Along for the Ride Review

Title: Along for the Ride
Author: Sarah Dessen
Publication Date: June 16, 2009
Source: Bought
Rating: 5/5

“He was the closest thing I'd ever had to something, or someone, that mattered. But in the end, close didn't count. You were either in, or you weren't.”
― Sarah Dessen, Along for the Ride 


Summary: It’s been so long since Auden slept at night. Ever since her parents’ divorce—or since the fighting started. Now she has the chance to spend a carefree summer with her dad and his new family in the charming beach town where they live.

A job in a clothes boutique introduces Auden to the world of girls: their talk, their friendship, their crushes. She missed out on all that, too busy being the perfect daughter to her demanding mother. Then she meets Eli, an intriguing loner and a fellow insomniac who becomes her guide to the nocturnal world of the town. Together they embark on parallel quests: for Auden, to experience the carefree teenage life she’s been denied; for Eli, to come to terms with the guilt he feels for the death of a friend.

In her signature pitch-perfect style, Sarah Dessen explores the hearts of two lonely people learning to connect.


My Thoughts: Before I read this book, The Truth About Forever was my favorite Sarah Dessen book. But now I think that one's tied with this one. I loved this book and the setting and the plot and I just loved it.

  Having the setting be at the beach was my favorite part about this book. I love the beach and boardwalks and boutiques, so this setting really excited me. 
  
  Like every Sarah Dessen book, it took me bout 100 pages in to get hooked and invested. That's mostly due to the fact that the romance starts rolling in the middle usually.

  I loved the characters! Maggie and the other girls at the boutique were cute and fun, And I absolutely loved Eli. I didn't really like him at first, but he definitely grew on me. The dad, though, made me so mad at times. It would sometimes make me wanna put the book down! But I got through it thankfully.

  Overall, I loved this book and it was a perfect summer read.

~Bradi 

The 5th Wave Review

Title: The 5th Wave
Author: Rick Yancey
Publication Date: May 7, 2013
Source: Bought
Rating: 5/5

“That's what you do when the curtain is falling--you give the line that the audience wants to hear.”
― Rick Yancey, The 5th Wave 


Summary: (goodreads) After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one.

Now, it’s the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth’s last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie’s only hope for rescuing her brother—or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up.


My Thoughts: Before I start I just wanted to say: this was one of the best books I've read in a long time. Yep, it's pretty much up there with Divergent and all of those amazing books. This book is hyped for a reason; it's epic.

  So it basically centers around this girl names Cassie who's living alone in the world with 97% of its population wiped out. There were 4 waves that took the population, 4 waves made up of technology loss, tsunamis, diseases, and these things called the silencers. You'll figure out what those are once you read the book. Throughout the book, Cassie goes on a journey to find/save her brother who was taken, and along the way meets a character that will end up helping her do it.

  I loved how this book had shifting points of view. That really helped the story develop and blossom and become amazing and intense. It was just fascinating how the points of view all came together in the end and fit like puzzle pieces.

  The characters on this book were excellent. Cassie was a fantastic main character who was strong, smart, and witty. I loved her! And don't even get me started about Evan. *swoon* He was perfect. I absolutely adored him. :)

  I do believe that there will be sequels to this book and I can't wait. I'm recommending it to all of my friends and YOU!

~Bradi

 

Stacking the Shelves (#4)

What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen

My summer goal is to read every Sarah Dessen book. At first I wanted to own them all, but let's be honest: I don't have enough money for that, plus, my friend and I exchange books all the time and she has the Sarah Dessen books I still need. But I'll keep a look out at thrift stores and such ;) (btw: I had no choice but to get the new cover. I used to not like it, but it's growing on me.)

Bought: Barnes & Noble, $9.99

Fifteenth Summer by Michelle Dalton

I honestly had no idea that Sixteenth Summer was the book before this one... Does it matter...? :P Whatever. It caught my eye in the book store and I plan on reading it soon!

Bought: Barnes & Noble, $9.99

The Fifth Wave by Rick Yancey

Oh my goodness. I absolutely cannot WAIT to read this book. I've heard nothing but fantastic things about this book and it's all over the book community. Can it please just come in the mail already so I can read it?!

Bought: Amazon.com, $11.45 

Lock and Key Review

Title: Lock and Key
Author: Sarah Dessen
Publication Date: April 22, 2008
Source: Bought
Rating: 4/5


Summary: Ruby, where is your mother?
Ruby knows that the game is up. For the past few months, she's been on her own in the yellow house, managing somehow, knowing that her mother will probably never return.
That's how she comes to live with Cora, the sister she hasn't seen in ten years, and Cora's husband Jamie, whose down-to-earth demeanor makes it hard for Ruby to believe he founded the most popular networking Web site around. A luxurious house, fancy private school, a new wardrobe, the promise of college and a future; it's a dream come true. So why is Ruby such a reluctant Cinderella, wary and defensive? And why is Nate, the genial boy next door with some secrets of his own, unable to accept the help that Ruby is just learning to give?
Best-selling author Sarah Dessen explores the heart of a gutsy, complex girl dealing with unforeseen circumstances and learning to trust again.

“It's a lot easier to be lost than found. It's the reason we're always searching and rarely discovered--so many locks not enough keys.”
― Sarah Dessen, Lock and Key 


My Thoughts: Okay. I actually started this book in December, and kept putting it down for six months. If you've read a Sarah Dessen book, you'd know that sometimes it takes you a while to really get into the story and really get to know the characters. For me, Lock and Key was a little tough to get into. Personally, I really enjoy the romance aspects of books.The romance in this book started toward the middle and that might be one of the reasons why I couldn't get into it right away. But once I was in, it was quite tough to put down.

  In regards to the plot of this book, it was a lot different than any book I've ever read. Ruby's mother left her. Vanished. Left Ruby all alone. Ruby gets sent to live with her long lost sister and her sister's new husband in an upscale area; quite different than she was used to. I thought this story was very unique and interesting to read about.

  The characters in this book were not my favorite, but interesting nonetheless. I really liked Ruby as a main character, she was more bearable than most female main characters, if you know what I mean. I really started to like Ruby's sister Cora as the book went on, and same goes for Cora's husband Jamie. The only problem I had with the characters was the love interest, Nate. Don't get me wrong, he was a fine character, just definitely not my favorite love interest.

  Overall, I do recommend this book to anyone that likes YA contemporary. Don't go into it thinking you're going to get a great romance out of it, because that's not the point of the book. But you will get a great story about a girl trusting others and finding out where she stands int this world.

~Bradi


   

Lola and the Boy Next Door Review

Title: Lola and the Boy Next Door
Author: Stephanie Perkins
Publication Date: September 29, 2011
Source: Bought
Rating: 5/5

 “And if I'm the stars, Cricket Bell is entire galaxies.”
― Stephanie Perkins, Lola and the Boy Next Door

Summary: Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn’t believe in fashion...she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit--more sparkly, more fun, more wild--the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood. When Cricket--a gifted inventor--steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door. 


My Thoughts: Oh. My. Goodness. I LOVED this book. This was such a breath of fresh air with the plot and the chracters and the romances. Definitely on my list of my top ten favorite books.

  Quite a while back I read Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins; and I fell in love with that one. I was reluctant to read Lola and the Boy Next Door because many reviews said it was good, but not as good as Anna. I was afraid it wasn't going to be as good and that I would be disappointed. I wasn't. In fact, I liked it better than Anna and the French Kiss.

  I really loved that Lola- despite her costumes- found herself by the end of the book. The journey to it wasn't easy, but that's what made her so interesting. I really liked her as a character.

  Oh, and I loved Cricket. Pretty much the best fiction-guy-character ever. The way Lola described him was perfect and he made me smile.

  I can't say anything was wrong about this book because, in my opinion, nothing was. I loved the "girl/boy next door" feel and I didn't want the book to end. I TOTALLY recommend it. :)

~Bradi

P.S. I can't wait to get my hands on Isla and the Happily Ever After!

Stacking the Shelves (#3)

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

My friend recently read this book and LOVED it. She was so obsessed with it and insisted I read it. I've heard amazing things about this book and I can't wait to read it!

Borrowed: Hardcover, from a friend

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Although I've only read City of Bones so far, I decided to buy Clockwork Angel 1.) it was on major sale and 2.) I think I might like it better. People will not stop talking about the Infernal Devices Trilogy, so I want to see what all the fuss is about!

Bought: Paperback, at Books-A-Million for $3.00

Lola and the boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Obviously I had to buy this book when I saw it. My local bookstores haven't been carrying this book so when I saw it I knew I needed it. I read Anna and the French Kiss last summer and became obsessed with it. This being the companion, I can't wait to dive right in!!

Bought: Hardcover, at Books-A-Million for $16.99

If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch

While at the bookstore I saw a table that said "Best in Teen Fiction." I was looking through the table and came across this book. I read the synopsis and instantly knew I wanted it. It sounds so compelling!

Bought: Hardcover, at Books-A-Million for $17.99

Bad Girls Don't Die by Katie Alender

I saw this book in the bargain book section and I have to say, the cover drew me in. It sounds creepy but amazing at the same time.

Bought: Paperback, at Books-A-Million for $2.97

If He Had Been With Me by Laura Nowlin

I loved the synopsis of this book. It sounds so mysterious and interesting. I can't wait to read it!!

Bought: Paperback, at Barnes & Noble for $9.99

Read any of the books? Let me know how you liked them!

Just One Day by Gayle Forman Review

Title: Just One Day
Author: Gayle Forman
Publication Date: January 8, 2013
Source: Borrowed
Rating: 5/5

“You have to fall in love to be in love, but falling in love isn't the same as being in love”
― Gayle Forman, Just One Day

Summary: A breathtaking journey toward self-discovery and true love, from the author of If I Stay
When sheltered American good girl Allyson "LuLu" Healey first meets laid-back Dutch actor Willem De Ruiter at an underground performance of Twelfth Night in England, there’s an undeniable spark. After just one day together, that spark bursts into a flame, or so it seems to Allyson, until the following morning, when she wakes up after a whirlwind day in Paris to discover that Willem has left. Over the next year, Allyson embarks on a journey to come to terms with the narrow confines of her life, and through Shakespeare, travel, and a quest for her almost-true-love, to break free of those confines.

Just One Day is the first in a sweepingly romantic duet of novels. Willem’s story—Just One Year—is coming soon!


My Thoughts:  This is my third Gayle Forman book in a row. I read If I Stay, Where She Went, and Just One Day one after the other. Let me just say this: This is one of the best books I've ever read. I loved it so much. Everything about it intrigued me. I found myself laughing and crying and swooning over Willem. This book had a pretty big effect on me.

  So this book is about a girl named Allyson who's on a summer trip in Europe with her best friend. But the trip is less than exciting. At the end of the trip she meets a boy named Willem, things happen, and the next thing she knows she's going to Paris with him for a day.

  I really connected with Allyson. She's just like me in a lot of ways. I loved Willem because he was really nice and sweet and so fun to read about. Their adventures in Paris don't get off my mind and I'm constantly thinking about it.

  What makes this book different is the fact that after the day in Paris, Willem is gone and Allyson has to take the time and effort to find him again.

  If you liked Gayle Forman's other novels, or if you're a fan of contemporary, I highly recommend this book. I loved it SO much and I simply cannot WAIT until Just One Year comes out! 

~Bradi