Showing posts with label review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label review. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Undeniably Beautiful and Heartbreakingly Real: Confess by Colleen Hoover

Confess
by Colleen Hoover
Genre: New Adult, Romance, Contemporary
Release Date: March 10, 2015
Publisher: Atria Books
Source: Own Copy/Bought
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | iBooks

SYNOPSIS
Auburn Reed has her entire life mapped out. Her goals are in sight and there’s no room for mistakes. But when she walks into a Dallas art studio in search of a job, she doesn’t expect to find a deep attraction to the enigmatic artist who works there, Owen Gentry.

For once, Auburn takes a risk and puts her heart in control, only to discover Owen is keeping major secrets from coming out. The magnitude of his past threatens to destroy everything important to Auburn, and the only way to get her life back on track is to cut Owen out of it.

The last thing Owen wants is to lose Auburn, but he can’t seem to convince her that truth is sometimes as subjective as art. All he would have to do to save their relationship is confess. But in this case, the confession could be much more destructive than the actual sin…

Monday, April 27, 2015

Holy Hottie-McHotters!: The Return by Jennifer L. Armentrout

The Return (Titan, #1)
by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Genre: Mythology, Romance, Paranormal, New Adult
Release Date: February 16, 2015
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Source: Bought/Own Copy
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | iBooks

SYNOPSIS
The Fates are cackling their bony asses off…

It’s been a year since Seth made the deal with the gods that pledged his life to them. And so far, the jobs they’ve given him have been violent and bloody–which is kind of all right with him. But now Apollo has something else in mind for Seth. He’s got to play protector while keeping his hands and fingers off, and for someone who really has a problem with restraint, this new assignment might be the most challenging yet.

Josie has no idea what this crazy hot guy’s deal might be, but it’s a good bet that his arrival means the new life she started after leaving home is about to be thrown into an Olympian-sized blender turned up to puree. Either Josie is going insane or a nightmare straight out of ancient myth is gunning for her.

But it might be the unlikely attraction simmering between her and the golden-eyed, secret-keeping Seth that may prove to be the most dangerous thing of all.

Because history has once again been flipped to repeat.

Friday, January 23, 2015

Thirteen Reasons Why meets The Perks of Being a Wallflower: Playlist for the Dead by Michelle Falkoff

Playlist for the Dead
by Michelle Falkoff
Genre: Music, Romance, Contemporary, Young Adult
Release Date: January 27, 2015
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: ARC from HarperCollins and NBS! 
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | iBooks

SYNOPSIS
A teenage boy tries to understand his best friend's suicide by listening to the playlist of songs he left behind in this smart, voice-driven debut novel.

Here's what Sam knows: There was a party. There was a fight. The next morning, his best friend, Hayden, was dead. And all he left Sam was a playlist of songs, and a suicide note: For Sam—listen and you'll understand.

As he listens to song after song, Sam tries to face up to what happened the night Hayden killed himself. But it's only by taking out his earbuds and opening his eyes to the people around him that he will finally be able to piece together his best friend’s story. And maybe have a chance to change his own.

Part mystery, part love story, and part coming-of-age tale in the vein of Stephen Chbosky’s The Perks of Being a Wallflower and Tim Tharp’s The Spectacular Now, Playlist for the Dead is an honest and gut-wrenching first novel about loss, rage, what it feels like to outgrow a friendship that's always defined you—and the struggle to redefine yourself. But above all, it's about finding hope when hope seems like the hardest thing to find.

Saturday, September 13, 2014

Esoteric and Pure Genius: I Wrote This For You by pleasefindthis (Iain S. Thomas)

I Wrote This For You
by Iain S. Thomas
Genre: Poetry, Romance, Contemporary, Young Adult
Release Date: December 14, 2011
Publisher: Central Avenue Publishing
Source: Bought from iTunes
Links: Goodreads | AmazonAuthor's Blog

SYNOPSIS
I need you to understand something. I wrote this for you. I wrote this for you and only you. Everyone else who reads it, doesn’t get it. They may think they get it, but they don’t. This is the sign you’ve been looking for. You were meant to read these words.

Monday, June 23, 2014

Blog Tour: Free to Fall by Lauren Miller



Free to Fall
by Lauren Miller
Genre: Young Adult, Sci-Fi, Dystopia, Romance
Release Date: May 14, 2014
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: Gifted by NBS (Thank you, NBS!)
Links: Goodreads | Amazon |Author's Blog

SYNOPSIS
What if there was an app that told you what song to listen to, what coffee to order, who to date, even what to do with your life—an app that could ensure your complete and utter happiness? What if you never had to fail or make a wrong choice?

What if you never had to fall?


Fast-forward to a time when Apple and Google have been replaced by Gnosis, a monolith corporation that has developed the most life-changing technology to ever hit the market: Lux, an app that flawlessly optimizes decision making for the best personal results. Just like everyone else, sixteen-year-old Rory Vaughn knows the key to a happy, healthy life is following what Lux recommends. When she’s accepted to the elite boarding school Theden Academy, her future happiness seems all the more assured. But once on campus, something feels wrong beneath the polished surface of her prestigious dream school. Then she meets North, a handsome townie who doesn’t use Lux, and begins to fall for him and his outsider way of life. Soon, Rory is going against Lux’s recommendations, listening instead to the inner voice that everyone has been taught to ignore — a choice that leads her to uncover a truth neither she nor the world ever saw coming.

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Blog Tour: Infinite Sky by C.J. Flood




Infinite Sky
by C.J. Flood
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Coming of Age, Family, Romance
Release Date: May 20, 2014
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers 
Source: ARC provided for the blog tour (thank you, Dianne!) 
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Author's Blog

SYNOPSIS
A truly beautiful book about the summer that changed one girl's life, as her mum leaves home, travellers set up camp in the family's field, her older brother goes off the rails, and she falls in love for the very first time. Opening with a funeral, Iris is mourning the boy in the casket - but who is it? Sam, her tearaway brother, or Trick, her tentative boyfriend? Over one long hot summer, we find out just how their three lives were turned upside-down.

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Review: Prisoner of Night and Fog by Anne Blankman

Cruel Beauty
by Anne Blankman
Genre: Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Romance
Release Date: April 22, 2014
Publisher: Balzer+Bray
Source: ARC received from the publisher
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Author's Blog

SYNOPSIS
Based on the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, 
In 1930s Munich, danger lurks behind dark corners, and secrets are buried deep within the city. But Gretchen MĂĽller, who grew up in the National Socialist Party under the wing of her "uncle" Dolf, has been shielded from that side of society ever since her father traded his life for Dolf's, and Gretchen is his favorite, his pet.
Uncle Dolf is none other than Adolf Hitler.
 And Gretchen follows his every command.
Until she meets a fearless and handsome young Jewish reporter named Daniel Cohen. Gretchen should despise Daniel, yet she can't stop herself from listening to his story: that her father, the adored Nazi martyr, was actually murdered by an unknown comrade. She also can't help the fierce attraction brewing between them, despite everything she's been taught to believe about Jews.
 As Gretchen investigates the very people she's always considered friends, she must decide where her loyalties lie. Will she choose the safety of her former life as a Nazi darling, or will she dare to dig up the truth—even if it could get her and Daniel killed?
From debut author Anne Blankman comes this harrowing and evocative story about an ordinary girl faced with the extraordinary decision to give up everything she's ever believed . . . and to trust her own heart instead.

Thursday, March 27, 2014

(The Lost One Release Day Blitz) Review + Giveaway



The Lost One (End of Days #2)

by Meg Collett
Genre: New Adult, Romance, Paranormal
Source: eARC (Thanks, Meg and Sinful Thoughts!)
SYNOPSIS  
They say some things must be broken before they can be fixed. But when Michaela hoped to cast doubt on the Aethere, she never thought things would fall apart like they did. Now the Aethere have turned their attention to the End of Days, and they won’t rest until they obtain the tools of Earth's final destruction: the Seven Seals. 

The world is falling apart at the seams, and Michaela finds herself clutching the threads. She alone understands what will happen if the Aethere ever get the seals, and it’s the one thing she will fight to the death to prevent if she has to.  

Even amidst the devastation on Earth, Michaela struggles to restore her faith in Gabriel. Together, they'll need to decide if their love is strong enough to erase the line she had fought so hard to draw between holy and fallen. 

Michaela said she wanted a war, but when the End is looming, what will she fight for?

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Dark and Entrancing: Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge

Cruel Beauty
by Rosamund Hodge
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Mythology, Retelling
Release Date: January 28, 2014
Publisher: Balzer+Bray
Source: Own Copy/Bought
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Author's Blog

SYNOPSIS
Based on the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, Cruel Beauty is a dazzling love story about our deepest desires and their power to change our destiny.
 Since birth, Nyx has been betrothed to the evil ruler of her kingdom-all because of a foolish bargain struck by her father. And since birth, she has been in training to kill him.
 With no choice but to fulfill her duty, Nyx resents her family for never trying to save her and hates herself for wanting to escape her fate. Still, on her seventeenth birthday, Nyx abandons everything she's ever known to marry the all-powerful, immortal Ignifex. Her plan? Seduce him, destroy his enchanted castle, and break the nine-hundred-year-old curse he put on her people.
 But Ignifex is not at all what Nyx expected. The strangely charming lord beguiles her, and his castle-a shifting maze of magical rooms-enthralls her.
As Nyx searches for a way to free her homeland by uncovering Ignifex's secrets, she finds herself unwillingly drawn to him. Even if she could bring herself to love her sworn enemy, how can she refuse her duty to kill him? With time running out, Nyx must decide what is more important: the future of her kingdom, or the man she was never supposed to love.

Saturday, March 22, 2014

Mind-blowing and Heart-wrenching: Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover


Maybe Someday
by Colleen Hoover
Genre: New Adult, Romance
Release Date: March 18, 2014
Publisher: Atria Books
Source: Own Copy/Bought
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Author's Blog

SYNOPSIS
At twenty-two years old, aspiring musician Sydney Blake has a great life: She’s in college, working a steady job, in love with her wonderful boyfriend, Hunter, and rooming with her good friend, Tori. But everything changes when she discovers Hunter cheating on her with Tori—and she is left trying to decide what to do next.
Sydney becomes captivated by her mysterious neighbor, Ridge Lawson. She can’t take her eyes off him or stop listening to the daily guitar playing he does out on his balcony. She can feel the harmony and vibrations in his music. And there’s something about Sydney that Ridge can’t ignore, either: He seems to have finally found his muse. When their inevitable encounter happens, they soon find themselves needing each other in more ways than one…

Saturday, January 25, 2014

(Savor Blog Tour) Review + Giveaway


Savor (Vicious Feasts #1)
by Kate Evangelista
Genre: New Adult, Romance, Paranormal
Release Date: January 17th 2014
Source: eARC was given by the author (Thank you, Meg!)
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Author's Blog

SYNOPSIS
I’m Dakota Collins, a tough talking, eye patch wearing, workaholic photography student. Why am I important? Well, maybe because I get to spend an entire month with Vicious, only the sickest indie rock band out there.
You see, I needed a subject for my Spring Showcase introspective in order to graduate. During a chance encounter at a club I’d been sent to cover for the Daily Gossip, our ironically named college paper, the features writer I usually teamed up with introduced me to the band—by accident, I might add. It involved a run in with a scary, bald bodyguard. Anyway, long story short, I signed a contract to take pictures of Vicious. 
I should have known their handsome yet way too serious for his own good bassist, Luka Visraya, wouldn't be able to keep his hands to himself. He’s gorgeous and all, but the way he smiles spelled trouble with a capital L. I’m in for a long month with him around.
Crazy shit happens and then some. So, if you want the skinny on Vicious and the events revolving around my stay at Lunar Manor, read my story.
REVIEW
Savor was my first Kate Evangelista book and I had little knowledge about it when I started reading it. So little that I didn’t even know that this book happens in an alternate universe from Taste. I really thought that this book was a sequel, but with a different protagonist. Nonetheless, I was still impressed.

I really enjoyed reading Savor. It’s about Dakota Collins, a girl in need of something to shoot for her final project. As she was covering a club for her college’s paper, she meets Luka Visraya, the bassist of the well-known band Vicious. She watches Luka and his band perform, and she got captivated by them, so she signed a contract stating the she’ll stay in their manor for 30 days just to take their pictures. Little did she know that signing that contract not only means she’ll be taking their pictures, but also means getting involved with them. The only problem I had with the plot was that thing at the end. I feel like it should have been introduced way earlier in the story, so that the readers wouldn’t be that shocked.

From Dakota to Calixta, the characters were very likable. Having different attitudes, they’re very distinct, yet when they are together, they click! I would like to special mention the two main characters, Dakota and Luka. I really liked them. They’re probably my favorites out of the crew. Dakota with her fiery attitude and Luka with his playful, yet serious actions. I just ship them!

I, however, am not a huge of the writing style. I had this love-hate relationship with it. I loved how she described things vividly. She gave me clear pictures throughout the novel, so there weren't any problems in that department. What I had a problem with was her diction a.k.a. choice of words. It’s not that it was horrible. It just felt irk-y to me. It even felt forced, sometimes. It’s a good thing it was bearable or else that would have been an issue.

I'm still not sure what to rate this book, but I'll give it 3.5 stars (for now). I adored the plot and characters, but the writing? Not much.

RATING

GIVEAWAY

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
When Kate Evangelista was told she had a knack for writing stories, she did the next best thing: entered medical school. After realizing she wasn't going to be the next Doogie Howser, M.D., Kate wandered into the Literature department of her university and never looked back. Today, she is in possession of a piece of paper that says to the world she owns a Literature degree. To make matters worse, she took Master's courses in creative writing. In the end, she realized to be a writer, none of what she had mattered. What really mattered? Writing. Plain and simple, honest to God, sitting in front of her computer, writing. Today, she lives in the Philippines and writes full time.

Friday, January 24, 2014

(Knowing Jack Blog Tour) Review + Giveaway

Thanks for stopping by my little stop in the Knowing Jack Blog Tour hosted by Julie of AToMR Blog Tours. Be sure to go over the post because a giveaway awaits you below.

Knowing Jack
by Rachel Curtis
Genre: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance
Release Date: January 17, 2014
SYNOPSIS
I am not a slut, although I’ve been called one often enough. Yeah, I spent three months screwing one of my college professors, but I was crazy about the guy. Then he broke up with me.

I am not a bitch, although people like to say I am. I kept our relationship secret. I’m not responsible for telling the university administrators about it, but a lot of students still blame me for getting their favorite professor fired.

I am not a drama queen, although everyone thinks I am now. When I got a few nasty messages, I just deleted them. When I got the threat, I assumed it was someone being stupid. I still think that’s all it was. My parents worry, though, so they hired me a bodyguard. Now Jack follows me around, intimidating everyone who approaches me and looking obnoxiously hot.

This is what I am. I’m Chloe. I’m a twenty-year-old art history major. Kind of shy, although I pretend not to be. Stubborn enough to stay here for my senior year, even though everyone hates me.

And I’m stuck with Jack.

He calls me “Princess,” but I’m not a princess either.
REVIEW
I was really intrigued upon reading Knowing Jack's synopsis thus I signed up for the book tour. Why? Because she fell for her professor and that's very... weird? It was weird as it was intriguing because I've been a fan of forbidden relationships since Twilight and Forbidden and I just can't seem to get enough of forbidden-ness.

Plot: Knowing Jack's plot is good enough, although not that much polished. I'm glad they met on the first few chapters because it's crucial—It makes the reader decide to read and finish the book or to not read it at all. The plot twists were very.. How do you say this...? Predictable? It's as though they weren't plot twists at all. Or they were just so common that I have read other books with plot twists same as the ones in this book. 

Jack: I really liked the interluding chapters written in Jack's POV because it gives me a break in reading from a bratty, bullied girl's POV. Jack's evolution all throughout the book was extraordinary. From the control freak, he went to being outrageous and loving and brave. I love how he reacts when he's Chloe. They have chemistry that makes me want to read and read and read.

Chloe: To be honest, Chloe and I didn't go off to a good start. She was like a drama queen borrowed from Mean Girls. But toward the end of the novel, she became a slightly likeable character. She decided to suck it all up and face the world. Good girl, Chloe.

To sum up, Knowing Jack was a really good read because it's a breath of fresh air. I've never seen a book where a student falls in love with her professor. AND THE ENDING, GAAAAH. I WANT MORE. MORE.
RATING

GIVEAWAY

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rachel is a writer, a teacher, a romance reader, and a dog-mom. She loves animals and art and hot men with soft hearts under a tough exterior. She tries to write love stories that feel real, even in unlikely circumstances.

Rachel elsewhere: Website | Facebook


Sunday, January 19, 2014

Review: Unspoken Sarah Rees Brennan



Unspoken (The Lynburn Legacy #1) 
by Sarah Rees Brennan 
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Fantasy, Mystery
Release Date: September 11th 2012
Publisher:  Random House Books for Young Readers
Source: Bought/Own Copy
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Author's Blog

SYNOPSIS
Kami Glass is in love with someone she’s never met – a boy the rest of the world is convinced is imaginary. This has made her an outsider in the sleepy English town of Sorry-in-the-Vale, but she doesn’t complain. She runs the school newspaper and keeps to herself for the most part – until disturbing events begin to happen. There has been screaming in the woods and the dark, abandoned manor on the hill overlooking the town has lit up for the first time in 10 years. The Lynburn family, who ruled the town a generation ago and who all left without warning, have returned. As Kami starts to investigate for the paper, she finds out that the town she has loved all her life is hiding a multitude of secrets- and a murderer- and the key to it all just might be the boy in her head. The boy who everyone thought was imaginary may be real…and he may be dangerous.
REVIEW
I've seen so many people rave about Unspoken so many times, so when I saw a copy on our local bookstore, I decided to buy it without even bothering to read the synopsis. Only when I was about to read the book did I read the synopsis. I wasn't really amazed by it because it reminded me Beautiful Creatures; a book which I thought was boring. But then I opened and I saw a map. I am a huge fan of maps, so I thought there was a chance that I would end up liking Unspoken. And I did. The only problem was that it only lasted for about 50 pages or so before I started getting annoyed. And from then on, the story just went downhill.

I honestly don't know why this book has been receiving a lot of hype lately. I would say it’s me, not the book, but then I would be lying because I honestly believe that it’s the book. First of all, the dialogue was just so unrealistic. I don't think there was a conversation in this book didn’t have a joke in it. Second, the protagonist, Kami, was just hard to connect to. I think the main problem I had with her is that there’s a huge difference between brave and reckless and I believe her to be the latter. It was just frustrating to see her get herself into trouble. I tried my to understand her actions, but I just can’t. Also, she tells Jared that she's always on his side, yet she suspects him as the killer. Really, Kami?  Lastly, there were no transitions. I really hate it when a POV changes without a warning and when characters transport from one place to another. This book really needs to use some transition markers or maybe a page break. I would site more reasons why I don’t think this book isn’t worth the hype, but I wouldn’t want to spoil anyone, so I’ll just leave it be.

Despite the weird dialogue, the annoying heroine, and the sudden transportations, I still enjoyed bits of Unspoken. Secondary characters—Angelica, Holly, and Rusty— were very fun to know, especially Angelica (you know what I mean if you’ve read the book!). The plot also managed to intrigue me. Well, at least the first part did where there were no corny jokes, the heroine wasn’t that self-destructive, and the mystery was still a mystery. So yes, I did enjoy BITS of Unspoken.

Unfortunately, those bits still weren’t enough. I still don’t like Unspoken. I won’t even  recommend it, but if you really want to read Unspoken, then you’re free to do so (because who am I to stop you?). But don’t say I didn’t warn you!

RATING


Monday, December 30, 2013

Nerve-racking and Prodigious: Champion (Legend, #3) by Marie Lu

Champion (Legend, #3)
by Marie Lu
Dystopia, Young Adult, Romance
Release Date: November 5, 2013
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Author's Website
SYNOPSIS
He is a Legend.

She is a Prodigy.

Who will be Champion?

June and Day have sacrificed so much for the people of the Republic—and each other—and now their country is on the brink of a new existence. June is back in the good graces of the Republic, working within the government’s elite circles as Princeps-Elect, while Day has been assigned a high-level military position.

But neither could have predicted the circumstances that will reunite them: just when a peace treaty is imminent, a plague outbreak causes panic in the Colonies, and war threatens the Republic’s border cities. This new strain of plague is deadlier than ever, and June is the only one who knows the key to her country’s defense. But saving the lives of thousands will mean asking the one she loves to give up everything.

With heart-pounding action and suspense, Marie Lu’s bestselling trilogy draws to a stunning conclusion.
 
REVIEW
“Sometimes, the sun sets earlier. Days don’t last forever, you know. But I’ll fight as hard as I can. I can promise you that.”

Oh, Marie Lu, I would undoubtedly trust you with the lives of my future child's, my own, and my future husband's. Holy shit. How does one even talk about this bewildering, yet upsetting book?

Out of all the other series enders released this year, Champion proved to be the best because it breaks my heart and patches it all back again. This was actually the the best book out of the three. You want to know why? Because this book has everything that will keep anyone, and I mean anyone hooked because of it's diversity; it's got action, romance, politics, and great characterization. Bravo, Marie Lu!

Plot: The plot. Oh my God, the plot. I have many things to say but one word seems to stand out: engrossing. Everything about it lures me in and Champion was gladly taped to my fingers the whole time! Having seen the Colonies, I needed more of their post-apocalyptic world, and that was what was given to me by Marie Lu. She gave me Antartica, the cool sims-like part of their world and it was awesomesauce! Also, the mix of politics, romance, and action was impressive. It was all inter connected. The problem with politics has been brought up which gave rise to the rekindling of the romance between our two protagonists which also gave rise to the nail biting action! It was all perfectly blended together like a frappé from Starbucks, complete with toppings (word choice of Mari Lu) that further adorn the said drink.

Writing: As expected, at this part of the review, Marie Lu didn't (couldn't) disappoint. DUH. It's Marie Lu we're talking about here, how could she mess up with the writing?

The book is told from both their POVs and, if you see this as one way to bring the book down, then I strongly disagree with your opinion because what the two POVs did was it made the book better! It was like seeing an event from a split screen which makes the action twice the more exciting! Though, I have to say that at times we already know what would be happening in the next chapter because of the POV of the other character, but that's fine! Who would want to go to a war blindfolded right?

Pace: This book wasn't so different from the first two in pace because they contain action which couldn't be written in such slow pace, but somehow, this book's pace, and I say this almost reluctantly, was slower (at first) than the first two which made me think that this would be a tedious read, but that made the end more meaningful to me. (THE ENDING GAAAAAH)

Junebug: I LOVE HER. I wrote too many "I LOVE HER"s at the first draft that I had to lower it down to one. GAAAAH, I JUST LOVE HER, I said that already haven't I? Now onto the reasons why I love her. Her development all throughout the series was extraordinary! From the bratty little sister to Metias, she became this loving, independent, strong, self-confident woman! She used to do anything to get what she wanted even if it meant a death of a person. And now, she chose to go through with her selfless promise that she'll let go of Day if that means that he'll live. She even thought that it's be better because without her in his life, he wouldn't be hurt by her. He wouldn't remember the death of his mom often because June was the reason she was dead in the first place. Okay, too much spoilers.

Overall: This is the proper way on how you should end a book and a series. The ending is the perfect epitome of an ending that's sad but full of hope. Looking back, I really pictured a more macabre and gruesome ending, and I'm glad that mu assumption was wrong because what I couldn't put into words, Marie Lu did. That was a perfect series ender.

RATING

Swoon-worthy: Perfect Chemistry (Perfect Chemistry #1) by Simone Elkeles

Perfect Chemistry (Perfect Chemistry #1)
by Simone Elkeles
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary
Release Date: December 23, 2008
Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers
Source: Bought/Own Copy
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Author's Blog

SYNOPSIS
A fresh, urban twist on the classic tale of star-crossed lovers.

When Brittany Ellis walks into chemistry class on the first day of senior year, she has no clue that her carefully created 'perfect' life is about to unravel before her eyes. She's forced to be lab partners with Alex Fuentes, a gang member from the other side of town, and he is about to threaten everything she's worked so hard for: her flawless reputation, her relationship with her boyfriend, and the secret that her home life is anything but perfect. 

Alex is a bad boy and he knows it. So when he makes a bet with his friends to lure Brittany into his life, he thinks nothing of it. But soon Alex realizes Brittany is a real person with real problems, and suddenly the bet he made in arrogance turns into something much more.

In a passionate story about looking beneath the surface, Simone Elkeles breaks through the stereotypes and barriers that threaten to keep Brittany and Alex apart.
REVIEW
Oh, why did I just read this now? This book was beyond what I expected! Okay, the story maybe a bit cliche, but the way it was written. Elkeles did a GREAT job writing the story! Once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down! What can I say? I was so engrossed with the story that I was so annoyed when I was asked to put the book down.

“We're actors in our lives, pretendin' to be who we want people to think we are.” 

First, we meet Brittany. She is a girl living the perfect life the north side of town, but in reality, she has her fair share of problems. At home, she is the one who takes care of her sister, Shelley, who has cerebral palsy, because her mother won't and her father is rarely at home. Alongside that, she also struggles keeping up her perfect image. Okay, enough about that! I like Brittany's character. A lot. From the beginning, I already felt connected to her. I felt her pain for being her parents' barbie doll, her struggle as she tries to make a stand for herself, and her anger towards her parents for using her sister against her. As you see, her life isn't really that perfect at all. She hides behind this false facade to make her parents and friends but as the story progress, we see this facade of her fall. We see her develop into a girl who hardly gives a crap about what people say about her.

And then there's Alex Fuentes, the town's bad boy who lives in the south side of town. He's a hot latino. He's very protective of his family after what happened to his dad who got killed because of a drug deal. Just like Brittany, he also hides behind this false facade of his. Despite the fact that he's in a gang, he's a really nice and intelligent guy. In fact, he doesn't really want to be part of the Latino Blood. He wants to leave the gang and study college, but he knows he can't because of its consequences.


“I'm losing control."
"Mamacita, I've already lost it."


There's no denying there's chemistry between those two. As cliche as it may be, they actually have this love-hate relationship. It was so cute watching them exchange banters. But of course, there's this something preventing them from dating each other. They can't date each other because they live in different sides of the town. If they date each other, Brittany would be judged not only by her friends, but also by her family. The question is will she risk losing her perfect reputation to have Alex by her side? You'll have to read the book to know the answer! *wink*

Basically, I highly recommend this book! The story and characters were greatly written. The plot maybe cliche, but it's really worth reading. I'm definitely looking forward to reading Carlos's book, Rules of Attraction!

REVIEW