Those Girls by Laura Saft

A Brief Summary:
Every school has those girls, you know the ones pretty, popular, and seem to have it all together. What you don't know is those girls have just as many if not more problems than the rest of us.


My Review:
This book brings me right back to high school. The girls that seem perfect from the outside, I was never one of them personally but I knew a few of them.

Of the three girls my favorite was Alex. She is the most down to earth/ relateable of the girls interested in music and the boy next door. Alex's main vice is smoking weed. Mollie is my second favorite desperate for love and for her boyfriends approval and admiration. Her boyfriend, however is someone I don't love, he's borderline sociopathic.

Veronica I really didn't like, probably because I had a hard time empathizing with her. She is desperate for love, that's just not me. She does a lot of crap without remorse most of the time, I really don't her behavior or attitude.

I'd definitely read a sequel, if only to figure out what happens next in these girls lives.

I received this book courtesy of NetGalley in exchange for my free and honest review.

H2O by Virginia Bergin

A Brief Summary:
When water becomes deadly you have to be careful in order to survive. But what good is surviving if everyone you know and love is dead? That's what happens to Ruby and the only thing keeping her going is the thought that her dad is out there waiting on her.

My Review:
I absolutely loved the premise, but the narrator killed me. Ruby is your stereotypical snobby teenage girl. One prime example of this is when she runs into Darius, one of the few people who have survived, and she wants nothing to do with him. Purely because he was a loser in school. Personally I can't stand that personality type and it hindered my enjoyment of the book.

Other then that I really liked the story. The idea that a bacteria could use water to infect living creatures is fascinating. The world is very well built, and I loved some of the side characters. Such as Darius, and Ruby's step father Simon. Both had survival skills and a head on their shoulders.

Overall change narrators and I'd love this book.

The Legacy of the Key by S. L. Morgan

A Brief Summary:
Reece survived her father's death by throwing herself into her schoolwork. Now after finally settling his estate she begins to figure out who she really is. Granted that involves her getting kidnapped, albeit by two very attractive guys and to save her from being kidnapped and tortured by other people, but still it's a scary experience. However being brought to a dazzlingly beautiful dimension, everything getting explained, and being treated as an honored guest goes a long way in mending hurt feelings.

My Review:

This was a wonderfully written story. It's fast paced, funny, and with an incredible love story. Granted an argument could be made for Stockholm Syndrome but she was free to leave after the apparent danger passed.

I always enjoy a story that has a well developed world and this book has that in spades. You have alternate dimensions, each with unique quirks, and within the dimensions you have alternate species. Some similar to humans, some not so much. Pemdas, the dimension Reece is taken to, is described to be extraordinarily beautiful. And if Levi and Harrison's descriptions are anything to go by the men are extremely attractive as well.

All in all a great book that I'd highly recommend.

Cinder and Ella by Kelly Oram

A Brief Summary:
When tragedy strikes you're supposed to be able to rely on your family and friends right? But for Ellamara that's a little bit difficult, as her mother died in th car wreck that changed Ella's life forever, and her best friend is an internet friend. Now living with a dad she hasn't seen in ten years and his family that she didn't know existed she must rebuild her life. Cinder, her internet best friend, might just be the key do doing that if she can deal with learning who her best friend is in real life.

My Review:

This is a really sweet love story. A Cinderella storyline with well developed characters. A personal favorite moment was what was left instead of a shoe.

This book splits perspectives between Cinder and Ella. Which I enjoyed because it helps you understand some of the decisions they make. And some look pretty bad if you don't know the logic behind it.

I also like how the step sisters aren't one dimensional. They're actually dynamic characters and one in particular I grew to like. The other well... she gets slightly more tolerable.

Pretty Little Liars by Sarah Shepard

A group of five friends bound by a terrible secret, but when the keeper of the groups secrets, Allison, disappears the group falls apart. Three years later four of them reunite. Now some one is telling all of their secrets. Their lives could be ruined if anyone finds out the secret that bound them together originally. The only question is who could this person, this -A person.

This book was free on Amazon the other day and since I really like the series on ABC Family. This book didn't disappoint it about covers the first episode and there are some differences but none too insane. A couple of the main characters have siblings that don't exist in the book series, along with a few other minor differences.

The book switches between the perspectives of the four main characters; Spencer, the perfect one, Hanna, the preppy, Aria, the rebel and Emily, the sporty one. Each of them of have secrets to hide, along with ones that they share.

This is a good book series, for young adults.

Mindspeak by Heather Sunseri

Lexi Mathews attends a high school for the uber wealthy. Where privacy and protection are par for the course. Everyone at this school has secrets, Lexi's just happen to be a tiny bit more dangerous, seeing as her father is a researcher in the realm of genetics. Some of his work has questionable ethics, so at school no one knows that Lexi is related to him. That is until she meets new student Jack DeWeese. His father had worked with hers on some projects with sketchy moral grounds. That's not all, Jack and Lexi both have abilities that they have no idea where they come from. When Lexi starts getting threatening emails she has to decide to either face her problems, or run away and hide.

This was a pretty decent book. It was a bit of a let down due to the fact that it had all this lead up about "The Program" and you never really get any information about them. And that sucks because it would make the book so much better.

Don't get me wrong the book had a lot of very strong points. Such as Lexi and Jack's abilities. Those abilities grow and kind of change throughout the story. Which I really enjoyed.

Lexi and Jack are also very interesting characters and well developed. The side characters are also very well developed. I enjoyed that the villain of the story wasn't an obvious choice. I don't know about you but I adore when that is the case. If I can guess it within the first few chapters then the entire story is a bit of a let down.

I'm probably not going to read book two, because the series didn't capture my attention enough. It's a decent read but not one that I'd read over and over again.

Shadow Heart by Pamela Taeuffer

 Nicky's life consists of spending as much time as she possibly can away from home and her father as possible. One of these activities is being part of a cheer squad for a professional baseball team. Where one of the star players gets her in her sights. He may be just what Nicky needs to help her break out of her shell.

I'm extremely torn when it comes to this book. In the beginning of the book I was hooked. The book started out great but a little over half way through it hit a major snag for me. A character was introduced as a best friend, someone that had grown up with Nicky, shared similar problems, and everything like that. However, this is the first this person is mentioned, and as a love interest. When one is already established, the one who is mentioned in the book blurb. The only one of the two that is. Nicky kind of ends up playing both of the guys, and this was a major killer of the book for me.

I really just don't like it. It could be the fact that girls like this drive me up the wall, it could be the fact that it seems like way too much overkill, or the fact that she doesn't have the decency to choose even after one of them lays out everything he's feeling, and she reciprocates. I'll just leave it at this because I will continue to rant if I don't.

The positives: The characters. Nicky is a great character who grew up in one of the worst possible home environments, she's still incredibly strong, and devoted to her goals. Love is hard for her and it's perfectly understandable her concept of trust is completely shattered. Then there is Ryan, who is this amazing ball player who is recovering from an injury. He lost his family at a young age, and is determined to find love instead of the different girls every night routine.

I really hope to learn more about Nicky's family in the next book.

This book gave amazing visuals and details into a world that is hidden to all but those who live in it. The world of alcoholism, where alcohol is more important then everything even your family. Something that is a sad but all far true for way too many people.

I received this book compliments of NetGalley in exchange for my free and honest review.

84 Ribbons by Paddy Edger

To any serious dancer, to dance is their life. They eat, sleep, and breathe dance, that is Miss Marta Selbryth. She has danced since she was five, and at seventeen she has been accepted into a professional dance troupe in Billings Montana. At first it's a dream come true, but it's a lot of hard work. She has to move and live on her own for the first time in her life. When the pressure starts to build she turns to diet pills to keep her weight down and her energy up. Will she be able to handle the pressure of the troupe and beginning of her first relationship?

I really truly enjoyed this book. I liked observing Marta, she's driven, talented, and intelligent. She is so focused on her goal that she refuses to let anything be more important than dancing. It's why she makes some of the decisions that she does. Because she need to have some semblance of control, when it seems like everything is going wrong.

This book talks about addiction, and weight issues in a very real way. It shows that anyone can have problems. Even if someone insists that they're fine, they may not be, if you never see them eat.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my free and honest review.

Adventures in Funeral Crashing by Milda Harris

After her mom's death Kait started funeral crashing. To hear the stories of peoples life, and feel closer to her mom who died recently. When she runs into Ethan Ripley at his sister's funeral, life takes a turn for the dangerous. Ethan thinks his sister was murdered, or at least didn't purposefully OD because there had been two other girls who had died from a heroin overdose, from the same college. So after accusing Kait of being a druggie she decides to help him figure-out what really happened to his sister.

This book isn't what I expected, in a very good way. The protagonist has dimensions, she has her likes, her dislikes, isn't a miss perfect. Also her thought process is defiantly what mine was like when I was her age. Ethan is also a really intriguing I love how he is consistently focused on his sister, while still living his life. Kait and Ethan's romance also develops at a believable pace, no instant love.

All in all it's a book that I would happily recommend to anyone in high school.

The Tinkerer's Daughter by Jamie Sedgwick

Breeze is a half-breed, half human and half Tal'mar (the equivalent of an elf). A half breed is something that is unheard of, due to the fact that humans and the Tal'mar have been at war for a thousand years. When her father is recalled to war she is left to live with the Tinker. A man who makes the most marvelous inventions, he's also the only one who doesn't judge Breeze automatically for her heritage. With the help of one of his creations she discovers something that will change her world. The only question is, will she have enough time to save it?

This was a captivating story. Even more so when you remember Breeze is only four at the beginning of the story. I know, t hard to believe but the Tal'mar mature quickly. She is a protagonist that you can fall in love with. Her only goal is to be accepted and to get people to look at her for who she is, instead of what.

Things do seem a bit too fast, after all they create brand-new physics defying technology in a few months.

However I really did like this book, it's a good read and I really hope to find the time to read the rest of the series.

Scary Mary by S.A. Hunter

Life is never easy when you can talk to ghosts, especially if you're in high school. Mary has known she's able to talk to ghosts for as long as she can remember, and has been bullied for it just as long. Now the new guy in town has moved into a haunted house. And the ghost isn't Casper the friendly ghost kind of guy, he wants his house left alone, and will do anything to have his way.

I liked this book, the main male interest was wishy-washy but okay. He goes from being nice, to being a completely unlikeable jerk who's hard headed and won't even listen to explanations. I really just didn't like him. I was more of a fan of the main character who has a head on her shoulders and was really quirky and fun. Her best friend was also a favorite character. The ghost was a jerk but gave us a good villain to hate.

Everything Changes by Samantha Hale

Raven has never had a boyfriend, not that she hasn't been asked. She's just not into guys, period. It, however, is something she's never admitted, even to herself. Meeting Morgan changes everything, it's her first really crush. Now she has to admit what she feels, to herself, Morgan, and everyone she cares about.

This is a really great coming out story. Raven goes from lying to everyone including herself, to being comfortable enough to come out for who she is. I love how realistic the story is. Everything is raw and real, not rose tinted. People react poorly, you feel ashamed, you get mad and depressed and angry it happens. Raven is a real person, and I love that. I'd love to read more from her perspective, to see more of what happens in her life.

This book is going to be published on September 1st and I will let you guys know as it gets closer as it is definitely worth the read.


I received this book compliments of NetGalley for my review which I freely and honestly give.

Tear You Apart by Sarah Cross

Everyone wants their life to be a fairytale right? Wrong in Beau Rivage they live them, all of them. From the classics Cinderella, and Snow White, to the more obscure of The Twelve Dancing Princesses. This story focuses on the newest incarnation of Snow White, Viv. She has known her huntsman for years, falling in love with him before she knew his fate. Now he must make his decision, to let her go to be rescued by another, or to kill her and keep her heart. While she waits his decision, fate takes a strange twist and she meets someone who she isn't supposed to meet until she dies, her Prince.
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This is apparently the second in a series but I read it without knowing it. That being said it makes a good stand alone novel, meaning it makes sense without having read the book before it. The world is incredible, I love how all of the fairy tales I know are included, along with ones I've never heard of.
The characters are so incredibly varied, carrying traits of their curses, while also being unique. As an example I love how Viv isn't just a damsel in distress, she does her best to make sure her fate is in her hands. No matter what the cost.

I received this book courtesy of NetGalley in exchange for my review which I freely and honestly give.

Alienated by Melissa Landers

This book was recommended to my by Tess. G, thank you so much for commenting I really appreciate it.

Two years ago they gave us a cure for cancer, now they're sending students to live her. This is the first  step in an alliance with the L'eihr. Three L'eihr students in the home of three regular human families. Clara sees this as a golden opportunity, a full ride, and an all access pass to the story of a lifetime. Alyex on the other hand sees this as a jail sentence and he and his friends have a plan not to be stuck her for an entire year.

Loved, loved loved this book! It is everything I hoped How To Date An Alien would be and wasn't. The L'eihr are so well developed with a culture all their own. With customs and traditions, and super incredible technology. I also loved the characters, how the L'eihr students woke up for lack of a better word and felt emotions that their people hadn't in decades.

This was an incredible, can't put down, story. Thank you again Tess G.

Small Town Superhero by Cheree Alsop

Growing up in a big city Kelson is in for a big shock when he moves to Sparrow. After his family was ripped apart he comes to live with his aunt and uncle in a town that is ruled by a gang of high school bullies. Something Kelson is not about to just take like everyone else has been. He is going to stop it, but they don't have to know who's going to.

I liked this book, not a favorite but still a good book. It reminds me of most action movies. Lots of very graphic fight scenes, and glorification of the hero's violence, but hating the bad guys. All and all it's a good book. Just a tiny bit too graphic.

I received this book compliments of NetGalley in exchange for my review which I freely and honestly give.

A Quest of Heros by Morgan Rice

Thorgrin is the youngest of four has always wanted to join the knights in the fight to protect the Ring. Despite having never ventured beyond his fathers land. However after not being chosen he takes it upon himself to reach for his dreams and break a few laws while his at it. Getting involved in affairs of the court and attempting to learn to control his new found powers. His life is just starting to get interesting.

This is a very fast paced story with intriguing characters if a slightly confusing storyline. Everything seems to happen at once so the fast pace of the story is a slight detriment to the story, if only for the fact that it makes it confusing. However it's still a good story.

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

I typically hate reviewing a book that is in the middle of media/ popularity explosion purely for the fact that if I don't agree with the fan culture it may end up very poorly for me. However I really do like it and feel realitively safe that I won't get spammed. So here it is!


For those of you who haven't yet heard of the basic plot here it is! For most of her life Hazel has know how see would die. From the cancer that she has been given a brief respite of it's deadly progression. When her parents think she need "socialization" she attends a support group of cancer survivors she meets Augustus Waters. Thanks to him life is about to get a lot more interesting.

This book is raw and it feels real. The emotions that Hazel experiences knowing that she's going to die, how she feels about her parents interferences, and Augustus. The characters are a type that you don't really see often dealing with things that are so hard to portray correctly. John has done an amazing job with it.

As for the movie well we'll see. I do and don't want to see it, however since John Green made a comment in his vlog that it was good and true to the book. So it may be worth it. I'll let you know if I watch it and if so how good it is :D

Concealed in Shadows by Gabrielle Arrowsmith

Set roughly 19 years into the future where America has been divided into counties, where once you're in you don't leave. Due to the chips everyone receives and the barrier that shocks everyone who attempts to cross it. Our protagonist Sydney is one of the few that risks her life to get out of the county to see the world but now she has to be careful as she's trying to gain custody of her sister. When it looks like everything is going her way the only thing that could happen is something go wrong.

Loved loved loved this book! I immediately got the equal and loved it as well (just a note as it would be hard to talk about without revealing spoilers I won't be doing a review on it here). This book shows an interesting family dynamic through clever dialogue and flashbacks. And the world that has been created is phenomenal. With complex governments and incredible technology it's somewhere that would be terrible but amazing to live in. It shows that most people are okay with almost anything if it's easy and convenient for them, where very few will challenge the status quo.

I got off on a little rant there but let me know what you think. Do you think most people follow the crowd and just accept or do they challenge and do what they have to to just be themselves?

Six Weeks by Jessica L. Degarmo

Six weeks. Six weeks to make a life changing decision. To keep the baby, put it up for adoption, or abortion. This is the decision that Imogene faces, to become a mom, or not. Taking care of someone is nothing new to her having practically raised her half-sister, but being able to support the three of them, is that something she's ready for?

This story is so very really as it is something that thousands of young women face. The circumstances are different in every situation but it comes down to that one choice. To be a  mom or not. Even without all of the political, and religious pressure, the internal debate to do whats best would be torment. 

This is a subject I don't have first hand experience with, and I'm completely okay with that. This book makes it seem real, the challenges, the fear every thing. I have nothing but respect for the women in these situation, no matter the result of their choice, as long as they made the choice that was right for them.

Untraceable by S.R.Johannes

Ever since her father went missing a few months ago Grace has been doing her best to find him despite a lack of cooperation from everyone else. The police have given up the search as they have deemed him dead, Grace believes otherwise. Along the way she finds a boy she has more in common with then she ever dreamed possible and whole lot more trouble then she bargained for.

I really enjoyed this book extremely well written, twists with in twists with in twists, and it also includes some really interesting survival tips. When you start this book you will never be able to guess the ending, which is a mark of a good book in my opinion. This author clearly knows what she's doing and I can't wait to read more of her work.