The Life of Glass by Jillian Cantor

Pub Date: February 2010

Summary: The stars. That’s the one thing Melissa’s father always told her about.

He told her everything about them especially that the brightest stars weren’t always the most beautiful.

Deep down, Melissa knew that beauty wasn’t just what was on the outside.

But the people around her didn’t view things the same way.

Her older sister, Ashley. The beautiful one.

Her best friend, Ryan. He’s falling for the new girl at school, Courtney.

Then, Melissa’s mother is dating someone new, someone who will never be able to replace her father.

Melissa begins to piece together the parts of her father’s life that she never knew.

She goes through his journals about love and relationships.

When another tragedy happens, Melissa begins to realize that she needs to start living in the present.

Will she finally begin to understand that being beautiful on the outside doesn’t make you beautiful on the in?

Rating: 3.5 Stars

Review: The Life of Glass was a fast read, but that’s not always a bad thing. One of my favorite parts was the relationship between Melissa and Ryan. They were best friends so of course you knew they would end up together in the end! I could find myself relating to Melissa a little bit and I felt very bad for her because she lost her father. But it was nice that she still had something that she knew she could remember him by and it also happened to be something really unique. The contrast between Melissa and her older sister, Ashley, was something that kind of pulled me in. They weren’t all that different on the inside, but on the outside they were. That was all that matter the Melissa though, she never felt close to her sister because her sister was the pretty one and Melissa never felt pretty. But I think at the end of The Life of Glass, both sisters finally understood that what is on the inside is what should really matter.

-Lexi (:

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.

Cracked Up To Be by Courtney Summers

Pub Date: December 2008

Summary: What causes the perfect girl to make the perfect fall from grace?

Parker Fadley is known as the perfect girl at school.

Cheerleading captain. Girlfriend of the most popular guy. Future Valedictorian.

But she turns into someone completely different.

Someone no one could have ever imagined her as before.

Parker starts drinking at school and failing her classes.

The one thing Parker hates doing is talking about what made her this way.

She just wants everyone to leave her alone.

Parker wants to disappear, she wants everyone to just ignore her.

If she can act like it’s no big deal, then why can’t everyone else follow suit?

But, Parker’s parents put her on suicide watch.

And her counselors are demanding to know the truth.

When a nice guy starts falling for her, Parker doesn’t know how to handle the feelings.

He’s making her feel things that she hasn’t felt in so long.

Parker knows something bad has happened.

She knows it might be her fault.

Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

Review: Cracked Up To Be was a wonderful debut novel by Courtney Summers. It had a dark and haunting angle to it, but it still had a hint of love and romance. Parker was the perfect character. She was haunted by everything that happened to her, everything that she saw. She doesn’t know how to handle things. She feels as if she’s lost it all, so why not act like it? The nice guy (whose name will go unsaid) was pretty much the exact opposite of Parker in every way, but yet they were pretty much perfect for each other. I could picture many parts of this book in my mind, which is always a plus. Most of Cracked Up To Be could be someone’s real life high school experience and I don’t think everyone’s ever had a plot quite like this before. I’m really happy I had the chance to enjoy this book. I think a lot of other people need to read Cracked Up To Be, I’m almost certain they will like it!

-Lexi(:

After Ever After by Jordan Sonnenblick

Pub Date: February 2010

Summary: What can you do with your life if you feel fragile?

Jeffery has accomplished a really scary thing.

He battled cancer and is now a teen in remission.

But he still feels so fragile.

Every moment has to be a memory because he still doesn’t know if his cancer will come back.

The affects that Jeffery’s treatment had on him will forever to a reminder.

He isn’t the best student and he can’t walk without a limp.

Jeffery’s parents can’t stop worry about him.

His older brother, Steven, completely lost it.

Now he’s in Africa.

He joined a drumming circle so he could do some soul searching.

Steven isn’t the only one that needs to “find himself” though.

Jeffery also needs to figure out who he is.

He’s not a little boy with cancer anymore.

Anger. Jealousy. Confusion. Secrets.

Jeffery’s lashing out at everyone.

Will it only make him stronger in the end?

Rating: 3/5 Stars

Review: I loved Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick but I’m not too sure if After Ever After fully lived up to my expectations. I really enjoyed seeing Jeffery grown up and dealing with his own life problems. But, I thought that Jordan could have added some things and taken away others. Jeffery was a very likable character though and the plot was kind of different. It was a nice was to add on to the DGAP series but with a different main character. I thought the romance part After Ever After was very subtle but it was still there. One could tell that Jeffery was falling for Lindsey but it was very cute. All of characters in this book interacted will and you could almost believe that they were actually real friends. A lot of the situations were believable. There was just some things that I didn’t really enjoy as much as I hoped I would. I think everyone who enjoyed Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie should read After Ever After.

-Lexi (:

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.

Invisible I: The Amanda Project by Stella Lennon

Pub Date: September 2009

Summary: Amanda Valentino changed something for everyone.

Callie Leary, Nia Rivera, and Hal Bennett only have one thing in common.

All three were chosen by Amanda herself to be her guide.

Amanda lied. A lot.

Not just to parents and teachers, but from the first minute so meets someone new.

Callie was told by Amanda that the reason she’s at Endeavor High is she moves around a lot.

Another lie: Amanda always chooses just one person to help her at a new school.

Nia, Callie, and Hal all only have one question, why did she lie?

After finding cryptic clues, they all know they have a course to follow that only Amanda could have planned.

Soon, they all come to realize that Amanda has left behind more questions than answers.

Hal, Nia, and Callie want to find out what happened to their best friend Amanda more than anything.

They put aside all of their differences and learn to get along with others who are different.

But before they can find out what happened to the person who changed their lives…

They must find out, Who exactly is Amanda Valentino?

Rating: 3 1/2 Stars

Review: I love a good mystery novel, and this was no exception. Throughout Invisible I, I had no idea what was going to happen and I definitely couldn’t put it down. I wanted to know what happened to Callie, Nia and Hal so bad. All of the characters just pull you in right from the beginning. You can’t help put want them to get along and find their friend. Even though you couldn’t really get inside Amanda’s head in the usual way, all of the clues she left behind did a good job of letting you see inside her. One could easily tell that Amanda was a very complex character; I always got the feeling that maybe she didn’t exactly know what she wanted. That’s the great thing about this novel though, everything is complex but yet so easy at the same time. I can’t get over the ending either. It will really surprise whoever reads it. I never saw this ending coming but I think a different ending would have changed everything about Invisible I, which wouldn’t be what we wanted. (: Also, who is Stella Lennon?

-Lexi

FCT: 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.

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.

Two-Way Street by Lauren Barnholdt

Pub Date: June 2007

Summary: Every breakup has two sides, two stories to tell.

Jordan and Courtney are so in love.

Even though they’re the most unlikely couple out there.

But for them, everything just slid right into place.

They clicked instantly.

Jordan and Courtney even planned to go to the same college and drive cross-country together for orientation.

Then Courtney gets dumped for some girl Jordan on the internet.

They trip still has to happen.

Courtney is heartbroken but she thinks she can make it through a few days.

She just pretends not to care the whole time.

But Jordan? He cares, a lot.

He has his own secrets he’s not telling Courtney.

It has everything to do with why they broke up and why they can’t get back together.

But, it’s also the reason Jordan and Courtney are destined to be with each other.

Rating: 3 1/2 Stars

Review: I really enjoyed Two-Way Street. I thought the plot that Lauren came up with was really cute. It’s probably been done before but she definitely added her own spin to it. Two-Way Street is told from both the point of view of Courtney and Jordan. For me, that’s a very key part to why this book is as good as it is. I loved being able to get inside Jordan’s head and know what he’s thinking. Even though you find out early on the real reason Jordan breaks up with Courtney, it doesn’t seem to ruin any of the story line. It makes one want to find out what’s going to happen in the end even more. The beginning of Two-Way Street can be kind of hard to get into, but once it gets going it really is hard to put down. I’m really glad I decided to pick up a copy of this book, it was really good. It added a new spin on the normal young adult romance.

-Lexi (:

FTC: I purchased this novel at Borders. I did not receive it through any publishing company and/or author.

Little Black Lies by Tish Cohen

Pub Date: October 2009

Summary: Sara Black is losing a balancing act at the most elite school in Boston.

Anton High isn’t your usual high school.

Most students can’t get in after freshman year.

But if you’re like Sara and your father is the janitor, you have no problem getting in.

No one knows her past; she can be whoever she wants.

Sara Black can reinvent herself like never before.

Everything Sara has been running from almost disappears.

She can pretend that her mother didn’t run off with her science teacher.

That maybe her father’s OCD will soon be under control.

When Sara has a slip of the tongue, students think she’s from London.

London, England that is.

But really, she's just a normal girl from Lundon, Massachusetts.

Sara Black has to learn the hard way that some little lies can come back to haunt
you.

Especially when one of the most popular girls at school is out to get you.

Rating: 3 1/2 Stars

Review: I really enjoyed reading Little Black Lies. I loved the story line and the plot, they were so unique. It had romance, father-daughter relationship, friendship, adventure, finding yourself, divorce, and even illnesses. I think everyone could relate to something in this book. Sara was a very interesting character, very complex but yet oh so likable. You really wanted to be her friend and you understood, somewhat, of where she was coming from. Sara was definitely the character that really pulled you in from the very beginning. All of the characters were actually very well written, as was the way they all interacted. A reader could tell from almost the beginning of the book that Sara's relationship with her father was very stressed. She really wanted her father's battle with OCD to be over with, she wanted him to get the help that she knew he needed. A part of Sara though, did blame her mother for causing her father's illness to come back. But the end of this novel you can really see the journey Sara Black took to try to find herself and make sense of everything in her life. I really enjoyed reading Little Black Lies, and with a tittle like that how could you not?

-Lexi (:

And Then Everything Unraveled by Jennifer Sturman

Pub Date: July 2009

Summary: A Disappearance. A Clue. A Kiss.

Delia Truesdale doesn’t know that her life is about to change forever.

She’s too caught up enjoying her Californian summer.

Delia’s mother, T.K., is our of town on business, which leaves Delia home alone.

She get’s to spend all her free time doing the one thing she loves, surfing.

Then, everything unravels.

T.K. goes missing.

Everyone, except Delia, thinks she’s as good as dead.

But Delia knows her mother too well.

She knows T.K. is too organized to just die and leave Delia all alone.

But Delia is sent to live her two aunts anyway.

They happen to be nothing alike and Delia is left in the middle.

As if that’s not enough, she has to deal with a new high school full of snobby rich kids and finds herself falling for the wrong guy.

When Delia gets deeper into the mystery of her mother’s death, she finds that maybe the wrong guy is the right now.

But also that some secrets weren’t meant to be unraveled.

Rating: 3 1/2 Stars

Review: At first I wasn't too excited to start reading And Then Everything Unraveled. Once I started it though, I couldn't stop! Jennifer Sturman had by the first page. All of the characters were just so well written and you couldn't help but like them. This book had so many different elements to it but everything really fit together quite perfectly. I did only give this books a 3 1/2 though, but I've been pretty lenient on my ratings and such so I'm trying to get a little tougher. Over all this was a really good book. I'm glad I got the chance to read it. Sometimes I do judge a book by the cover, but this one really proved me wrong. (: If you have the chance to read And Then Everything Unraveled take it! I promise you, you won't be disappointed. Plus the ending hints at maybeeee a sequel!

-Lexi (:

Blue Moon by Alyson Noel

Pub Date: July 2009

Summary: Ever is learning everything she can about being immortal, her abilities, and her new world from Damen.

Soon, something terrible happens to Damen.

His powers begin to fade. His illness threatens his memories, his identity, his life, his love.

As all of this happens, Ever grows stronger everyday.

Wanting to find a way to save Damen, Ever travels to Summerland.

It's here Ever discovers his past, which he wanted to keep a secret, and an ancient text revealing the workings of time.

The approaching blue moon is Ever's only window for travel.

Ever has a big choice ahead of her.

Turning back the clock and saving her family or staying in the present to save Damen.

Rating: 3 1/2 Stars

Review: I love Alyson Noel. She's an amazing writer and I love the Immortal series. I personally like Evermore more then this one over all, BUT this one was still really amazing . While this book did have a lot of suspense, I think it lacked a little bit in some places. I did have really high expectations though. This book didn't make me dislike the series at all though. I didn't see the ending of Blue Moon coming at all! It was so unpredictable, the whole book was kind of unpredictable. I didn't want to put it down because I needed to know what was going to happen to Ever, what decision she was going to make. The decision Alyson Noel created for Ever was something anyone would have a hard time with. But Ever handled it the right way, she took everything into consideration, she did what she thought was best for everyone involved, even her dead family. Haha, this review is really hard to write without giving anything away! Just read Blue Moon, you really won't regret it at all. (: The ending will seriously blow you away.

-Lexi (:

The Comeback by Marlene Perez

Pub Date: August 1, 2009

Summary: Sometimes all the drama happens backstage.

Sophie Donnelly thinks she has it all.

The Hot Boyfriend. The Cool Friends. The Lead in her school’s play.

Then Angie Vogel shows up.

In record time, she takes away everything Sophie thought was so important.

But, there’s only room for one star, one top drama queen.

Sophie’s going to do anything it takes to get back what was her.

No matter what things she might lose in the process.

Her best friend. The guy that might be her true love. The career at the high school drama star.

Once she realizes what she CAN have, will she want to get everything back?

Rating: 3 1/2 Stars

Review: I really enjoyed reading The Comeback. I thought that it was a really cute book. The characters were all well written and very likeable no matter what bad things they did. While reading this book you start to feel sorry for Sophie, but you don’t really want her to get back her old life. You start to notice that she could be a lot happier if she just leaves everything alone and lets them fall into place. I was definitely pulled into this book from the beginning. I actually read it in one sitting. I wanted to know what was going to happen, I needed to know it.

This book might be up for a contest, haven’t decided yet so keep a look out!

-Lexi(:

The Au Pairs by Melissa de la Cruz

Summary: Three girls. Three different agendas. Destination: the Hapmtons.

Mara, Eliza, and Jacqui are three very different girls.

Each girl answered a classified ad to become an au pair for a certain reason.

Mara needed money for a car and college.

Eliza wanted to get back where she "belonged".

Jacqui wanted to find her long lost love, Luca.

The girls never expected things would be as hard as they are.

Maybe it could still shape up to be the summer of their lives like they dreamed it would be.

Rating: 3 1/2 Stars

Review: I really like Melissa de la Cruz writes. I love all of her books that I've read. The Au Pairs was definitely what I expected it to be. It was a very fun summer read. It had a lot of romance and friendship which is what summer is all about. I really can't wait to read the rest of the books in this series. By the end of the book I loved all of the characters and how they interacted. I wanted to know everything else by the end. Time to go buy the rest of the books!

-Lexi(:

Give Up the Ghost by Megan Crewe

Pub Date: September 15, 2009

Summary: Breathers are what ghosts call the living humans on the Earth.

Cass McKenna prefers hanging out with the ghosts then the "breathers".

To Cass, the ghosts aren't complicated and they've always been very dependable.

Also, they know the dirt on everyone.

Cass loves dirt.

She also hates the poseurs at her school.

She's made a mission for herself: expose all of their secrets.

When Tim, the Vice President of the Student Council, finds out her secret, Cass knows that now everything hangs in the balance.

Everything can change in the blink of an eye.

After Tim tells Cass her wants to talk to his mother who has recently died, she becomes entwined into Tim's life.

More then she ever wanted or needed.

Cass is surprised when she starts realizing that maybe some people aren't as bad as you first think.

All you have to do is give them a chance.

Rating: 3 1/2 Stars

Review: Let me first say that I loveeee this cover. I think it's really cute. It gives away some of might happen in Give Up the Ghost but just enough that it makes you want to read it. So saying that, I was really excited to start reading this book. Like most of the other reviews I've been posting lately, I read this book in one day (where do I get all my free time??). Well actually I stayed up until 2:30 in the morning. I just didn't want to put the book down. For me, the ending was definitely the best part of the book. I was really happy the way Give Up the Ghost ended, even if I could predict it a little bit, but I think that was kind of the point. Anyway, Megan Crewe did a wonderful job writing this book. I loved all of the characters. Mostly they were all really well developed. I say, go pick up a copy of this book when its released.

-Lexi(:

Girlfriend Material by Meilssa Kantor

Summary: Kate wishes she was Lady Brett Ashley.

She wishes she would spend her summers on the beach breaking hearts.

But, in real life, Kate hasn't even had a boyfriend.

Her summer will be playing along with her mom's plan to make her dad jealous.

Running to the Cape.

The Cooper-Melnick's, whom they happen to be staying with, have a beautiful daughter, Sarah.

Sarah seems to be a lot like Lady Brett Ashley to Kate.

Kate can tell that Sarah is not to thrilled to have Kate there.

The perfect summer dreams are officially ruined.

Then Adam comes along, Sarah's cute friend.

He draws her into the group, he seems interested in Kate.

Heart-breaker potential.

That's what Kate feels now that Adam around.

Can Kate keep pretending that what her and Adam have is just a care-free fling when every day it's becoming something more?

Will can Kate in and tell Adam how she really feels?

Is Kate even girlfriend material?

Rating: 3 1/2 STARS

Review: Girlfriend Material was definitely a very enjoyable book. It's a total summer, beach read. It was light and fun but, it still pulled you in. Some of the characters are very complex like Kate, Sarah, and Adam. While others are just there to fill in some of the empty spaces. I do like the way that Melissa Kantor writes though. She makes things fun and exciting. I also really liked how Kate compared herself to Lady Brett Ashley, I thought that it was different. I think that how she compared situations and things in her life to parts in The Sun Also Rises, added something to Kate's relationship with Adam. Girlfriend Material is a great summer read. I really enjoyed reading it, but I think my favorite part had to be the characters. I loved all of them. Oh, and the ending for Girlfriend Material is something that you really won't expect. But, you'll love it.

Lexi(:

The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson

Who is Jenna Fox?

After being in a year long coma, seventeen-year-old Jenna wakes up.

Jenna is still recovering from the terrible accident that caused her coma.

Her mother shows her videos of Jenna's life and memories from before.

Memories that she has no recollection of.

Little by little, Jenna Fox starts to remember.

But that leaves her with more questions then the ones she started with.

These questions, though, can not seemed to be answered by anyone.

All Jenna really wants to know, is what happened after the accident..

3 1/2 STARS

The Adoration of Jenna Fox was a good book by Mary E. Pearson. While reading it, you really didn't know what to expect next. There were different things going on all through out the book. You definitely need to know how to read between the lines for this one. I really enjoyed this book though. I think Mary is a wonderful writer. I would say that I loved this book, but it was enjoyable. Probably one that I would like to read again and one that I would recommend to a LOT of my friends. Even if they don't enjoy reading as much as I do(:

-Lexi(:

Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott

"Once apon a time, I was a little girl who disapperared.

Once apon a time, my name was not Alice.

Once apon a time, I didn't know how lucky I was.

At ten, Ray took Alice,

Away from her friends. Away from her family. Away from her life.

She learned many things.

Like how to give up your own power. How to endure all pain.

All Alive wanted was for the nightmare to be over.

That's what she was always waiting for.

Five years later, Ray still has Alice.

Ray speaks more of her death then he used to.

But what Ray doesn't know is, that is what Alice is longing for.

Alice doesn't know that what Ray has in mind is even worse then her own death.

3 1/2 STARS

This was the first book that I have read by Elizabeth Scott, but I really like it. Living Dead Girl was a really fast and easy read. But it was still really entertaing and at parts, creepy. I really wanna read more of Scott's book. I really like her as a writer.

-Lexi(:

Cruel Summer by Alyson Noel

Summary: After dumping her dorky image, and her best friend that went with it, Colby Cacendish is looking forward to a summer filled with tons of parties, BBQs, trips to the beach, and more future hookups with the hottest guy in school, Levi Bonham.

Colby's world soon comes crashing down.

Her parent's decided to send her away for the summer to Greece with her aunt Tally, which her parent's always called crazy.

While on the island, Colby worries that her new friends have forgotten her.

She has no mall, no cell-phone reception, and an aunt who talks to her plants.

But when Colby meets Yannis, a cute Greek local, her whole summer changes directions.

Colby soon discovers the difference between a summer fling and a real relationship.

It forces her to look inside of herself and try to find herself, in a new way.

Rating: 3 1/2 Stars

Review: While I really love Alyson Noel, I didn't think that Cruel Summer was her best work. I think that it was a well written novel, but it didn't really capture me as much as others. Colby was a very interesting character. Her world was very complex and she did have some problems to deal with. I think that she did find herself in a very nice way. It was fun to see her world play out. I'm not that sure how to describe this novel by Alyson Noel. I think that this book is mostly for people who like to read more then the people who just wait for the right book for them.

-Lexi(: