Beachin' It

I'm taking a long weekend at the beach and this is what you'll find me reading.  Gotta love summertime! 

I hope everyone has a great weekend,

Book Review: Insatiable by Meg Cabot

Pages: 451

Genre: Adult Fiction

Pub. Date: June 8, 2010

Source: Personal copy

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "Sick of vampires? So is Meena Harper.   But her boss is making her write about them anyway, even though Meena doesn’t believe in them.   Not that Meena isn’t familiar with the supernatural. See, Meena Harper knows how you’re going to die (not that you’re going to believe her; no one ever does).  But not even Meena’s precognition can prepare her for what happens when she meets—then makes the mistake of falling in love with—Lucien Antonescu, a modern-day prince with a bit of a dark side . . . a dark side a lot of people, like an ancient society of vampire-hunters, would prefer to see him dead for.  The problem is, he already is dead. Maybe that’s why he’s the first guy Meena’s ever met that she could see herself having a future with. See, while Meena’s always been able to see everyone else’s future, she’s never been able look into her own.  And while Lucien seems like everything Meena has ever dreamed of in a boyfriend, he might turn out to be more like a nightmare.  Now might be a good time for Meena to start learning to predict her own future . . . If she even has one."

At first glance, Meena Harper seems to be normal girl working for a T.V. show in New York City, but she has a special ability. She is able to tell how a person will die and because of this, most of her close relationships don't work out.  Just when Meena feels like she'll never meet someone, thanks to Meena's upscale neighbor, she gets invited to a fancy dinner party and meets a real life prince, Lucien, who is the very definition of charming.  However, Lucien has a dark secret and one that Meena doesn't see coming at all.  Meena can't deny her strong feelings for Lucien and she becomes entangled in a series of events that will change her world forever.  Insatiable by Meg Cabot is a sexy, hilarious, and dangerous rendezvous with the dark side.


Meena Harper is a great character and one that I instantly loved. She hates vampires, even though she has to write about them at work, and can't stand girls that fall all over guys.  Unfortunately, she finds herself turning into jello at the sight of Lucien and starts to become "that girl" she hates, but it didn't bother me too much, because Meena is super feisty and at least tries to kick some butt.  Her love interest, Lucien, is swoon-worthy to the max. I think Cabot looked up everything I like in a fictional crush and created Lucien. Seriously. He's tall, dark, in great shape, has impeccable manners, is an extremely smart professor (ahhh!), has written books in his field, and wears glasses from time to time.  It's like Indiana Jones, meets Mr. Darcy, meets Eric Northman.  Cabot's combination is brilliant!


Of course there is a bit of a love triangle with a certain vampire hunter named Alaric. He's is equally captivating and at times, because of Cabot's enthralling writing, I was torn between Team Lucien and Team Alaric, which usually doesn't happen with me.  He's definitely an exciting character and even though love triangles sometimes frustrate me, I was diggin' this one.


Yes, parts of Insatiable's plot are very cliche and Twilight-ish, but it didn't bother me one bit, which is surprising. There was insta-love, love triangles, protective vampires, etc, but because Cabot is such a fantastic writer, it never deterred me from the story.  Insatiable is my first book that I've read by Cabot and I'm obviously smitten.  I didn't expect her to be so stinkin' funny. She had me laughing out loud at some parts and I felt her dialogue was some of the most authentic dialogue I've ever read!  I also loved her pop cultural references to vampires and even Sookie Stackhouse!


I thought I was over vampires, but Cabot reeled me in with Insatiable.  I can't wait to read the second book in the series called Overbite, as well as Cabot's other novels. There's no denying it; I'm definitely a fangirl.

*Buy Insatiable

*Read an excerpt

*Watch the book trailer

*Buy Overbite

Waiting on Wednesday: Cross My Heart

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

Cross My Heart by Sasha Gould

Pub. Date: March 13, 2012

Goodreads says, "Venice, 1585. When 16-year-old Laura della Scala learns that her older sister, Beatrice, has drowned, she is given no time to grieve. Instead, Laura's father removes her from the convent where he forcibly sent her years earlier and orders her to marry Beatrice's fiancé, a repulsive old merchant named Vincenzo. Panicked, Laura betrays a powerful man to earn her way into the Segreta, a shadowy society of women who deal in only one currency—secrets. The Segreta seems like the answer to Laura's prayers. The day after she joins their ranks, Vincenzo is publicly humiliated and conveniently exiled. Soon, however, Laura begins to suspect that her sister's death was not a tragic accident but a cold-blooded murder—one that might involve the Segreta and the women she has come to trust."

*Who doesn't love a good historical fiction and this one sounds incredibly suspenseful and mysterious.  I love the fact that it takes place in Venice too...yes, please!

Book Review: I Was Jane Austen's Best Friend by Cora Harrison

Pages: 352

Genre: YA Historical Fiction

Pub. Date: September 28, 2010

Source: My copy

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "When shy Jenny Cooper goes to stay with her cousin Jane Austen, she knows nothing of the world of beautiful dresses, dances, secrets, gossip, and romance that Jane inhabits. At fifteen, Jane is already a sharp observer of the customs of courtship. So when Jenny falls utterly in love with Captain Thomas Williams, who better than Jane to help her win the heart of this dashing man? But is that even possible? After all, Jenny’s been harboring a most desperate secret. Should it become known, it would bring scandal not only to her, but also to the wonderful Austen family. What’s a poor orphan girl to do?

Jenny Copper, Jane Austen's best friend and cousin, practically saves Jane's life while they are at a horrid boarding school.  Thanks to Jenny, Jane's mom rescues them and takes them back to the Austen's house, which is very much different than the life Jenny has grown accustomed to.  Jenny is an orphan and the Austen's take her under their wing as she only has her brother and her insufferable sister-in-law to look after her.  While at the Austen's house, Jenny is hiding a secret that could ruin her reputation and one that involves Captain Thomas Williams.  She doesn't think too much of it until she sees Captain Thomas Williams again at a local ball and realizes her secret could come back to haunt her.  She needs Jane's help with not only this detrimental secret, but also to win the heart of Captain Thomas Williams.  Cora Harrison's darling novel, I Was Jane Austen's Best Friend, is a charming tale that will warm your heart long after you read the final page.


I am obsessed with all things Austen, so I knew I would really love this book, which is written mostly as a diary from Jenny's point of view. It also includes snippets of Jane's writing and some beautiful illustrations. Harrison's portrayal of Jane Austen as a teenager is exactly how I imagined her to be.  Also, Jenny is the heroine that we have all come to love in Austen's novels.  She is smart, brave, and sometimes jumps to conclusions, but that's why we love her.  At the end of the book, readers will like Harrison's note regarding Jenny's actual existence, which only made me appreciate I Was Jane Austen's Best Friend even more.


Many of the other characters were reminiscent of Austen's famous characters, such as Captain Thomas Williams.  He is very similar to many of Austen's swoon-worthy love interests.  Jane's mom also reminded me a bit of Elizabeth Bennet's mom with all of her drama and her reminders that they must marry rich.  I loved being lost in Austen's world and Harrison made it so pleasurable.


I Was Jane Austen's Best Friend is such a feel good novel with its perfect combination of romance, historical fiction and a bit of a mystery.  It easily became one of my favorite books of the year and I will definitely be recommending it to fans of historical fiction and Jane Austen. I had a happy book hangover for days!  Now if only I could get the sequel, Jane Austen Stole My Boyfriend, published in the US!

*Buy I Was Jane Austen's Best Friend

*Read an excerpt

Book Review: The Last Little Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson and Giveaway

Pages: 282

Genre: YA Realistic Fiction

Pub. Date: April 26, 2011

Source: Authors on the Web and HarperTeen

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "Ginny Blackstone thought that the biggest adventure of her life was behind her. She spent last summer traveling around Europe, following the tasks her aunt Peg laid out in a series of letters before she died. When someone stole Ginny's backpack—and the last little blue envelope inside—she resigned herself to never knowing how it was supposed to end.  Months later, a mysterious boy contacts Ginny from London, saying he's found her bag. Finally, Ginny can finish what she started. But instead of ending her journey, the last letter starts a new adventure—one filled with old friends, new loves, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Ginny finds she must hold on to her wits . . . and her heart. This time, there are no instructions."

It's been a few months since Ginny's grand adventure in Europe, thanks to her Aunt Peg's letters in 13 Little Blue Envelopes.  Ginny has dealt with the fact that her aunt's last letter was stolen and she'll never really know how it all ends.  However, someone from London contacts Ginny saying that he found her last letter and Ginny then heads to London for another adventure and to ultimately find out what her aunt's last letter says.  The Last Little Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson is just as exciting and fun as 13 Little Blue Envelopes.

Ginny is such an adorable main character that I've grown to really enjoy.  Who wouldn't love her adventures?  Some of her relationships from the previous novel are continued in this sequel, which I enjoyed.  She is still communicating with Keith and still harbors a crush on him, but Ginny will learn things aren't always perfect.  And as with any good adventure, the heroine always meets a new person that catches her eye, which is what happens to Ginny in The Last Little Blue Envelope.  When it comes down to it, Ginny has matured quite a bit in this novel and I enjoyed that change. 

One of the main reasons I enjoyed The Last Little Blue Envelope was for all the traveling.  I love Johnson's descriptions of Europe; it made me want to go plan another European vacation.  Ginny travels to some of her usual haunts, but also visits Ireland this time, which I loved.  Thanks to Johnson, she has reignited my travel bug.  Another aspect of this novel that I loved was her Aunt Peg. Who wouldn't want an aunt like that? I love how she guides Ginny, really pushes her to the limit and stretches her world through her letters.  I'm pretty sure every teenage girl would love this. 

Johnson is a fantastic author that holds my attention.  There's no doubt that when I bring this book to my library classroom this fall, it will fly off the shelf.  I look forward to Johnson's future novels, especially The Name of the Star, which takes place takes place in London. (Yay!) 

Thanks to Lauren from Authors on the Web and HarperTeen, I have an extra copy of The Last Little Blue Envelope to give away to one lucky US reader.  Please refer to my giveaway rules. The giveaway is open till August 21, 2011 and you don't need to be a follower in order to enter; however, I always appreciate it.  Good luck!

Fill out this form in order to enter

*Buy The Last Little Blue Envelope

*Buy 13 Little Blue Envelopes