{REVIEW} The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski

Title: The Winner's Curse
Author: Marie Rutkoski
Series: The Winner's Trilogy
Book: 1
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Science Fiction
Rating: ★★★★

Blurb from Goodreads:

Winning what you want may cost you everything you love... 

As a general’s daughter in a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers, seventeen-year-old Kestrel has two choices: she can join the military or get married. But Kestrel has other intentions.

One day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in a young slave up for auction. Arin’s eyes seem to defy everything and everyone. Following her instinct, Kestrel buys him—with unexpected consequences. It’s not long before she has to hide her growing love for Arin.

But he, too, has a secret, and Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid for a fellow human is much higher than she ever could have imagined.


Set in a richly imagined new world, The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski is a story of deadly games where everything is at stake, and the gamble is whether you will keep your head or lose your heart.

My Reaction/Thoughts:

“Isn't that what stories do, make real things fake, and fake things real?”

This book was a splendid surprise. I was instantly hooked right from the start, however it kind of lost me somewhere in the middle. The plot seemed to be headed nowhere fast and I had no idea where the overall story was headed. But I am happy with where we ended up. Boy, am I happy where we ended up! This book had a great cliffhanger ending that instantly hooked me all over again. I am intrigued by this world, these characters, and this society. It's unique and entertaining. I cannot wait to read the sequel.

“You might not think of me as your friend,' Kestrel told Arin, 'but I think of you as mine.”

The only thing that really bothered me with this book was the characters. Well particularly, Arin. I did not like him at all in the beginning. He was so cold and such a jerk! I hated the way he would talk to Kestrel and how rude he was. She tried to be nothing, but nice to him and he acted so ungrateful. Then when he was ready to be open to her and let her in, his "feelings" seemed a little out of nowhere. I enjoyed watching their slow progress to a connection and affection, but it just felt a little unbelievable that he cared as deeply as he claimed he did considering how cold he'd been. However, he really did redeem himself at the end and made me learn to love him. So I am now on board the Kestrel x Arin ship. LET IT SAIL!

Kestrel was a good character though. She was sweet and strong in her own might. She was still learning about herself and trying to figure out what she wanted out of her life. She hates that she only has two options and longs to find her third path. I look forward to reading more of her journey and see where her road leads.

The writing of this book was easy to understand and I didn't feel overwhelmed. The world building could use some more details so I really know what is going on here, but I kind of liked how we see a bit more of the political side. We saw a rebellion strike right away in book one and that's a nice change. I can't wait to see what happens next!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was fun and entertaining. Regardless of my very small issues, I loved it. And the whole format of the book was fantastic. I loved the deckled pages and the sideways chapter headings, as well as the BEAUTIFUL cover and font. Whoever designed this book is a genius.

{REVIEW} The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

Title: The Raven Boys
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Series: The Raven Cycle
Book: 1
Genre: Young Adult, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal
Rating: ★★★

Blurb from Goodreads:

“There are only two reasons a non-seer would see a spirit on St. Mark’s Eve,” Neeve said. “Either you’re his true love . . . or you killed him.”

It is freezing in the churchyard, even before the dead arrive.

Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them—not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her.

His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble.

But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can’t entirely explain. He has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little.

For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.


From Maggie Stiefvater, the bestselling and acclaimed author of the Shiver trilogy and The Scorpio Races, comes a spellbinding new series where the inevitability of death and the nature of love lead us to a place we’ve never been before.

My Reaction/Thoughts:

ISN'T THE COVER BEAUTIFUL?! I LOVE IT!

I really wanted to love this book. I really, really did! So much so that I felt like I was forcing myself to love it more than I actually was. Everyone on bookstagram and Booktube just raves about how amazing The Raven Cycle series is that I couldn't wait to get started and I have to say I was not impressed. It's not that I felt like it was bad — it wasn't — it just was okay. I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it either. I think I just expected more because everyone hyped it up so much that I had really high hopes and they just weren't met. But I did enjoy it and am interested in what else will happen.

The thing I really liked about this book was the sweet Raven boys. Every single one of them was an unique puzzle piece and together they were a beautiful whole. I loved this group so much. Gansey is so entertaining to read because he is so adventurous and determined! I loved the way he looks after his friends and treats them like family. Because of Gansey's love and protectiveness over his friends, it kind of made me a little bit bothered by Adam Parrish. I understand that Adam is strong minded and wants to do everything himself. He doesn't like taking hand outs, but I hated how much he resented Ronan and Gansey just because they had money and he didn't. Sometimes I think it's a miracle he's even still friends with them if he is so bothered by what and where they come from.

“Gansey had once told Adam that he was afraid most people didn't know how to handle Ronan. What he meant by this was that he was worried that one day someone would fall on Ronan and cut themselves.” 

On the other hand, I really, really liked Ronan. I think there is just so much more to him and I can't wait to learn more. I love his tough guy exterior and he is so interesting! And how sweet was he over Chainsaw, his pet raven?! And how cute is it that he named her Chainsaw!?

My favorite character is definitely Blue. I just find her so interesting and I love reading her perspective. I love her crazy clairvoyant family. I think they are so funny and great to read. I am really interested to see how her feelings for Gansey progress because we all know it's going to happen. She saw his spirit on St. Mark's eve and then there was the prophecy that she fears will come true when she kisses her true love. So I can't wait to see what happens! I am scared because I do actually ship her with Gansey so hard! I just love them together! It's so sweet and funny how sarcastic Blue is when she talks to Gansey.

“Watch for the devil. When there’s a god, there’s always a legion of devils.” 

This book is easily read and the plot is entertaining, but it is just "okay" to me. Nevertheless, I am reading the sequel The Dream Thieves to find out what happens next!

{REVIEW} The Heir by Kiera Cass

Title: The Heir
Author: Kiera Cass
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopia, Romance
Series: The Selection
Book: 4
Rating: ★★★

Blurb from Goodreads:

Princess Eadlyn has grown up hearing endless stories about how her mother and father met. Twenty years ago, America Singer entered the Selection and won the heart of Prince Maxon—and they lived happily ever after. Eadlyn has always found their fairy-tale story romantic, but she has no interest in trying to repeat it. If it were up to her, she'd put off marriage for as long as possible.

But a princess's life is never entirely her own, and Eadlyn can't escape her very own Selection—no matter how fervently she protests.


Eadlyn doesn't expect her story to end in romance. But as the competition begins, one entry may just capture Eadlyn's heart, showing her all the possibilities that lie in front of her . . . and proving that finding her own happily ever after isn't as impossible as she's always thought.

My Reaction/Thoughts:

Now I am probably one of the biggest Maxerica shippers in this fandom and I was more than just a little excited when I found out that Kiera was writing another Selection novel, so it really pains me that I found this book to be just okay. I am soooooooo sad! I wanted to love this book! I really did. And I really, really tried to as well, but I think the only redeeming qualities this novel had were the goofy, cute guys that were vying for Eadlyn's attention. At this point I really don't know who I am rooting for. Scratch that, I know it's Kile, but I still love Henri and Erik. But I am looking forward to the next and final book. I need to know what happens to my belove Maxon and America (which was seriously lacking in this book) and who Eadlyn will finally fall for. I want to see how their put the Illea back together also.

My only big complaint with this novel was Eadlyn. I couldn't stand her for most of this book. She was such a snob. I know she grew up in a privileged environment and she is stressed out because she needs to step up and be Queen, but she just had the worst attitude. I hated that she would look down on people who weren't like her or on her level. She talked so much crap about other people that I just had to skip over her sometimes. I also couldn't believe her little tantrum she threw when Maxon and America told her that they wanted to throw another Selection to calm the uprisings going on in the country and Eadlyn responded with "You're ruining my life!" 

Nevertheless, I am excited to see Eadlyn just finally own her role as Queen and spread her sass all over in the right places. She was becoming a more enjoyable character at the end and I loved seeing her more comfortable side with the boys. So I will definitely read the next book! 

The gorgeous boys in this book are what really made me enjoy this novel. I loved Kile so much. I still don't believe him that he didn't throw in his name into the Selection, but I honestly think he's endgame. How can he not?! But I also want Cass to throw a curveball and choose Erik because he's not even in the competition and I know he's falling for Eadlyn! He's just so sweet too and he's really acting as a good confidant for her. Henri is just a sweet, sweet character as well and I love all his little scenes. They are all just so sweet and adorable! I DON'T KNOW WHO TO CHOOSE!

{REVIEW} Hopeless by Colleen Hoover

Title: Hopeless
Author: Colleen Hoover
Series: Hopeless
Book: 1
Rating: ★★★★★

Blurb from Goodreads:

Sometimes discovering the truth can leave you more hopeless than believing the lies…

That’s what seventeen-year-old Sky realizes after she meets Dean Holder. A guy with a reputation that rivals her own and an uncanny ability to invoke feelings in her she’s never had before. He terrifies her and captivates her all in the span of just one encounter, and something about the way he makes her feel sparks buried memories from a past that she wishes could just stay buried.


Sky struggles to keep him at a distance knowing he’s nothing but trouble, but Holder insists on learning everything about her. After finally caving to his unwavering pursuit, Sky soon finds that Holder isn’t at all who he’s been claiming to be. When the secrets he’s been keeping are finally revealed, every single facet of Sky’s life will change forever.

My Rating/Thoughts:

“Not everyone gets a happily every after. Life is real and sometimes it's ugly and you just have to learn how to cope.” 

This is my second Colleen Hoover book and I am speechless! Her writing is so perfect and beautiful that I can never seem to set my book down. The way she captivates not only your attention, but your heart. You fall in love with both the characters and the story they hold. I bow down to you Colleen Hoover!

“And while I could sit here and feel sorry for myself, wondering why all of this happened to me..I'm not going to do it. I'm not going to wish for a perfect life. The things that knock you down in life are tests, forcing you to make a choice between giving in and remaining on the ground or wiping the dirt off and standing up even taller than you did before you were knocked down. I'm choosing to stand taller. I'll probably get kicked down a few more times before this life is through with me, but I can guarantee you I'll never stay on the ground.” 

Sky had a great story that I couldn't help but fall in love with. It was touching, heartbreaking, and breathtaking. Sky was such a strong character that I, too, was so proud of her for the choices she's made. I thought she was fantastic and I loved her for it.

“I can already tell he isn't the kind of guy a girl gets a simple crush on. He's the kind of guy you fall hard for."

But Dean Holder? Dean Holder. He is definitely top 5 Book Boyfriends. He is so complex, passionate, protective, supportive, loving, kind, funny, and a million other things that made me love him more and more. Every single thing he did that made Sky give a piece of her heart to him also made me give a piece of my heart to him as well. I loved the connection he had with Sky and the way he was so passionate about everything he did. He feels everything in every fiber of his being. He can't feel anything only slightly, he feels so greatly and it makes him fantastic. I cannot wait to read Losing Hope so I can drive into his thoughts and feelings!

“I'm not a sucker for happily ever afters, but if these two characters don't get theirs I might climb inside this e-reader and lock them both inside that damn garage forever.” 
(Me too, Sky. Me too.)

This book was definitely  heartbreaking and had me crying for much of it, but it was also such a touching story. I recommend!

{REVIEW} The Longest Ride by Nicholas Sparks

Title: The Longest Ride
Author: Nicholas Sparks
Rating: ★★★★★

Blurb from Goodreads:

Ira Levinson is in trouble. At ninety-one years old, in poor health and alone in the world, he finds himself stranded on an isolated embankment after a car crash. Suffering multiple injuries, he struggles to retain consciousness until a blurry image materializes and comes into focus beside him: his beloved wife Ruth, who passed away nine years ago. Urging him to hang on, she forces him to remain alert by recounting the stories of their lifetime together – how they met, the precious paintings they collected together, the dark days of WWII and its effect on them and their families. Ira knows that Ruth can’t possibly be in the car with him, but he clings to her words and his memories, reliving the sorrows and everyday joys that defined their marriage.

A few miles away, at a local rodeo, a Wake Forest College senior’s life is about to change. Recovering from a recent break-up, Sophia Danko meets a young cowboy named Luke, who bears little resemblance to the privileged frat boys she has encountered at school. Through Luke, Sophia is introduced to a world in which the stakes of survival and success, ruin and reward -- even life and death – loom large in everyday life. As she and Luke fall in love, Sophia finds herself imagining a future far removed from her plans -- a future that Luke has the power to rewrite . . . if the secret he’s keeping doesn’t destroy it first.


Ira and Ruth. Sophia and Luke. Two couples who have little in common, and who are separated by years and experience. Yet their lives will converge with unexpected poignancy, reminding us all that even the most difficult decisions can yield extraordinary journeys: beyond despair, beyond death, to the farthest reaches of the human heart.

My Rating/Thoughts:

“We shared the longest ride together, this thing called life,”

 This was another great story done by the talent Nicholas Sparks. I loved that we saw two very different couple's love stories told in different time periods that came together in a very unbelievable and touching way.

Ira Levinson and his love for Ruth were such a great love story. I seriously had tears in my eyes reading about their history. They went through everything together and their love never wavered. The fact that all he cared about in life was making Ruth happy was just so heartwarming. I didn't think I would like reading his perspective because it took place in the 1940s and he was in a car just reminiscing about his life. I thought it would be rather dry, but I found myself really interested. I was also really saddened that days went by and no one had found him off the highway after his accident! It was so sad that he had no family left and he was all alone. ): But his story was so important for the overall message of the book and how it tied into Luke and Sophia's story.

Speaking of Luke and Sophia, wow! Their love was amazing! The very first night that they met was truly one of the cutest moments. I loved their effortless chemistry and the way they would tease each other, Their whole connection was great and I loved reading about them so much. I loved Luke's devotion to the ranch and his mom. I was so touched the way that he would risk bull riding just to save the ranch even if it meant killing him. I was so scared after we heard his story about Big Ugly Critter and every time he would risk getting on a bull. I respected him and couldn't help but feel so much love for him.

I really think that if you are looking for a touching romance you need to pick this novel up. It was really amazing and now one of my top 5 Nicholas Sparks books.

Now where can I get my very own cowboy? Hello Luke Collins 

{REVIEW} Love, Rosie by Cecelia Ahern

Title: Love, Rosie
Author: Cecelia Ahern
Rating: ★★★

Blurb from Goodreads:

The basis for the forthcoming motion picture starring Lily Collins and Sam Claflin!

What happens when two people who are meant to be together can't seem to get it right?

Rosie and Alex are destined for each other, and everyone seems to know it but them. Best friends since childhood, they are separated as teenagers when Alex and his family relocate from Dublin to Boston.


Like two ships always passing in the night, Rosie and Alex stay friends, and though years pass, the two remain firmly attached via emails and letters. Heartbroken, they learn to live without each other. But destiny is a funny thing, and in this novel o f several missed opportunities, Rosie and Alex learn that fate isn't quite done with them yet

My Rating/Thoughts:

“There aren’t many sure things in life, but one thing I know for sure is that you have to deal with the consequences of your actions. You have to follow through on some things.”

This book was kind of hard for me to rate because I didn't hate it, but I didn't particularly love it either. I just wanted a little bit more of an ending I guess and that effected my overall reaction. I read 400+ of this book and wanted a huge FINALLY-IT-TOOK-LONG-ENOUGH moment and I just didn't get that. It ended too abruptly for me to even SEE that moment ):

“You can run and run as fast and as far as you like, but the truth is, wherever you run, there you are.” 

Now put the ending aside, I actually think I did love this book. I love Rosie and Alex's relationship so much and shipped them so hard! We all knew they were going to get together in the end, but it was just a long and bumpy road to get them to finally admit it to not only each other but themselves! And boy did it take foreverrrrr! But their relationship was so great. I loved that it overcame years and distance and they were still the best of friends. That was truly inspiring in and of itself. Not to mention how adorable it was that Katie (Rosie's daughter) and Toby had a relationship parallel to Rosie and Alex.

“Twice we stood beside each other at the altar, Rosie. Twice. And twice we got it wrong. I needed you to be there for my wedding day but I was too stupid to see that I needed you to be the reason for my wedding day. But we got it all wrong.” 

I think the only major complaint and I know this was the whole point, but I didn't like how it was written all in email format or IMs. I enjoyed it at first, but then it started to get on my nerves because I wanted to see more scenes and we don't get to see any of them at all until Rosie or Alex talk about them with other people. Even then we don't get the full story. And way too much time passes. For example, one page Alex is emailing Rosie wishing her a happy 38th birthday, then two pages later he is emailing Katie about her mom's 40th birthday. What? Two pages and two years have already passed?! Other than that I liked it. I liked the themes about family, love, friendship, selflessness, and sacrifice. It was actually pretty touching.

COVER REVEAL: The Heir by Kiera Cass

OH MY GOSH I AM BEYOND EXCITED! IT'S SO BEAUTIFUL I COULD CRY! *BOUNCES AROUND HAPPILY SQUEALING* The cover has been revealed for the upcoming book in Kiera Cass's The Selection series and I could not be any happier! 

Title: The Heir

Author: Kiera Cass

Series: The Selection

Book: 4

Genre: Young adult, Dystopia, Romance, Fantasy

Expected publication: May 5, 2015 by Harper Teen

Official Synopsis:

Twenty years ago, America Singer entered the Selection and won Prince Maxon’s heart. Now the time has come for Princess Eadlyn to hold a Selection of her own. Eadlyn doesn’t expect her Selection to be anything like her parents’ fairy-tale love story. But as the competition begins, she may discover that finding her own happily ever after isn’t as impossible as she always thought.

OH MY GOODY GOODY GUMDROPS! ISN'T IT BEAUTIFUL! I am so excited for this. I loved The Selection series so much. It holds a special place in my heart and America and Prince Maxon are seriously one of my OTPs. The fact that this series was already over and Kiera Cass decided to give us two more books has completely sent me over the hills and into another galaxy because I am so happy. I cannot wait! I cannot wait! I cannot wait! This is beautiful. That dress! That tiara! Oh my goodness *dances around*

*REVIEW* Cursed by Jennifer L Armentrout

Title: Cursed
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Rating: ★★★ 1/2

Blurb from Goodreads:

Dying sucks
...and high school senior Ember McWilliams knows firsthand. 

After a fatal car accident, her gifted little sister brought her back. Now anything Ember touches dies. And that, well, really blows.

Ember operates on a no-touch policy with all living things--including boys. When Hayden Cromwell shows up, quoting Oscar Wilde and claiming her curse is a gift, she thinks he's a crazed cutie. But when he tells her he can help control it, she's more than interested. There's just one catch: Ember has to trust Hayden's adopted father, a man she's sure has sinister reasons for collecting children whose abilities even weird her out. However, she's willing to do anything to hold her sister's hand again. And hell, she'd also like to be able to kiss Hayden. Who wouldn't?

But when Ember learns the accident that turned her into a freak may not've been an accident at all, she's not sure who to trust. Someone wanted her dead, and the closer she gets to the truth, the closer she is to losing not only her heart, but her life.


For real this time.

My Rating/Thoughts: 

Caution: this will contain mild spoilers.

I got this book free on my Kindle through Amazon when they offered me a free book if I signed up for their Teen novels newsletters. Among the choices, I chose this book because it was written by Jennifer L. Armentrout and sounded the closest to something that I would enjoy. Now I have never read anything by JLA before so I was pretty excited since I hear nothing but wonderful reviews for the Lux series. So I was a little bummed out that this book took me four months to actually finish. The start was really slow and I just kept putting it down and picking up another book instead. Every time I decided to give this another try, I would read about ten pages and then sit it back down. I think it felt like it was just a little too reminiscent of Shatter Me with Ember being able to kill with just her touch and plus being surrounded by others with special gifts as well (this always reminded me of X-Men (lol). So about twenty or so books later, I finally set out to finish this book once and for all and I would not rest until I had it done!

Ember is a bit of a loner in the beginning of the book. Ever since the accident, she is afraid to get too close to anyone for fear of hurting them. She has one friend named Adam and her sister, the only two people in the world she actually has in her life. Her mother is catatonic and has not said a word to her in two years. So after another freak accident in the grocery store parking lot where Ember accidentally kills her ex-boyfriend who got a little too close, Ember finds herself ripped away from her life, her school, her house, and within the residence of Cromwell, who for some unknown reason seems to find  the "Gifteds" and brings them together. As Ember begins to try to control her "curse" with the help of Hayden Cromwell, the sexy guy who seems to know a lot about her, she unlocks the secrets to the accident that changed her life.  

So, let's get down to business: Ember got on my nerves, plain and simple. She was overly accusing of Cromwell and his entire family and it got a little annoying. I admit it does throw you a loop when she finds out that the accident that killed her father and well, her, wasn't in fact an accident was shocking. But the fact that she does nothing but point fingers to Cromwell the entire book was irritating. I know Cromwell seemed a little suspicious and I would have suspected him too since he seemed too keen on wanting Olivia and her gift of bringing back the dead, but it wasn't like Ember actually took the time to get to know him either. She shyed away from him, she avoided pretty much everyone in the house and made them all extremely uncomfortable, which resulted in no one liking her and wanting her gone. They were all already afraid of her because of her gift and it didn't help that Ember's emotions were dark and isolated herself that made everyone even more afraid of her. Aside from all of this, I really enjoyed her character. I enjoyed reading her progress with trying to come to terms with her gift. It was kind of heart breaking to learn that she found herself to be so ugly and unlovable because of, what she considered, her "curse. So it brought a tear to my eye when she finally realized that she could take responsibility over this "curse" and control it. She wasn't soullesss or "unnatural and wrong" she was actually gifted like the others. Once she understood this, she was able to touch without killing. This made me feel so happy for her! Now she can have the life that she deserved and always longed for.

Now let's talk about the gorgeous Hayden. Hayden is an enerpath and I loved him. I loved him so much. He was just so cute and always looking out for Ember even when people warned him to stay away from her. Now I do find it a bit weird that he basically sort of stalked her for two years and said he loved her just by watching her, but it was still sweet to see how their relationship progressed. He knew he would never hurt Ember with his gift and regardless of everything Ember believed, he knew she would never hurt him or anyone and she wasn't a freak. He looked at her with such love and didn't even falter when he saw all her scars. He was just so perfect to me. *swoon* 

Now what I really liked about this book was the big shocker twist in the end. The whole book, you are wondering who actually caused the not-so-accident and what happened to her mother. Who wiped out her mother's memory to make her believe Ember is actually dead? Why  were they after Olivia? Who is bullying her at school? Who is killing dead animals and stuffing them in her locker? And what comes out is shocking! I did not expect any of it! My jaw literally dropped to the floor when I was reading. But I really enjoyed the ending. I enjoyed the comings together of stories intermingling and that Ember finds out she was not the only one who had her gift and even though that girl's fate led to a suicide, that didn't mean that Ember had the same end She could have a better life. I loved that she finally felt like she had a home among Cromwell and his children. I really enjoyed this book. It wasn't perfect by a long shot, but it was still enjoyable once it finally picked up. Now if this is one of JLA's "worst" books (popular opinion from her fans' reviews) than I am excited to read more of her novels to see how good those ones actually are. I am glad that it got better because I was really starting to doubt if I'd ever finish it so I am overjoyed that I ended up actually enjoying the end and the story line. 

Do I recommend it? Hmm, probably. 

But wait, so who did wipe her mother's memory? We will never know...

*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!  

*REVIEW* Where She Went by Gayle Forman

Title: Where She Went
Author: Gayle Forman
Series: If I Stay
Book: 2
Rating: ★★★★★

Blurb from Goodreads:

It's been three years since the devastating accident...three years since Mia walked out of Adam's life forever.

Now living on opposite coasts, Mia is Julliard's rising star and Adam is LA tabloid fodder, thanks to his new rock star status and celebrity girlfriend. When Adam gets stuck in New York by himself, chance brings the couple together again, for one last night. As they explore they city that has become Mia's home, Adam and Mia revisit the past and open hearts to the future-and each other.

Told from Adam's point of view in the spare, lyrical prose that defined If I Stay Where She Went explores the devastation of grief, the promise of new hope, and the flame of rekindled. 

My Rating: 

"Letting go. Everyone talks about it like it's the easiest thing. Unfurl your fingers one by one until your hand is open."

If this book doesn't hit you right in the feels then I don't know what will. If you have read my previous review for If I Stay you know I loved it. But this book has got to be my favorite. Getting a glimpse into Adam's life after Mia was nothing but heartbreaking. His lyrics. His life. His emotions. He was just broken. He was living his dream and was a complete rock star. He wrote a more than successful album that sent his band off the charts, but he was extremely unhappy. After he and Mia broke up he went home and went M.I.A (lol Mia). But once he got himself on track he wrote some beautiful lyrics. 

I loved the way Forman decided to write this novel. It was genius. Every chapter opened with Adam's lyrics and those lyrics was beautiful! I couldn't help but get so sad that Mia got her song. Well she actually got her whole album!

"First you inspect me. 
Then you dissect me. 
Then you reject me. 
I wait for the day 
That you'll resurrect me."

Mia, on the other hand, was at Julliard and a famous new rising star. She was a becoming the new Yo-Yo Ma. I enjoyed knowing that she ended up going to Julliard and was a rising cellist. Even though Mia had walked away from Adam and it was so depressing. I understood why she had to do it. I didn't blame her at all. 

"You talked tome, but you didn't. I could see you having these two-sided conversations. The things you wanted to say to me. And the words that actually came out."

It was really heartwarming too to know that she didn't just close off her memories of her parents and brother. She didn't try to live her life without remembering them, she embraced them. She talked to them. She believed they were still around her. 

"And then Adam Wilde shows up at Carnegie Hall on the biggest night of my career, and it felt like more than a coincidence. It felt like a gift. From them. For my first recital ever, they gave me a cello. And for this one, they gave me you."

And that ending?! Oh my gosh I couldn't stop crying!!!! It was beautiful, touching, and pure perfection. I couldn't be happier. This series was touching and I absolutely loved it. Thank you, Forman, for giving your readers a beautiful story about love, music, choices, and family. 

Highly recommended.

*REVIEW* If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Title: If I Stay
Author: Gayle Forman
Series: If I Stay
Book: 1
Rating: ★★★★

Blurb from Goodreads:

Just listen, Adam says with a voice that sounds like shrapnel.

I open my eyes wide now.
I sit up as much as I can.
And I listen

Stays, he says.

Choices. Seventeen-year-old Mia is faced with some tough ones: Stay true to her first love--music--even if that means losing her boyfriend and leaving her family and friends behind?

Then one February morning Mia goes for a drive with her family, and in an instant, everything changes. Suddenly, all the choices are gone, except one. And it's the only one that matters. 

If I Stay is a heartachingly beautiful book about power of love, true meaning of family, and the choices we all make. 

My Rating/Thoughts:

"Sometimes you make choices in life and sometimes choices make you."

Now I went into this book fully prepared that my whole heart was going to get completely ripped out. I had heard nothing about this book except a small glimpse into the trailer where I heard "if she wakes up shes waking up an orphan." So obviously I have to prepare myself that this book would make me cry like a little baby. And damn it if it didn't make me cry harder regardless of all my mental preparations. This book is brilliantly written. I loved the power of love and music that brought these two teenagers together regardless of their differences. I love the power of music that flooded through the family. This whole book was surrounded around music and it was beautiful. The writing was beautiful that even months after reading this book, I am still in love with it and thinking about it. 

The characters were so lovable. Every single one of them. I loved Mia's dad, her mom, and her adorable little brother Teddy. So losing all of them pretty much the first chapter of the book was heartbreaking, but I loved how Forman gave us flashbacks all throughout the book. Which I would have thought would be a bit distracting, but it worked flawlessly. There was no apparent timeline, we just thought about memories as Mia thought of them. It worked. 

Now Mia was a great character. I couldn't help, but love her. She faced some important decisions and I think I valued her choices because she knew that her relationship with Adam was going to be hard once his band was getting popular and once she applied to Julliard. How could it be easy? But instead of throwing that all away or choosing the easy way, she knew she had to do what was best for her. Even if that meant giving up Adam (who she loved terribly). I think she handled all her confusion about her future perfectly. Way better than I did when I was her age because we all know the future is scary! 

The relationships in this book were so heartwarming! She had a great friendship with Kim. I loved seeing how Kim and Adam put their differences aside when Mia was in the hospital because they were the only ones who knew how the other was feeling. I loved her relationships with her parents and brother even though she felt like an outsider in her own family. The fact that her parents went along with her interests and never questioned her or forced Rock music or anything else on her was truly touching. I loved the scene where they were in the car and they left Mia play her Classical music. Who would actually like to sit through that music even when they don't like it? That is tough, in my opinion. 

Now as for Mia and Adam's relationship? Beautiful. In fact I am pretty sure if you looked up the definition of "true love" you'd find a picture of Adam and Mia. They were just perfect together. They held their differences, but they loved each other. And to find something like that so young is truly a blessing. 

"Please Mia," he implores. "Don't make me write a song."

Overall, this book was beautiful. It really captured the essence of what Mia was feeling and I felt like I was torn right along with her. I had no idea what she should do and I think that's what makes this book so captivating. I really enjoyed reading it even if it tore my heart to pieces. It was truly amazing and I know it will have a special place in my heart forever. 

"And that's just it, isn't it? That's how we manage to survive the loss. Because love, it never dies, it never goes away, it never fades, so long as you hang on to it." 

Would you stay? 

*REVIEW* This is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith

Title: This is What Happy Looks like
Author: Jennifer E. Smith
Rating: ★★★★★

Blurb from Goodreads:
When teenage movie star Graham Larkin accidentally sends small town girl Ellie O'Neill an email about his pet pig, the two seventeen-year-olds strike up a witty and unforgettable correspondence, discussing everything under the sun, except for their names or backgrounds. 

Then Graham finds out Ellie's Maine hometown is the perfect location for his latest film, and he decides to take their relationship from online to in-person. But can a star as famous as Graham really start a relationship with an ordinary girl like Ellie? And why does Ellie want to avoid the media's spotlight at all costs?

My Rating/Thoughts:
"Nothing's all that scary if you can see it coming."

This review will be a little spoilery. I thought this book was super cute! When I read the synopsis I was immediately sold. I thought Graham was such a great character. He became a movie star when he made his big break in a movie when he was sixteen years old and he didn't really feel like he connected with anyone. Even his parents weren't the same for him anymore. He felt alone until he met Ellie. Ellie was an outlet for him. He was able to share his deepest thoughts and could be himself without worrying about the fame. (It was very reminiscent of A Cinderella Story to me.) I loved reading his scenes because he just had so much going on in his life, but he desperately wanted to get to know Ellie because he truly cared about her. I mean come on, he made it possible to shoot his MOVIE IN HER TOWN! How romantic is that?! I was actually shocked how fast he wanted to get to Ellie. He sees her best friend Quinn wearing Ellie's shirt and thinks it's her so he asks her out just like that! However, when he finds out that she is not Ellie he immediately goes to meet Ellie at her house! I was thinking "Oh. Wow we are doing this already?! Awesome!" I was excited! The only thing that kind of made me sad (and it's completely irrelevant) is that I wanted to see more of Wilbur! We only talked about him, but we didn't actually get to see him! How cute is it that Graham has a pet pig?! 

"He hadn't realized how much it could mean, having someone to talk to like that; he hadn't realized that it could be a kind of lifeline, and that without it, there would be nobody to save you if you started to drown."

Now Ellie's story was interesting to read as well. I sort of picked it up early on that her dad must have been a politician and that's why they were trying to lie low in the media, but being an illegitimate daughter, WHOA! If I were Ellie I would have totally made him pay for my tuition. It's the least he could do. I was a little disappointed when she decided not to tell her father who she was once she saw him, but I get it. He didn't even recognize her so why bother? Still I was anticipating that meeting and wondering how it would go. We spend chapters on a boat going to the town he's staying in to meet him and then we don't? Darn. But I admire how hard she worked to get what she wanted. She couldn't ask her mom to pay $2000 for that summer poetry program so she took two jobs to try to make that money herself. Even when time was running out, she never gave up hope trying to get the money. She even refused to accept Graham's help. I think it shows just how independent and strong she actually is. She wanted to take care of herself. She went after her dreams and would stop at nothing to make them possible. But who could argue with losing a whoopie pie bet? 

As for secondary characters? I didn't like Quinn. I think the fact that she was so upset that Ellie didn't tell her about her e-mails to Graham was a little far-fetched. Hello! She didn't know it was him and why would she tell her something that Ellie wasn't even sure meant anything? I get she was tired of Ellie's secrets but she could have at least let her explain instead of pretty much spending the entire book ignoring her and making Ellie beg for her forgiveness. 

As for Ellie's mom, well meh. I understood why she was so protective of her daughter but at times you just wanted her to cut Ellie a break! 

The ending: Now I see the difficulties in trying to build and maintain a relationship based off their schedules and where they are in life, but come on! I want that cute happily ever after for them! Or at the very least "Let's give this a shot!" They were just so cute and perfect together! But I loved the ending! I loved that Graham ended up paying for her summer program tuition (end of discussion) and he had agreed to go see her whenever he was in town. It was a great ending and I look forward to reading more of Jennifer E. Smith's novels. For not being an avid contemporary reader, I am starting to see the benefits. (:

*REVIEW* Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo

Title: Ruing and Rising
Author: Leigh Bardugo
Series: The Grisha
Book: 3
Rating: ★★★★1/2
Blurb from Goodreads:
The capital has fallen.

The Darkling rules Ravka from his shadow throne.

Now the nation's fate rests with a broken Sun Summoner, a disgraced tracker, and the shattered remnants of a once-great magical army.

Deep in an ancient network of tunnels and caverns, a weakened Alina must submit to the dubious protection of the Apparat and the zealots who worship her as a Saint. Yet her plans lie elsewhere, with the hunt for the elusive firebird and the hope that an outlaw prince still survives.

Alina will have to forge new alliances and put aside old rivalries as she and Mal race to find the last of Morozova's amplifiers. But as she begins to unravel the Darkling's secrets, she reveals a past that will forever alter her understanding of the bond they share and the power she wields. The firebird is the one thing that stands between Ravka and destruction—and claiming it could cost Alina the very future she’s fighting for

My Rating/Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this series and I was a little more than anxious to get my hands on this book so it kind of pains me to say that this ending has left me a little bummed out. Don’t get me wrong I did like the ending and everything came together perfectly and I understand that for Alina it was the perfect happy ending that she always wanted. But for me? I wanted more for her. I wanted her to own her powers and be the invincible girl that I always knew she could be. She was happy and that's all that matters to me. It just makes me a little sad what resulted from the amplifiers. But it was still cute and I was happy with how things ended. I loved that everyone stayed together or kept in touch. It was so bittersweet.

“You might make me a better man.”
“And you might make me a monster.”
The only thing that really honestly bothered me about this book was that we didn’t get to see the Darkling as much! I mean COME ON! Every scene that we had with him just left me crying for more! It was nearly not enough and I missed all his interactions with Alina because they were what made these books so intriguing. He is such a complex character and it is sad to not see his character more because he was finally starting to show more of his “human” side. He just didn’t want to be alone. He wanted to have someone who was just like him and he believed that was Alina. He wanted it desperately and I just wished we’d see more of him. It came to a point where I was a little upset that Alina wouldn’t “go to him” to see him. I loved those scenes!

That aside, I loved reading about Baghra’s story! Oh my gosh I didn’t see that coming at all. It was so interesting to learn more about Morozova and how that connected to the Darkling. I really liked Baghra’s character in this book more as well. She was less evasive and more willing to give Alina the answers she needed. FINALLY! No more just telling her to “run” or “give up” let’s have a chat and I’ll finally explain to you why you need to run! Why this situation can’t possibly go well the way you are thinking.

Speaking of which...let’s talk about their “plan.” When I first read their first idea of a plan of attack I thought we were just bouncing ideas off our heads because no way that could possibly work right? No, wrong! That’s the master plan? That’s all you plan to do? Ok.. let’s do this, I guess see how it works because it can’t possibly be that easy, but whatever. and surprise surprise, it wasn’t that easy.

Which brings us to the amplifiers! I feel like this was a little silly when we find out what the third amplifier was. I mean it makes sense and goes well with the story of Morozova, but seriously? So we were around it the entire time and didn’t need to go put our lives in danger looking for another creature? Don’t get me wrong I thought it fit into the story pretty interesting and I was like WHAAAAAAT?!!? When I read this part but at the same time I was like? UGH!!!! STOP BLOWING HOLES IN MY SHIP, BARDUGO!!!

and I am not even going to go completely into the love interests in this book because honestly, I have never read a book where I shipped the main character with THREE DIFFERENT GUYS! Two, sure...but three?! Seriously? A Prince, a tracker, and the “bad boy” Oh Lord, save me now. I LOVE Nikolai….I love Mal...I love the Darkling. How is a girl to choose?

“You were meant to be my balance, Alina. You are the only person in the world who might rule with me, who might keep my power in check.” 
The Darkling was just so…..sigh. When we found how human he was in his final moments it truly broke my heart. We find out his true name and he has never gone by the name in a very, very long time. The fact that he opened up and shared that part of him with Alina was beyond touching. He just kept wanting to hear his name on her lips until the very end. I just….I can’t. It was so heartbreaking and I was CRYING so much. I had to set my book down and calm myself down.
Plus, the prequel about him was truly unbelievable! I felt so terrible for him because he had to constantly hide who and what he was because anyone who found out he was an amplifier immediately wanted to use his power for their own greed. It made a lot of sense why he turned into the troubled character we know and love. 

“You are no Lantsov,” snarled the King.
Nikolai merely bowed. “I find I can live with that fact.”
The Privateer Prince. Nikolai? Well he’s just perfect. He’s cocky, sarcastic, charming, funny, and just *swoon* The fact that it was pretty much obvious that he didn’t stand a stand with Alina was a little unbelievable to me. I mean come on..he’s the Prince and he’s perfect! What more do you want, Alina?

“I would have been different too, without you. Afraid of the dark. But no matter who or what I was, I would have been yours.”
But Mal? Yes I have always loved Mal. I loved him in the beginning of Shadow and Bone and I loved him until the end. But God was he infuriating! He kind of reminded me of Eddie Castile from the Bloodlines series where he’s in love with someone he feels he is unworthy of and instead of just talking to her to see how she feels and trying to make it work he just tries to stay away and frustrates the hell out of you. I get it, he sees Alina destined for greatness, she is going to save Ravka and destroy the Darkling and the Fold blah blah blah but damn homie, just talk to her! Stop sulking like a little baby and talk to the girl you love! All this aside I really liked Mal’s development over the series. You see him go from protective of Alina to scared of and confused of Alina’s power to accepting of Alina’s power. Which I think I enjoyed most. The fact that he finally accepted her powers and was no longer apprehensive of them or fearful really was the icing on the cake. I can’t lie, I teared up when Alina saw his tattoo.

Now Alina really grew so much more in this book. She became so strong and powerful. I loved seeing how she stood up for her friends and how forgiving she was even to those who potentially wronged her. And I couldn’t help cheering for her when she finally put that Apparat in his place!
“A man so obsessed with holy fire should pay more attention to the smoke.” YOU GO GIRL!

Overall, I did really enjoy this book. I think it was paced perfectly and mirrored the other two books in the trilogy. We didn’t get too much thrown at us at once considering it was a conclusion book and it was just really good. I enjoyed myself. I was scared, surprised, happy, shocked, terrified, anxious and everything in between. I laughed. I cried. I wanted to rip my hair out, but it was a fun ride. I love this series and definitely will be entering a book hangover!

*REVIEW* Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Title: Eleanor & Park
Author: Rainbow Rowell
Rating: ★★★★★
Blurb from Goodreads:
Two misfits.
One extraordinary love.

Eleanor... Red hair, wrong clothes. Standing behind him until he turns his head. Lying beside him until he wakes up. Making everyone else seem drabber and flatter and never good enough...Eleanor.

Park... He knows she'll love a song before he plays it for her. He laughs at her jokes before she ever gets to the punch line. There's a place on his chest, just below his throat, that makes her want to keep promises...Park.

Set over the course of one school year, this is the story of two star-crossed sixteen-year-olds—smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try.

My Rating/Thoughts

"I want everyone to meet you. You're my favorite person of all time."

I can't even with this book right now! I was looking for something light and cutesy to get me over my book hangover after reading Ruing and Rising and this book seriously did the trick. It had great scenes that just made the feels flood all over you. It has a great sense of humor and you can't help but love the heck out of it. I am glad I chose this to be my first Rainbow Rowell book. I have heard nothing but great things about Rowell and didn't know what to expect since I am not a huge contemporary reader but this did not disappoint. I loved it! I loved all the characters (expect Richie. Duh. Right, Eleanor?) and the storyline was great. I loved that it showed just how great and strong a character Eleanor was. She was bullied not only at school from mean girls, but at home too. All these scenes just made you want to go punch someone right along with Park. 

Aside from the ever terrible Richie I really felt so badly for Eleanor. She didn't have much but she made the most of what she had. She never complained about not having everything other girls had or about the clothes that she wore. She just made due and I think I loved this most about her. She wasn't selfish and never felt angry about what they didn't have. Which warmed my heart when Park's mom saw her at the grocery store and it brought her to tears because she remembered what it was like to be in a big family that didn't have much. This was the turning point that brought Park's mom to get to know Eleanor and not see her as a "troubled girl." But Eleanor was such a great character to read about. She was insecure and not comfortable in her own skin and Park was the one who showed her no matter what you can be loved. She was beautiful without even trying and had a great heart. I loved her joking nature she had with Park. The way she'd roll her eyes or tease him about learning to drive a stick. 

"I don't think I even breathe when we're not together. Which means, when I see you on Monday morning, it's been like sixty hours since I've taken a breath."

Park. Oh, Park. I don't know where to even start with Park. He was just so adorable. I loved that he gave up his seat on the bus so Eleanor could sit down. I loved that he noticed she was reading his comics so he just opened the pages wider so she would read along. I loved that he began bringing her comics to read without even speaking to her. I loved the mixtapes she made for her. I loved every single thing he did for her! To punching Steve and declaring to EVERYONE that she was his girlfriend to giving her a safe haven at his house for her to get away from her stepdad. Park was so lovable and I loved everything about him. And I really enjoyed the relationship he shared with Eleanor. He never gave up on them. Even when Eleanor had left and said goodbye, Park refused. He stayed at home and wrote her every day because he didn't give up on their love for each other. How Noah of him!

Now I had planned to get into Richie's character and how much of a jerk he was or how OH MY GOD HE WAS THE ONE WRITING NOTES ON HER BOOKS! but you know what? I can't. He's just terrible and I had to forcefully make myself not skip pages when he was around. The entire time I just thought that he was going to end up in some sort of accident or kill himself because he was driving drunk or something and it may be sad or terrible but I hoped for it! But you know I don't feel bad because he deserved it! I kept yelling at Eleanor's mom TO LEAVE HIM! JUST LEAVE! Stop putting those poor kids through this! Maybe this spoke too close to home for me but I hate seeing kids having to live through this type of warzone. To waking up to yelling and crying. To being scared to even go home because who knows what you are walking to. It's terrible. 

Now on the other hand Park's parents were wonderful. The fact that Park's dad went to Eleanor and said that if it's easier for her to be at their house away from her stepdad then he wanted her there as long as she liked. Then he offered to help her when things took a bad turn just brought tears to my eyes. 


*Sigh* This book was just so great. So great that I can't even get over it. The feels have filled my body and I am so happy and crying over it that I just want more. I don't want to give these characters up. I want more Park. I want more Eleanor. I want to know they are together and happy and perfect. AND THAT ENDING?!?!?!?! OH MY GOD!!!!!!!! If those "three words"WEREN'T I love you....then uh uh. Just no.