Book Review | My Best Everything by Sarah Tomp

My Best Everything by Sarah Tomp
Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers on March 3, 2015
Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Pages: 400
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
Goodreads: ★★★★

An Appalachian summer walks the line between toxic and intoxicating in this debut novel about first loves, broken hearts, and moonshine.

Luisa "Lulu" Mendez has just finished her final year of high school in a small Virginia town, determined to move on and leave her job at the local junkyard behind. So when her father loses her college tuition money, Lulu needs a new ticket out.

Desperate for funds, she cooks up the (illegal) plan to make and sell moonshine with her friends. Quickly realizing they're out of their depth, they turn to Mason, a local boy who's always seemed like a dead end. As Mason guides Lulu through the secret world of moonshine, it looks like her plan might actually work. But can she leave town before she loses everything?

My Best Everything is Lulu's letter to Mason--but is it a love letter, an apology, or a good-bye?

REVIEW

When I received an email from NetGalley describing My Best Everything as a debut novel for fans of Rainbow Rowell, I knew I wanted to pick it up. The plot summary really intrigued me – how could a girl who worked so hard to stay on the straight and narrow suddenly put her morals aside and begin an illegal business selling moonshine? I had to know how this story panned out.

The writing style of My Best Everything is quite unique. Our main character Lulu is writing a letter to Mason, the love interest in the story. Thus, readers are placed into the role of Mason, and whenever Lulu speaks to "you" she is speaking to Mason. This style was a little difficult to get into, since I'm not used to playing the role of a teenage boy, but once I settled into it I really liked the flow and rhythm of the writing. In addition, this format added a lot of mystery to the story, because I had no idea why Lulu was writing to Mason, and had to keep reading to find out. 

Moreover, I really enjoyed the characters in My Best Everything. Each character has a well-developed story, even if he or she is not in the spotlight. For instance, Lulu's best friend Roni faces some difficult challenges, and grows substantially throughout the novel. I really liked this attention to detail, and I thought the smaller plotlines added a lot of depth to the book. 

There are, however, some things I did not like about My Best Everything. First, the pacing in the novel was off for me. The first 75% of the story moved very slowly. I was never bored, but I did stop and think to myself, "Wow, nothing has really happened yet!" at several points in my reading. The last quarter of the book is definitely rushed, and I would have preferred a more balanced pace. A lot of information was dumped on the reader right at the end, and while I did like the ending, the information dump did take away some credibility for me. 

Similarly, I did not like the lack of consequences for Lulu in this story. I will be vague in this criticism as to not spoil the book, but Lulu is constantly breaking the law and finding herself in dangerous situations, yet for some reason she gets away with it. Her parents do a terrible job of supporting her, and even the other adults in her life, like her boss and local priest, do not keep tabs on Lulu or provide guidance for her. The lack of consequences for Lulu's actions was really aggravating for me, and definitely took away some of the believability in the story. 

All in all, I gave My Best Everything a four star rating because I thought the writing was very well done and overall enjoyed the story. While there are a few aspects with the story that I wish were different, My Best Everything is still a great young adult contemporary, and a solid debut novel for author Sarah Tomp. I look forward to seeing what she comes out with in the future, as I know her strong writing skills will lead to even better books. 

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Snapshot Sunday | Books of Wonder

I've wanted to stop by Books of Wonder for a while now, but never find myself in that part of town. Today I happened to walk by on my way to the NYC Vegetarian Food Festival, so I decided to stop in. I took a peek at the Young Adult section, and found beautiful shelves replete with signed copies. Due to my budget, I couldn't grab anything at full price. However, I'm so glad I finally had the chance to see what this shop has to offer. I hope to visit again soon (they have a lot of book events!).

Book Review | The Giver by Lois Lowry

The Giver by Lois Lowry
Published by Houghton Mifflin in 1993
Genres: Young Adult, Dystopian, Classic, Science Fiction, Fantasy
Pages: 225
Format: Paperback
Source: Purchased
Goodreads: ★★★★ ½

The Giver, the 1994 Newbery Medal winner, has become one of the most influential novels of our time. The haunting story centers on twelve-year-old Jonas, who lives in a seemingly ideal, if colorless, world of conformity and contentment. Not until he is given his life assignment as the Receiver of Memory does he begin to understand the dark, complex secrets behind his fragile community. Lois Lowry has written three companion novels to The Giver, including Gathering Blue, Messenger, and Son.

 REVIEW

Growing up I remember seeing the cover of The Giver hanging on the walls in Barnes & Noble. I used to think that it was an older classic, so I was surprised to learn that The Giver was, in fact, first published during my lifetime in 1993. While The Giver was never at the top of my "to read" list, I was compelled to purchase the book when I heard a film adaptation was being released. I was also excited to hear this is a dystopian novel, as that is one of my favorite genres. 

Besides knowing that one of the characters in the book was an old man called The Giver, I knew nothing about the story whatsoever. I enjoyed discovering the new world inside the pages as I read. One of my issues with the story, however, was the world building. The Giver takes place in a future that is quite different than ours, and Lowry slowly reveals the makeup of that fictional world. While I appreciated the gradual development of the setting, I found that as I finished the book I still had a number of questions about the world. Thus, I docked half a star from my rating due to the lack of detail surrounding the book's setting.

Putting that critique aside, I greatly enjoyed the remainder of The Giver. The story follows twelve-year-old Jonas as he receives his Assignment, or the job he is to perform for the rest of his life. Jonas lives in a world of Sameness, a concept that is discussed throughout the book, and one that I found quite thought-provoking. What first might seem as a happy, organized, and simplistic life may actually be a life devoid of true feeling. Jonas begins to understand the truth about his community after receiving his special job, and he must decide what he can do, if anything, to change the future for himself and his family. 

I finished The Giver in one day, not simply due to its short length, but to its fast-paced and flowing language. I constantly wanted to know what would happen next for Jonas, and I craved to discover the secrets of his community. The ending of this novel came upon me quite quickly, and is one filled with emotion and a bit ambiguous. I closed the cover thinking "what just happened?," which gave me some time to digest this deep and meaningful story. I now understand why The Giver is a loved book, and if you have not yet read it I highly recommend doing so. Please share your thoughts on The Giver in the comments! 

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Book Review | Artistotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz
Published by Simon & Schuster Books on February 21, 2012
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult, Realistic Fiction
Pages: 370
Format: Kindle
Source: Purchased
Goodreads: ★★★★★

A lyrical novel about family and friendship from critically acclaimed author Benjamin Alire Sáenz. 

Aristotle is an angry teen with a brother in prison. Dante is a know-it-all who has an unusual way of looking at the world. When the two meet at the swimming pool, they seem to have nothing in common. 

But as the loners start spending time together, they discover that they share a special friendship—the kind that changes lives and lasts a lifetime. And it is through this friendship that Ari and Dante will learn the most important truths about themselves and the kind of people they want to be.

REVIEW

I've heard amazing things about Aristotle and Dante for months now, and decided to pick up the Kindle book when it was the Teen Daily Deal a few months back. I knew nothing about the story going into it, besides the fact that Ari and Dante were best friends. I am so glad I picked up this beautiful book, and highly recommend you do the same! 

Aristotle and Dante is told from the first person in Ari's point of view and takes place over the course of two years beginning in 1987. Readers follow Ari as he meets Dante for the first time, and how their unique friendship blossoms as the two teens experience the trials and times of growing up. Ari is a unique narrator, with an easy-to-read voice that has an air of mystery. Just as Ari and Dante are trying to discover the secrets of the universe, I was seeking the secrets surrounding Ari and Dante. 

Sáenz does an extraordinary job in this book when it comes to revealing secrets to the reader. Very early on in the book I had a theory about the ending that turned out the be correct. Yet despite the predictability of the story, I find that the end was not the most important message. Instead, Ari and Dante's journey to the end is extremely meaningful, and I know it will help young readers grapple with their own coming of age. 

As I mentioned above, I entered Aristotle and Dante blind, and I think that is a wonderful way to experience this story. I am purposefully vague in this review, but know that I think this is an amazing book, and I can't think of one thing to criticize. If you're looking for a great, young adult contemporary to pick up, this is the perfect choice.

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Book Review | The Book of Ivy by Amy Engel

It's no secret at this point that I love young adult dystopian novels, so I was extremely excited when Entangled Teen contacted me and asked if I would review The Book of Ivy by Amy Engel. Despite my busy schedule, I agreed to review the book in time for the release. I'm so glad I accepted the offer!

The Book of Ivy is told through sixteen-year-old Ivy's point of view. As the story begins, Ivy is about to get married. But this wedding is unlike the ones we know today. Ivy's marriage, like nearly all marriages in her world, are arranged. She's destined to marry the president's son, as their families have been at odds with one another for two generations, and their union is a symbol of the president's power over the town her grandfather established. While many girls her age are excited for a life with their new husbands, Ivy is petrified. Not only will she be forced into intimacy with husband Bishop, but she's also been set the task of killing him.

Readers follow Ivy as her marriage begins, and as she gets to know Bishop. As it turns out, he may not be the evil monster her family told her he would be, and things may not go according to plan.

It's not often that I race through a book, but I read The Book of Ivy in just two sittings. It is fast-paced, easy-to-read, and quite compelling. It did not have a "typical dystopian" feel, and there was nothing cliche in the plot. I was really surprised with how unique the story was. In fact, despite the arranged marriages, the world Ivy lives in isn't too bad.

I also really loved the character development in this book. I never knew who could be trusted, and who was the real enemy. Ivy also struggled with this, and with the book told in her voice, it made for a mysterious read. Of course, the ending was fabulous! I cannot wait for the second book in the series to be released so I can find out how Ivy's story continues.

I gave The Book of Ivy a full 5 star rating on Goodreads, and highly recommend it. If you love dysoptians, this is a must read, but I also think that contemporary lovers will enjoy this book as well. The Book of Ivy hits bookstores today, and can be purchased on Amazon HERE. Let me know in the comments if you've read this book, and your thoughts!

This book was provided for my unbiased review. I use Amazon Affiliate links so you can find the books I mention easily. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. 

Book Review | Afterworlds by Scott Westerfeld

I've wanted to read a Scott Westerfeld book for years ever since hearing about his Uglies series, so I was very excited when I got the opportunity to review his new release. Afterworlds is a unique book that contains two stories in one. First, we follow 18-year-old Darcy Patel. She is a recent high school graduate who moves to New York City after getting her first book deal. The book she wrote is called Afterworlds, a young adult paranormal. Westerfeld's Afterworlds opens in Darcy's world, and then the chapters alternate so that we get to read Darcy's book as well. This back-and-forth makes for an interesting reading experience.

I'll admit I was a bit nervous to read Afterworlds. At just over 600 pages, I was worried I wouldn't get through this lengthy novel, or that the two story lines would be confusing. Luckily, Westerfeld does an amazing job at intertwining his stories. In fact, I was really impressed with how easy it was to keep up with both stories at once. Westerfeld definitely gets an A+ for crafting Afterworlds.

That being said I was a bit disappointed overall. I really loved Darcy's storyline. I found her chapters very interesting, as not only do I live in New York, but I liked learning about the publishing industry from a new author's point of view. Plus, Darcy is forced to grow up rather quickly, and has to learn how to deal with the beast NYC can be. I definitely liked her story better between the two in Afterworlds, though I feel like her ending was a bit abrupt and cliché. If I was to rate her story separately, I would give it a 4 out of 5 stars.

Darcy's Afterworlds, on the other hand, was a bit lackluster for me. It begins with a bang when protagonist Lizzie is the sole survivor of a terrorist attack in the airport. When Lizzie plays dead to avoid being killed, she ends up transporting herself to the afterworld, the land of the dead. There she meets Yamaraj, a death god who explains to Lizzie that she is now a psychopomp. Afterworlds follows Lizzie as she learns what it means to be a psychopomp, and deals with this new aspect of her life.

I really wanted to love the Afterworlds story, but there were several issues along the way. For instance, the characters were a bit underdeveloped, events occurred without good explanations, and the ending was unsatisfying. I was unsure whether Westerfeld crafted Afterworlds to be purposefully weak, since Darcy is a debut author and therefore writing for the first time, or if the storyline just fell flat. I also know that Darcy is writing a sequel to Afterworlds, so that may be why the ending didn't completely wrap up perfectly, but as a reader of Westerfeld's Afterworlds I would have liked a bit more. Finally, Lizzie does something completely unforgivable in Afterworlds that I can't explain due to spoilers. What I will say, however, is that her behavior was extremely off-putting, and took away a lot of credibility for the entire Afterworlds plot. Rating this part of the book alone, I would give it 2 out of 5 stars.

All in all, I did really enjoy reading Afterworlds despite the issues I have with it. I read the book rather quickly in under two weeks because I wanted to know what would happen next. I think the story was quite unique and fun, but could use some more polish. My overall rating for Afterworlds is 3 out of 5 stars, and I definitely recommend it if you're looking for a different kind of young adult novel. You can purchase Afterworlds on Amazon HERE. Please let me know in the comments what you thought of this book!

This books was provided by Edelweiss for my unbiased review. I use Amazon Affiliate links so you can find the books I mention easily. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. 

Book Review | Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

In the spirit of Halloween I wanted to share my thoughts on a young adult book that I read over the summer. I had heard great things about Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs, but was hesitant to pick it up due to the creepy cover. When I won the book in a giveaway, I decided to give it a go. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that this is not a scary book at all!

Miss Peregrine's opens with teenager Jacob living his life, when all of a sudden his beloved grandfather is found dead in the woods by his house. Jacob rushes to the scene only to discover a monster lurking nearby, but no one believes that the monster is real. Instead, Jacob's family and friends, and even his new psychiatrist, believe that Jacob created the monster out of grief for the loss of his grandfather. Because of this, Jacob convinces his father to accompany him on a trip to Europe to visit an island where his grandfather spent time after escaping the Holocaust. At first it seems that no one left on the island remembers Jacob's grandfather, but everything changes when Jacob finds a home full of peculiar children.

As you can probably guess from my brief plot summary, Miss Peregrine's does have mysterious and spooky elements to it, but I would not consider it a horror novel at all. Instead, it is an interesting story with paranormal elements, and lots of twists and turns throughout the way. There is no denying that Ransom Riggs has created a new and unusual world, and I want to mention how incredible it is that he includes vintage photographs in the book to illustrate the story. The use of photos gives the story life, and helps the reader visualize things that would otherwise be lost in the imagination.

That being said, I did have a few issues with the book. The beginning is a bit of a downer. In fact, I almost didn't want to continue reading because I was afraid the entire story would be depressing. Luckily, I was able to move past that and discover the fantastical story Riggs created. However, I also felt that the ending to the book was quite rushed. Things happened so quickly that I had trouble grasping what was going on. In this way, I think Miss Peregrine's has an awesome plot, but could use some polishing at the start and finish. Nonetheless, I gave the book a solid 4 out of 5 stars on Goodreads, and would highly recommend it for young adult readers who are looking for something different.

Miss Peregrine's is the first book in a series that continues on with Hollow City. I'm not sure whether or not I will continue reading this particular series, but I do look forward to other books by Ransom Riggs, as they are sure to be imaginative. You can purchase Miss Peregrine's on Amazon HERE. Of course, please tell me your thoughts on this book in the comments!

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Book Review | The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa (Blood of Eden Trilogy, Book 2)

WARNING: THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR THE FIRST BOOK IN THE BLOOD OF EDEN TRILOGY, THE IMMORTAL RULES. PLEASE SEE MY NON-SPOILER REVIEW OF THE IMMORTAL RULES HERE.

Today I'm continuing on with my reviews of the Blood of Eden Trilogy by Julie Kagawa with my thoughts on the second book in the series, The Eternity Cure. This review will remain spoiler free, but I only recommend reading this if you've read the first book in the series.

The Eternity Cure follows Allison after she leaves the humans in Eden. She is on the hunt for Kanin, as her blood tie is alerting her that something is wrong, and he may be nearby. But to Allison's surprise, her blood tie leads her to another vampire that she must befriend in order to help find her father and save him from whatever it is that is tormenting him. What follows is an exciting and adventurous journey that reads like a horror novel.

I know my summary is a bit vague, but I think it's best to go into The Eternity Cure not knowing much. The Eternity Cure is definitely my favorite book in the series! It's funny and dark at the same time, and the characters are awesome. My one criticism with The Eternity Cure is that there are a few inconsistencies in the story between this book and The Immortal Rules. These inconsistencies don't have an effect on the overall plot, but were quite noticeable to me when I read the books back to back. This is definitely an editing mistake, and it takes a bit of credibility away from the author when I can notice these holes in the story. Nonetheless, I rated The Eternity Cure a 4.5 stars out of 5 on Goodreads, and would have given it a full 5 stars had it not been for those inconsistencies.

If you've read The Immortal Rules and you are debating whether or not to continue on with the series, I think you really should! The Eternity Cure contains some background information to refresh the reader where the story is headed, so you don't need to worry about rereading the first book. You can purchase The Eternity Cure on Amazon HERE. Stay tuned for my review of the last book in the series, and, of course, let me know your thoughts in the comments!

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Book Review | The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa (Blood of Eden Trilogy, Book 1)

I've always been hesitant to read vampire books, especially in the young adult genre, since the Twilight phenomenon. Then I started hearing about the Blood of Eden Trilogy by Julie Kagawa. It's described as a mix of vampires and dystopia, so I had to give it a try. I read all three books in this series back-to-back, and will be reviewing each book for you. This first review will be spoiler free, so it's perfect for those of you who are looking to learn more about the first book in the series, The Immortal Rules.

This series follows our main character Allison Sekemoto. She lives in a vampire district as an unregistered citizen. This means she is not recognized by the government, and thus isn't given food or any means of survival. However, Allison does not want to register, because registered citizens must give their blood to the vampires who rule over the city. Allison hates everything about the vampires. Not only did they kill her mother, but they've forced her into a life of crime.

One day, Allison goes outside of the city walls to hunt for food. She discovers a hidden, storage cellar of canned goods, and encourages her friends to help her raid it. Unfortunately, when they go to get the food, they are attacked by rabids – dangerous creatures that are vampire mutants. Allison's friends are killed, and she is on the verge of death when a vampire appears out of nowhere. He gives her the opportunity to become a vampire, or to die. Despite her hatred for vampires, Allison makes the choice to become a vampire and live forever. The remainder of The Immortal Rules follows Allison as she learns what it means to be a vampire, and follows her as she discovers the world that exists beyond her city's walls.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Immortal Rules, and gave it a 4.5 out of 5 stars on Goodreads. While the beginning of the book is a bit of a "typical dystopian," once the world-building is completed, the story develops into something very unique. I love Kagawa's character development, and the vampire versus human element that runs throughout the plot. My only issues with the book were very minor. I found some parts of the story very predictable, and some parts a bit slow. Otherwise, I loved everything about The Immortal Rules, and was ready to pick up the second book in the series right away.

If you are looking for a new spin on the dystopian genre, I highly recommend The Immortal Rules. This is also a great series if you want to give the paranormal genre a try, but are unsure of how you feel about vampires. You can purchase The Immortal Rules on Amazon HERE. Make sure to stay tuned for my review of the second book in the series, The Eternity Cure!

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Book Review | Don't Even Think About It by Sarah Mlynowski

Back in May I attended a Teen Panel at Barnes & Nobel Union Square, and one of the authors on the panel was Sarah Mlynowski. She was there to market her latest release, Don't Even Think About It, and even though I knew nothing about the book I decided to pick it up and get it signed. I'm so glad I did!

Don't Even Think About It is a young adult book that is a mix between the contemporary and paranormal genres. It takes place at a New York City high school, when the sophomore class is getting its annual flu shots. Everything is going according to plan, until a few hours after the shots are administered the students start hearing things. It turns out the shots gave the students mind-reading abilities! What follows is a hilarious story told in the first-person plural from the point-of-view of all the students with ESP.

I loved Don't Even Think About It, and finished it in a few hours. Mlynowski's writing is quite easy to read, and I loved how she used the first-person plural to demonstrate how none of the kids have secrets anymore since they can hear each others' thoughts. I also thought it was great that the novel accurately portrayed high school life even with this paranormal spin on the story. There was teenage love, teenage angst, and even though I'm a twenty-something, I still loved the story. I laughed out loud many times, and thoroughly enjoyed the reading experience.

I gave Don't Even Think About It a full 5 star rating on Goodreads, simply because it was a great read and I can't tell you one thing I didn't like about it. This is also the first book in a new series, and I can't wait for the next one to be released. I highly recommend Don't Even Think About It if you're looking for a fun read. You can buy it on Amazon HERE. I look forward to checking out more books by Sarah Mlynowski in the future!

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Book Review | Can't Look Away by Donna Cooner

I was extremely excited when I saw Can't Look Away by Donna Cooner on NetGalley and discovered that it is a young adult, contemporary novel starring a YouTube Beauty Guru as the main character! I've watched the YouTube beauty community for about a year and a half, and love that this new part of our culture is being represented in young adult literature. I couldn't wait to dive into the story!

Can't Look Away is told from main character Torrey Grey's perspective. She and her family move from Colorado to Texas as the book begins, as Torrey's younger sister Miranda was just killed in a car crash. The family is looking to start anew, and Torrey must attend a new school. While being the new kid at any high school can be nervewracking, Torrey has an extra reason to panic. She's a YouTube Beauty Guru with hundreds of thousands of subscribers, and since her sister's death the spotlight has been on her more than ever. Torrey hopes that she can survive at her new school without anyone recognizing her, and tries to cope with her sister's passing at the same time.

I really enjoyed Can't Look Away, and was very impressed with the careful research done by Cooner. She was able to capture the small nuances of the YouTube beauty community from the video titles, the catchphrases, and even the gossip websites. As someone who watches beauty videos on a regular basis, this attention to detail made the story very believable, and it represented the YouTube reality quite well. I also loved how the title of each chapter is a title of a beauty video. It was creatively done, and definitely worked.

The story itself was also great. It had depth to it, and the character development was strong. I did see some Mean Girls parallels throughout the story, and at times I found myself lining up the characters of Can't Look Away with the Plastics and Aaron Samuels. However, the stories are quite different, and if I focused on the big picture I could see how they aren't truly connected. I do wish, however, that Can't Look Away was a bit longer. There are some aspects of Torrey's life that I would like to see explained a bit more. While Can't Look Away had a good conclusion, I was left wishing it was a series – I need to know more about Torrey and what comes next for her!

Overall, Can't Look Away is a wonderful book, and perfect for any fan of YouTube in particular. I gave the book 4 out of 5 stars on Goodreads, and definitely recommend it. Can't Look Away is available for pre-order on Amazon HERE and will be released in September.

I use Amazon Affiliate links so you can find all of the books I mention easily. This book was provided for my unbiased review. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. 

Book Review | The Here and Now by Ann Brashares

I've been a huge fan of Ann Brashares since I read The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series while I was growing up. I recently had the opportunity to meet her at a Barnes & Noble signing along with three other authors. It was a fantastic experience! I was able to get her latest release signed, and I read it a couple weeks back in one sitting.

The Here and Now is a young adult novel that combines the contemporary and science fiction genres. Our main character is Prenna, and the story is told from her point of view. Prenna is an immigrant, but she is an immigrant from the future. She immigrated to the present-day United States with her family and other members of her community in order to help prevent the blood plagues of her time.

Prenna must follow a number of rules to survive. We follow her as she tries to fit in at her local high school, while still keeping distance from the other students. Prenna is soon faced with the opportunity to join forces with her friend Ethan, as they try to stop a murder from happening. The Here and Now follows this young couple as they discover the truth about time travel.

While The Here and Now has received mixed reviews, I really loved the story. It is extremely fast-paced, a bit mysterious, and, of course, it tugs on the heart strings as well. Brashares' writing style is one of my all-time favorites. She has the ability to let the reader figure out part of the story, but not the big picture. I actually gasped out loud at one point during a twist I didn't see coming. My one criticism with this book is that it is too short. I feel like the book was condensed into its 242 pages, when it could be much longer. That would have left more breathing room for much of the action, and I would have more of this storyline to enjoy.

Overall, I am rating The Here and Now a 4.5 out of 5 stars on Goodreads. If you like time travel books, I highly recommend this one. It made me call to action everything I knew about time travel from popular culture, even though this definitely plays by its own rules. You can purchase There Here and Now on Amazon HERE. I look forward to reading more of Brashares' books in the future! (Pun not intended.)

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Book Review | The Geography of You and Me by Jennifer E. Smith

I'm really loving young adult, contemporary books this summer, and The Geography of You and Me by Jennifer E. Smith is no exception. I picked up this book at a signing at Barnes & Noble Union Square, and when I sat down to read it I couldn't put it down.

The story begins with our main characters Lucy and Owen as they become trapped in their apartment building's elevator when the power goes out in New York City. They are rescued from the elevator, and spend the rest of the blackout together. While they both live in the same building, they come from very different worlds. Lucy's family is quite affluent, and Owen's is struggling. His mother recently passed away, and his father is the building's superintendent. Nonetheless, the two teens wait out the blackout by getting to know one another.

Once the power comes back on, Lucy and Owen go their separate ways – literally. Lucy moves to Europe when her father is transferred, and Owen and his father go on a road trip to the Western US to find a new job after Owen's dad is fired. The two attempt to stay in contact, but never get the chance to really build a friendship due to their geographical situations. The Geography of You and Me chronicles both Lucy and Owen's journeys as they spend time apart wishing they had they had gotten to know one another better when they had the chance.

I absolutely loved this book. It was beautifully written, and I especially loved Part III. I was glued to the story from the moment it began, and I really appreciated how real the characters are. Unlike many contemporaries, there is no "instalove" in this story, but real character development and relationship building. If you're looking for a great romance that isn't sickeningly sweet, The Geography of You and Me is a perfect choice.

I highly recommend this book, and will definitely be checking out more of Smith's works. Not only was the story great, but I appreciated the beautiful cover and the typography as well. Unsurprisingly, I gave  The Geography of You and Me a full five star rating on Goodreads. You can purchase the book on Amazon HERE. Please let me know in the comments what Jennifer E. Smith book I should pick up next!

I use Amazon Affiliate links so you can find the books I mention easily. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. 

Book Review | We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

One of the most hyped books of this summer is We Were Liars by E. Lockhart. I picked up a copy at a Barnes & Noble event that I attended back in May, and was able to meet the author and have her sign my book! I really enjoyed meeting her and hearing more about what went into writing We Were Liars. I knew that I needed to read it right away in order to avoid any spoilers, and I'm so very glad I did.

We Were Liars is a contemporary, young adult novel told from the point of view of our main character Cadence. Each summer, Cadence joins her wealthy family on their own private island off the coast of Massachusetts. The book chronicles Cadence's return to the island, and readers learn that two summers ago she suffered an accident that affected her memory. The remainder of the book follows Cadence as she tries to piece together what happened.

If you've heard about We Were Liars, then you'll probably know that there is a great deal of mystery surrounding the book. Despite its short length, the story packs a punch. There is a shocking ending that can't be talked about, so if you've not yet read this book, I highly recommend you pick it up right away.

We Were Liars had a huge impact on me. I'm writing this review over a month after reading the novel, and it is still burned into my memory. The book is truly life-altering. It's written absolutely beautifully, and I'm quite impressed with how carefully crafted it is. Lockhart did an amazing job with We Were Liars, and it's definitely encouraged me to look into her other books.

I apologize for such a vague review, but as I mentioned, it's best to read We Were Liars without much context. I definitely recommend this book, and suggest you pick it up before getting spoiled. It's definitely a summer read, but keep the tissues nearby. You can purchase We Were Liars on Amazon HERE. Of course, I gave the book a full 5 star rating on Goodreads.

I use Amazon Affiliate links so you can find the books I mention easily. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. 

Book Review | Branded by Abi Ketner & Missy Kalicicki

Today's book review is very exciting for me, as this is the first blog tour in which I've ever taken part! The authors of Branded, Abi Ketner and Missy Kalicicki, reached out to me and asked if I would review their book, and I decided to go for it. I'm so very glad I did!

While originally released in 2013, the authors revamped Branded to make the story even better. Branded is a young adult, dystopian novel, and the first in a new series entitled A Sinners Series. The book begins with protagonist Lexie Hamilton being snatched from her home in High Society and taken to The Hole. Ever since The Commander rose to power, all citizens who were accused of sin were brought to The Hole to live together in a giant, prison-like sector of society. Sinners immediately get branded around the neck with a tattoo representing what sin she has committed. Lexie's brand is blue, signifying lust. 

Lexie is given a personal guard, Cole, who must watch over her day and night. Those with blue brands don't usually last long, Cole informs Lexie, as they either die of disease or take their own lives. Lexie is given a job at The Hole's hospital, where she learns first hand the true horrors of The Hole – she finds her first patient dead, and others have a strange virus that the doctor can't cure.

As the story continues, we learn more about The Hole, and Lexie's life prior to being accused of sin. The story is told in first-person through Lexie's point of view, and is beautifully written. I raced through Branded quite quickly. I grew to love each and every character, including Cole's dog Zeus, and even shed several tears (okay, I broke down a bit), during some emotional scenes. Though Branded, like all dystopian novels, comments on the serious topic of humanity, it also has many lighthearted moments, and even made me laugh out loud at some points. And yes, there is a love story (and a really great one at that!).

I really enjoyed Branded and am giving it a 4.5 out of 5 stars on Goodreads. The ending was fabulous, and definitely got me excited for the next book in the series. The only reason I docked a half star was because the love scenes were just a bit too much for me, and I could have done without some of the details (if you know what I mean). Otherwise, Branded was a fabulous read! I would say more, but as always, I don't want to spoil you one bit. If you love a good dystopian novel, or are simply looking for an action-packed book, I highly recommend Branded. You can purchase the book on Amazon HERE (the Kindle version is just $2.99 if you're on a budget).

Have you read Branded?! Please share your thoughts in the comments!

The book featured in this post was provided for my unbiased review, and the link above is an Amazon Affiliate link. All my opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.