!!!

“When someone's been gone a long time, at first you save up all the things you want to tell them. You try to keep track of everything in your head. But it's like trying to hold on to a fistful of sand: all the little bits slip out of your hands, and then you're just clutching air and grit.” 

I think the only problem I had with this book was Margot. She was a little too hypocritical to me and she annoyed me. She appeared to be a little too judgmental and a know it all that I was a bit turned off by her. Lara Jean looked up to her so much and her opinion was all that mattered to Lara Jean so it was a bit sad that their relationship was tearing apart when Lara Jean needed her most. But their ending was still heartwarming and I am really happy for the ending. I'll look forward to what happens in the next coming book because let's face it...we need more.

I need more Peter! I need more Josh and Kitty!

Great cute read and I am glad that I read this in a day during my horrendous reading slump!

Would I recommend? Yes. It's cute and will make you smile.

{REVIEW} My Life With The Walter Boys by Ali Novak

Title: My Life With The Walter Boys
Author: Ali Novak
Series: My Life With The Walter Boys
Book: 1
Rating: ★★★★★

Blurb from Goodreads:

Sixteen-year old Jackie Howard knows nothing about her new guardian Katherine Walter when she moves from New York to Colorado. After discovering that Katherine has twelve boys, Jackie fears that living in the Walter house isn't going to be easy. It's just icing on the cake that the boys look like Abercrombie models...

My Rating/Thoughts:

This is EXACTLY what I needed to defeat my nasty reading slump! This was a quick, cutesy, funny and just all around adorable read. I absolutely loved it and devoured it in a day. Now Ali Novak has originally uploaded this story on Wattpad and when it was officially published it had about 50% never before seen stuff. So the fact that I read the published version AND Wattpad version both in two days really says something. I mean I basically just read the same story back to back in the duration of two days. That says a lot for me. No matter how much I loved a story, I wouldn't read it back to back. But this story was just so cute and I loved it. I loved all the characters and didn't want to say goodbye to them so soon. In fact, I am currently reading her "What if" alternate story of My Life As A Walter which focuses on Cole four years after My Life With The Walter Boys. I have no idea what it is about these contemporary stories that surrounds huge families with a million boys, but I am like a greedy kid in a candy store. I was obsessed with My Life Next Door and I really enjoyed Megan Meade's Guide to the McGowan Boys (which this story takes inspiration from). So without further adieu. Let's get down to business.

So after an accident that causes the death of her entire family, Jackie Howard finds herself in her mother's long lost best friend Katherine Walter's care. She must go with her to live with her family in Colorado with 12 boys! Well 11, but the daughter Parker is basically just another one of the boys (lol). I loved that the boys all had such different personalities. Cole was the arrogant, conceited jerk that you can't help but love. Alex is the cute, adorable nerdy shy guy that you just want to hug. Nathan is a sweetheart, Isaac is just as cocky, but you can't help but laugh at him. The small twins are adorable and just this whole family is so lovable. I loved reading about everyone and I really liked how close they are.

This book was filled with just the right amount of humor and romance that it was exactly what I needed right now. I loved the love triangle because it left me just as torn as Jackie. I kept flip flopping right along with Jackie. I always like these stories as well because it's kind of nice to not know who you love because the characters both have different things to offer. But I am glad with the ending. The only thing that I want is more. So I am ecstatic that Novak is working on an official sequel that will continue from Jackie's POV and pick up right where this novel ended! (Phew, thank God)

What I really enjoyed about this book was the acceptance of Jackie into the family. It shows how far she came. At the beginning she didn't feel like she belonged anywhere. Her family was gone and she had no one in New York, but she didn't feel like she belong with the Walters either. So for Katherine to include her in the family murial and call her her family was truly touching. Jackie finally had a family and a home. Now in the Wattpad version, Nathan was the artist and the one who painted the murial and I think I liked that version better just because it was more touching coming from him. He saw Jackie as his sister and because he painted her in the middle of everyone with his arm around her and the twins hanging on her legs while Cole and Alex fought over who would stand next to her was perfect! Obviously the two versions had a lot of differences and some plot holes were tweaked, character personalities were different for a few, but for the most part it was the same and  I think I liked the Wattpad version more because it offered more stuff. However! I didn't like Cole in that version much because he was so pushy with Jackie that it was such a turn off. But I still loved him. I had to.

Now I have to go purchase the physical copy of this book so I can read it over and over until the sequel releases in late 2015/early 2016. *sigh*

Would I recommend? Yes.

Friday Finds #1

Friday Finds hosted by Should Be Reading showcases the books you ‘found’ and added to your To Be Read (TBR) list… whether you found them online, or in a bookstore, or in the library — wherever! (they aren’t necessarily books you purchased).

My finds:

    

  

• Trial by Fire by Josephine Angelini
• The Fill-in Boyfriend by Kasie West
• Endgame: The Calling by James Frey
• Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins
• My Life With The Walter Boys by Ali Novak

{REVIEW} The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

Title: The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight
Author: Jennifer E. Smith
Rating: ★★★★★

Blurb from Goodreads:
Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?

Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan's life. Having missed her flight, she's stuck at JFK airport and late to her father's second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon-to-be stepmother Hadley's never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport's cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he's British, and he's sitting in her row.

A long night on the plane passes in the blink of an eye, and Hadley and Oliver lose track of each other in the airport chaos upon arrival. Can fate intervene to bring them together once more?


Quirks of timing play out in this romantic and cinematic novel about family connections, second chances, and first loves. Set over a twenty-four-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver's story will make you believe that true love finds you when you're least expecting it.

My Rating/Thoughts:
"Love isn't supposed to make sense. It's completely illogical.” 

I LOVED THIS BOOK!! This book was so filled with sweet ooey gooey sweetness that I was just so happy reading it. I think this is my favorite love story for the year. I loved these characters and the story so much. I absolutely loved it! I can't say it enough.

Jennifer E. Smith writes another great love story that ends with an open end for readers to imagine how the couple end up. And since I love this couple so much, I say they lived happily ever after going on their road trip to North Dakota and it's perfect (hehe).

So this book is about Hadley who is going to the airport to attend the wedding of her father that she hasn't seen in over a year to a woman that she has never met. She is only four minutes late to her flight and boy, am I just so happy she was! She must change to the next flight and ends up sitting next to the gorgeous, British, and incredibly sweet Oliver. I loved Oliver. I loved him the second he offered to watch her luggage when a rude woman in the waiting area wouldn't. I loved that he decided to get up and carry her suitcase for her and they went to have lunch. He was just a perfect gentleman and I shipped them so hard the entire book and I am so happy with how it ended.

But let's dive into the characters. I think one of my favorite characters in the book was Hadley's dad, Andrew. Andrew left for a summer program to be a professor in Oxford and ends up meeting a new woman and leaving Hadley's mother and her. I thought this was so heartbreaking for Hadley because the whole time she is struggling with his new marriage to a woman she has never met and already hates because she is not her mother. She feels she is getting left behind in her father's new life. So the fact that her father was trying to include her and making sure that nothing was going to change between them was just heartwarming. I loved reading the flashbacks Hadley would think about that included her dad and it was touching. I loved the relationship she had with him and was really hoping that they could patch things up. I cried only two times during this book and they were both during scenes with Hadley and her father. Especially when she broke down at the hotel and he pulls her away and tells her it's time to consult the elephant. Awwwwww! Just like he would do when she was litle.

“He’s like a song she can’t get out of her head. Hard as she tries, the melody of their meeting runs through her mind on an endless loop, each time as surprisingly sweet as the last, like a lullaby, like a hymn, and she doesn’t think she could ever get tired of hearing it.” 

Now Oliver was really sweet. I loved that he spent the whole flight to London trying to distract Hadley because she was claustrophobic and afraid of flying. He made up silly research plans and jokes for her that it was just too cute. He also drew her a drawing of a duck with a hat and sneakers on a napkin?! They just spent the whole flight talking about everything that it was surprising that they had only met a couple of hours before. It was like they were already so comfortable together that it was hard to believe this book took place in a 24 hour time period.

This book was just all sweet and lovey. I love J.E. Smith's writing so much and I will definitely continue reading anything she writes. Plus I just love the formatting of her physical books as well. The fonts on the cover, the page themes, the little doodles on the pages, everything! It's all so cute and perfect for the books. And I absolutely love how she ended the book and worked in the title. I couldn't help but smile like an idiot when I read it.

“What are you really studying?"

He leans back to look at her. "The statistical probability of love at first sight."

"Very funny," she says. "What is it really?"

"I'm serious."

"I don't believe you."

He laughs, then lowers his mouth so that it's close to her ear. "People who meet in airports are seventy-two percent more likely too fall for each other than people who meet anywhere else.” 

Do I recommend this book? Absolutely

{REVIEW} The Geography of You and Me by Jennifer E. Smith

Title: The Geography of You and Me
Author: Jennifer E. Smith
Rating: ★★★

Blurb from Goodreads:

Lucy and Owen meet somewhere between the tenth and eleventh floors of a New York City apartment building, on an elevator rendered useless by a citywide blackout. After they're rescued, they spend a single night together, wandering the darkened streets and marveling at the rare appearance of stars above Manhattan. But once the power is restored, so is reality. Lucy soon moves to Edinburgh with her parents, while Owen heads out west with his father.

Lucy and Owen's relationship plays out across the globe as they stay in touch through postcards, occasional e-mails, and -- finally -- a reunion in the city where they first met.

A carefully charted map of a long-distance relationship, Jennifer E. Smith's new novel shows that the center of the world isn't necessarily a place. It can be a person, too.

My Rating/Thoughts:

"You can't know the answer until you ask the question."

First of all, I enjoy Jennifer E. Smith. I like her writing and the way she ends her book with an open ending letting us readers to imagine how the couples ends up. But this book was just okay for me. I still enjoyed it, but I didn't really get as connected as I usually do for other books. I didn't need this couple to end up together, I wanted it, but I didn't need it. I guess I just thought it was going to be different. I thought that the whole book we were going to see how Owen and Lucy communicate with each other over the thousands of miles they spent apart and it was going to be adorable and I'd root for them, but this wasn't the case at all. In fact, they hardly communicated at all. Besides a few postcards with a sentence or two, these two didn't speak much and it was no wonder that when they met up in San Francisco it was so awkward. I didn't like how Lucy would send Owen e-mails, long e-mails at that, and Owen would say that he never responded because he simply didn't know how. I think that's just rude. Instead he just blew her off because that wasn't his thing? Then he begins "seeing" a girl when he and his dad move to Lake Tahoe, but it's no big deal. But! the second Lucy says she has a boyfriend as well, he gets jealous and upset and they get into a fight! Excuse you, why was it okay for you to be with Paisley and it's no big deal, but it's not okay for Lucy to actually be with someone too? This fight ends up leaving the couple not even speaking for months! I didn't like that. I ended up just not caring and wondering where this was even going. It was just boring and nothing was happening. In the end, I liked how it all came together, but I felt like there was a whole lot of nothing in this book. It was a little frustrating to me.

"When there was nothing but space between you, everything felt like a leap."

Would I recommend? Hmm...maybe if this is your type of read, but it's not fantastic.

*REVIEW* Meant to Be by Lauren Morrill

Title: Meant to Be
Author: Lauren Morrill
Rating: ★★ 1/2

Blurb from Goodreads: 

Meant to be or not meant to be . . . that is the question. 

It's one thing to fall head over heels into a puddle of hazelnut coffee, and quite another to fall for the—gasp—wrong guy. Straight-A junior Julia may be accident prone, but she's queen of following rules and being prepared. That's why she keeps a pencil sharpener in her purse and a pocket Shakespeare in her, well, pocket. And that's also why she's chosen Mark Bixford, her childhood crush, as her MTB ("meant to be").


But this spring break, Julia's rules are about to get defenestrated (SAT word: to be thrown from a window) when she's partnered with her personal nemesis, class-clown Jason, on a school trip to London. After one wild party, Julia starts receiving romantic texts . . . from an unknown number! Jason promises to help discover the identity of her mysterious new suitor if she agrees to break a few rules along the way. And thus begins a wild goose chase through London, leading Julia closer and closer to the biggest surprise of all: true love.

My Rating/Thoughts:  

I really wanted to like this book. I really, really did. I thought the story line sounded so cute and just wanted to get lost in a sappy, love story set in London! However, the opposite happened. I didn't hate this book per se, but I didn't like it either. I couldn't get into it because the narrator Julia was just so pompous, superficial, and condescending! I could not stand her! I hated the way she talked to everyone like she was better than they were because she was smart or knew the most boring facts to sound impressive when in fact it just made her sound condescending. She was a boring character and I couldn't stand how clumsy she was! It wasn't the type of clumsy that is meant to be cute either, it's the type of clumsy that just makes you roll your eyes behind your heard. This girl could trip into someone by simply just standing there! And I hated the way she talked to and treated Jason. This guy was just trying to have a good time and be "friends" with her, but she was constantly being a little snob. When he pulls out a guitar and begins singing to her the first thought she has is she wished he wouldn't because she hates when people cover songs. In fact, she feels embarrassed for them and this is why she hates watching American Idol because the people covering songs shouldn't do it because it "ruins the songs." *Gag* how stuck up can she be? 

Now speaking of Jason, I actually liked him. I have read reviews where people thought he was just too immature and acted like a clown, but that's his character! And to be honest, this is exactly how high school guys act! They act like fools. I don't know how many field trips I went on when all the guys act exactly like this. Not all guys are the perfect swoonable guys we read about in books. Jason was realistic and I still liked him. His feelings for Julia changed how he acted around her and he felt comfortable around her. I genuinely liked him and I was rooting for him to get her to stop acting like a little brat. Plus, he was one of two people that actually called her out and gave her the wake up call she needed about her so called "MTB" as well as telling her she's just as shallow as the girls she claims she hates! Good for Jason! 

Now speaking of "MTB" Julia spends the entire book pining over this guy Mark she knew when she was a kid, but hadn't talked to since?! Are you kidding me? He's the most perfect guy and she hasn't even talked to him? Who does that? Who blows off everyone else for someone who you don't even talk to? Julia literally compares everyone to Mark and it's a little ridiculous because it just makes her so delusional.

Overall, this book was "meh." I was hoping for more and wanted more cutesy love scenes, but oh well I guess. (: 

*REVIEW* My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

Title: My Life Next Door
Author: Huntley Fitzpatrick
Series: My Life Next Door
Book: 1
Rating: ★★★★★

Blurb from Goodreads: 
"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, messy, affectionate. And every day from her rooftop perch, Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them...until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs up next to her and changes everything. 

As the two fall fiercely for each other, stumbling through the awkwardness and awesomeness of first love, Jase's family embraces Samantha - even as she keeps him a secret from her own. Then something unthinkable happens, and the bottom drops out of Samantha's world. She's suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself?

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

My Rating/Thoughts: 

"The Garretts were my bedtime story, long before I ever thought I'd be part of the story myself." 

This book blew me away. It had everything. Love, family, friendship, second chances, finding yourself, mysterious twists, hard decisions, and betrayal. My Life Next Door kept me on my toes the whole read. I knew this story was going to make me fall in love the instant I turned the first couple of pages. And boy did I fall in love with the entire Garrett family. Each family  member had their own unique quirk that just made you love them. Especially adorable little George.

"I might marry you," he allows. "Do you want a big family?" 

The whole  Garrett family take to Samantha so easily and warming that it was so sweet how kind and welcoming they were. They didn't give her a hard time upon meeting her at first at all. George loves her from the second he meets her and relays facts to her and clings to her. Harry asks her if she can do a back dive and instantly wants her to help him. Andy immediately sees her and begins asking advice for a date, and Joel just breezed over her presence like "oh you're with Jase? Cool." (Speaking Joel, Where was he? He only saw him like twice for five seconds). Only Alice is the only one to warn her not to break her brother's heart. Which I think was rather sweet. The whole family is protective of each other and extremely close. Even if they are in debt, counting pennies and don't have much, they have everything they need. They are still happy. 
  
"Who are these people, and why do they think their own opinions are the only right ones?"

The Reed's are a whole other story. Samantha's mother is a senator and quite cold. I never enjoyed her character at all because she just seemed like she was too strict and needed to let go. I hated the way she would regard the Garretts and just shake her head at their house or her annoying comments about their kids, etc. I found it unnerving how the only person that could get her to loosen her leash on Samantha was a sleazeball like Clay Tucker. I won't even get into his character because he was just a snake and I never trusted him one second. Everything about him screamed gross. 

Nan and Tim Mason were Samantha's oldest friends. Nan was Samantha's best friend and Tim used to be closer to Samantha when they were kids before he got into drugs and drinking. I enjoyed Tim a lot. I thought he was a good character showing his own struggles with trying to fix his past and get over his demons. He pulls himself together to get sober and try to get his life together. He also adds a comic relief which was nice. There is just so much more to Tim than meets the eye and I really enjoyed him. 

"Why do all the hot girls want the jocks and good boys? We losers are t he ones that need you." 

Ugh, but Nan on the other hand? *rolls eyes* She was terrible. I did not care for her one bit. Every single time we read about Nan she is just a whiny little girl who doesn't care about anyone, but herself. She is a perfectionist who completely ignores Samantha when she needs her even though Sam is always there for her when she needs her. She is always complaining about her boyfriend Daniel or her parents or Tim and college. Then when she learned that Sam is dating Jase she gets nothing but completely jealous! Saying that she gets stuck with guys like Daniel. Why do boyfriends have to be a competition? Why is she competing with someone she calls her best friend to begin with? How can see be so incredibly jealous and resentful towards Sam blaming her for her life and accusing her of getting everything she wants? She was just a lie and a cheat and honestly? if she has to cheat to get into Columbia how is she going to even handle all the work? 

Now Samantha and Jase had a refreshing relationship. I know it was a bit instalovey, but I thought the pacing was perfect as well. They took time to get to know each other. They spent every day together and even talked about sex with each other rather than just jumping into it. We don't see that in a lot of novels. The fact that they even went to the drug store together to buy the condoms together was actually pretty cute. They made the choices together. I loved their relationship. I loved their friendship as well. And I just loved Jase so much! He was so sweet. caring, kind, sexy as hell, tall, strong, protective, loving, and hello! He can fix almost everything and works on cars? How hot is that?

"You can't do this. You have to give me a chance to fix whatever it is I've done. What have I done?" TEEEEEAAAAAAARRRRRRRSSSSSSS!!

Samantha  was a great character to read as well. She handled her decisions perfectly. I felt so sorry for her when she was faced with her impossible decision. I have no idea what I would have down but you can't help but hope that she'd choose Jase because it was just the right thing to do. 

"I don't know. I didn't have that choice. But I know what's happening right now. And I'm choosing to stay with you."

In the end, I am proud of her. She was there when the Garretts needed her. She still tried to be a good daughter to her mother even when she didn't agree with everything. She was a good friend to Nan when she didn't deserve it and an ever better friend for Tim. I just really enjoyed her. She wasn't whiny or annoying. She was funny and strong and relatable. 

I really enjoyed this book. I highly recommend!