Book Review: Forbidden by Kimberley G. Little

Pages: 397

Genre: YA Historical Fiction

Pub. Date: November 4, 2014

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "In the unforgiving Mesopotamian desert where Jayden’s tribe lives, betrothal celebrations abound, and tonight it is Jayden’s turn to be honored. But while this union with Horeb, the son of her tribe’s leader, will bring a life of riches and restore her family’s position within the tribe, it will come at the price of Jayden’s heart.  Then a shadowy boy from the Southern Lands appears. Handsome and mysterious, Kadesh fills Jayden’s heart with a passion she never knew possible. But with Horeb’s increasingly violent threats haunting Jayden’s every move, she knows she must find a way to escape—or die trying.  With a forbidden romance blossoming in her heart and her family’s survival on the line, Jayden must embark on a deadly journey to save the ones she loves—and find a true love for herself. Set against the brilliant backdrop of the sprawling desert, the story of Jayden and Kadesh will leave readers absolutely breathless as they defy the odds and risk it all to be together."

The setting is ancient Mesopotamia and Jayden is betrothed to Horeb, future king of her desert nomad tribe. She should be thrilled, because Horeb is a childhood friend and extremely good looking, but he has changed. He's cold, selfish and an all-around bad guy, so Jayden is dreading their upcoming marriage. Top top it off, Horeb deserts her when she needs him the most and while during this turbulent time she meets Kadesh, who seems to appear out of nowhere. Her family helps him and in turn, he does the same for her family. A forbidden love blossoms between the two, but how could she allow this to happen, especially since she is promised to Horeb? To make matters worse, Leila, her sister, wants to leave her life as a nomad and live scandalously at the Temple of Ashtoreth. It feels like Jayden's family is falling apart. Can she really risk it all for Kadesh? Things really get stressful when Horeb finds out how she feels about the stranger, Kadesh.  This action packed young adult debut kept me on the edge of my seat. It was definitely one thing after another for Jayden, but Forbidden by Kimberley Griffiths Little was a roller coaster ride I enjoyed being on.

Little did a great job creating multi-faceted characters in Forbidden. Jayden was a feisty heroine, torn between doing what is right for her family and doing what her heart wants.  Things become easier to navigate once she figures out how horrible Horeb truly is.  Kadesh, the mysterious stranger, was definitely a swoon-worthy hero in Forbidden.  I enjoyed their blossoming romance in the novel, but there were many heart-wrenching scenes between the two as their love isn't exactly conventional since she is already betrothed.  Jayden's family also plays an important role in the novel and I especially liked her relationship with her grandmother.  Just as there were heartbreaking scenes with Kadesh, there were many with her family as well. Needless to say, Forbidden tugged on my heartstrings.

The setting of ancient Mesopotamia was really captivating. I am sure it was that historically accurate, but it was unique nonetheless. I can't say I have come across this setting too often, so I enjoyed that aspect of the novel. Being a desert nomad was also intriguing and made a life of adventure for Jayden. Since the setting is in the Middle East, the importance of dance and traditions were also an intriguing aspect in Forbidden.  

If you like historical fiction with a lot of action, a complicated romance and a unique setting, check out Forbidden this winter. It's definitely one of my favorite historical reads of the year.

Book Review: Compulsion by Martina Boone

Pages: 448

Genre: YA Fantasy

Pub. Date: October 28, 2014

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "All her life, Barrie Watson has been a virtual prisoner in the house where she lives 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."

Barrie Watson has hit a rock bottom. Her mother has died and her caretaker, Mark, is now dying from cancer. Mark sends her off to her mother's sister, Aunt Pru, to ensure she has a stable family home.  Her Aunt Pru lives on a Southern plantation in South Carolina, which is very different than the life she is used to in San Francisco.  Barrie is interested in her family's past though and she is hoping her aunt can answer some questions about the fire that took her fathers life and led to her mother's disfiguring facial scars.  But getting answers is tougher than she thought and there are many secrets on South Carolina's Watsons Island, especially when it comes to the founding families, the Watsons, the Beauforts, and the Colesworth. The three founding family's history is entwined along with a very old curse.  Due to this curse, Barrie has the ability to find lost items and this "gift" has become even stronger now that she has moved to Watson's Island.  To add to the drama, she met family friend, Eight Beaufort, who simultaneously drives her nuts and charms her.  Barrie is also dying to meet her cousin, Cassie Colesworth, even if her aunt and Eight say not to trust her.  Martina Boone's debut, Compulsion, is the kind of Southern Gothic I love. There's a beautiful setting, family feuds, a slow burning romance, curses and a touch of paranormal. Highly recommended for fans of romance, Southern gothic, and the paranormal genre.

How could I not instantly feel for Barrie in Compulsion? Her mother has died and her mother's best friend and godfather is in hospice. So, now she finds herself living on a historic plantation with an aunt she has never met. To make matters worse, her mother never really told her about her life at Watson Island, so she has no clue what to expect.  

Thankfully, Barrie has Eight Beaufort to clue her in on things, but getting him to answer a question completely and honestly is going to be harder than she thought.  Eight is the kind of boy I love in a young adult novel. He's a genuinely good guy and their romance is a slow burn, which really worked in Compulsion.  Plus, Eight has his own "special power" due to the family curse, which I thought was a nice touch. All in all, I am definitely a fan of Barrie and Eight.

The setting was to-die-for in Compulsion. Seriously. Can I live there? I absolutely loved Watson Island and Boone did a wonderful job bringing a southern summer to life. I was completely enthralled with the huge plantation Barrie lived on filled with dusty rooms, locked drawers, hidden tunnels, and sprawling balconies. Plus, there's the eerie Fire Carrier who visits the plantation every night and the yunwi (spirits) who watch over the plantation.  It was so atmospheric and creepy! I can't say enough about the lush plantation, the decaying mansions, and the spirits that lurk every corner…it was right up my alley.

As I mentioned before, there are many paranormal elements in Compulsion and while I found a few things to be a little over the top (some of the scenes with the Fire Carrier); overall, it was done very well.  I liked how Barrie had a special power of finding lost items and it reminded me a bit of The Body Finder in that sense. Ultimately, Barrie has to figure out her family secrets and I loved how the spirits were trying to communicate the truth to her.  It definitely kept me in suspense.

Simply put, I am a fan of Compulsion and can't wait to continue with the Heirs of Watson Island trilogy.  I love all things Southern Gothic and Boone didn't disappoint.  In fact, this book will find its way on my "Best of 2014 list" for sure.  

Book Review: Even in Paradise by Chelsey Philpot

Pages: 368

Genre: YA Realistic Fiction

Pub. Date: October 14, 2014

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "When Julia Buchanan enrolls at St. Anne’s at the beginning of junior year, Charlotte Ryder already knows all about the former senator’s daughter. Most people do... or think they do. Charlotte certainly never expects she’ll be Julia’s friend. But almost immediately, she is drawn into the larger than-life-new girl’s world—a world of midnight rendezvous, dazzling parties, palatial vacation homes, and fizzy champagne cocktails. And then Charlotte meets, and begins falling for, Julia’s handsome older brother, Sebastian. But behind her self-assured smiles and toasts to the future, Charlotte soon realizes that Julia is still suffering from a tragedy. A tragedy that the Buchanan family has kept hidden … until now."

St. Anne's boarding school is filled with teenagers from wealthy and prominent American families, unless you are a scholarship student. And that is the case for Charlotte Ryder, an aspiring artist and sort of social wallflower.  Everything changes for Charlotte one night when she helps out intoxicated Julia Buchanan, a popular and wealthy girl at school.  Julia appreciates Charlotte's help and takes her under her wing, even renaming her Charlie.  Julia bringing her into her fast-pace world of money, parities, and mansions   The two become attached at the hip and Charlotte even spends time with the Buchanan family at their summer home.  Except there are many layers to the Buchanan family that Charlie must peel back slowly in order to figure out the truth as their family history has been paved in secrets and tragedy.  Plus, Charlie is starting to have feelings for Julia's brother, Sabastian, and finds herself intertwined into their family even more than before.  Chelsey Philpot's debut, Even in Paradise, is a sad sort of novel and one that reminded me of The Great Gatsby meets Gossip Girl.  Readers who like stories about privileged families and secrets will enjoy this deep novel.

Once Charlotte met Julia her world changed immensely in Even in Paradise. She started sneaking out of her dorm, going by the name Charlie and living a bit more dangerously. She would even visit the Buchanans at their summer house on Nantucket, which is very much different than the world she is accustomed to as a scholarship student.  She learns that the Buchanan family has some secrets, especially surrounding the untimely death of Julia's sister.  Julia and Charlie's relationship becomes a little too close to the point where I felt it was unhealthy. She was too immersed into the family, even dating Sebastian, Julia's brother.  I sort of knew where this was going.

Julia had that Jay Gatsby vibe in Even in Paradise. She was charismatic, rich, and sometimes unreliable. She threw caution to the wind on many occasions, drank too much and harbors many secrets. Ultimately, she wasn't over the death of her sister, Gus, and there was definitely a cloud of sadness that followed her.  I could definitely pick up on the Gatsby vibe regarding the character of Julia.  But the problem with Even in Paradise is I didn't care enough about the characters; I was merely along for the ride.  

I liked the whole aspect of a Kennedy-esque family taking in a working class girl and Charlie sort of becoming one of them, but I could see where this was headed in Even in Paradise.  Even though the twist was a tad predictable, I found the writing and the overall story to be somewhat compelling.  It didn't "wow" me and wasn't my favorite debut, but I could appreciate this quiet story focusing on families, power, love, and secrets.

 

Book Review: Salt & Storm by Kendall Kulper

Pages: 416

Genre: YA Fantasy/Historical Fiction

Pub. Date: September 23, 2014

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "A sweeping historical romance about a witch who foresees her own murder--and the one boy who can help change her future. Sixteen-year-old Avery Roe wants only to take her rightful place as the witch of Prince Island, making the charms that keep the island's whalers safe at sea, but her mother has forced her into a magic-free world of proper manners and respectability. When Avery dreams she's to be murdered, she knows time is running out to unlock her magic and save herself. Avery finds an unexpected ally in a tattooed harpoon boy named Tane--a sailor with magic of his own, who moves Avery in ways she never expected. Becoming a witch might stop her murder and save her island from ruin, but Avery discovers her magic requires a sacrifice she never prepared for."

Avery Roe lives in a New England whaling town on Prince Island during the 19th century.  Like every Roe female before her, she has one job: to become the next Roe witch.  This is important to the island's welfare as the witch keeps the sailors and whalers safe at sea by making protection charms as well as other task important to the townsfolk.  Avery's grandmother has been the most influential person in her life and is raising her to take over as the next Roe witch.  But Avery's mother, who comes back into the picture, decides magic isn't an option and takes her away from everything she has known.  Years go by and Avery isn't allowed to see her grandmother nor use magic, but things change when Avery dreams she is murdered.  She knows this is a serious omen and tries to contact her grandmother, but thanks to her mother, she is cursed from seeking out magical help or even her grandmother.  Her mother wants her to be a proper young lady and leave that life behind, but Avery knows she must find a way out. Kendall Kulper's Salt & Storm is a slow-moving historical fantasy that kept me entertained, but wasn't one that I fell in love with.

Avery was a tough protagonist to connect with in Salt & Storm.  I thought it was pretty intriguing that she could interpret dreams, including her own, and has magic within her, even if she is unable to use it. I liked the whole aspect of the Roe female ancestors all being the island's witch, but other than that, I never really warmed up to her.  This is including her relationship with Tane, a Polynesian harpoon boy, who promises her that he can help her unlock her mother's curse as he has powers of his own. I liked Tane, overall, but never really swooned over him or their relationship; perhaps, because I felt so distant from Avery to begin with.

Salt & Storm is a slow moving type of fantasy. One that creeps slowly and hints at secrets, which I think worked for the 19th century setting for the most part. Don't get me wrong though….there were many moments which I felt the pace was just too darn slow, especially since this book is 400+ pages.  

On the other hand, one thing I tremendously enjoyed about Salt & Storm was the setting.  I loved the idea of a New England town intertwined with a magical history. You guys know I am all about coastal stories and I think Kulper did a good job bringing a 19th century whaling town to life as well as the idea of "sea witches."

Salt & Storm has aspects to it that I enjoyed even though it wasn't my favorite debut.  There's an intriguing setting, a sweet romance (albeit tragic at times), family secrets, witches, and a coastal setting.  If you can get past some of the slow pacing and you enjoy fantasies with historical details, then you'll appreciate this novel.

Book Review: The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen

Pages: 448

Genre: YA Fantasy/Adult Fiction

Pub. Date: July 8, 2014

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "On her nineteenth birthday, Princess Kelsea Raleigh Glynn, raised in exile, sets out on a perilous journey back to the castle of her birth to ascend her rightful throne. Plain and serious, a girl who loves books and learning, Kelsea bears little resemblance to her mother, the vain and frivolous Queen Elyssa. But though she may be inexperienced and sheltered, Kelsea is not defenseless: Around her neck hangs the Tearling sapphire, a jewel of immense magical power; and accompanying her is the Queen’s Guard, a cadre of brave knights led by the enigmatic and dedicated Lazarus. Kelsea will need them all to survive a cabal of enemies who will use every weapon—from crimson-caped assassins to the darkest blood magic—to prevent her from wearing the crown. Despite her royal blood, Kelsea feels like nothing so much as an insecure girl, a child called upon to lead a people and a kingdom about which she knows almost nothing. But what she discovers in the capital will change everything, confronting her with horrors she never imagined. An act of singular daring will throw Kelsea’s kingdom into tumult, unleashing the vengeance of the tyrannical ruler of neighboring Mortmesne: the Red Queen, a sorceress possessed of the darkest magic. Now Kelsea will begin to discover whom among the servants, aristocracy, and her own guard she can trust. But the quest to save her kingdom and meet her destiny has only just begun—a wondrous journey of self-discovery and a trial by fire that will make her a legend…if she can survive."

Kelsea lives in a very unsettled world where her mother, the queen, placed her in exile as a child for her protection. She grew up with foster parents that not only kept her safe, but also trained her to be the next queen and in turn, Kelsea grew up living a sheltered life without many friends.  After her mother dies and once Kelsea comes of age, she needs to go to back to the castle to rule.  The Queen's Guard accompanies her on the dangerous adventure back to the castle, as many people want to see her dead, including the current ruler in her absence….her uncle.  The more Kelsea learns about the state of her kingdom, the more horrified she has become. Her uncle has let the kingdom become corrupt and the citizens are living in constant fear of the evil Red Queen thanks to the path of destruction she left behind.  Kelsea must not only right her uncle's wrongs, but also decide whom to trust in this new and unpredictable world.  Erika Johansen's debut, The Queen of the Tearling, is an entertaining high fantasy that was quite the adventure.

The setting of The Queen of Tearling is a bit confusing. It's a "new world" that possesses many characteristics of medieval times, but also makes references to technology. I was a bit confused by this and I wish Johansen gave us more background on the setting and spent some more effort in the world building department.  However, the more I read this novel, the more I was reminded a bit of high fantasies that I enjoyed in the past, such as Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, Lloyd Alexander's Chronicles of Prydain series and even Martin's Game of Thrones.  Like these other fictional worlds, Johansen's also includes some magical elements, which I thought was a nice touch.

Kelsea is a captivating heroine who has a very difficult task of not only safely becoming queen, but also righting several wrongs imposed by her corrupt uncle.  One of her first tasks in The Queen of the Tearling involves breaking a treaty with the neighboring Mortmense, which is ruled by the Red Queen. Breaking this treaty will ultimately put her kingdom in grave danger. I was constantly on the edge of my seat wondering what the Red Queen was going to do next.  Johansen did a good job creating such an evil villain that I found repugnant and loved to hate.

There's a ton of adventure in The Queen of the Tearling. If you love your high fantasies to be heavy on the adventure and light on the romance, then this novel is for you.  I wish there was some more romance, but that didn't deter me from enjoying Kelsea's journey.  

I can see why Emma Watson would want to both star in and produce The Queen of the Tearling movie. It has the potential to delight fans of this genre and I know I'm going to keep my eye out for book two in the series, which I believe comes out next year.

Book Review: The Jewel by Amy Ewing

Pages: 358

Genre: YA Sci-fi/Fantasy

Pub. Date: September 2, 2014

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "The Jewel means wealth. The Jewel means beauty. The Jewel means royalty. But for girls like Violet, the Jewel means servitude. Not just any kind of servitude. Violet, born and raised in the Marsh, has been trained as a surrogate for the royalty—because in the Jewel the only thing more important than opulence is offspring. Purchased at the surrogacy auction by the Duchess of the Lake and greeted with a slap to the face, Violet (now known only as #197) quickly learns of the brutal truths that lie beneath the Jewel’s glittering facade: the cruelty, backstabbing, and hidden violence that have become the royal way of life. Violet must accept the ugly realities of her existence... and try to stay alive. But then a forbidden romance erupts between Violet and a handsome gentleman hired as a companion to the Duchess’s petulant niece. Though his presence makes life in the Jewel a bit brighter, the consequences of their illicit relationship will cost them both more than they bargained for."

Violet was born into a world where only certain people can have healthy children and at a young age all the girls must be tested to see if they possesses this gene.  As it turns out, Violet does and is transported off to a holding facility that will train her to use her "talents."  She can no longer see her family or friends and she has left them behind in the Marsh, a poor section of the Lone City.  Violet is training to be a surrogate for the royalty and they will bid on her at an upcoming auction.  But Violet isn't just merely a surrogate; she also has powers or Auguries that allow her to transform things.  On the day of the auction, The Duchess of the Lake buys Violet and she is thrusted into the unpredictable world of The Jewel, where the wealthy live in the Lone City.  Violet's world at The Jewel is a lonely one except for her friendship with Lucien, who works for the wealthy, and a companion for the niece of the Duchess, Ash.  As time progresses, Violet starts to have feelings for Ash, but things are complicated and the consequences are very severe. Plus, she has the dark cloud hanging over. She will eventually become a surrogate for the Duchess.  Amy Ewing's debut, The Jewel, has many strong points, but at times seems to be a bit derivative.

I immediately felt for Violet and her situation in The Jewel. The world she lives in is extremely grim and to be separated from your family is a tough situation.  Her relationship with the Duchess is a complex one. At times the Duchess showers her with gifts, such as a beautiful cello, and at other times uses force to prove a point.  I was constantly on the edge of my seat worried by what the Duchess might do at any given time. My favorite aspect of this story was the volatile relationship between the Duchess and Violet as well as the power struggle between the two.

The world that Ewing created reminded me a bit of the dystopia portrayed in The Hunger Games and Wither.  Although it wasn't exactly unique, it was still a compelling world that kept me intrigued.  The idea of surrogates and royals trying to get their surrogates pregnant first as they vie for the crown was sort of cringeworthy at times, but the concept is a compelling one that kept me flipping the pages.

About half way through The Jewel, enters Ash, a possible love interest for Violet. He is a trained companion and is pretty much off-limits, but somehow he and Violet form a forbidden connection.  They sneak off to spend more time together, meanwhile, we all know this isn't going to end well.  I found their relationship to be a bit lacking and I wasn't feeling the connection at all. Perhaps this was because he was introduced so late in the story? Maybe. But either way, I wasn't invested and definitely wanted more from their relationship.

Fans of the science-fiction/dystopia genre may be intrigued by The Jewel as it is a fun way to spend a summer afternoon, but if you are looking for a more compelling, yet similar dystopian world, I urge you to check out The Hunger Games, Wither and even The Selection.

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.

Book Review: Open Road Summer by Emery Lord

Pages: 342

Genre: YA Realistic Fiction

Pub. Date: April 15, 2014

Source: Personal Copy

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "After breaking up with her bad-news boyfriend, Reagan O’Neill is ready to leave her rebellious ways behind. . . and her best friend, country superstar Lilah Montgomery, is nursing a broken heart of her own. Fortunately, Lilah’s 24-city tour is about to kick off, offering a perfect opportunity for a girls-only summer of break-up ballads and healing hearts. But when Matt Finch joins the tour as its opening act, his boy-next-door charm proves difficult for Reagan to resist, despite her vow to live a drama-free existence. This summer, Reagan and Lilah will navigate the ups and downs of fame and friendship as they come to see that giving your heart to the right person is always a risk worth taking. A fresh new voice in contemporary romance, Emery Lord’s gorgeous writing hits all the right notes."

Reagan O'Neill is ready for the summer of her life when she accompanies her best friend and country music superstar, Lilah Montgomery, while on tour. This comes at the perfect time in Reagan's life, because she just got out of a bad relationship and this road trip will hopefully give her some new perspective.  Plus, Lilah is also newly single, so a summer with your best friend and tons of girl time should help both of them.  However, girl time is cut short when Matt Finch joins the tour as an opening act.  This throws a wrench in Reagan's plans for a simple summer when she starts to have feelings for Matt and can't resist his charm.  Reagan and Lilah learn a lot about life, friendship and love while on the road.  Emery Lord's young adult debut, Open Road Summer, is summertime read perfection. 

Reagan and Lilah  are opposites in Open Road Summer. Reagan is outgoing, abrasive, and tough. She's the type of girl to dish it right back to you, gets all the attention, and wears stilettos like she was born in them.  Reagan dates bad boys and has gotten into some trouble back home.  Lilah, or Dee as Reagan calls her, is more timid, the quintessential "good girl," wears flats, JCrew, and is determined to live out her dream as a country music star.  Somehow Reagan and Dee work though despite their differences and have been best friends since they were kids.  It's an interesting friendship and I found myself daydreaming what it might be like to have grown up with someone like Taylor Swift and be her best friend from home.  

Enter Matt Finch.  Whenever a good looking boy enters the picture in a situation like this, I always cringe, because you know it's going to put a damper on the girls-only plans they had for the summer.  I thought immediately that fireworks were going to ensue between good girl Dee and good guy Matt, but Dee's heart still belongs to Jimmy, her ex-boyfriend, back home.  So, of course, Matt is intrigued by Reagan and as much as Reagan tries to close herself off to him, he breaks down her walls again and again.  I was a huge fan of Matt in Open Road Summer.

Let's talk about two of my favorite aspects of Open Road Summer.  Number one: Country music!!! I am a huge country fan, so I was loving the country music vibe in this book.  Lord provided snippets of the songs Matt and Dee were writing and I thought it felt very real to me.  They sounded like songs I might listen to on the radio…very authentic.  Plus, the girls live in Nashville, so needless to say, country music plays a major role in this story.  Number two: The road trip!!!  Yes, to a summer road trip! Road trips always make for a fantastic summertime read. I love a good road trip and Lord captured the magic of a summertime trip perfectly.

Open Road Summer is a wonderful summertime debut and one that I recommend. It would be perfect to read poolside or at the beach this summer.  This book made me want to buy a pickup, hit the road for Nashville with the windows down, music blasting through my speakers and my best friend by my side.  Open Road Summer is definitely one of my favorite books of the year.

Book Review: Summer on the Short Bus by Bethany Crandell

Pages: 272

Genre: YA Realistic Fiction

Pub. Date: April 1, 2014

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "Spoiled, Versace-clad Cricket Montgomery has seventeen years of pampering under her belt. So when her father decides to ship her off to a summer camp for disabled teens to help her learn some accountability, Cricket resigns herself to three weeks of handicapped hell.  Her sentence takes a bearable turn as she discovers the humor and likeability of the campers and grows close to fellow counselors. Now, if she can just convince a certain Zac Efron look-alike with amazing blue eyes that she finally realizes there's life after Gucci, this summer could turn out to be the best she's ever had."

Cricket Montgomery is a very privileged seventeen year old.  Her father pretty much caters to her every whim and her summer is shaping up to be a memorable one.  She is planning on vacationing on Maui with her best friend.  That is until she gets caught throwing a party and her dad has had it with her.  Instead of Maui, he is sending her to "Camp I Can" for two weeks and she'll work there as a counselor.  "Camp I Can" isn't just any camp; it's a camp for teenagers with special needs and Cricket has little to no experience nor compassion for people with disabilities.  Her father is hoping that these two weeks will teach her a lesson and thankfully, Cricket does learn a lesson and one that she'll never forget.  Bethany Crandell's debut novel, Summer on the Short Bus, is a hilarious and quick read which focuses on important lessons, such as compassion, empathy and letting prejudices go.

Cricket Montgomery is the quintessential spoiled rich girl who cares for no one other than herself in Summer on the Short Bus. I pretty much loathed her right from the start. So many of her comments about the teenagers with special needs were extremely abrasive and politically incorrect. I cringed when I heard her refer to them as a "bunch of retards" and other upsetting comments about their appearances. So, needless to say, for about three fourths of the book, I really couldn't stand Cricket. As she learns (more about herself and her family) and grows to accept all types of people, she becomes much more tolerable, thanks to a fellow camp counselor, Quinn. 

Quinn is Cricket's love interest in Summer on the Short Bus. He's pretty much Zac Efron's doppelgänger and thanks to his charming personality and good looks, he helps Cricket deal with her prejudices. Essentially, he helps her to stay at camp instead of running away the moment she could get in contact with her dad.  I liked Quinn…what's not to like? He's a good guy, but I didn't necessarily approve of their romance as I felt it happened fairly quickly.  I mean Cricket is sort of abysmal and I think that it would take more time than one week for someone as goodnatured as Quinn to really like her.

I do like the message in Summer on the Short Bus. Yes, Crandell makes many politically incorrect statements in the book that others may frown upon, but this is life isn't it? People can be mean, rude and brutally honest. Ulimately, I think Crandell does portray reality accurately as well as the honest truth regarding how some people behave around special needs individuals. Readers are reminded about kindness and acceptance when we read this novel and I liked that. 

So, if you are looking for a read that will most definitely make you laugh out loud this summer and has a lot of heart, check out Summer on the Short Bus.  

Book Review: The Lonesome Young by Lucy Connors

Pages: 336

Genre: YA Realistic Fiction

Pub. Date: April 8, 2014

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "WHAT HAPPENS when the teenage heirs of two bitterly FEUDING FAMILIES can’t stay away from each other? The Rhodales and the Whitfields have been sworn enemies for close on a hundred years, with a whole slew of adulterous affairs, financial backstabbing, and blackmailing that’s escalated the rivalry to its current state of tense ceasefire. IT’S TIME TO LIGHT THE FUSE . . . And now a meth lab explosion in rural Whitfield County is set to reignite the feud more viciously than ever before. Especially when the toxic fire that results throws together two unlikely spectators—proper good girl Victoria Whitfield, exiled from boarding school after her father’s real estate business melts down in disgrace, and town motorcycle rebel Mickey Rhodale, too late as always to thwart his older brothers’ dangerous drug deals. Victoria and Mickey are about to find out the most passionate romances are the forbidden ones. . . . ON A POWDER KEG FULL OF PENT-UP DESIRE, risk-taking daredevilry, and the desperate actions that erupt when a generation of teens inherits nothing but hate."

Victoria Whitfield moves back home to her family's Kentucky ranch after her father's business takes a turn for the worse and he can no longer afford her expensive boarding school.  The Whitfields are the richest family in town (the county is named after them!) and everyone knows them.  Victoria now has to go to the public school, but she makes the best of it, especially since she gets to see her little brother everyday now.  On her first day back in town, she finds herself at the scene of a meth lab fire and runs into Mickey Rhodale, resident bad boy and son of the sheriff.  Mickey isn't like the usual boys that Victoria comes across. He's a bad boy, rides a motorcycle and it's a well-known fact that the Rhodale family is usually up to no good. You see, the Whitfield vs. Rhodale rivalry has been going on for a hundred years and the feud is still alive and well today.  Mickey and Victoria don't know the details of their family's history with one another and despite warnings from family members, they form an unlikely connection.  The Lonesome Young by Lucy Connors is the quintessential bad-boy meets good-girl story along with a side of of Romeo and Juliet thrown in.

Victoria is the "perfect" daughter of the "perfect" Whitfield family. At least the family seems perfect at first glance, but when you peel back the layers, you'll find a family on the brink of demise.  For starters, Victoria's parents turn a blind eye to Victoria's sister's raging alcoholism and pretend that there's nothing wrong.  I really felt for Victoria in The Lonesome Young as she was dealt a tough hand in that her parents expected her to "control" her older sister when she would drink too much. They pretty much expected her to take care of it and they wouldn't admit that her sister, Melinda, had a problem.  She also had to deal with the stigma of being a Whitfield in a small town, which normally wouldn't be too bad, until her father starts lashing out at the Rhodales and anyone who is related to them.

Mickey's family isn't well off like the Whitfields and his step-brothers are on the wrong path along with his corrupt step-mother.  His eldest step-brother, Ethan, just got out of jail and hasn't learned the error of his ways. He's back to dealing drugs and wants to get Mickey involved despite the fact that Mickey has told him no many times; however, Ethan won't take no for an answer.  To make matters worse, just like Victoria, Mickey has to put up with a lot of prejudices in town and at school, just because he bears the last name of Rhodale.  I guess it doesn't help he recently was sent to juvenile detention for fighting, but in actuality he was defending his sister.  So, as you can see Mickey is a complex character and there's more to him than just being a "bad boy" in The Lonesome Young.

I wanted to love Victoria and Mickey's relationship and the whole "star-crossed" lovers trope, but I wasn't feeling it in The Lonesome Young. They had a bad case of insta-love and although I knew that would be the case, I wasn't on board as much I had hoped. I just wasn't feeling it.

For me, the best part of The Lonesome Young was the setting of Kentucky and the history of the feud.  I think Connors did a great job of capturing life in rural horse country as well as the whole small-town mentality and trying to escape the prejudices that are attached to a name. I liked learning about the Whitfield and Rhodale feud that dated back many, many years and Connors slowly gave us the history of the feud as the story unfolded. The backstory between the two families made The Lonesome Young more interesting to me---very Hatfield and McCoy.

Although I found The Lonesome Young to be entertaining, I wasn't in love with it. Connors ends the novel with a cliffhanger, which sets us up for a sequel. Unfortunately, I won't be picking up the sequel, but nonetheless, if you like the whole Romeo and Juliet vibe and deep rooted family grudges, check out Lucy Connors's debut, The Lonesome Young.

Book Review: Happily Ever After by Elizabeth Maxwell

Pages: 336

Genre: Adult Fiction/Romance

Pub. Date: March 18, 2014

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "In this witty, sexy tale, an erotic novelist meets the fictional hero of her most recent book in real life, and must decide whether she wants to get him back between the pages—or between her sheets.At forty-six, Sadie Fuller’s life isn’t exactly romantic. A divorced, overweight, somewhat sexually frustrated mother of an eleven-year-old, she lives in the suburbs, shops the big box stores, makes small talk with her small-minded neighbors, and generally leads a quiet life. But while her daughter is at school, or when Sadie is up late at night, she writes erotic fiction under the name KT Briggs.  Then, during a routine shopping trip, Sadie runs into someone familiar…too familiar, in fact. She encounters an incredibly handsome man exactlylike the one in her imagination—and her latest novel. Is Aidan Hathaway really one of her characters? And if so, what is he doing in Target? As Sadie tries to negotiate this strange new world, her eyes begin to open to romantic possibilities in places she never dreamed of looking... places where Happily Ever After might not be so far-fetched after all."

Sadie Fuller is a divorcée that spends most of her time cooped up in her office writing her latest romance novel under the name of K.T. Briggs. She has a young daughter, a reliable maid, and an ex-husband who left her for another man.  She isn't dating anyone, unless you count her regular "appointment" with Jason on Fridays, which is more of a sort of agreement a.k.a. booty call.  So, her life is pretty bland, that is, until she's in Target and comes across a man who seems to be straight out of her novel.  He's suffering from amnesia, so she agrees to help him, but as he gains part of his memory back, she finds out his name is Aidan Hathaway, which is the same name as man in her novel! Things start to get strange when she realizes characters from her novel are entering her life, one by one.  Elizabeth Maxwell's debut, Happily Ever After, is pure escapist fun that combines a variety of genres, including romance and fantasy.

Sadie is the type of heroine any one can relate to in Happily Ever After.  She's sort of in a rut, has put on some extra pounds, tis a dedicated mother, and is simply trying to get through the day while also secretly writing her latest romance novel.  I wanted Sadie to have her "happily ever after" so badly, because she definitely deserves it. This novel is a nice reminder that love can be right under your nose and everyone is capable of having their happy ending.  

Aidan Hathaway is the typical male from a romance novel. He's nice to look at, extremely charismatic, but not the sharpest tool in the shed.  Sadie definitely had to help him piece together why exactly he ended up in Target confused and they come to find that he's looking for his love interest, Lily, who is also a character from her book.  The characters in Happily Ever After were seriously fun. I mean who hasn't dreamed of their favorite book boyfriend (Mr. Darcy, I'm looking at you) coming to life?  It reminded me a bit of the movie Enchanted.

If you are looking for an outside-of-the-box read that combines elements from a few genres, then pick up Elizabeth Maxwell's Happily Ever After.  With that said, it would be perfect for an indulgent afternoon poolside with your favorite cocktail.

Book Review: Great by Sara Benincasa

Pages: 272

Genre: YA Realistic Fiction

Pub. Date: April 8, 2014

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "Everyone loves a good scandal. Naomi Rye usually dreads spending the summer with her socialite mother in East Hampton. This year is no different. She sticks out like a sore thumb among the teenagers who have been summering (a verb only the very rich use) together for years. But Naomi finds herself captivated by her mysterious next-door neighbor, Jacinta. Jacinta has her own reason for drawing close to Naomi-to meet the beautiful and untouchable Delilah Fairweather. But Jacinta's carefully constructed world is hiding something huge, a secret that could undo everything. And Naomi must decide how far she is willing to be pulled into this web of lies and deception before she is unable to escape. Based on a beloved classic and steeped in Sara Benincasa's darkly comic voice, Great has all the drama, glitz, and romance with a terrific modern (and scandalous) twist to enthrall readers."

Naomi Rye spends every summer at her mother's house in the Hamptons; after all, her mother is the famous and wildly popular cooking show host, Anne Rye.  Naomi is the opposite of her mother, which makes her a bit reluctant to spend the entire summer with her, but things start to change for the better this summer when she meets her new next door neighbor, Jacinta.  Jacinta is a famous fashion blogger and throws lavish parties in her palatial mansion.  Naomi also starts hanging out with Delilah Fairweather, a senator's daughter, and her friends, which also peaks Jacinta's interest as she is a huge fan of Delilah.  To top off her good luck, she also starts dating Jeff, one of Deliah's friends, and of course her mother approves since Jeff's dad is a big wig in the music industry. Things are actually starting to look up and maybe this summer doesn't have to be as bad as Naomi imagined.  However, slowly Naomi and others start to realize that maybe Jacinta isn't who she seems to be and what's up with her obsession with Delilah? Secrets are paramount in this contemporary retelling of The Great Gatsby.  Sara Benincasa's debut, Great, is a scandal-icious read that's perfect for spring break; fans of The Great Gatsby will enjoy looking for similarities between the two.

Naomi is an interesting character in Great. She comes to the Hamptons decked out in what her mother thinks are "goth" clothes and a few weeks later is sporting high-end fashion, thanks to her wealthy mother.  Much like Nick Carraway in The Great Gatsby, Naomi finds herself immersed in a culture that she deplores on one hand, but also finds intriguing.  As the summer progresses, she finds herself hanging out at the parties that people blog about, including Jacinta.  As she spends more and more time with Jacinta and Delilah, whom she thought she introduced to each other, she realizes that their relationship is more than just a casual acquaintance. Perhaps they knew each other previously? Naomi can't help but wonder then why is that a secret?

I love The Great Gatsby and I think Benincasa did a good job of keeping the storyline similar, yet freshening it up with some modern touches.  For example, Jacinta/Gatsby's relationship with Delilah/Daisy is pretty unconventional, but that is what spices the plot up. Although Great isn't the strongest retelling of The Great Gatsby and it didn't blow my mind, I still enjoyed the subtle similarities to the classic and the fresh perspective that Benincasa brings.  

Simply put, this novel is a lot of fun. It includes scandal, romance, secrets, and the extremely wealthy. It was very Gossip Girl meets The Great Gatsby.  So, with that said, if you are like me and you like a fluffy read in the springtime, then Great is perfect for that.