All Unquiet Things by Anna Jarzab

Pub Date: January 2010

Summary: Carly. Neily. Audrey.

Three friends who thought nothing bad could happen to them.

That is until Neily finds Carly dead.

Carly was sweet and smart and very self-destructive.

She knew secrets, secrets that got her killed.

Neily was Carly’s boyfriend, until she dumped him for the bad boy at Brighton Day School.

He blames himself for what happened, for not answering his cell phone when Carly called.

Audrey was Carly’s cousin and the reason Carly got involved with the bad crowd.

She also blames herself, but she thinks the wrong person is in jail for the murder.

Audrey wants Neily’s help to find the real killer.

They dig into the past that they both shared with Carly.

Finding the real killer will force both Neily and Audrey to face things about themselves and the girl they loved but couldn't’t save.

Rating: 5 Stars

Review: Every review I have read for All Unquiet Things had nothing but positive things to say, and now I know why. This novel is probably one of the best that I’ve read in while. The plot was unique, something I haven’t heard about in awhile, and the characters were all so different but interacted so well. The dialogue never felt forced, it always had some sort of flow to it. The friendship that grew between Neily and Audrey definitely didn’t start out like a normal friendship between strangers would. I found myself feeling sorry of Neily, he lost the one person he loved and he just didn’t really know how to handle himself. He was by far my favorite character even though all of them were just really amazing. Carly was a close second. She was confused by what was going on in her life but yet she kept trying to find some purpose for herself. She did find herself going down the wrong path, but who hasn’t? Carly tried to make it right for everyone even though she put herself in danger. I would really recommend All Unquiet Things to everyone. It’s so powerful and has a lot of insight into what can actually go on someone’s mind when they think that everything has gone wrong.

FTC: I received this novel from its publishing company/author with the understanding that I would provide an honest review. I am not getting paid in any way for writing and posting this review.

-Lexi (:

In a Heartbeat by Loretta Ellsworth

Pub Date: February 2010

Summary: During one of her skating competitions, Eagan’s slight mistake cost her, her life.

Eagan looks back on all she’s done and all she wishes she could change.

Like reconciling her relationship with her mom.

She watches memories from heaven.

Her heart is still beating in the world.

Amelia, a fourteen-year-old girl receives Eagan’s heart.

At first she feels guilty.

One family has to suffer so she can live.

Soon, Amelia slowly starts to change.

She dreams of figure skating. She starts to prefer grape flavored candy. She develops and attitude towards her mother.

Amelia knows that she needs to know about her donor’s life.

Once she starts digging, she can’t stop.

Her need leads her to her Eagan’s grieving family.

Amelia learns more about herself and Eagan, while also bringing closure to many others.

Rating: 3 1/2 Stars

Review: In a Heartbeat was a lot more than I expected it to be. The characters were very complex, but were able to see inside both Amelia’s head and Eagan’s. As the book grew closer to the end, one could see that the two girls were getting closer to knowing more about themselves and each other. This novel was an easy read, only 195 pages, but making it a little longer might have added a little more. At some parts, I really wanted it to go more in depth and tell more of a story, which was kind of a drawback for me. This was the first novel I have read by Loretta Ellsworth, so I didn’t really know what I expected from her, but I think over all she met my expectations. A few times while reading In a Heartbeat, I wanted to actually jump into the book and be there for everyone involved, but I knew I couldn’t. To me, that feeling can make a book better then more. I’m glad I had the chance to read this book and if you have the time and the chance, read In a Heartbeat.

-Lexi (:

FTC: I received this novel from it's publishing company with the understanding that I would provide an honest review. I am not getting paid in any way for writing and posting this review.

The Secret Year by Jennifer Hubbard

Pub Date: January 2010

Summary: If you weren’t with someone to being with, shouldn’t be easier to get over them?

Julia and Colt were with each other for a year.

Just not in the normal sense, no one knew about them.

Julia lived on Black Mountain.

She was rich.

Colt on the other hand, didn’t come from Black Mountain.

People would have never understood what kept Julia and Colt together, but it didn’t matter to them.

When Julia suddenly dies right before her senior year, Colt is the only one left who knows their secret.

He now has to live his life like he didn’t even know Julia existed.

It’s easier said than done for Colt; he’s being haunted by memories of Julia.

Once Julia’s journal is given to Colt, he looks for answers to all of his questions.

He searches every entry, every sentence.

Did Julia really love him?

Was he somehow to blame for the terrible accident?

Not only are these questions answered, Colt finds out more then he bargained for when all of this started.

Rating: 5 Stars

Review: I LOVED THE SECRET YEAR! I literally screamed when I received this book in the mail. I was so excited to read it. Everything I heard about this book just made it seem so amazing, and trust me, it was! It’s only 192 pages long, but those pages definitely pack a punch. I read this whole book in one sitting. Nothing could make me stop reading. I was sucked into Julia and Colt’s romance right when they shared their first kiss. The plot of this book has a lot of different elements in it, like Romeo and Juliet, but Jennifer Hubbard really adds her own spin to everything. Her writing style is impeccable. I usually can’t get into books that are told from a male’s point of view, but this one book that I completely adored. I really don’t think The Secret Year would have been the same if it was written from Julia’s point of view. Getting inside Colt’s head was breathtaking, he just had so many thoughts and his feelings towards Julia and his friends were just so genuine. The Secret Year is now one of my favorite books of all time. By just reading this book you really experience something new and different. I love a book that you can learn from and take something away from it when you read it. I could actually just go on and on about the Secret Year, but I don’t want to give anything away. Everyone should really take the time to read this novel because you will never think of love and passion in the same way again.

-Lexi (:

FTC: I received this book from Viking Publishing Company with the understanding that I would provide an honest review with no benefits for myself, just the opportunity to read this novel.