Need, Carrie Jones, Bloomsbury, 306 pages

I am on a roll with the reviews today. I’ve been trying to get to some of these books since I started the blog. This is one of them. I bought it right after it was released. I think it was the cover that got my attention.

The gold.

Added bonus, the phobias.

"There is no easy off button for your brain.It would be really really nice if there were."

"I start to grab it so I can it pass it to him. He reaches for it at the same time. Our fingers touch, and the moment they do the fluorescent lights overhead flicker and then fizzle out.

Everyone moans, even though we can all still see. THere's enough light from outside filtering in, just not enough for us to really focus on the finer details.

Nick's fingers stroke mine lightly, so lightly that I'm almost not sure the touch is real. My insides flicker like the art room lights. They do not, however, fizzle. I turn my head to look him in the eye.

He leans over and whispers, "It will be hard to be just your friend.”

He tries to hand them to me, but then remembers the cast. "I'll put them in water."

Betty swoops in the room ridiculously fast and she grabs the flowers out of Nick's hands. "I'll take care of them. You lovebirds just sit on the couch and think swooning things at each other."

Wondrous Strange, Lesley Livingston, HarperTeen, 327 pages

It has been about 7 months since I read this book so it’s taking me a little bit to remember what all I loved about it. And I did love it.

I’ve read quite a few faerie books lately, enjoyed most of them, but this one stood out. It’s a unique twist on the faerie world. Even though, yes, there are a few theme’s that pop up in several other books, faerie royalty, changlings, character that had no clue they were faerie, you get the idea, it still stood out.

Lesley has created this world where within ours “theirs” exists. And it makes me want to believe.

The main characters were awesome, I really liked Kelley because she seemed to have real emotions. It wasn’t easy for her to except the strange like a lot of books today. She balked at the mention of faerie’s or at least laughed. And she has doubts and questions things. Yet, she’s strong, or tries to be.

Sonny, of course is, slightly irresistable as a love interest. I love that The Story Siren, asks her mom for one in her review, found here. That cracked me up when I read it. And stayed with me long enough, apparently, to remember it for my review.

I thought the secondary characters were amazing as well. Which is sometimes very rare. And it wasn’t just a third character, it was like 5 or 6. They stood out among the crowd. They had their own very distinct voices and that was wondrous.

The plot laid out twists and turns and although I saw some coming others stayed hidden quite well until they were revealed.

Great story, go buy it.

Oh, you know what’s coming...

Sonny turned to her, his gray eyes dark. He pointed very deliberately to the west. “The sun is going down.”

Kelley crossed her arms. “It does that, I’ve noticed.”

She was thrilled and simultaneously horrified. She hadn’t been expecting visitors and was wearing yoga pants and a gaded hoodie. She was also covered in reddish strands of horsehair and Lucky Charms sugar dust. Yelping, she jumped behind the door.

“Sonny! What are you doing here?”

“I came to see you.”

“You can’t.”

“You’ve learned the art of invisibility?”

“What? No!” She blinked, and stayed behind the door. “Wait. Can I do that?”

When It Happens, Susane Colasanti, Speak, 310 pages

Susane Colasanti has this amazing talent, of taking you right back to high school. Granted it’s been some years for me but I completely related to Sara’s character. She wants something real. And I have this distinct memory from Senior year of knowing how fake everything around me was.

And wanting out.

I loved the scenes between Tobey and Sara, they were sweet and fun, and I wanted more.

Susane added so many real elements to the story and the characters lives outside of high school. And one thing that bugs me about a lot of stories is that once the girl gets the guy or vice versa, that’s it, you don’t usually get more story on them.

This book there’s quite a bit about them afterwards. It was a very nice change.

It’s a great story, you should buy it.

It takes all my strength to push open the door. I go around to Tobey’s side and stand there. The world spins around me. For the first time I can remember, I’m not freezing outside in November. It actually feels warm.

I stare at Tobey. He looks back at me with such an intensity I expect the glass to shatter.

I press my hand against his window. He presses his hand on the other side of mine.

For a while, we stay like that. With our hands pressed together, seperated by glass.

"Tobey puts the CD on. Then he comes over and hugs me. I lean my head on his chest.

'I want to know everything about you,' he whispers."

"I'm sorry.'

'Congratulations.'

'Can you tell me why you're so upset?'

The thing is, Tobey should get this. I mean, he's gotten everything else about me. And I don't want to explain it all. So much of it has to do with jealousy, and I know it's stupid to be mad at him because he had a life before me. But I am anyway. "

Immortal, Gillian Shields, HarperTeen, 368 pages

This book was just okay for me. Not spectacular, but not horrible either.

I think I was expecting more. More romance, more mystery, more supernatural elements. I suppose it felt a bit rushed. Not just the romance part. I didn’t mind that, it was more how strangely everything fell together.

I think that was it.

Nothing more to say.

Ex-Mas, Kate Brian, Simon and Schuster, 216 pages

If you know anything about me, from my posts, you should have come across me saying multiple times that a book was too short for me.

Typically if it's under 300 pages I feel like I've been left out, only given half the story, or rushed. And I hate that, the feeling of being rushed through a story.

This book was completely unlike that.

I loved the story. I loved the idea, I loved the Christmas theme.

The blurb on the cover says "A love/hate story" and that's exactly what it was for me, because I hated Lila up until the impromptu wedding singer scene. Seriously. I kept asking myself why I bought the book because I disliked her that much. But I kept reading with the hopes that it would get better. I figured 216 pages, surely it'd get better soon.

Once I reached the wedding singer moment, everything fell into place for me.

I really enjoyed being around Beau and Lila, I related to the little sibling part of the story, having put up with my two younger sisters.

From that moment on it was awesome. Such a joy to read. There were so many different scenes through the book that just made me fall in love with it.

Of course at the end when we had to do the conflict before the resolution that I knew deep down would come, I was still annoyed that she went back, (I'm trying to be cryptic here) but ultimately I was very happy (sappy, happy) with the ending and the book.

Impossible, Nancy Werlin, Dial Books, 366 pages

(Nov. 29) Okay guys, sorry for the hiatus but I have been sick. And over Thanksgiving. Let’s just say we didn’t do anything. No turkey, no family, nothing. It was nice. :)

That being said I’m gonna try and get a few reviews up. Starting with this one.

I read this book right after it came out so it’s been a while but I loved it. It was one of the first (I bought it along with Graceling) that got me started reading YA again.

So thank you Nancy.

Lucy Scarborough is trying to lead a typical teenage life despite the fact that she lives with foster parents, her mom is insane, and pops in and out of her life singing the same song she always has, and that she’s in love with the boy she grew up with.

I’m trying not to give away too much so let’s just say she becomes pregnant under unusual circumstances and that’s when things start falling into place.

She finds a letter and journal from when her mom was pregnant with her and it starts to explain what’s really happened and what will happen if she doesn’t figure out the answers to the riddle her mom has been singing to her her whole life.

With the help of her foster parents and Zach (the boy) she sets out to unravel the three impossible tasks that have been placed upon her before her daughter is born or else she will go insane just like her mom.

Such a good book. I love the use of the folk song as a foundation for the plot. The story was enthralling, it sucks you in. The characters, especially Lucy, feels like a true friend. You want to help her, you want to be there for her.

The story was clever and the riddle and answers even more so.

Highly, highly recommend this book.

and I know I’ve been slacking...

Zach grinned. And even though Lucy was not looking at him, she knew, because when somebody grins and your cheek is pressed against their chest, you can feel the smile right there in their body. Right in the muscle movement.

Lucy turned away abruptly. But not before she was suddenly aware that Zach was looking at her, too.

Candor, Pam Bachorz, Egmont, 249 pages

(Nov. 21) It’s hard to describe how I felt about this book.

I liked it. Couldn’t put it down, pages kept drawing me in. But by the middle when everything started to fall apart for Oscar I couldn’t help but feel a loss.

A loss of hope.

And that hope never returned.

I still have it with me. It hurts my heart a little.

It was a great story. Well done.

The characters were pretty believable, even in their Stepford Wives way.

Oscar was cool, smart, strong.

Nia was a little dark and artsy and an individual.

What happened to them was heartbreaking.

Like I said I couldn’t put it down.

Crazy Beautiful, Lauren Baratz-Logsted, Houghton Mifflin, 193 pages

(Nov. 15)What to say.

I liked it.

But it wasn’t spectacular for me.

I swear it’s got to be the shorter books that I never feel satisfied with.

I think my overall feeling is one of being let down. It was a really great premise. Really. I mean a boy with hooks for arms and a girl that falls in love with him. Great potential and I think Lauren did a good job with the first 166 pages.

It’s from 167 till the end that just seemed rushed. And frankly, for me, unbelievable.

Seriously I’m just sick to death of characters that don’t try to talk to each other when things start unraveling. Just try!

So, that’s it.

I really did like it and I’m sure there are other blogs out there that give glowing reviews.

I just couldn’t.

If I rated books, which I may start doing I’d give it a three out of five. So not bad, but not great.

Meridian, Amber Kizer, Delacorte Press, 305 pages

(Nov. 6) I really enjoyed this book. I liked the fact that it was based in religion, that the scripture was used so well. That it showed how things can be turned around. Well done, Ms. Kizer, very well done.

The story was interesting from word go, and kept my attention the whole way through.

I enjoyed the main characters, being Meridian, Auntie, Tens and even the wolf Custos.

The only thing that bugged me about it, and it’s small, and really it’s just me, is that a 16 year old girl and a 16 year old boy (I think he’s 16) called this woman Auntie. Who says Auntie? What 16 year old says Auntie!?

Wait! I found one more thing. How quickly the love story moved. I understand the idea of fate and part of my life and everything. But seriously the book covers like two weeks and to go from I don’t know you to Why do you hate me? to You’re alright to I think I love you, to I love you forever in two weeks was a little far-fetched for me.

And for someone that met, dated, got engaged and married my husband all in under a year that’s saying a lot, don’t cha think?

Good book, can’t wait for the second.

The Ex Games, Jennifer Echols, Simon Pulse, 302 pages

(Oct. 19)This book is filled with snark and banter between ex’s Nick and Hayden. They had a relationship in the 7th grade that ended badly, yet, 4 years later, neither of them has let it go completely.

Now, as Juniors, their friends are hooking up and throwing them together almost daily. Sparks fly, it’s inevitable.

I really enjoyed the witty conversations these two had but all the misunderstandings got a little annoying. Not enough to make me put it down or anything. I just wanted to yell at them both to explain what they meant so they’d get together sooner. And stay that way.

Overall the story of a battle between the sexes was a good one. I liked the fact that Echols did her research when it came to snowboarding and added snowboarding terms at the beginning of each chapter, what they meant, and how they applied to Nick and Hayden. I thought that was a little something extra from the author. And I always like a little something extra.

The secondary characters were enjoyable and believeable. Plus, I thought the relationship between Hayden and her brother Josh was very real. They fought, they teased, they helped each other out. I thought it was pretty cool that Hayden didn’t mind being around him and his friends, even when they were embarassing and juvenial, like in the diner that night.

The only thing about it that I didn’t think was believeable and it may just be me and the way I was brought up, was when Josh cussed in front of his mom. He’s 14-ish but still, she didn’t even bat an eyelash and it wasn’t like he said damn, or hell. That was my only problem with the story.

Overall a good, quick, fluffy romance. If you are in the mood for something like that, go pick it up.

Now the quotes section...

“What are you going to do, tell on me because I won a snowboarding contest?”

“That’s exactly what I’m going to do,” he called haughtily over his shoulder.

Uh-oh. I definitely did not want my parents butting into my business, especially not about this. “You had better not,” I shouted after him. “Do you hear me, O’Malley? I will tell Gavin’s sister you slept with a stuffed bunny rabbit until you were in middle school, so help me God!”

Josh dropped his board, slid down to me, and clampd his hand over my mouth. “Shhhhh! Mr. Big Ears was very special.”

“What are you doing here?”

“I just happened to be in teh neighborhood, walking my dog...” This was sounding lame. “...several miles from my home, in the middle of the night, in the snow. And I found myself in your backyard.”

His eyes flew wide open. “With the cats?”

“If that’s what you call them.”

Stargazer, Claudia Gray, HarperTeen, 329 pages

(Oct. 11) I liked this one so much more than the first. And I liked the first one.

Stargazer, I don’t know, it just had more. Deeper characters, deeper plot, more action, more Balthazar, more Vic, more Raquel, even more Ranulf. It did not have more Lucas, but it worked.

There were twists and turns I didn’t see coming, Vic is super smart, Raquel actually smiled, Bianca was depressed...

I was able to follow the story from start to finish without a question of what was going on and even though I still have questions I’m pretty sure I’ll get most of my answers.

Eduardo is sketchy and so I’d like to know what his deal is. I would like to know why Mrs. Bethany, one smells like lavendar and two invited the humans in to Evernight.

I want to know what happened to Vic, Ranulf and Balthazar. I want Vic to be in the next book more. He’s my comic relief, I like his sense of humor and his mellowness.

So, I thought this was an excellent sequel in an already pretty awesome story.

“Yo Binks!”

Nobody had ever called me “Binks” before in my life, bu I knew who it had to be even before I recognized the voice. “Vic!”

“It takes time to figure out what the arrows mean,” Balthazar protested, moving stiffly through the steps on the beginner level of Dance Dance Revolution.

“You have to internalize that so your body knows what to do the second your eye sees the arrow. Your brain can’t even come into it.” I sat cross-legged on the floor next to the game mat, watching him in dismay. “You’re a good dancer, Balthazar. How come you’re so bad at this?”

“This isn’t dancing. These days, it’s merely-rhythmic twitching.”

Graceling, Kristin Cashore, Harcourt, Inc. 471 Pages

(Oct. 10) Loved, loved, loved this book! I wish my laptop keyboard had musical note keys so you could have gotten the full effect of me singing how much I loved it.

Okay, granted compared to quite a few other books it was longer, but, but, but that didn’t matter. I didn’t put it down.

And I picked it up, actually a while ago (sorry it’s taken so long to review) without really having heard any hype about it.

Kristin’s world of the Seven Kingdoms is so believable. And as you all know I enjoy it when an author adds something to the book like a map or as in the case of Wondrous Strange which I will be reviewing shortly, a playbook. It just makes me happy and I understand things a bit better.

I was about to go through and list all of the things I felt were believable when I realized I would have been listing everything.

Such a great story, such great characters, I enjoyed the twists, and the romance and even the evil.

I want a Grace. Hmmmm, what would it be? And what color would my eyes be? Maybe someone could make a Grace generator. You know where I type in my name and it randomly picks my eye color and Grace. Could you get right on that Kristin? Since it is your imagination at work. :D

I would say I’m excited for Fire but that would be an huge understatement, plus it is already available at my local bookstore. I just don’t have the moolah yet. I’ll see if the library has it though. Maybe I’ll get it faster.

The relationship/banter between Katsa and Po was awesome. I’m a sucker for good banter. I liked that she could kick his butt, and that he wasn’t easy on her in fights, and yet they both had an incredibly soft side for each other.

I thought the ending was amazing in how they figured out what was going on. I was heartbroken as well. And I can’t say anything. It’s so hard sometimes.

Go Get This Book!

Again, too many things I’d like to quote but too much would be given away so...

“You’re not the most perceptive person I’ve ever known, Kat,” Raffin said, “if you don’t mind my saying so. Your capacity for missing the obvious is astonishing.”

She threw her arms into the air. She turned to go. She turned back suddenly, at a shocking thought. “You’re not in love with me, are you?”

He stared at her for a moment, speechless. Then he burst into laughter.

My Soul To Take, Rachel Vincent, Harlequin Teen, 279 Pages

(Oct 9) Okay, wow. This was totally not what I was expecting. Not sure what I was expecting but this story was above them. My expectations, I mean.

I thought the set up for the story was great. Without giving too much away, hopefully, I liked the...what’s the word...it’s not a twist, but it’s...how she does what she does. I guess that’s the best way I can say it. Sorry if it doesn’t make sense. I just don’t want to ruin it for you.

I like Kaylee alright as far as main characters go. I liked Nash as well, but I think I enjoyed Tod and Nash’s banter the most out of all the characters and interactions.

This is going to be short because I want to say too much.

The story was great, the plot was awesome. I didn’t see the ending coming the way it did. So in my estimation this is an awesome story and I can’t wait till the next one, My Soul To Save, comes out in 2010. I’ll definitely be picking it up.

My one, problem, I guess, with the book is I don’t feel like the cover does the story justice. It doesn’t really give you a proper idea of what the book is about. It’s cool! But just to me it doesn’t do it justice. I do like the fact that if you look close enough the swirls around her are actually the word “take” over and over and overlapping. Pretty cool.

Quote time...

“What’s wrong?” Nash demanded, stepping closer to me now, heedless of the glass and the wet floor. “Do you have seizures?”

“No. I...Have you seen the news this morning?”

He chuckled hoarsely. “I haven’t even seen the floor yet this morning.” Nash yawned, and springs creaked over the line. He was still in bed.

Evernight, Claudia Gray, Harper Teen, 327 Pages

(Oct 9) Really enjoyed this story for the most part.

And I promise I’m not nitpicking or anything. There’s just one part of the book, about 120 pages in, a twist in the story that I felt like, “what the hell?” It came out of nowhere. I thought I knew this character, thought I knew what was happening, where things were going, and then BAM!, complete 180 that wasn’t even hinted at.

So other than that little surprise I can say that I recommend this book. It was a great read, the characters and setting were well written and believeable. The “adults” in the book seemed to act like adults, what I mean by that is a lot of times in books when an adult is mentioned they are not really in the picture. They don’t give advice or act like parents with boundaries, etc. These adults actually did, which was kind of refreshing.

I’ve already started Stargazer and can’t wait to see how things are going to turn out for the whole crew.

Interesting, interesting. I like it.

Now for the quotes...

“Whoa, the rooms are going coed? That’s made of awesome.” Vic came in behind me. I gave him a wan smile before turning back to watch Lucas’s car driving away. The car was speeding off as if they were in a hurry. “Good job sneaking in. You guys just said good-bye, huh?”

“Uh-huh.” What else could I say?

“Don’t get too depressed, all right? Vic gave me a little punch on the shoulder. “Some guys know what to say to girls when they’re upset, but man, I’m not one of them.”

and pretty much all the others I want to say will give too much away so enjoy that one.

Coffeehouse Angel, Suzanne Selfors, Walker & Company, 276 Pages

(Oct 7) Ahhhh, Coffeehouse Angel was a joy to read. It was nice, as I am part Norwegian, to have a book that went into some of the cultural stuff, like sardine sandwiches and the coffee with an egg in it. :P

I actually picked up Coffeehouse angel in the hopes of taking the edge off of another book I’m reading that, although a very good story, I needed to put down because I just needed a break from the emotions it stirred up.

Coffeehouse Angel did that for me.

I enjoyed this book a lot, and thought Suzanne did a great job with all the little details of making a relationship between Katrina and Malcolm plausible, possible, believable.

I mean when I think of relationships with angels I think of Nephilim and “danger Will Robinson, danger” but it was a nice twist.

I also liked the little details, the glowing words, the Highland smell, the wings on ankles.

Suzanned did a great job with building the characters, each and every one. I felt a connection with most of them aside from Heidi and only because she didn’t have much dialogue with substance.

The Boys were awesome, I despised Mr. Darling, and even mute Irmgaard felt real to me.

If you are looking for a great, easy read, full of good feelings and Hero Hot Chocolate pick up this book.

Now for my favourite part...

“I contained your desire in this coffee bean. Clever of me, don’t you think?”

I raised my eyebrows, feigning amazement.

“I suspect you’re trying to trick me, just like you did with the pencil.” His expression remained serious.

Okay this one is a bit long...but I love it...

“Hold on now.” Lars stopped walking. He turned and peered up at Malcolm, his eyes half-hidden by his knit hat. “You want to give Katrina what she most desires?”

Malcolm nodded. “I’ve tried, but she won’t tell me what it is.”

Lars shook his head. “She’ll never tell you. No woman ever tells. And no man’s ever been able to figure it out. You’ll be guessing for the rest of your life and you’ll always guess wrong. Women like it that way because it gives them something to complain about.”

North of Beautiful, Justina Chen Headley, Little Brown, 373 Pages

(Oct. 6) Oh My GOODNESS!!!

Wow!

It took me a full week, A FULL WEEK! to finish this book. Not because it was bad, completely opposite actually. It is one of the most complicated, beautiful, intricate stories I’ve read.

The story of Terra’s family and friends and the transformation from who they were to who they become was amazing, heart-wrenching even.

I loved the relationship between Terra and Jacob from word go. They had such great chemistry, good banter but not overdone.

The disfunction of Terra’s family was so real, so raw, so truthful it made me think of mine. Not that my family is like hers exactly, but it was nice to see a real family portrayal where family is actually a part of the story.

I highly, Highly, HIGHLY recommend this book, and will pick up her other two at some point.

I only have one quote, although there were many, I picked a long one that I do not believe will ruin it for you.

In their own haphazard, clumsy ways, they were trying to tell me that I was fine the way I was. That I wasn’t alone. I didn’t have the language to communicate that to this little girl-or to communicate beauty-real everlasting beauty-lives not on our faces, but in our attitude and our actions. It lives in what we do for ourselves and for others.

So I did the best thing I could.

For a long moment, I waited for her gaze to lift away from my birthmark and back to my faded blue eyes. When she did, I realized I knew all the Mandarin I needed to express myself to this girl.

In my faltering Chinese, I used the same words Jacob’s caretaker had when she saw him. I told her in words that I struggled to say to myself whenever I looked in a mirror.

“Hao kan,” I said gently, quietly, firmly as if it was a pact between the two of us.

She blinked. I wasn’t sure if she understood. Or if she believed that she was beautiful. So I pointed to her and then to me. And I repeated with utter conviction, “Hao kan.”

Those words, my pronouncement, won me the girl’s slow nod. I nodded back. And when she smiled, wide and open, I tell you, there was nothing more beautiful than that.

As You Wish, Jackson Pearce, Harper Teen, 298 Pages

(Oct 5) This was a great read since I was looking for something a little lighter. I don’t want to say predictable because it wasn’t that, it was just that I didn’t have to think hard (which I needed at the moment), or get really emotional with it.

I think the author did a great job in describing the difference between our world and Caliban, which is the place the a jinn is from. It made it interesting to find out how things don’t really change there, there are no stars, no one has a name, and you don’t really fall in love.

I really liked “Jinn”, as he eventually becomes known, I liked seeing his personality, and see him struggle with things he is not accustomed to. Even though Viola is the main character and you definitly see her grow throughout the book, you also get to see growth from Jinn as well.

There wasn’t really anything that I can pinpoint that I didn’t like in this book. I loved the “art” talk throughout it, and even Aaron and Ollie aren’t unlikeable characters. Although with Aaron, every time he called Viola baby I wanted to punch him, hurl, and I got a creepy feeling.

I enjoyed the alternating chapters in the two main characters voices. I don’t know if this is becoming a trend or not but I believe this is the third or fourth book in the last two months that I’ve read that has done this.

And something subtle that I enjoyed was the fact that after chapter 3, the chapters stop saying “a jinn” and just say “Jinn”, it’s like even in the small details he’s recognizing himself with a name.

I definitly think this is a worthy read, an interesting take on fantasy. I liked seeing a genie story amongst all of the wolf/vampire/faery stories. Not (obviously) that I’m complaining about all those stories. I love them all. It was just a nice reprieve. I will be reading more from this author.

and now...my favourite part

People assume Invisible Girls are the types who get straight A’s and are on the debate team or something. But we aren’t. We want to be kissed and half undressed, before falling asleep next to someone we love, just like everyone else.

“No, Viola, please. It was a mistake. I was scared because...” He looks down. “Because I’m beginning to feel like I’m broken without you.”

“To be honest,” Jinn says as I step into the bathroom and let the shower water heat up, “I forgot to leave. I was just watching stars and then...it was morning.”

“The exciting life of a magical creature,” I tease. Jinn rolls his eyes.

Perfect Chemistry, Simone Elkeles, Walker & Company, 357 Pages

(Oct. 1) At Fairfield High School, on the outskirts of Chicago, everyone knows that south siders and north siders aren’t exactly compatible elements. So when head cheerleader Brittany Ellis and gang member Alex Fuentes are forced to be lab partners in chemistry class, the results are bound to be explosive.

I have to admit I was a bit skeptical when I picked this book up to read. I’d looked at it a couple of times but decided I probably wouldn’t be that interested. I’m always worried about reading a book full of “teen speak”, just because I know me and I’d probably get bored and put it down.

That being said, I totally misjudged this book. It was amazing! I couldn’t put it down. And there was only one “ohmygod” moment. It was refreshing. It also had cussing throughout, which you will come to find I’m not a fan of. Not because I’m naive or whatever, I just usually find it not necessary to tell a story. It WAS crucial in this book. To make it believable, to make me see the characters as real people, in real life situations.

I also should mention that there are Spanish phrases throughout the book and although there were many times that I thought to myself either I really need to learn Spanish, or I really need to google that, I just took it in context hoping I kind of got what was meant and kept on. The fact that I can’t speak it didn’t detour me from continuing to read it or enjoying it.

The story kept my attention. It’s told in alternating chapters between the two main characters, Brittany and Alex. I really enjoyed that format for this story because I think if it had all been in Brit’s voice it wouldn’t have been as good.

I think my favourite character was Alex, because he is that bad boy that’s actually a good boy deep down. He cares a lot about his family, and friends. But he is also really smart and determined to be the first in his family to graduate high school.

Brittany is likeable, don’t get me wrong, she has a lot of guilt placed on her by herself, but also by her mom. She doesn’t have a perfect life even if she wants everyone to think so. She keeps a lot inside so no one can see it and I felt like screaming at the top of my lungs for her. Just to get it all out ya know? But by the end of the book I liked her a lot more. When she was finding herself.

I also liked many of the secondary characters like the chemistry teacher Mrs. P, Isa, and Paco, I liked what little we had of Doug too. I liked when he fell out of the window.

“What?”, you may ask, well I guess you’ll just have to go get your own copy.

I am going to be purchasing her first book, Leaving Paradise, as soon as I can get to the bookstore. Which may not be for a couple days yet. But, I suggest that you make Simone one of your picks if you’re out looking for a good read.

And now a few of my favourite quotes...

“Did I do anything stupid?” I ask.

Isa shrugs. “I’m not sure. Alex wouldn’t really let anyone get close enough to you. If you want to call passing out in his arms stupid, then I think you’ve managed it.”

All eyes are on me as I witness the vandalism to my motorcycle. They’re expecting me to be in a rage. After all, who would dare attach a pink tricycle horn to the handlebars and tape sparkling streamers from the ends of the handles? Nobody can get away with this s**t.

Except Brittany.

I want to know how to make this girl laugh. I want to know what makes her cry. I want to know what it feels like to have her look at me as if I’m her knight in shining armor.

Leaving Paradise, Simone Elkeles, Flux, 303 Pages

What happens when the person who damaged you for life...becomes the person you trust the most?

Caleb Becker spent the last year in juvenile detention.

Maggie Armstrong spent the past year in hospitals and physical therapy.

Two teens who were scarred one fateful night are going to have to face their greatest challenge yet-meeting up with each other again.

Okay, so I’ve gone over how to write this review a dozen times in my head and I can’t. I can’t because I know I will give away the ending. And I’ve tried revising it like four times. It still hasn’t changed anything.

I have to! I have to rant and rave! I can’t keep it in. I’m trying, I really am.

Sigh.

This book was/is amazing! I literally devoured it, and when I say that I mean I started reading it this afternoon around 2, had to put it down and then picked it back up again this evening and finished it right before 1 in the morning. I think it was about 4 hours, maybe 4 1/2. It was that good.

I just needed to figure these people out. Figure out what happened. Make sure they got through all the crap.The romance between the two main character’s was believable, there were times throughout the book where, even though I really liked Caleb and Maggie, I hated them both for brief moments because of things they did or things they said, or didn’t say.

Simone writes beautifully and she keeps you engaged the whole time. Well, most of the time, I don’t think I was so engaged when the football games were on, or when the cheerleaders showed off their cheer. No offense to the cheerleaders out there. I think it was more the fact that they were attention seekers.

Okay, I really can’t keep it in.

I know it’s horrible of me that I’m going to spoil it for some of you. I just have to tell someone.

No! I shouldn’t.

My heart hurts.

I can’t, I just can’t keep it in, so if you haven’t read this book don’t read beyond me saying that it is a book I highly recommend. Simone’s writing style is real and raw and emotional and you are sucked into these characters lives and you feel like you are there.

That being said, I loved this book, no I hated it, no I loved it, (spoiler ahead, seriously stop reading if you haven’t read this book)

Stop now...

I hated the ending. Like I said earlier it made my heart hurt. Oh my gosh how my heart just aches. Which if you think about it to me is the sign of greatness. That I have actual physical pain about this book and that I ruminated on it for days afterwards. I even told my husband that this book really made me sad. He’s not a reader so I don’t usually share my feelings about books I’m reading cause I know it will be hard to grasp.

I’m sorry Simone, I really love your books and I really admire your writing style and your stories and everything but I hate you for ending this book this way.

There, I’ve said it.

The characters are believable, I hated Kendra, really liked Maggie and Caleb. Mrs. Reynolds was pretty cool too.

The storyline was a good one with a twist I didn’t see coming and I’m usually pretty good at figuring them out beforehand.

Seriously, it’s now morning and I just put my daughter back to sleep and it seems like every time I’ve woken up this book has been with me.

Kudos to you Ms. Elkeles.

Now, I usually try and give you at least one quote from the book. Something to wet your appetite (sometimes I give you more)

I find her taking lemons out of the refrigerator. I watch as she cuts and squeezes them into a pitcher.

“Are you following me?” she asks, but doesn’t meet my gaze.

“Yeah,” I say.

“Why?”

“Honestly?”

She looks at me, her eyebrows raised.

I give her the only honest and true answer I have.

“You’re where I want to be.”