Sing Me to Sleep by Angela Morrison

Pub Date: March 2010

Summary: Beth has always been known as, “The Beast”.

Height. Scars. Glasses.

Those are only some of the things that make people scared of Beth.

She only has one true friend, a geek named Scott.

That is until Beth is chosen for her choir’s soloist.

She receives the makeover of her life and now everyone loves her.

Or wants a piece of her.

On a trip to Switzerland, Beth meets Derek.

He seems perfect, maybe too perfect.

Derek soon helps Beth realize that she too can find love.

In Derek’s eyes, she is beautiful.

No longer a beast.

After a confession from Scott, Beth’s heart is torn in two.

If that doesn’t change things, Derek has a secret that could shatter everything.

Should Beth choose sweet and steady or danger and passion?

Rating: 4 Stars

Review: Sing Me to Sleep is the second novel that I’ve read by Angela Morrison and I have to say, I really like her as an author. She comes up with not so new plots but really makes them her own. From the first page, I found myself pulled into this novel. Even though I knew in my head that I couldn’t really relate with Beth, I FELT like I could. I think knowing you can’t but actually feeling like you can is very different. It takes a very skilled author to create a feeling like that. I was so happy for Beth when she actually found someone that liked her for her because I know what that feels like. But at first, I wasn’t so sure if things were going to work out with Derek. I thought “Hmm, he lives somewhere else. That couldn’t be easy for them. But it would be easier for him to end contact with her if he wanted.” Once this the relationship between Beth and Derek really started, my mind completely changed. I was happy for them but I really wanted what was going on behind closed doors with Derek, as Beth did also. The end of Sing Me to Sleep played out very nicely. The ending was so cute and had so much personality. I could tell that Beth and Derek would be headed in a very good direction with each other.

-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.

The Exile of Gigi Lane by Adrienne Maria Vrettos

Pub Date: April 2010

Summary: My name’s Gigi Lane. You wish you were me.

You can call it whatever you want, but everyone knows it’s true.

Gigi Lane is about to be crowned Head Hottie of the infamous Hot Spot.

It’s her job to keep the other girls at Swan’s Lake Country Day School in line.

She’s strict. She’s bossy.

Gigi Lane can’t wait for the night of the Founder’s Ball.

Everyone knows it’s when the new Hot Spot is announced in front of everyone.

But that night, one girl exposes Gigi for what she really is.

A Mean Girl.

Gigi’s world slowly starts to fall apart in just one night.

She ends up at the bottom of the social scale, struggling to find a place for herself.

Somewhere she’s never been before, something she’s never had to do before

Rating: 4 Stars

Review: I’m not quite sure what to say about The Exile of Gigi Lane and I don’t mean this in a bad way. I simply mean, where do I start?There’s a lot to say about this book, its characters, and the plot. Most of it is positive too! Hence the 4 stars I gave it. I loved Gigi, she was one of the best characters in awhile even thought she was kind of stuck up. Her and her friends thought they had it all until someone decided to put them in their place which I can say doesn’t happen all that often in high school. But this book is mostly about how Gigi struggles to make it back to the top of the social scale. This for her is a very hard task. The people who loved her now hate her. The people who hated her now hate her even more. I could feel myself connect with Gigi in some ways, but not in all of them. I myself have never been very popular, but I know what it’s like to try to fit in. Sometimes it’s hard. But you’re true friends will always be there for you in the end. That’s that one thing that Adrienne Maria Vrettos really showed in her novel The Exile of Gigi Lane.

-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.

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.

The Unwritten Rule by Elizabeth Scott

Pub Date: April 2010

Summary: Best friends are NOT supposed to like their best friends’ boyfriend.

Sarah is breaking that rule.

She’s had a crush on Ryan for years.

Sarah thinks he’s smart, easy to talk to, and he understands her.

But there’s one tiny problem.

Ryan is Brianna’s boyfriend. Brianna is Sarah’s best friend.

So Sarah decides to fix this situation.

She ignores Ryan. She tries to prove to herself that she doesn’t really like Ryan.

The last thing Sarah wants to happen is for Brianna to get hurt.

She’s had a hard enough life with two parents who could care less about her.

But when one night causes something to happen between them, Sarah is torn.

It was wonderful and terrible at the same time.

Sarah can’t help herself from wanting Ryan.

All she wants is him, but she can’t get him without hurting her best friend in the process.

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Review: The Unwritten Rule was something that I had been looking forward to reading for a long time. When I got this book in the mail I couldn’t wait to read it. Every blogger that I know who has read it said it was really good. But I need to take it one step further, I think The Unwritten Rule was actually amazing. I read this book in one night. I found the love triangle between Sarah, Ryan and Brianna intoxicating. I’m sure we’ve all been there. We like a guy but our friend get the guy instead of us. It doesn’t even have to be our best friend, it still hurts. So, I felt bad for Brianna but at the same time I knew exactly how Sarah felt. She really was torn between a great guy and her not so great best friend. To us this might seem like an easy choice but for Sarah it was the exact opposite. As I was reading this, I kept wondering why Sarah was friends with Brianna. I still really wanted Sarah to end up being with Ryan. Every moment of The Unwritten Rule was really good. All I wanted was to know what was going to happen in the end. I recommend this book to everyone!

-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.

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.

Boys, Girls and Other Hazardous Materials by Rosalind Wiseman

Pub Date: January 2010

Summary: Drama free.

That’s all anyone wants their freshman year to be.

And Charlie Healey is no exception to that rule.

For her, middle school was very hard.

Every day mean girls were all around her.

They judged and teased.

Always trying to hurt someone else to raise their own self-esteem.

Charlie thought high school would be completely different.

But now she’s about to find out that girls aren’t the only mean ones.

Charlie now has to add guys into her complicated life.

And try not to get a broken heart in the process.

Rating: 4 1/2 Stars

Review: I really enjoyed reading Boys, Girls, and Other Hazardous Materials. It was a very fun read. It really kept me entertained the whole time and I even found myself giggling at some points. Even though I did thoroughly enjoy this book, I couldn’t give it 5 stars. There was room for some small changes and I have read some better books. But don’t think that I’m telling you this is a bad book or anything, because it really isn’t! Lots of people will read this book and like it a lot. Some will also give it 5 stars, but it wasn’t quite there for me. I really liked Charlie though, she had a great relationship with her friends. She was my favorite character, even though I like almost all of them. They all interacted will and I could picture a lot of the situations in my head because they just seemed that real at time. Boys, Girls, and Other Hazardous Materials really portrayed what high school can really be like. Teenagers and the atmosphere have changed a lot since our parents were in school, even if they don’t want to believe it! I really do recommend this book to pretty much everyone. You’ll enjoy it!

-Lexi (:

FCT: 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.

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 (:

By The Time You Read This, I'll Be Dead by Julie Anne Peters

Pub Date: January 2009

Summary: In 23 days, Daelyn plans to be gone.

A suicidal teen is never easy for anyone.

But for Daelyn, being one makes every day a struggle.

After several botched suicides, she plans to make the next one count.

Everyone has tried to help her, tried to get her to stop.

She always has the same reasons.

She’s already made up her mind. She has been suffering her whole life. People were too slow to notice.

Her life sucks. The world sucks. People suck.

Then Santana enters her life.

Daelyn starts to develop feelings for him but she doesn’t plan on letting them interfere with her plan.

Rating: 5 Stars

Review: Mysterious and touching. Those two words are one of the best ways to sum up By the Time You Read This, I’ll Be Dead. Daelyn is a very unique character and within the first page you start to feel sorry for her. You don’t want her to kill herself, you just want to see her happy. Seeing inside her head is a different story, it’s dark and scary at times. Even though it helps you understand why she wants to end her life, it doesn’t really make it more acceptable. I could relate to this book in a lot of ways, I saw myself in Daelyn like I’m sure a lot of people did. This book is not just for teen audiences, even though that’s where it will get its strength. I took this book with me on a church trip and within an hour, one of my adult leaders had already gotten half way through this book. It’s hard to put down By the Time You Read This, I’ll Be Dead; you actually don’t want to put it down at all. Daelyn’s story and struggle is just intoxicating.

-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.

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.

Once Was Lost by Sara Zarr

Pub Date: October 2009

Summary: What happens when you believe in miracles then everything changes?

Samara Taylor used to believe in a lot of things, miracles being one of them.

A pastor’s family is always supposed to be perfect and love God.

Sam knows all too well though, that her family isn’t close to that.

Her father’s a pastor but that doesn’t make her family perfect or God loving in any way.

Sam’s mother is currently in rehab after there’s an incident with a DUI.

Her father on the other hand, is interested in everything but his family.

His congregation knows nothing about Sam’s family.

But when there’s a local tragedy, it seems to overlap with the personal one going in within Sam.

A young girl is kidnapped and no one knows how to save her.

Someone has to stop the community from falling apart during a time where everyone needs each other.

Sam’s been worn down, she doesn’t know how to keep believe in miracles and God.

Her last thread of faith is being to unravel right in front of her eyes.

Rating: 4 Stars

Review: Sara Zarr is really an amazing author. I fall in love with her all over again once I read another book written by her. As soon as I found out she was writing Once Was Lost, I couldn't wait to read it. Story of a Girl was the first book I ever read by Sara and it really made me believe that an author gets how teenagers can be. Once Was Lost was such a powerful book that dealt with a lot of different issues. I personally believe that some authors don't tackle some hard issues going on in our society, but I think that Sara Zarr does. In everyone of her books she reminds us not to forget to believe and Once Was Lost definitely made that a bigger point that other books. It was so hard for me to up down this books because I wanted to know what was going to happen to Sam and her family so bad. All you wanted to do was help Sam through everything, she was a very well written characters. As was all of the other characters that played a part in this novel, but Sam was probably my favorite. I'm really happy that I had the chance to read this book. Everyone should really read this book, it's really amazing. I can't wait for Sara Zarr's next book!

-Lexi (:

FTC: I received this book from Little, Brown and Company.

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 (:

Jumping Off Swings by Jo Knowles

Pub Date: August 11, 2009

Summary: It was supposed to be just a simple one night stand.

Ellie has hooked up with many guys.

Each time she hopes there will be more than the sex.

When she’s with them, she always feels loved.

But it never lasts.

When Josh, a virgin with a troubled life, leads Elle to the back of his van she follows.

Their “one-time-thing” comes with complications.

Ellie ends up pregnant.

Josh doesn’t know how to deal.

Caleb and Corinne, their close friends, deal with their own swirl of emotions while all of this happens.

All four teens will be forced to grow up faster.

No matter what Ellie chooses none of their lives will be the same again.

Rating: 5 Stars

Review: I had been waiting forever to read Jumping Off Swings. I had really high expectations and Jo Knowles definitely surpassed them. I fell in love with this book from the beginning. It pulled me in right away, it was so descriptive. I felt like I was actually there. The characters were so well written, everything about this book just flowed. There was never a moment when I was like "Couldn't something better happen?". Every part of this book was amazing, I'm so glad I got to read it. But, I think one of the best parts of this book is that it really makes you think. After reading this book I really thought about a lot of my past decisions and the effect they have on everyone around me, not just myself. I actually changed somethings in my life after completing this book. I'm a lot happier with my life now and I really think I owe it to Jumping Off Swings and especially Jo Knowles. You should read this book the first chance you get.

-Lexi(:

After by Amy Efaw

Pub Date: August 20, 2009

Summary: Who would leave their own baby in the trash to die?

Devon would never do that, or would she?

Straight-A student. Star soccer player. More mature then her own mother.

No one can imagine why Devon did what she did.

But panic and desperation played a major part.

Now Devon is in a juvenile detention center.

She’s being charged with attempted murder.

If Devon is tried as an adult, she will spend her whole life in jail.

All her dreams will be destroyed.

Devon says that she didn’t know she was pregnant.

Was she in such denial that she couldn’t see the signs?

Or did Devon have a devious, premeditated plan?

As Devon faces a future behind bars, the truth will slowly come out.

Rating: 5 Stars

Review: I loved After. It was an amazing book. Amy Efaw is such an amazing writer. I really couldn’t put this book down. The characters were amazing and pulled me in from the very beginning. I'm so lucky that I had the chance to read this book before it's published. I loved this book from the beginning. Everything about it just pulled me in. The middle of the book wasn't slow at all like some books are. But the ending for this book, took my breath away. I was not expecting it at ALL. It fit the book so wonderfully. In the back of my mind, I knew this book would have an unexpected ending. It was just needed, but I didn't see it ending this way. I think that's why I really loved this book. You have to read this book the first chance you get!

-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(:

Fade to Blue by Sean Beaudoin

Pub Date: August 1, 2009

Summary: Ever wonder how long it takes to lose your mind?

Sophie Blue

Sarcastic. Artistic. Gothic.

A year ago on her birthday, her father left.

Or maybe he joined a cult.

Or just combusted.

No one really knows.

But he had bad timing because now Sophie’s being followed.

A Popsicle truck with tinted windows has started circling her house.

Kenny Fade

Basketball Star. Popular. The guy every girl wants.

He’s got everything.

The cheerleader. The title.

Every girl (and their moms) would do anything to have him.

Sophie and Kenny don’t have anything in common.

They’re very different.

Except for the fact that they both think they’re losing their minds.

Rating: 1 Star

Review: I’m sorry, but I really didn’t enjoy this book. I thought it sounded interesting enough when I read the summary online, but it’s so different when you read it. I really gave this book a chance, but I was not into it at all. I think it’s definitely for people with an acquired taste in what they read. If you think you would enjoy this book, then by all means, read it. I think that the plot was a very interesting idea; I just didn’t like the writing style very much. This was the first time I’ve read anything by Sean Beaudoin so maybe I just didn’t know what to expect. Even though I didn’t really like Fade to Blue I still want to give Going Nowhere Faster a try.

Stay tuned for contest details!

-Lexi(:

Secrets of Truth and Beauty by Megan Frazer

Pub Date: July 2009

Summary: Dara Cohen was the cutest seven-year-old. She was a star when it came to singing.

No wonder she was crowned Little Miss Maine.

Now at the age of seventeen, Dara isn't so little anymore.

When her classmates find out about her past, they're amazed.

This becomes only one of her problems.

Her mother is a control-freak and won't get off her back about things.

But the worst thing is their family secret, Dara has an older sister that her parents tried to erase from their lives.
Dara realizes she has a decision to make after a school project sends her to the office and her parents pull her out to save face.

Option A: Keep following the rules and being misunderstood.

Option B: Reach out to the sister her parents tried so hard to keep a secret.

Dara chooses option B.

To figure out who she really is, Dara just might have to let go of everything she took for granted.

Rating: 3 Stars

Review: Secrets of Truth and Beauty was a very slow book at the beginning. It took me awhile to get into it. Before I started it I had really good expectation for it, but I think they might have been too high. By the end of the book, the plot really started to pick up. But I feel almost like everything was jammed into the end and middle of the book. The beginning had almost nothing in it that grabbed on to you and made you want to finish the book. Also, I felt like not a lot of the characters were very likable. Dara wasn't even my favorite character but she was a good character. I loved everything she learned and by the end of the book, I was proud for everything she accomplished. I don't know if I'll read this book again, but I'm still glad I read it.

-Lexi(:

Nothing Like You by Lauren Strasnick

Pub Date: October 20, 2009

Summary: Holly loses her virginity to Paul, a guy she hardly knows.

She thinks it's just going to be a one night stand.

Paul is too popular to be interested in her.

Plus he has a steady girlfriend, Saskia.

When Paul keeps pursuing her, Holly finally lets him in.

Holly hasn't felt alive since her mom died six months ago.

Paul's kisses take Holly's mind off of everything in her life.

Holly loves feeling like the kind of girl Paul would chose, but things aren't that easy with Saskia around.

She's nothing like Holly, she's perfect.

But, when they start to become friends, Holly realizes that she's going to lose more then she ever even had.

Rating: 5 Stars

Review: I was so excited when I got the ARC for Nothing Like You in the mail. I couldn't wait to start reading it. I loved the plot, I though Holly sounded like an interesting character. One that I could really relate to, which is always important. When I started to read this, I realized that Holly was going to be my favorite character. The differences between the way Holly and Paul acted at school and when they were alone, were major. From the outside you could tell that Paul was really only after one thing, and that Holly was always hoping it would be more. But, you were also inside Holly's mind and you started to think what she was thinking. At one point it became hard not to like Paul at certain moments, but then you realize how low he would actually go. The ending to this novel by Lauren Strasnick was not completely what I expected but it fit. You knew the ending was going to be hard, but a good change for Holly. Nothing Like You really is a great novel with complex characters and a new, interesting plot. You get pulled in from the beginning.

-Lexi(:

Candor by Pam Bachorz

Pub Date: September 2009

Summary: Candor teens are changed for life.

In Candor, Florida, teens are very different.

They respect their elders, they enjoy homework, and they do their chores.

Only, the teens do this because they are controlled by subliminal messages.

Oscar, the son of the town's founder, has figured out a way to ignore the messages, and get teens out of the town, for a price.

But then Oscar meets Nia and falls for her.

He can't lose her, he can't see her changed.

Oscar has a big choice ahead of him.

Should he help Nia escape Candor and lose her forever or should he keep her close and risk everything he's worked for?

Rating: 4 Stars

Review: When I started Candor, I wasn't sure what to expect. The plot sounded different, the characters unique, I couldn't wait to start reading it. The beginning of Candor was different but I loved it. The characters were all really well developed and they interacted well. Oscar was definitely a new kind of character. He went against all the rules that his father has set for the whole town, it was interesting. I loved Nia the moment she came to town, she was my kind of character. Dark, funny, unique, everything that makes a girl different but special. She was definitely my favorite character. The romance she has with Oscar was very cute, I really like them together. But the ending of Candor was so surprising. Pam Bachorz definitely wrote this book so you wouldn't see it coming. At first I wasn't sure what to think about it, but it started to grow on me and I think it fit this book really well.

-Lexi(: