2015 Goals Check-In

The difference between the progress made on my reading goals versus my life goals is a stark contrast. 2015 was my busiest year yet. Real life consumed more of my time than fictional life, which is relieving because I wasn't living in the clouds, yet, sad because BOOKS! Because I was so focused on other aspects of my life, when I reevaluated my goals midway, I realized I no longer cared to reach most of the reading goals. And by the end of the year, I didn't not have the time to read as many books as these goals required so... let's start with the reading results shall we? Get those bunched up knickers out of the way.

My 2015 Reading Goals:

Note: The italics include books I was able to apply to challenges.

1. Read 5 of my oldest ebooks (added before 2015) | Incomplete
Collide by Shelly Crane
A Matter of Fate by Heather Lyons
Smash into You by Shelly Crane
On the Island by Tracey Garvis-Graves

2. Read 5 of the earliest books added to my TBR list | Incomplete
Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty
Nightshade by Andrea Cremer
Burned by Ellen Hopkins
The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan

3. Read 5 books I owned before 2015 | Incomplete
The Resurrection of Aubrey Miller by L.B. Simmons
City of Heavenly Fire by Cassie Clare
I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson

4. Read 3 classics | Incomplete

A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis

5. Read 5 books that inspired Disney/childhood movies | Didn't start

6. Read 5 historical novels and/or memoirs | Incomplete

Light on a Ground of Darkness by Ted Kooser

7. Finish 5 series I've already begun | Incomplete

The Mortal Instruments
Wolves of Mercy Falls

8. Read 10 new-to-me authors | Complete

A.S. King, Heather Lyons, Ted Kooser, Elizabeth Gilbert, Kat Zhang, Tarryn Fisher, Tracey Garvis-Graves, Ellen Hopkins, Megan McCafferty, Patrick Ness, Andrea Cremer

9. Begin 10 series | Complete

A Matter of Fate, What's Left of Me, Nightshade, Ruby Red, Jessica Darling, Love Me With Lies, Never Never, Collide, Burned, Puddle Jumping

10. Read more Shelly Crane books | Complete

I read to somewhere between 25% and 50% of Collide and Smash into You before dropping them both. As much as I love Shelly Crane's Significance and Wide Awake series, I couldn't handle the sickly sweetness of these two.

11. Read 1 book a week | Incomplete

I read 44 books this year. Still happy I read this many, but I'm looking forward to (hopefully) more next year :)

12. Read X number of books from my TBR pile based on their release dates | Incomplete

This was going to be an all inclusive and overarching goal, but seeing as how this would have required 65 books and I read 44 books this year, I clearly, did not reach this goal.

My 2015 Life Goals:

1. Write my first completed draft | In Progress

Halfway through the year I started my story from scratch, which put me behind on word count, but it allowed the story to progress SO MUCH SMOOTHER. I still ran into some hiccups along the way (lack of motivation, other writing woes, busy semester) so I did not complete my first draft, but it doesn't matter because I still worked really hard on what I did accomplish and I'm excited to continue writing next year!

2. Watch 1 new movie/documentary/TV show a week | Complete

See what I watched in 2015 and what my top 15 movies/TV shows of 2015 were!

3. Hone crafting skills | In Progress

Faltered on wood working and painting, but the creative juices have been in motion!

• Altered a bookshelf (added new shelves)
• Loom knitted an infinity scarf
• Took two graphic design classes - drawing-based and computer-based
• Barely tried calligraphy (wasn't good, but I'll keep trying)
• Made Christmas snowflake ornaments
• Painted my room!

4. Go to my first concert | In Progress

Yeah...about that. I was invited to quite a few concerts by a friend, but none of them peaked my interest enough. I wanted to see Julianne and Derek Hough during their MOVE: Live On Tour; unfortunately I couldn't make it. BUT GUESS WHAT?! I've purchased tickets to see Selena Gomez and Josh Groban in 2016! That counts right?

5. Educate myself and vote when I can  | Complete

I voted on a state proposal.

6. Develop a healthy living style | In Progress

Healthy living, I've determined, will always be a give and take for me. Some weeks I am really good at eating a clean diet and exercising when I can find time, while other times I just need all the sweets and bed lounging! For me, it's about the balance, and that's not something I'm going to measure on a complete or incomplete scale.

7. Consciously appreciate the things and people I have in my life and show that I mean it | Complete

8-11. Personal goals concerning character | In Progress

12. Try new things without fear holding me back | Complete
I went to Italy! Flew across the Atlantic for the first time! Tried limoncello. Ate gelato... and lamb brain. And tried some other new things ;)

Review: Apollyon by Jennifer L. Armentrout

About the book: 

Fate isn’t something to mess with… and now, neither is Alex. 

Alex has always feared two things: losing herself in the Awakening and being placed on the Elixir. But love has always been stronger than Fate, and Aiden St. Delphi is willing to make war on the gods—and Alex herself—to bring her back. 

The gods have killed thousands and could destroy entire cities in their quest to stop Seth from taking Alex’s power and becoming the all-powerful God Killer. But breaking Alex’s connection to Seth isn’t the only problem. There are a few pesky little loopholes in the whole “an Apollyon can’t be killed” theory, and the only person who might know how to stop the destruction has been dead for centuries. 

Finding their way past the barriers that guard the Underworld, searching for one soul among countless millions, and then somehow returning will be hard enough. Alex might be able to keep Seth from becoming the God Killer… or she might become the God Killer herself.

Pages: 343

Published by: Spencer Hill Press (April 4, 2013)

Genre: YA paranormal mythology + romance

PLEASE READ: This review will contain spoilers for the Vampire Academy and Covenant series so BEWARE if you haven't completed the Vampire Academy series or haven't all ready read Apollyon. The Vampire Academy spoilers stop after the numbered bullets if you'd like to read my actual review of Apollyon. Please note that there is a slight spoiler, but I give fair warning before it and you can skip right over it to the next paragraph to continue.

Here's the deal:

 I read Apollyon in June and I wrote a review soon after. I never posted it because my feelings started to change as I thought more about this book; they started to change even more after I heard a rumor that Jennifer L. Armentrout, whom I've grown to admire as a writer, based the Covenant series after the Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead. I've been skeptical to believe this rumor because I know authors come up with similar ideas all the time. No story is completely original, especially since books tend to follow similar plots and character plots, etc, but no story is the same either. Except, when I started analyzing these two side by side, I was finding way too many comparisons to be--what I think--strictly coincidental.

If you've read the review I wrote for Half-blood, the first book in the Covenant series, then you know I did note similarities between the heroines of this paranormal series. Here are some more:

1. The first book of each series begins with a strong heroine who has been away from their school. They're brought back by a guy who is extremely good looking, older than they are, off limits, and are typically pretty serious, tough guys. Once at the school, rumors fly around them about why they were gone. The heroines are behind in their schooling/training and may not graduate until the good-looking male interest of the story offers to train them individually so the heroine can graduate on time. They have some close encounter/sexual tension moments while they train and the love relationships bud from there. The love relationship is a struggle between what's right and wrong and if you should listen to your heart or head throughout the entire series.
2. The heroines and love interests just know each other in a way no one else could ever understand.
3. The Elements (fire, water, air, earth, and spirit) are used in both series.
4. They both have three different races with a 4th special twist: Moroi/Pures, dhampir/halfs, Strigoi/Daimons, and the spirit-users/Apollyons. (And even though the Covenant series revolves around Greek mythology, the Daimons resemble vampire-like creatures? Are those in Greek mythology?)
5. They have a best friend whose funny and just a great guy. Later on, he is killed by Strigoi/Daimon but he doesn't completely disappear from later books.
6. They have petty enemies that land them in trouble/breaking rules throughout the book and as the series goes on. The enemies' parental figure(s) dies and the heroine and the enemy slowly start to not hate each other--even like each other. 
7. The heroines are natural fighters who are sarcastic and kind of stifle their emotions. become more fierce and badass (although I don't think Alex reaches Rose's level, which I mention in my Half-blood review) with each book.
8. A love triangle sprouts with a guy who handsome, cocky, and makes the heroine form a hate-love relationship with him.
9. A lust charm/drink is used on the heroine and puts her in a compromising position.
10. The heroine turns to a special text to learn more about the special exception to their race.
11. The way Dimitri pulls away from Rose and blames himself after he has been "unawakened" and recalls how he took away Rose's freewill vs. the way Aiden pulls away from Alex and blames himself after taking away Alex's freewill with the elixir.
12. Someone is trying to sabotage the heroine, but I guess there's always someone trying to kill the m.c. in an action series. I'll let that one slide.

Those are the similarities I can rattle off right now without taking time to stop and think of more. So yes, many MANY similarities between the two. I'd be lying if I said these discoveries weren't a turn off for me when it comes to Covenant and Jennifer L. Armentrout.

My Review:

However, I DID still enjoy this book. If you've read my other reviews for Covenant, then you know that I love the mythology, the action, and the characters because they are wonderful and intriguing and funny. The romance and the antagonism were perfect so they kept me wanting more. Those elements have stayed the same throughout the series and that's where I've always come to love the author's writing.

Particularly for Apollyon, Alex's insensibility in the beginning made me really dislike her; despite that, I must say that Alex has made a considerable amount of growth and it's especially visible in this book. Seeing that sense of wisdom and strength in her, seeing the maturity was so lovely! 

(This paragraph contains slight spoilers) Speaking of maturity: Alex and Aiden. Anyone wanna shriek with me? Eeeeeeeep!!! Jennifer's wonderful craft of sexual tension between Alex and Aiden throughout the entire series results in perfection in this novel. I couldn't smile larger at their growth. *Sigh + love-sick grin* 

(Spoiler-free!) Apollyon took me a while to get through (set it down multiple times and picked up another book instead) because it was slower paced and kind of boring at times. I mean, they're at the edge of war and I should have been on the edge of my seat the entire time, but apart from Alex's little stunt around page 100 and the very end, there really wasn't much action. After 4 books previously chalked full of action, this was a bit of a let down. However, everything the characters were trying to accomplish in order to prevent further chaos from happening made me nerve-wracked in a way that almost hid my disappointment at the lack of action. Everything about the ending had my muscles tense and I was NOT expecting the book to end where it did! Cliffhanger? Yeah, I'd say so!

So... final thoughts for the series? Comparisons aside, Covenant is truly amazing. The characters, the mythology, the action, the sexual tension: all wonderfully done. It gives me the feels and the suspense. 
Rating for Apollyon? I'm going to go with 3 stars. I did really like the book, but the slowness damped the plot and I'm also still very conflicted with the VA vs Covenant issue. :(
Will I read the sequel? Yes, because the ending of Apollyon (the last two chapters) was really good and it was a cliffhanger so I must know what happens next!
Would I recommend these books? If you are looking for a great paranormal/mythological-themed book with a love triangle and plot twists, this is what you are looking for! But if you are a Vampire Academy fan like myself, or you have strong feelings about copycat books, then I'd be very hesitant. If anything, I'd recommend you read VA first, then try Half-blood and see how you feel afterwards.

Sexual content: medium-high (sexual references and a few love scenes, but they're very mild on the description.)

~

Have you heard of Jennifer's Lux series? It's about aliens. But they're hot aliens. Check out my reviews for the first two in the series HERE. 

Novella Review: Crossing the Line by Katie McGarry

Official Synopsis:

Katie McGarry captivated readers with her “riveting, emotional”* Young Adult debut, Pushing the Limits. In this gripping novella, she tells the story of Lila and Lincoln, who discover that sometimes it’s worth crossing the line for love…

Lila McCormick, Echo's best friend from Pushing the Limits, first met Lincoln Turner when tragedy struck both their lives. But she never expected their surprise encounter would lead to two years of exchanging letters—or that she’d fall for the boy she’s only seen once. Their relationship is a secret, but Lila feels closer to Lincoln than anyone else. Until she finds out that he lied to her about the one thing she depended on him for the most.

Hurting Lila is the last thing Lincoln wanted. For two years, her letters have been the only thing getting him through the day. Admitting his feelings would cross a line he’s never dared breach before. But Lincoln will do whatever it takes to fix his mistakes, earn Lila’s forgiveness—and finally win a chance to be with the girl he loves.

Pages: 67
Published by: Harlequin TEEN (April 1, 2013)
Genre: YA romance

My rating for Crossing the Line (Pushing the Limits, #1.5):

Note: Crossing the Line should be read after Pushing the Limits.

This novella shows another side of Lila that we don't really get to see in Pushing the Limits. In Pushing the Limits, we don't get to see her fears and dreams; what her real relationship with Stephen is like and we have no clue that the person she is closest to, is someone she's actually only ever met once. All of these things are shown in this novella and then, of course, we are also introduced to Lincoln. 

Something I love about Katie McGarry is that her characters don't have "normal" lives. Drugs, pregnancies, abuse, psychological problems, and more are present in the lives of her characters and then she shows how they deal with/balance those issues with other aspects of life. Katie McGarry does this for Lincoln and we get to see how what he's had to deal with effects his relationship with Lila and Lila's life.

Really my only complaint is that it was so short! I think Lila and Lincoln deserve their own novel. It didn't take me long to finish this novella and some may not think something so short isn't worth the price, but I didn't feel entirely shorthanded because the story was full of emotion and life and love. Again, I could see how some would not like that aspect either because since it was so short, we were kind of forced to feel the emotions rather quickly; we didn't get to grow used to them. BUT I loved it nonetheless. :)

I loved getting to read some of the letters Lila and Lincoln sent each other over the past two years. They filled my heart with warmth and longing for a relationship that's so personal and dependent as the one they share. 

"I close my eyes and hug my body to his. Two years of letters, two years of redefining myself and two years of falling for my best friend. As I cuddle into Lincoln, I know that I would relive it all in order to experience this moment again."

I loved learning more about Lila and being introduced to Lincoln, as well as catching another glimpse of Echo! I love Echo :) Lila and Lincoln's story is such a sweet one.

"You are like a sunrise in my life." - Lila

~

My review for Katie McGarry's first novel, Pushing the Limits, is right HERE if you'd like to check it out. I HIGHLY recommend reading it--it's magnificent! The SEQUEL to Pushing the Limits called Dare You To, came out May 28, 2013, which follows Noah's friend Beth, and a third novel, Crash into You, comes out November 26, 2013 and follow's Noah's friend Isaiah. Beth and Isaiah were introduced in Pushing the Limits and like I implied, Katie McGarry's characters always have a story to tell.

Show Katie McGarry some love on and her website, Facebook, and Goodreads accounts!

Add on Goodreads.

Buy on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Review: Frostbite by Richelle Mead

Official Synopsis 

Rose loves Dimitri, Dimitri might love Tasha, and Mason would die to be with Rose... 

It’s winter break at St. Vladimir’s, but Rose is feeling anything but festive. A massive Strigoi attack has put the school on high alert, and now the Academy’s crawling with Guardians—including Rose’s hard-hitting mother, Janine Hathaway. And if hand-to-hand combat with her mom wasn’t bad enough, Rose’s tutor Dimitri has his eye on someone else, her friend Mason’s got a huge crush on her, and Rose keeps getting stuck in Lissa’s head while she’s making out with her boyfriend, Christian! The Strigoi are closing in, and the Academy’s not taking any risks... This year, St. Vlad’s annual holiday ski trip is mandatory. 

But the glittering winter landscape and the posh Idaho resort only create the illusion of safety. When three friends run away in an offensive move against the deadly Strigoi, Rose must join forces with Christian to rescue them. But heroism rarely comes without a price...

Pages: 327

Published by: Razorbill (April 10, 2008)

Genre: YA paranormal + romance

My rating for Frostbite (Vampire Academy, #2):

I really enjoyed this just as much as I did the first time around. Loved the characters, the conflicts, the action, the romance. Rose develops more in this book, stronger mentally and physically. You can see her slowly mature and act more like a guardian would. I love the side characters and the portrayal of friendship and how they're just as important to the series as the main characters. I really liked being introduced to Adrian again. That was surely interesting. The action/fighting was wonderful. Everything that I look for in a good book was there, but just like last time, I'd give it a 4 star, and I realize now the main reason why.

I think it could have used more romance. 

Not for the sake of it simply making this book more romantic instead of the good balance of action, friendship, and love that it is, but for the sake of the romantic development that IS present throughout the series. Rose and Dimitri's relationship begins as a mentor and student relationship in Vampire Academy. As they train together, they're relationship of respect and formality takes a turn because Rose and Dimitri can understand each other on a deeper level. They each have that deep need to protect who they care for, to perform their duty and responsibilities. They connect to each other in a way that no one else has ever been able to connect to each other and that's how their love begins to take form.

But although I can feel this connection between them, there really aren't THAT many scenes that they share together. The ones they do share, they're phenomenal in serving their purpose. They show how Rose and Dimitri are able to understand each other, how they just get each other. I don't think there were enough though because at the end of Frostbite, when  they finally make their choice (whether they are going to ignore their feelings for each other) I almost felt like it was a bit unrealistic. I knew that enough time had past and they had spent enough time with each other to feel how they did for each other, but I wish I had been able to see more of it for myself. The first two books are pretty short anyway and since the romance isn't the main focus, I just felt like their wasn't quite enough there...

Like I said, I don't really even know how to describe it. I LOVE Rose and Dimitri to DEATH. I think they bring out the best in each other. I think what they have is beautiful, strong and vulnerable at the same time. They will forever be one of my favorite fictional ships. I just know that as I read this book for a second time, there was something missing there and I think the story really could have benefited from more of it.

Recommended to readers who like: strong female lead character, paranormal, vampires, magic, good mix of action and romance.

Sexual content: mild-medium (nothing major, but some sexual references here and there. You know, high school stuff.)

Review: Elixir by Jennifer L. Armentrout + FREE Download!

Official Synopsis

Aiden St. Delphi will do anything to save Alex. Even if it means doing the one thing he will never forgive himself for. Even if it means making war against the gods.

Pages: 80

Published by: Spencer Hill Press (November 27, 2012)

Genre: YA paranormal romance + mythology

My rating for Elixir (Covenant, #3.5):

**You will not be lost if you read/begin Apollyon before Elixir, but the events/dialogue in Apollyon will impact you more if you read Elixir first. Make sure you read this after the first 3 books though.

Probably the best novella I've read. 

Elixir was from Aiden's POV and I know I said Deity was the "Team Aiden" book, but really, THIS is the book that represents Team Aiden through and through!

It's called Elixir because Aiden had to make the choice of putting Alex on the elixir to temporarily break the connection between her and Seth and gain some time. I loved seeing Aiden's struggles and love for Alex first hand. His struggles and inner demons were heart breaking, but mainly, I just loved being in Aiden's head. I actually picked up Elixir when I was around page 100 in Apollyon and there were times that I gasped when I realized what something in Apollyon had been referencing to.

Updated link: Click HERE for a free (legal) download of Elixir.

Review: Prince of Wolves by Quinn Loftis

Official Synopsis

Jaque Pierce was just an ordinary 17 year old girl getting ready to start her senior year in high school in Coldspring, Texas. When a mysterious foreign exchange student from Romania moves in across the street, Jacque and her two best friends, Sally and Jen, don't realize the last two weeks of their summer was going to get a lot more interesting. From the moment Jacque sets eyes on Fane she feels an instant connection, a pull like a moth to a flame. Little does she know that the flame she is drawn to is actually a Canis lupis, werewolf, and she just happens to be his mate; the other half of his soul. The problem is Fane is not the only wolf in Coldspring, Texas. Just as Fane and Jacque are getting to know each other, another wolf steps out to try and claim Jacque as his mate. Fane will now have to fight for the right to complete the mating bond, something that is his right by birth but is being denied him by a crazed Alpha. Will the love Fane has for Jacque be enough to give him the strength to defeat his enemy, will Jacque accept that she is Fane's mate and complete the bond between them?

Genre: YA paranormal romance
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I've been working on this one for a while and just decided to call it quits.

Short and sweet: Cool concept, poorly executed. Wolves are great, but there was too much description and explanation so I never had that urge to read on to learn more, because there was nothing more to learn.

This could have been a good story, but I thought it had WAY too much description. Too much description to the point where there was just no mystery to it. Nothing grasped my curiosity or attention because all my questions were answered by Jacque or Fane's thoughts the second the questions formed in my head. In books like this where a human is introduced to the supernatural world, I want to learn WITH them as they start piecing everything together, make my own predictions. I couldn't do that with this because the book is written from Jacque AND Fane's perspectives. Once the perspective switched to Fane's, the reason for everything that just happened in the last scene was told and for me, that got old fast. I think I would have kept reading it if it was solely from Jacque's perspective, because I would still be asking myself WHY and HOW.

All the writing errors, in the 34% of the book that I read, were distracting and that pulled me away from the story as well.

The one thing I did like was how weird Jacque and her friends were together. It was a smidge overdone, but I liked that the author made an effort to make memorable characters.

View all my Goodreads reviews

Review: Deity by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Official Synopsis:

"History is on repeat, and things didn't go so well the last time. "

Alexandria isn't sure she's going to make it to her eighteenth birthday--to her Awakening. A long-forgotten, fanatical order is out to kill her, and if the Council ever discovers what she did in the Catskills, she's a goner... and so is Aiden. 

If that's not freaky enough, whenever Alex and Seth spend time "training"--which really is just Seth's code word for some up-close and personal one-on-one time--she ends up with another mark of the Apollyon, which brings her one step closer to Awakening ahead of schedule. Awesome. 

But as her birthday draws near, her entire world shatters with a startling revelation and she's caught between love and Fate. One will do anything to protect her. One has been lying to her since the beginning. Once the gods have revealed themselves, unleashing their wrath, lives will be irrevocably changed... and destroyed. 

Those left standing will discover if love is truly greater than Fate...

Pages: 330

Published by: Spencer Hill Press (November 6, 2012)

Genre: YA paranormal mythology + romance

My rating for Deity (Covenant, #3):

All I have to say are two words:

Team Aiden!!!!!

Yes, that sums up my thoughts quite nicely.

If you've read my other reviews for this series, then you know what I think about this series and all my past opinions remain the same for Deity: the mythology is sweet, the action is present, the characters are wonderful and intriguing, but also funny. The pacing of the plot, the romance, the evil, the action was all perfect and it kept me wanting more. Those elements have stayed the same throughout the series so here's what's different about the characters and story.

Aiden and Seth took some big leaps to change in this novel. The closer Alex got to her eighteenth birthday, the more Seth's behavior changed. Seth really shocked me in Deity because I was not expecting him to be the way he ended up. I was really liking Seth in Pure, but he really took a toll for the worse in this one. He was a bit of a plot twist for sure. In contrast, the choices my dear Aiden made in this one made me leap for joy, thank the heavens, sing Hallelujah, pumped my fist in the air, do a victory dance...you get the picture. I LOVE Aiden! 

“That simple act stole my breath, my heart. But even as he pulled away, I realized that he couldn't steal something he already had.” 

Alex got herself in the same amount of trouble she always did, but this was the last component of the series before the big BOOM! More questions are formed in this book and it was kind of like "the suspense" of the series. As everyone knows just from the title of the fourth book, Apollyon, Alex was now the Apollyon and that's when the major stuff begins. Deity was like the brewing and bubbling of the stew, all the last things that had to happen before Alex became the Apollyon happened here. It ended so climactically--I cannot wait for Apollyon!

Recommended to readers who like: YA, greek mythology, romance, love triangles, suspense.

Sexual content: medium (love scene, but very very mild on the description)

~

Links to my reviews for other Jennifer L. Armentrout books:

Obsidian (Lux, #1)

Onyx (Lux, #2)

Half-Blood (Covenant, #1)

Daimon (Covenant, #0.5)

Pure (Covenant, #2)

Review: So Not Happening by Jenny B. Jones

Official Synopsis

New York's social darling just woke up in a nightmare: Oklahoma. Problem is, it's right where God wants her.

Bella Kirkwood had it all: A-list friends at her prestigious private school, Broadway in her backyard, and Daddy's MasterCard in her wallet. Then her father, a plastic surgeon to the stars, decided to trade her mother in for a newer model.

When Bella's mom falls in love with a man she met on the Internet--a factory worker with two bratty sons--Bella has to pack up and move in with her new family in Truman, Oklahoma. On a farm no less!

Forced to trade her uber-trendy NYC lifestyle for down-home charm, Bella feels like a pair of Rock & Republic jeans in a sea of Wranglers.

At least some of the people in her new high school are pretty cool. Especially the hunky football player who invites her to lunch. And maybe even the annoying--but kinda hot--editor of the school newspaper.

But before long, Bella smells something rotten in the town of Truman, and it's not just the cow pasture. With her savvy reporter's instincts, she is determined to find the story behind all the secrets.

"How can a girl go on when her charmed life is gone and God appears to be giving her the total smackdown?

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a cute book and quite a juvenile YA read. It wasn't really my thing since I like books with more mature topics and heart wrenching/heartwarming emotions, but if I were younger, I think I would have really liked this. There's nothing really serious about this book. Just kind of dramatic and humorous. I think pre-teen and early teen girls, or just girls who like light and humorous reading material will enjoy this book.

View all my Goodreads reviews

Callum & Harper by Fisher Amelie | Updated Book Review

Official Synopsis 

Life sucks for orphans Callum Tate and Harper Bailey. Kicked out of their foster homes because they suffer the 'eighteen disease' with nothing but a hundred dollar check from the government and a pat on the back, they're forced to rely on a system that failed them miserably. So they sit. They sit inside Social Services, waiting for their social workers to call their names and offer them the miracle they know will never come but they sit anyway because they have nowhere else to go, no other options on their very literal and figurative empty plates. But as they sit, they notice the other. Although captivated, they each come to the conclusion that life is complicated enough without throwing in a boiling tension that can't ever be acted upon because they're both too busy thinking about where their next meal will come from but when their names are called and both are placed on a year long waiting list for permanent housing, suddenly relying on each other seems like a very viable plan B. And, oh, how lovely Plan B's can be. Well, except for the psycho from Harper's past that haunts her and, oh, yeah, there's the little issue that neither of them knows they're in love with the other. Needless to say, Callum & Harper's life just got a bit more complicated. “One day, you and I are gonna’ wake up and be alright. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow but one day. One day. I promise you.” - Callum Tate

Pages: 256

Published by: Fisher Amelie

Genre: mature YA/NA romance

My rating for Callum & Harper (The Sleepless, #1):

Originally Reviewed on June 15, 2013. Updated on July 13, 2015.

This is a story about what lengths someone will go to for love and the romance of this novel was one that tore me in half with how much I simultaneously hated and loved it. Eventually, my love for these characters and their relationship came out on top of my frustrations I had, but I'll first discuss my distaste. Callum and Harper grew to love each other super at-times-eye-rollingly quickly. Instalove at its finest. Here were two eighteen year olds, just released from the State's custody with next to nothing in life, and their attraction, trust, safety, and belonging to each other was just as bizarre as it was immediate. I was able to overlook this by keeping an open mind (because if there is such a thing as love at first sight, this duo is the epitome of it), but as the story continued and they fell harder for each other, they both made the same unbelievably ridiculous decision, which snowballed into one big lie where neither was 100% happy for years. This was unfathomably frustrating because if someone in real life had been in this situation, all they could have (probably would have) done is tell the truth and all would be swell.

Another downfall had to do with Callum and Harper's values and faith. Although I admired how these topics which are often neglected in YA literature, these discussions seemed out of character. Callum and Harper had really crappy lives before they met. No one cared enough about them to even introduce or influence any sort of faith in their lives so I find it hard to believe that they would be so optimistic and faithful about the cards they had been dealt.

"I loved her so much I could barely see straight. I wanted her so much I could barely breathe straight. I needed her so much I could barely think straight."

In spite of it all, I'm thrilled I was able to work through my frustrations because Callum & Harper has become my guilty pleasure instalove. They are sweet as honey, perfect as peach, delightful as a dandelion, bright as the sun, and all those lovely metaphors wrapped into one. The unconditional love they had and showed each other was incredible. It was a such a joy to read about the small aspects of their relationship such as their daily encounters, time spent with great friends, and their efforts to build a life together. Their love filled this book and my heart. Sometimes their ridiculous snowballing decisions I previously mentioned wasn't such a bad thing either because it urged me to keep reading and wishing for a HEA. I couldn't get enough of them and their story amounted to a feel-good tale. In fact, according to my original review, the ending was so "frighteningly wonderful" I "literally sunk OUT OF MY CHAIR and onto the FLOOR". So yes, I think I was quite able to overlook its faults and love it for everything else.

"One day, you and I are gonna wake up and be alright. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but one day. One day. I promise you."

Recommended for readers who like: Fisher Amelie, instalove, love at first sight, sweet relationships, not entirely realistic tales.

Sexual content: Medium - mature thoughts/feelings; the end is less conservative. I would recommend to 16+. 

Find everything Fisher Amelie and her novels HERE!

Review: Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Official Synopsis: 

St. Vladimir’s Academy isn’t just any boarding school—it’s a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They’ve been on the run, but now they’re being dragged back to St. Vladimir’s—the very place where they’re most in danger... 

Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy’s ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi—the world’s fiercest and most dangerous vampires—make Lissa one of them forever.

Pages: 332

Published by: Razorbill (August 16, 2007)

Genre: YA paranormal + romance

My rating for Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy, #1):

I first read Vampire Academy around 2009 and had the urge to reread it! So since I stayed up until 3 a.m. to finish it, I figured why not write a review too? :)

I enjoyed Vampire Academy just as much as I did four years ago if not more because this time around I was highly anticipating my favorite aspect of the series: Dimitri Belikov. Dimitri is the most badass, makes-your-heart-stutter love interests ever! I love him beyond comprehension and I loved him even more as I started the series again! I internally squealed every time I read Dimitri's name, which ended up not being that often because the first book doesn't contain much romance; that was a disappointment, but I KNOW what happens throughout the rest of the series and I cannot help but internally squeal at that!!

The main character though, Rose Hathaway, is probably the strongest leading woman I've ever read and I love her so much as well! She doesn't put up with crap and that often lands her into trouble, but she's so determined and fierce when there's something she wants that I cannot help but admire who she is. She has awesome comebacks and smart remarks and actually, the writing itself is witty. I'm not very witty or quick-on-my-feet so that's something I really admire about Richelle Mead's writing. Rose is observant, which grows even more throughout the series; she sees through people and society and that's refreshing to see a character see things for who they are and not just how she wants to think. Rose also has a soft side that comes out when she's with her bestie, Lissa, or Dimitri. As I said, LOVE her!

As I said, there wasn't much romance in this book, but it had a lot of other strong elements. There was vampire-lore, action, suspense, social and political issues within the vampire society, school drama with boys, girls, and cliques, friendship, and I've always admired the character development! Sometimes I don't care so much about the side characters in books, but the side characters in this series all hold a great purpose and I can feel that as I read. I'm not bored reading scenes where there are only side characters involved because they're entertaining. I love the dynamics of the vampire society and I recently found out that Richelle Mead did extensive research on Romanian folklore and mythology to create the vampires in her book! 

Some things that might bother readers? There are more than a few times when Rose flashes back to something that happened previously and some may find those parts boring. You may even miss the transition from present to past if you aren't reading carefully enough. But I found all those scenes pertinent to the story so they didn't bother me. I don't have much about this book (or series) to complain about! It has lots of strong qualities!

Recommended to readers who like: strong female lead character, paranormal, vampires, magic, good mix of action and romance.

Sexual content: medium (references and an "almost" situation, but next to no description).

~
**Did you know that Vampire Academy is being made into a movie? Filming started on May 28, 2013 and it's expected to release on February 14, 2014!

Learn more about Richelle Mead and her books (she writes adult and young adult fiction) HERE.

Review: My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

*In place of my Top Ten Tuesday this week (whose topic is "Beach Reads") I'm choosing one book I'd qualify as a "beach read" and reviewing it because I don't really like this topic, lol.

Official Synopsis: 

A gorgeous debut about family, friendship, first romance, and how to be true to one person you love without betraying another. 

One thing my mother never knew, and would disapprove of most of all, was that I watched the Garretts. All the time.” The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, numerous, messy, affectionate. And every day from her balcony perch, seventeen-year-old Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them . . . until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs her terrace and changes everything. As the two fall fiercely in love, Jase's family makes Samantha one of their own. Then in an instant, the bottom drops out of her world and she is suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself? 

A dreamy summer read, full of characters who stay with you long after the story is over.

Pages: 394
Published by: Dial Books For Young Readers (June 14, 2012)
Genre: YA contemporary + romance

My rating for My Life Next Door:

+ summer kisses

This book was a beautiful summer romance, but it was also so much more than just romance. 

My Life Next Door wasn't a fast-paced read. It wasn't action/drama packed. It's written at a casual pace that isn't boring to read. Even though it wasn't full of action or even dialogue, I still was filled with satisfaction at what I was reading. Every word held a purpose and kept me reading.

Romance is involved throughout the whole book, but I wouldn't say it's a romance novel. A huge part of this book is on the dynamics of a family and each family controls their lives and handles situations differently. In this story, there are two families: the Reeds, a mom and two daughters, who are wealthy and successful and live in what seems to be a close to perfect life, and then there are the Garretts, a mom and dad and their too-many-to-count children, who are barely making ends meet, never see a clean family room, but where smiles even when they want to kill each other. 

Over the course of the book, Sam, the 17 year old daughter in the Reed family, really got a taste of what life was like for someone not like herself. She grew to love the Garretts and so did I--I couldn't help but smile at the silly things the little Garrett children said--and, of course, I loved Jase Garrett: the cute, summer love interest.

This book didn't have any extraordinary elements in it, but the casual, realistic approach that Huntley Fitzpatrick took (with the story line and the characters and their actions) still managed to wow the crap out of me! I loved that their wasn't particularly anything special about the characters. Jase wasn't the stereotype "bad boy"; Sam wasn't a snotty rich girl. Those two had awkward moments, didn't always speak eloquently, and things didn't always turn out as planned for them, and while I can't label these things as being "romantic", they DO happen in real life and I loved and appreciated these aspects immensely. All of the characters had room to change and grow, or go further downhill, just like real life. And then when the relationships and bonds changed for the better, that's when my heart really started to warm. This story resides in a deep, soft spot in my heart.

Recommended to readers who like: a casual, contemporary read about friendships, relationships, family, change, and simply just life. Great for the summer too!

Sexual content: Medium (fade-out).

~

Show Huntley Fitzpatrick some love on her website, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and Goodreads account!

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Buy on Amazon and B&N.

Cover Reveal + Giveaway: A French Star in New York by Anna Adams (CLOSED)

Title: A French Star in New York (The French Girl, #2)

Author: Anna Adams
Genre: YA contemporary romance

Summary: 

Maude thought her life couldn't get any better: her first music album is a hit, she’s about to meet her extended family and she’s looking forward to her first date with teen pop star, Matt. But when scandal strikes Maude must part ways with Matt, and watch Soulville Records fall into the hands of an ambitious Alan Lewis, who will stop at nothing to turn Maude into an unparalleled star. Between glamorous parties, an unauthorized tell-all book, a web of lies, new revelations about her French past and her rivalry with Lindsey Linton attaining a whole new level, Maude must fight for her voice to be heard and decide if being a star is more important than her love for music.

Find out more about Anna Adams and her writings on her website.

Add A French Girl in New York and A French Star in New York onto your Goodreads TBR list. 

Enter the giveaway below for a chance to win 1 of 3 ebook copies of A French Star in New York, expected to release July 31st, 2013. The giveaway is OPEN from June 10th - July 31st!

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