A Need So Beautiful by Suzanne Young
Release Date: June 21, 2011
Publisher: Balzer and Bray
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 272
Summary: We all want to be remembered. Charlotte's destiny is to be Forgotten...
Charlotte’s best friend thinks Charlotte might be psychic. Her boyfriend thinks she’s cheating on him. But Charlotte knows what’s really wrong: She is one of the Forgotten, a kind of angel on earth, who feels the Need—a powerful, uncontrollable draw to help someone, usually a stranger.
But Charlotte never wanted this responsibility. What she wants is to help her best friend, whose life is spiraling out of control. She wants to lie in her boyfriend's arms forever. But as the Need grows stronger, it begins to take a dangerous toll on Charlotte. And who she was, is, and will become--her mark on this earth, her very existence--is in jeopardy of disappearing completely.
Charlotte will be forced to choose: Should she embrace her fate as a Forgotten, a fate that promises to rip her from the lives of those she loves forever? Or is she willing to fight against her destiny--no matter how dark the consequences.
My Thoughts: I was really late in reading this one over everyone else, but I went into it with such high hopes. Yes, I liked it and enjoyed most of it, but I was left feeling a little underwhelmed.
We are introduced to Charlotte who always felt she was a little different. But being adopted can cause that, and she figured that was it. She has had the need, the need to help people, to tell them things they need to hear, and then once she does they forget her, and the feeling goes away for a while.
She has all the normal things a girl can have. A funny best friend, a cute boyfriend, and a few adopted siblings. Her life isn't that out of the ordinary.
Until she realizes that a family friend named Monroe is the only one who can help her with her new set of problems. Her skin is peeling, she’s seeing visions of a women, and the need is becoming more persistent and little details are disappearing from people’s minds. She finds out more about her history and she wants to stop it.
I don’t know. I didn't love this one like everyone else. I did enjoy it, but I expected it to be a 5 cupcake novel but it just quite wasn't. I am hoping the next in the series is. I really liked Harlin (her boyfriend). Loved how he fit into the story line and how it ends with him.
Overall: I did enjoy this one a lot but I was expecting more. At times I felt the story was going too slow and too repetitive. I thought something huge would happen and it took awhile for that to happen. I am hoping I’ll enjoy the second one much more and will be able to give it 5 cupcakes!
Cover: Love it! It’s so pretty and from the moment I saw it, I wanted to read it. Awesome cover!
Kiss Me Again by Rachel Vail
Release Date: December 26, 2012
Publisher: HarperTeen
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 240
Summary: What happens when a crush so off-limits that it could only be a fantasy…suddenly becomes something very real?
Charlie Collins doesn’t know what to do about Kevin Lazarus, her crush and, awkwardly, her new stepbrother. Things were complicated enough when their parents were only dating and when Kevin was going out with Charlie’s best friend, Tess. Now, post-wedding, Charlie and Kevin are crossing paths and crossing lines late at night, and then they have to eat breakfast…together. If only Charlie could get some time away from Kevin and her annoyingly happy and strange stepfamily, she might be able to deal. Yet first she has to make things right with George, her sort-of boyfriend, and Tess, whose trust she broke. But while Charlie struggles to be the perfect friend and daughter, at the end of the day Kevin waits for her at home. Would it really be so terrible if they kissed again?
The follow-up to If We Kiss, Rachel Vail’s addictive story of first kisses and heartbreak, KISS ME AGAIN returns at long last to answer that question.
My Thought: Gosh, I read If We Kiss years ago, so when I saw there was a sequel in the works, I was excited. I love Charlie and Kevin as characters. I love the idea of these novels.
Charlie and Kevin are fun to read about. Charlie is so funny and Kevin is charming in his own way.
In When We Kiss, their families are living together, their parents are married, and they have to adapt to it. Well, they do but they start sneaking kisses when they can. Of course they still have feelings for one another.
Charlie’s best friend is still mad at her for a while, and Charlie is dating George or not dating him, whatever you want to call it.
I found myself laughing quite a few times but I just didn’t feel like much happened in this novel. I enjoyed it but I don’t feel like the plot really advanced much.
I loved their parents and I loved Kevin’s sister. I even loved the goldfish!
Fun characters, funny moments, fans of If We Kiss will probably enjoy this one.
Overall: Liked it, was funny, but wasn’t everything I hoped it would be. I still enjoyed it, but was hoping a bit more. Probably more of a 3.5 rating!
Cover: Love it! I also love the new cover for If We Kiss too! These covers are eye catching alright!
What I'd Give It:
If I Lie by Corrine Jackson
Release Date: August 28, 2012
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 288
Summary: A powerful debut novel about the gray space between truth and perception.
Quinn’s done the unthinkable: she kissed a guy who is not Carey, her boyfriend. And she got caught. Being branded a cheater would be bad enough, but Quinn is deemed a traitor, and shunned by all of her friends. Because Carey’s not just any guy—he’s serving in Afghanistan and revered by everyone in their small, military town.
Quinn could clear her name, but that would mean revealing secrets that she’s vowed to keep—secrets that aren’t hers to share. And when Carey goes MIA, Quinn must decide how far she’ll go to protect her boyfriend…and her promise.
My Thoughts: Wow! I was looking forward to this one from the day I heard about it. I wanted to read it so bad!
We are introduced to Quinn who has been basically raised in a military community. She lives, eats, breathes military. Her father was in the military, mostly everyone in their town has enlisted or knows someone who has enlisted.
So, when Quinn hooks up with her childhood friend Carey, its not really surprising. But he also joins the military so Quinn is once again involved more with the military. It’s always been Quinn, Carey, and their other bestie Blake. They've been friends since they were kids, they do everything together.
Quinn has interests. She loves photography and she makes a friend that isn't quite her age throughout the novel. She learns so much from him. Old relationships come back into her life and she's left to deal with them.
While things go down differently than the way Quinn plans, she ends up kissing another boy. And the town finds out about it. It seems like everyone knows, and Quinn is labeled a traitor and a few other bad names. Nobody understands why she did it. Nobody knows what really happened. Nobody knows the truth.
If I Lie unravels the story behind Quinn and that kiss. We learn so much about her, her family, her friends, her school, everyone. It’s emotional, confusing, devastating. Carey goes missing and everyone hates Quinn even more. They blame her.
Wow. I loved seeing how this one unfolded. It was so gripping though. And both Carey and Blake I loved in different ways. I understand them both and why they thought the way they did. I got it.
This novel was amazing. I’m so glad I read it. Great plot and great characters. I wanted the ending to be a little different but I understood. Great great great!
Overall: One of the best novels I read in 2012. I don’t even really have the right words to describe this one. I just really loved it because it made me feel things that I’m not used to feeling. It made me want to shake all the characters yet comfort them. It was heartbreaking, yet exciting.
Cover: Love it! Tell me this cover doesn't rock? I love and adore it.
What I’d Give It:
The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken
Release Date: December 18, 2012
Publisher: Hyperion Book CH
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 496
Summary: When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something frightening enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that gets her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government “rehabilitation camp.” She might have survived the mysterious disease that’s killed most of America’s children, but she and the others have been cursed with something far worse: frightening abilities they cannot control.
Now sixteen, Ruby has spent nearly half her life desperately trying to hide the fact that she’s outwitted the camp’s sorting system—that she isn’t powerless, or safe. She’s one of the dangerous ones… and everyone knows what happens to them.
When the truth comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. Now she’s on the run, desperate to find the one safe haven left for kids like her—East River. She joins a group of teens who escaped their own camp, pursued along the way by terrifying bounty hunters. Liam, their brave leader, is falling hard for Ruby. But no matter how much she aches for him, Ruby can’t risk getting close to him. Not after what happened to her parents.
When they arrive at East River, nothing is as it seems, least of all its mysterious leader. But there are other forces at work, people who will stop at nothing to use Ruby in their fight against the government. Before the end, Ruby will be faced with a terrible choice, one that may mean giving up her only chance at a life worth living.
My Thoughts: Wow, this book felt long, but I loved every single page of it.
We are introduced to Ruby who was taken from her parents at age 10. She has been living in a camp ever since. The camp's name is Thurmond and it houses a variety of colors or at least it does for a while. There are many camps throughout the world and all teenagers are taken to one to be rehabilitated.
Ruby ends up with help and escapes. Only to end up with another group of kids like her, well kinda. They aren’t classified the same color as her but nobody really knows her real color. And she’s not in a hurry to give it out. She’s dangerous and she knows she is. Everyone has abilities.
Ruby runs into a group of kids named Liam, Zu, and Chubs. Each one has their own personality and their own way of looking at things. She fits right in with them and helps them when she can. They are all there for one another and appreciate each other. She also starts to really like Liam and he feels the same way about her. They have a lot of different people chasing them and we see how they handle the situations.
They are on the hunt for another boy and a camp. The mission is to find them and get them to help them. They each have their own motives.
Ruby was such a likable character. She wasn’t perfect and even though she was scared at times, she became very brave and was a good person to look up too. And Liam, oh Liam, instantly fell for him.
The Darkest Minds was wonderful! Don’t want to give away spoilers so no more about the plot or characters or what happens!
Overall: This book was so freaking good, I loved every bit of it. Loved the plot, loved the characters, loved everything about it!!
Cover: Like it! It’s not that bright or detailed but I still like it.
What I'd Give It:
A Beautiful Dark by Jocelyn Davies
Release Date: September 27, 2011
Publisher: HarperTeen
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 400
On the night of Skye's seventeenth birthday, she meets two enigmatic strangers. Complete opposites--like fire and ice--Asher is dark and wild, while Devin is fair and aloof. Their sudden appearance sends Skye's life into a tailspin. She has no idea what they want, or why they seem to follow her every move--only that their presence coincides with a flurry of strange events. Soon she begins to doubt not just the identity of the two boys, but also the truth about her own past.
In the dead of a bitingly cold Colorado winter, Skye finds herself coming to terms with the impossible secret that threatens to shatter her world. Torn between Asher, who she can't help falling for, and Devin, who she can't stay away from, the consequences of Skye's choice will reach further than the three of them could ever imagine.
"A Beautiful Dark" is the first book in a captivating trilogy by debut author Jocelyn Davies.
My Thoughts: I did it. I went to goodreads and read a few reviews before I picked up this novel. And, some of them were bad, real bad. I remember when this one first came out I was so excited to read it, but then it got pushed back on my shelf.
I actually really enjoyed this one. We are introduced to Skye (awesome name) who lives with her mother’s best friend. Her mom and dad died when she was just a little kid.
Skye is pretty much a perfect girl. She gets good grades, stays out of trouble, she is even never late for school.
Until one day when two new boys come into her life who are cousins. First, there is Asher. Oh sweet rebellious Asher. He was so hot! And then there is Devin. Devin is the sweet caring quiet type. He has order and likes to stick to it. Asher and Devin couldn't be more opposites but Skye finds herself intrigued by both of them.
Its not such a random thing they both show up at the same time. They were sent to her town for a reason.
Skye knows she’s different. She’s always felt a little off, but she figured it was just normal. Normal for her anyway. Strange things have been happening though.
Skye sure does have the guys into her though. She ends up with 3 different boys into her, and I thought this was pretty funny. She’s unsure to really even act around them.
II felt like so much went down in this novel, even though sometimes it felt slow. I did read it fairly quickly though, even when it got slow. I really liked all the characters. I liked both Devin and Asher in my own way. I could see the thrill of them both. How can you not like these two boys? And, I loved that this was centered on Angels. I don’t read many Angel books so this was awesome for me. And the way both sides want Skye for their own, MYSTERIOUS! And all the secrets Skye finds out along the way. Tragic.
Did I hate it like some people? Apparently not. HA. I actually liked this a lot more than I thought I would after reading those reviews. So, all in all, don’t let bad reviews turn you off, just read it yourself and make your own opinion! You might like it, you might not. Only you will know that. HA!
I debated between giving this one 4 and 5 cupcakes, but finally settled on 4, because I did really enjoy it, and I enjoyed the two boys so much but there's been a few books I've liked a bit more than year. Probably more of a 4.5 cupcake rating for me.
Overall: I’m actually very excited to see what comes next for Skye and her two boys. I’m anxious to see where A Fractured Light takes us! Honestly, I still like the love triangle thing, and this novel had that going on!
Cover: Love it! When I first saw it, I loved it. It’s so pretty and I loved it!
What I'd Give It:
The Catastrophic History Of You And Me by Jess Rothenberg
Release Date: February 21,2012
Publisher: Dial
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 400
Summary: Dying of a broken heart is just the beginning.... Welcome to forever.
BRIE'S LIFE ENDS AT SIXTEEN: Her boyfriend tells her he doesn't love her, and the news breaks her heart—literally.
But now that she's D&G (dead and gone), Brie is about to discover that love is way more complicated than she ever imagined. Back in Half Moon Bay, her family has begun to unravel. Her best friend has been keeping a secret about Jacob, the boy she loved and lost—and the truth behind his shattering betrayal. And then there's Patrick, Brie's mysterious new guide and resident Lost Soul . . . who just might hold the key to her forever after.
With Patrick's help, Brie will have to pass through the five stages of grief before she's ready to move on. But how do you begin again, when your heart is still in pieces?
My Thoughts: Whoa, her heart actually broke into two! Crazy stuff! This debut was a very emotional and interesting read.
We are introduced to Brie (like the cheese) on the day she dies. It’s traumatic, its sad, its devastating, its a mess. She’s out to dinner with her boyfriend Jacob and he tells her he doesn't love her. Than she dies. Talk about emotional.
She’s thrust into the afterlife (basically) and there she meets a boy named Patrick. Time passes differently so she never really knows how long she has been there. Days go by faster and slower it seems. Time is just irrelevant to an extent. Or so it seems like it.
She’s still upset about Jacob and once she finds out he’s dating her best friend she wants revenge. Typical girl drama, right? She can go back to earth but nobody can see her. Except of course for one little animal.
It was hard for me to see how everyone’s life changed when she died. It’s hard to see how they handled it and how they dealt with it. Her friends, her boyfriend, her family, her schoolmates. It was hard.
I really liked Patrick. He was Bries friend and he tried to be there for her. There is a lot more to his story than what was let on at first. It was hard seeing him the way he was too.
This book was just emotional for me. There were times I wanted to cry and it reminded me of friends and family members I have lost throughout the years. It makes you think about what comes next.
When we find more out about Patrick, that is when I started to get confused. But it was straightened up quickly and I understood.
And Jacobs secret. The reason why he said he didn't love her. Wow.
I really liked this one a lot. I understood it. I felt it.
Overall: Emotions galore for me! This debut was really fascinating and I can’t see what this author writes next. I will be picking up her next book. Please go read this one now! I honestly went back and forth between 4 and 5 cupcakes on this one because I really enjoyed it, however I did feel confused for a little bit and I didn't like that. HAHA. Probably more like 4 and half cupcakes.
Cover: Like it. It’s real pretty! It fits!
What I’d Give It:
The Boy Next Door by Annabelle Costa
Release Date: December 2012
Publisher: Dev Press
Age Group: Adult
Summary:
Sometimes, love is closer than you think.
Through middle school, high school, bad dates, and an ill-advised punk phase, Tasha has always been able to count on Jason. Since the day he moved in next door, he’s gone from the weird kid in a wheelchair to Tasha’s most trusted friend. But lives change and the friends are going in different directions. When Jason and Tasha rekindle their friendship, sparks fly. After years of being a wild soul, now the ex-lead of a band turned music teacher is just looking for a relationship to last.
When none other than Jason introduces her to a man who can give her what she wants, Tasha is on the verge of throwing passion and love away just so she can forget her troubled past and settle down. But Jason isn’t ready to give her up just yet.
My Thoughts: It’s been quite a while since I read a book that wasn’t YA. I have a few others on my TBR pile as well but I just don’t pick them up as much.
We are introduced to Tasha who is a pretty laid back girl but also had quite the teenage years. She was a bit of a party girl and liked to have fun. She also had a next door neighbor named Jason. They were friends since they were kids. Jason was in a wheelchair most of his life and Tasha got used to being friends with someone like him. Yes, he couldn't do everything she could but they spent plenty of time doing things they both enjoyed together. They go their separate ways when they become adults.
They grow up and reconnect and become best friends again. Tasha has a boyfriend usually and Jason has his fair share of relationships. Heck, at one time Jason is thinking about getting married and another time Tasha is engaged.
These two were such great characters. I loved both of them, and I saw myself falling for Jason, despite the things about him we couldn't control. I never once felt sorry for him, I just felt for him. He was funny and he could be serious and really be there for you.
Of course, I wanted Jason and Tasha to end up together, who wouldn't? Open your eyes Tasha and realize he’s not just the boy next door.
This one had me laughing out loud numerous times and at times I wanted to yell.
The Boy Next Door was an enjoyable read, I liked it a lot more than I originally thought I would going in.
Overall: Really enjoyed it. I hadn't heard much about this one before I had it recommended to me. It hasn't gotten much publicity yet but it was quite the catch.
Cover: Like it but I generally don’t like the cartoonish covers for some reason.
What I’d Give It:
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