June Confessions

June has been a great month! We went on a family vacation to the shore and our little guy had a blast. He is definitely a beach bum (thank God!) and loves the sand and ocean.  He also went nuts for the rides at the boardwalk. 

The only bummer is the fact that I had a bug bite that somehow got infected and I sort of thought I could treat it myself. Yeah, no. I definitely waited too long to go to the doctor and the infection spread. Yikes. I was really sick and had a fever, which is the worst in the summertime. I think I am on the mend now and I'm looking forward to the beach for 4th of July.  Also, can summer slow down please??!

Books Read in June:
1.  Empower (Embrace #5) by Jessica Shirvington - 4 out of 5 stars
2.  All Lined Up by Cora Carmack - 4 out of 5 stars
3.  Fly Away (Firefly Lane #2) by Kristin Hannah - 3 out of 5 stars
4.  The Falconer by Elizabeth May - 4 out of 5 stars
5.  The One (Selection #3) by Kiera Cass - 4 out of 5 stars
6.  Brazen by Katherine Longshore - 4 out of 5 stars
7.  Summer of Yesterday by Gaby Triana - 3.5 out of 5 stars
8.  Empire Girls by Suzanne Hayes and Loretta Nyhan - 4 out of 5 stars (Review to come)
9.  The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski - 4 out of 5 stars (Review to come)

1.  Favorite Book:  It's a tie between The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski and The Falconer by Elizabeth May. For me, both books started out really rough, but then wowed me by the end. 

2.  Biggest Surprise:  All Lined Up by Cora Carmack was a lot of fun and very Friday Night Lights, which I loved. I definitely want to check out her other novels in the future.  Have you read any? Which ones do you recommend?

Strathmere, New Jersey

3.  Biggest Disappointment: My biggest letdown this month was most definitely Fly Away by Kristin Hannah.  It was a painful and depressing read. 

4.  Favorite Post: Top Ten Tuesday- Book Cover Trends I Like - I focused on simple covers. I have been loving them lately, especially if the covers include an eye-catching font.

5.  Favorite Part of May:  My favorite part of May was vacation at the beach with my family. This was my morning view for the whole week and I am already missing a hot cup of coffee, a good book and the views of the bay. BLISS.


Thanks for visiting and I hope you guys had a great June,

Book Review: Summer of Yesterday by Gaby Triana

Pages: 256

Genre: YA Sci-fi

Pub. Date: June 17, 2014

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "Back to the Future meets Fast Times at Ridgemont High when Haley’s summer vacation takes a turn for the retro in this totally rad romantic fantasy. Summer officially sucks. Thanks to a stupid seizure she had a few months earlier, Haley’s stuck going on vacation with her dad and his new family to Disney’s Fort Wilderness instead of enjoying the last session of summer camp back home with her friends. Fort Wilderness holds lots of childhood memories for her father, but surely nothing for Haley. But then a new seizure triggers something she’s never before experienced—time travel—and she ends up in River Country, the campground’s long-abandoned water park, during its heyday. The year? 1982. And there—with its amusing fashion, “oldies” music, and primitive technology—she runs into familiar faces: teenage Dad and Mom before they’d even met. Somehow, Haley must find her way back to the twenty-first century before her present-day parents anguish over her disappearance, a difficult feat now that she’s met Jason, one of the park’s summer residents and employees, who takes the strangely dressed stowaway under his wing."

Haley was looking forward to a traditional summer involving her girlfriends and summer camp, but instead her father convinced her to come along with his new family to Disney World.  She is dreading this trip, especially since they are staying at Fort Wilderness, a campground, and the new family consists of two toddlers.  Once there, she meets other teenagers and takes part in an annual scavenger hunt with them. Her dad is keeping a tight leash on her though since she has recently recovered from a seizure.  While taking part in the scavenger hunt, she finds herself at the now defunct River Country (a water park that closed in 2001) which just so happens to be the location where her parents met many, many years ago.  Haley experiences another seizure and ends up in a functional and very popular River Country. The year is 1982!  It's as if Haley has stepped into a foreign world and to make matters worse, park security wants to find her parents.  The only problem is…they are actually there…as teenagers!  Gaby Triana's The Summer of Yesterday is a story of time travel, family, and first love. It makes for a charming and adorable beach read.  

As Haley enters the new-to-her world of 1982, I couldn't help but laugh at all of the 80s references and various trends from the time.  It was hilarious to remember some of the different trends, music  and actors that I placed in the dark corners of my mind.  Overall, Haley was a fun character and even though she made some seriously dumb decisions, it was fun to follow along her time travel journey, especially when it came to her relationship with Jason.

Jason, an employee at River Country, tries to help her out after her seizure in Summer of Yesterday.  While in 1982, Haley finds herself developing feelings for him. But the problem is they live in different time periods…how would it ever work and looming overhead is the more important question of how can Haley get back to the 21st century?

I am a huge Disney fan, so revisiting River Country was a treat in Summer of Yesterday. I am STILL bummed they shut down that park, but what is weird is that the park, along with Discovery Island, is still there. There is even electricity going to it and music still plays throughout the park. Bizarre, right?! So, the fact that Triana decides to focus on this defunct park in Summer of Yesterday was immediately interesting to me.  I also visited River Country in the 80s, so I could personally connect to this story.

There were many moments that weren't exactly believable to me (time-travel is a tough sell), but that didn't stop me from enjoying Summer of Yesterday overall.  My only concern is the fact that many teenagers might not get some of the cultural references (e.g.: Christopher Atkins!) but I think they will enjoy the novel's overall message.

This book was light, fun, and if you are a fan of the 80s, time travel, and a lover of all things Disney, you should check out Summer of Yesterday.  If you are like me, this book will have you longing for lazy days spent at River Country clad in neon and listening to Rick Springfield. 

Friday Five (2)

So I thought it might be fun this summer to try writing a more personal post every Friday highlighting some things going on in my life that aren't necessarily book related.  Let me know what you think!

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1. Outlander TV Show - Guys, I am SO excited for this show. I just read Outlander this past winter and was so completely blown away by it. Yes, it has its controversial moments and upsetting scenes, but I loved it nonetheless. I am very much looking forward to watching the show this August on Starz.  Anyone else a fan?

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2.  Zesty Lime Shrimp and Avocado Salad- I made this recently and sort of became obsessed. It is just so darn good. It tastes like summer and would be the perfect addition to a barbecue.  Delish.

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3.  Stella & Dot Earrings - I got the Serenity Stone Drops earrings for my birthday this past March and have been wearing them non-stop. They are not only comfortable, but they go with a lot of my outfits and dress up a boring t-shirt.  

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4.  Mystery Girls - Ok, so the was pretty cheesy and the laugh track was unbearable, but I think I'll watch episode two because it's Jennie Garth and Tori Spelling.  I love that they are reuniting for this project. 90210 forever.  Did anyone else catch this show on ABC Family?

5.  Antiques - I have two antique arm chairs from the 1940s that I reupholstered in the fall.  They are my one of most favorite pieces in the house.  Our house was built in 1928, so it definitely fits in.  I also bought antique dining room chairs to go with our new dining room table.  They actually match the table, but I need to reupholster them. The chairs are from the 1930s/1940s, so the fabric on the chairs is a little too old school for me. Any suggestions?  I am thinking of reupholstering them myself, because I hear it's easy to do, but I am so not crafty.  We shall see. Any tips for me?

So, what have you guys been up to? Any new products, movies, or TV shows I should try out this summer? Let me know what you think. Happy Friday!

Book Review: Brazen by Katherine Longshore

Pages: 528

Genre: YA Historical Fiction

Pub. Date: June 12, 2014

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "Mary Howard has always lived in the shadow of her powerful family. But when she’s married off to Henry Fitzroy, King Henry VIII’s illegitimate son, she rockets into the Tudor court’s inner circle. Mary and “Fitz” join a tight clique of rebels who test the boundaries of court’s strict rules with their games, dares, and flirtations. The more Mary gets to know Fitz, the harder she falls for him, but is forbidden from seeing him alone. The rules of court were made to be pushed…but pushing them too far means certain death. Is true love worth dying for?"

Mary Howard was married off at a young age to Henry VIII's illegitimate son, Henry Fitzroy.  You would expect this marriage to be awkward and horrible, and it is in the beginning, but as she gets to know Henry, she realizes that she has true feelings for him and vice versa.  So, what is the one problem? Well, they can't be together even though they are married until Henry VIII decides it is appropriate.  They can't even spend too much time together alone, let alone a night together and as they grow up, this becomes a source of frustration since they actually have feelings for each other.  All the while, the Tudor court is extremely dysfunctional as Henry VIII grows tired of Anne Boleyn.  We all know what happens there, but that doesn't mean it doesn't hurt less, especially since Mary is Anne's cousin and friend.  As things get worse at court and Henry VIII's behavior is more and more unpredictable, Mary finds herself wanting to escape with Henry, her husband, but we all know there is no leaving the Tudor court, especially when since Henry Fitzroy is a possible heir to the throne.  Katherine Longshore's Brazen is a delicious historical novel that fans of historical fiction as well as the Tudors will devour.

I didn't know much about Mary Howard and was intrigued the more and more I got to know her in Brazen.  She loves words, poetry, respects her father, and cares about her friends.  As time passes, Mary becomes more bold, which I absolutely loved and after reading the "Author's Note" at the end of the Brazen, I am even more impressed with her courage and fortitude.  More importantly, she is actually in love with Henry Fitzroy or "Fitz", her husband through arranged marriage, which is a rarity for the time period.  I was rooting for Mary and Fitz from the beginning, but was very nervous about their fate since we all know the Tudor court is unpredictable and the time period is tumultuous.

It was also interesting to learn more about Fitz in Brazen as I really didn't know much about Henry VIII's illegitimate son.  Longshore portrays him as a swoon-worthy husband, especially as he gets older and I thoroughly enjoyed him and his relationship with Mary.  

It was also fun to revisit the notorious character of Anne Bolyen.  Since Mary is a cousin to Anne and her companion, there was a lot of drama in Brazen, especially once Henry VIII turns away from Anne towards Jane Seymour.  It's no surprise as to what will happen to Anne, but Longshore still gives us a fresh perspective from the eyes of her loyal cousin, Mary.

Longshore also does a fantastic job keeping the Tudor court fresh. I sometimes get weary of reading about the Tudors, but I can always count on Longshore to keep it fun, full of scandal and intrigue and provide readers with a new feel since Brazen's point of view is from a lesser known protagonist.  Longshore also reminds us of how challenging it was for women during the time period, especially if you were from a wealthy/aristocratic family and your father wanted to arrange your marriage. Essentially women would become a chess piece in a much larger and corrupt game of power.

My only issue with Brazen was the length. At times, I wanted more to happen regarding the plot and Mary spends a lot of time waiting around for Fitz, especially when he is away from court.  Nonetheless, I was still completely engrossed in Mary's story.

If you love the Tudor court and want a fresh perspective, check out Katherine Longshore's Brazen. Fans of historical fiction will absolutely love this treat of a novel as well as the admirable Mary Howard.

Waiting on Wednesday: Isla and the Happily Ever After

This is a weekly meme hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine.  "Waiting on Wednesday" spotlights upcoming releases that I'm eagerly anticipating.

Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins

Pub. Date: August 14, 2014

Goodreads says, "From the glittering streets of Manhattan to the moonlit rooftops of Paris, falling in love is easy for hopeless dreamer Isla and introspective artist Josh. But as they begin their senior year in France, Isla and Josh are quickly forced to confront the heartbreaking reality that happily-ever-afters aren’t always forever. Their romantic journey is skillfully intertwined with those of beloved couples Anna and Étienne and Lola and Cricket, whose paths are destined to collide in a sweeping finale certain to please fans old and new."

Guys, if you are a fan of young adult contemporary fiction and you haven't read Anna and the French Kiss yet, you need to stop what you are doing and read it.  With that said, Anna and the French Kiss is one of my favorites, so I'll read anything Stephanie Perkins writes. Plus, another story set in Paris? YES.

Top Ten Tuesday: Book Cover Trends I Like

This week the topic is our favorite book cover trends and lately I have been drawn to covers that exude simplicity.  Usually there are only a few graphics and a really fabulous font. Check out some of my latest favorites that I think are great examples of how a simple book cover can be eye-catching.

1.  Salt & Storm by Kendall Kulper (my favorite cover!)
2.  Brazen by Katherine Longshore
3.  Love and Other Foreign Words by Erin McCahan
4.  The Taking by Kimberly Derting
5.  Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
6.  Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
7.  How to Love by Kate Cotugno
8.  The Vacationers by Emma Straub
9.  The One and Only by Emily Giffin
10.  The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

So, what do you guys think of some of my favorite "simple" book covers? Which ones are your favorites? What type of book covers have you been drawn to lately? Let me know!  This meme is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, so check it out! 

The One by Kiera Cass

Pages: 323

Genre: YA Sci-fi

Pub. Date: May 6, 2014

Source: Personal Copy

Series: The Selection (#1), The Elite (#2)

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "The highly anticipated conclusion to Kiera Cass's #1 New York Times bestselling Selection series, The One will captivate readers who love dystopian YA fiction and fairy tales. The One is the perfect finale for fans who have followed America's whirlwind romance since it began--and a swoon-worthy read for teens who have devoured Veronica Roth's Divergent, Ally Condie's Matched, or Lauren Oliver's Delirium The Selection changed America Singer's life in ways she never could have imagined. Since she entered the competition to become the next princess of Illéa, America has struggled with her feelings for her first love, Aspen--and her growing attraction to Prince Maxon. Now she's made her choice . . . and she's prepared to fight for the future she wants."

America is one of four women left in the Selection and although she is the people's choice, Maxon's father, the King, is dead set against her.  According to him, she's unconventional, unpredictable and he can't control her, which would make for a bad princess.  In addition to America's concerns as to whom Maxon will choose, rebels have been attacking more and more.  They are now threatening various castes and violence ensues.  Plus, America's relationship with longtime friend and former love, Aspen, has always been hanging over her head since he's an important soldier in the castle.  Through all of this chaos, America realizes that she does love Maxon and needs to win his heart.  Kiera Cass's conclusion to the Selection series, The One, is a book that won't disappoint fans.  All the plot lines are tied up nicely and no questions remain.  

America has always been a fun heroine to follow in the Selection series. She's feisty, brave, determined, and does what she feels is right, even if it's a hard decision to make.  The only time her judgement has been a bit cloudy is when it comes to childhood friend, Aspen.  Their relationship has always been a bit blurry, but I am happy with where it went in The One.  

America's relationship with Maxon is explored more in The One and although he wasn't always my favorite in this series, he really grew on me in this book.  I was, obviously, able to predict where the story was going when it came to their relationship, but it didn't deter my enjoyment of the book.

There's a lot of action in The One, which I liked and it added to the novel's suspense.  The Southern rebels are constantly a threat and America and Maxon finds themselves directly involved with some violence.  Plus, there's always attacks and threats to the castle, which add to the drama.

The Selection series is such guilty pleasure of mine. I love to read these books over vacation, because they are such a fluffy and fun books to get lost in.  I am sad to finish the series, but I am extremely happy with how Cass ended it. If you like drama, romance, and an unpredictable dystopian world, check out this entertaining series this summer.  Now is the time, since The Selection is one sale for $2.99 as an ebook!

Stacking the Shelves and Giveaway Winners (50)

The Jewel by Amy Ewing - Thanks to HarperTeen and Edelweiss
Nantucket Sisters by Nancy Thayer - Thanks to Goodreads First Reads
Ruth's Journey by Daniel McCaig - Thanks to Atria and NetGalley
Salt & Storm by Kendall Kulper - Thanks to Little Brown and NetGalley
Wish You Were Italian by Kristin Rae- Thanks to Becky at  Stories and Sweeties
City of Heavenly Fire (The Mortal Instruments #6) by Cassandra Clare - Thanks to Media Muscle

A signed copy of Better off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg #59 - Erica J.

A signed copy of Summer State of Mind by Jen Calonita #12 - Autumn M.

The complete Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare and hoodie -

# 306 Erin W. 

"Beach Reads" Giveaway - #133 Tayte H.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green (movie tie-in cover) and TFiOS tote bag

- #96 Kristi

Congrats to all the winners! I hope you enjoy your books and thank you for entering.

So what do you guys think? Have you read any of these books? Let me know! This meme is hosted by Tynga at Tynga's Reviews.

Friday Five

So I thought it might be fun this summer to try writing a more personal post every Friday highlighting some things going on in my life that aren't necessarily book related.  Let me know what you think!

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1.  Orange is the New Black - Ok, so I finally decided to jump on the bandwagon with this TV show.  I checked it out while we were on vacation and I was instantly hooked. I didn't think it would be something I liked, but I seriously wanted to binge watch it. Anyone else a fan?

Summertime Fun!

2.  The sprinkler - I got my little guy this caterpillar sprinkler and we have been having so much fun with it. It really takes me back to being a kid and running through the sprinkler with friends. Nothing says summer like a sprinkler and a wading pool, right?

3.  Nike Flex- I have a really bad knee and I should have probably gone to physical therapy for it this past fall, but I didn't. Oops. Anyway, my knee was acting up again and I decided to get new sneakers with the hopes that it would help. And guess what? It did! My new Nike Flex sneakers are awesome. I am sort of obsessed; plus, they are hot pink. 

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4.  The Honest Company- Guys, I love this company big time. I use their cleaning supplies, sunscreen, bug spray (because the bugs LOVE me and would eat me alive without it), and diapers for my little guy. Their customer service is incredible and I can't say enough about their products.  If you are interested in trying their stuff, check out my invitation. 

5.  Sandlot - There is a park right by my house and I try to take my little guy as often as possible in order for him to burn off some energy and play with some friends.  Well, everyday I have gone there this week, there has been a group of boys playing baseball. It reminded me so much of Sandlot, one of my favorite movies. I am now determined to watch it again this summer. Who else loves this movie?

So, what have you guys been up to? Any new products, movies, or TV shows I should try out this summer? Let me know what you think. Happy Friday!

Book Review: The Falconer by Elizabeth May

Pages: 378

Genre: YA Fantasy/ YA Historical Fiction

Pub. Date: May 6, 2014

Source: LibraryThing Early Reviewers

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "Lady Aileana Kameron, the only daughter of the Marquess of Douglas, was destined for a life carefully planned around Edinburgh’s social events – right up until a faery killed her mother. Now it’s the 1844 winter season and Aileana slaughters faeries in secret, in between the endless round of parties, tea and balls. Armed with modified percussion pistols and explosives, she sheds her aristocratic facade every night to go hunting. She’s determined to track down the faery who murdered her mother, and to destroy any who prey on humans in the city’s many dark alleyways. But the balance between high society and her private war is a delicate one, and as the fae infiltrate the ballroom and Aileana’s father returns home, she has decisions to make. How much is she willing to lose – and just how far will Aileana go for revenge?"

Lady Aileana Kameron isn't your usual debutante.  She not only can see the fae, but she is also a Falconer or someone who is equipped to kill them.  She has been training with Kiaran, a mysterious and beautiful fae, who, surprisingly, wants to destroy his kind and holds many secrets.  Also, a pixie, Derrick, protects her and helps her recover from her injuries.  This is more than just killing fae to Aileana though. Her mother was killed by one and in turn, it has become personal.  Her father, even though he doesn't know Aileana's secrets, would rather she was more conventional and spend her time taking up more leisurely pursuits, such as finding a husband; however, she wants more for herself.  Elizabeth May's debut, The Falconer, is a slow to start novel, but once the action picked up, I was hooked.

Aileana is a fun heroine in The Falconer.  She's feisty, unconventional, and is downright tough. Unlike the other girls, she can hold her own and even invents various types of weaponry to fight the fae.  Aileana is a little hyper focused on destroying the fae since the violent death of her mother, but overall, I enjoyed her.  

What initially set me off when reading The Falconer was the time period. I thought it was set in 19th century Scotland with a fantasy twist (fae) and it is, but it's a little bit different than I expected. It's a steampunk world with steampunk technology, etc.  Also, I was a little disappointed that there wasn't much focus on the Scottish world, but more on Scottish lore. Thank God for the glossary (Aileana's Beastiary) at the end of the novel which lists the various types of fae. I found myself referring to this quite a bit. 

In The Falconer, readers are introduced to Gavin, Aileana's childhood friend. Aileana used to have a childhood crush on him and since his return from school, she realizes that he is hiding many secrets.  Also, readers get to know the elusive and extremely good looking fae, Kiaran, a bit more and some of his motives, such as the important question of why would he help kill fae if he is fae? Lastly, my favorite character in The Falconer is the pixie, Derrick. He's hilarious, fun and some of his one-liners made me laugh out loud.  

Despite my initial hesitance towards The Falconer, the plot really starts to pick up by the middle of the novel. Plus, once the fae realize all that Aileana is capable of, the action picks up tremendously and war is looming over their heads.

Of course The Falconer ends with a crazy cliffhanger (as any good trilogy should) and despite a few of my issues with the novel, I will definitely be picking up the next book in the series, which is due out next year.

Waiting on Wednesday: Compulsion

This is a weekly meme hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine.  "Waiting on Wednesday" spotlights upcoming releases that I'm eagerly anticipating.

Compulsion by Martina Boone

Pub. Date: October 28, 2014

Goodreads says, "Three plantations. Two wishes. One ancient curse. All her life, Barrie Watson has been a virtual prisoner in the house where she lived with her shut-in mother. When her mother dies, Barrie promises to put some mileage on her stiletto heels. But she finds a new kind of prison at her aunt’s South Carolina plantation instead--a prison guarded by an ancient spirit who long ago cursed one of the three founding families of Watson Island and gave the others magical gifts that became compulsions. Stuck with the ghosts of a generations-old feud and hunted by forces she cannot see, Barrie must find a way to break free of the family legacy. With the help of sun-kissed Eight Beaufort, who knows what Barrie wants before she knows herself, the last Watson heir starts to unravel her family's twisted secrets. What she finds is dangerous: a love she never expected, a river that turns to fire at midnight, a gorgeous cousin who isn’t what she seems, and very real enemies who want both Eight and Barrie dead."

This Southern Gothic story sounds right up my alley. Plus, that cover is one of my favorites of the year. What do you guys think? 

Book Review: Fly Away by Kristin Hannah

Pages: 400

Genre: Adult Fiction

Pub. Date: April 23, 2014

Source: Publisher for review

Series: Firefly Lane (#1)

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "Tully Hart has always been larger than life, a woman fueled by big dreams and driven by memories of a painful past. She thinks she can overcome anything until her best friend, Kate Ryan, dies. Tully tries to fulfill her deathbed promise to Kate--to be there for Kate’s children--but Tully knows nothing about family or motherhood or taking care of people. Sixteen-year-old Marah Ryan is devastated by her mother’s death. Her father, Johnny, strives to hold the family together, but even with his best efforts, Marah becomes unreachable in her grief. Nothing and no one seems to matter to her . . . until she falls in love with a young man who makes her smile again and leads her into his dangerous, shadowy world. Dorothy Hart--the woman who once called herself Cloud--is at the center of Tully’s tragic past. She repeatedly abandoned her daughter, Tully, as a child, but now she comes back, drawn to her daughter’s side at a time when Tully is most alone. At long last, Dorothy must face her darkest fear: Only by revealing the ugly secrets of her past can she hope to become the mother her daughter needs."

Kate and Tully were best friends until Kate died of cancer.  In Fly Away, we revisit our favorite characters from Firefly Lane to see what they have been up to since Kate's untimely death.  Tully hasn't ever really recovered from her best friend's death.  She has lost her popular TV talk show and is now addicted to prescription pills and alcohol.  Marah, Kate's daughter, is struggling as well and desperately needs some guidance, but isn't finding it from her father, who whisks them off to Hawaii after Kate's death and them uproots his whole family to California when they return.  He just can't face what happened, which isn't healthy for his children.  As the months go by, Marah finds herself in a deep state of depression in California and starts falling down a slippery slope.  Cloud, Tully's unpredictable and former addict mother, enters back into Tully's world as well, which increases the drama twofold; however, we learn why Cloud is the way she is, which will answer questions readers had in Firefly Lane. Kristin Hannah's Fly Away is a heartbreaking read.  It was one bad thing after another, but I just had to know how things were going to end up for Tully and Marah.

I loved Firefly Lane when I read it years ago and was interested to see where the characters ended up.  But it was just so darn sad to find out that most of them just couldn't get past Kate's death.  Tully is a mess. Marah is on her way to becoming a hot mess and Johnny, Kate's husband, isn't dealing with his grief, which makes it that much harder for the kids. I was curious about Cloud, Tully's crazy mother, and was interested in her sub-plot, but ultimately, I wanted to know what was going to happen to Marah. 

Fly Away is mostly told through flashbacks and readers slowly piece together the events after Kate's death.  It varies perspectives from time to time as well, so readers get a full picture.  Using this technique can be helpful, but in Fly Away it got old because it felt repetitive at times.

Fly Away was painful, but due to Hannah's compulsively readable writing style, I found myself flipping the pages despite the pain they put me through. It was like watching a bad accident. I knew I didn't really want to watch it unfold and that I should avert my gaze, but I just couldn't do it. I did almost put the book down when more and more bad things kept happening, but being the eternal optimist, I was hoping for that elusive happy ending.

One of my favorite aspects of Fly Away was Kate and Tully's relationship.  Even though Kate is gone, she does make a reappearance from time to time guiding Tully when she finds herself in another mess. I love their friendship, which is why I continued with Fly Away even though it broke my heart into a million pieces.

Fans of Firefly Lane may want to pick up this book to revisit favorite characters, but just like Firefly Lane, be prepared for heartbreaking tale that requires many tissues.

Blogging Break: I'm on Vacation!

I'll be taking a blogging break for a little over a week, because I am going on vacation to the beach with my family! I can't wait for some sun, some sand, and some fun family time.  Taking my little guy to the beach has been a lot of fun this year. He loves the ocean and the sand…definitely a future beach bum! 

You can still find me on Twitter, Goodreads, and Instagram (expect a lot of toddler at the beach pictures!) during my vacation.  

Don't forget to enter my International Giveaway for some of my favorite beach reads and The Fault in Our Stars giveaway!  

See you guys soon,

Book Review: All Lined Up by Cora Carmack

Pages: 320

Genre: New Adult

Pub. Date: May 13, 2014

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "In Texas, two things are cherished above all else—football and gossip. My life has always been ruled by both. Dallas Cole loathes football. That's what happens when you spend your whole childhood coming in second to a sport. College is her time to step out of the bleachers, and put the playing field (and the players) in her past. But life doesn't always go as planned. As if going to the same college as her football star ex wasn’t bad enough, her father, a Texas high school coaching phenom, has decided to make the jump to college ball… as the new head coach at Rusk University. Dallas finds herself in the shadows of her father and football all over again. Carson McClain is determined to go from second-string quarterback to the starting line-up. He needs the scholarship and the future that football provides. But when a beautiful redhead literally falls into his life, his focus is more than tested. It's obliterated. Dallas doesn't know Carson is on the team. Carson doesn't know that Dallas is his new coach's daughter. And neither of them know how to walk away from the attraction they feel."

Dallas Cole's father is a famous Texas football coach. Everyone loves him and everyone knows him.  Dallas grew up living and breathing football, but her real passion is dance.  She enrolls at Rusk University, a local college, with the hopes of to starting over where no one knows her. Dallas is majoring in dance and even though she really wanted to go away to school, she is trying to make the best of it with her best friend, Stella. Things change drastically for her when her father takes the position as head football coach at Rusk in order to turn the team around.  To make matters worse, her old high school boyfriend, Levi, is the quarterback of the team and she runs into him at a party.  While trying to escape a lecherous football player at said party, she runs into Carson, a truly unique and different guy than what she's used to.  That is until she finds out he is the second-string quarterback for the university's team. She swore she would never date a football player again, after dating the star quarterback in high school, but can't help how she feels about Carson.  Plus, Carson promised his dad he would focus on school and football, but he can't get Dallas out of his mind.  Cora Carmack's All Lined Up is summertime fun. There's football, college parties, cute boys, and a "forbidden" romance.  Friday Night Lights fans will love the similarities.

Carmack varied the points of view in All Lined Up between Dallas and Carson, which I thought was a nice touch and believable.  Dallas spends a lot of time thinking about her connection with Carson until she finds out he is on her dad's football team.  That is something she wanted to avoid in college, but she can't avoid her connection with him.  Also, All Lined Up isn't just about her crush on Carson though. It's also about Dallas trying to do what she wants in college and pursing her dreams. This ultimately means figuring out her precarious relationship with her dad, who essentially wants to control her life.

Carson is a very determined football player and doesn't want anything to sidetrack his plan, that is until he meets Dallas. He has no clue she is the coach's daughter and despite their hesitance after they find out the truth, they can just forget each other and move on. I really liked their relationship in All Lined Up and Carson was definitely a swoon-worthy male lead.  

I am pretty much obsessed with all things Friday Night Lights, so I was excited to read a book about football as well the coach's daughter.  All Lined Up didn't disappoint. There was the perfect balance between football, romance, and college life. 

If you are looking for a book this summer that will remind you of Friday Night Lights, is steamy, and downright fun, then check out All Lined Up.  

Giveaway: The Fault in Our Stars

So, how excited are you for The Fault in Our Stars movie, which comes out tomorrow? I can't wait to see it. There's nothing like seeing one of your favorite books come to life on the big screen.

Have you seen the movie trailer? I have a feeling that this movie will most definitely do the book justice.

About the film:

Hazel and Gus are two extraordinary teenagers who share an acerbic wit, a disdain for the conventional, and a love that sweeps them -- and us – on an unforgettable journey. Their relationship is all the more miraculous, given that they met and fell in love at a cancer support group.THE FAULT IN OUR STARS, based upon the number-one bestselling novel by John Green, explores the funny, thrilling and tragic business of being alive and in love.

Starring Shailene Woodley, Ansel Elgort, Willem Dafoe, Nat Wolff, Laura Dern, Sam Trammell, Mike Birbiglia, and Emily Peachey

Directed by Josh Boone

Screenplay by Scott Neustadter, based on the book by John Green

Produced by Marty Bowen, Wyck Godfrey

If you are like me and are a huge fan of John Green's The Fault in Our Stars, you are going to want to enter this giveaway.  One US reader will win The Fault in Our Stars (movie tie-in book cover) and The Fault in our Stars Tote Bag.  Please refer to my giveaway rules and the deadline is 6/17.  

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To learn more about the movie visit the official website.  Also, follow on Google+ & Instagram.  Good luck!